Mariner's Discovery Church

MY TRIBUTE TO KRISTI: Last Saturday, Sept. 5 was the Homegoing Service for my daughter Kristi Payne It was truly a wonderful service that narrated her story to ...everyone in attendance and watching on the livestream. We saw so many friends, coworkers and family members from out of town. There were many tears, but there was also a celebration of her life. Here are the words I spoke at the service to pay tribute to my daughter: My name is Don Payne and I am proud to be Kristi’s father. Thank you for supporting our family during this exceedingly difficult time. We appreciate your help and encouragement; the phone calls and the many, many messages you have sent to us via text, social media, email and snail mail (your sympathy cards). We truly appreciate your prayers. I know that we hear people say, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all the time. But I need you to understand something about my family. We actually believe in the power of prayer. God is using your prayers to strengthen and comfort us as we navigate through the sadness and bereavement of the first few days and weeks of this tragedy. So, when you pray for us, it is not some hypothetical or useless exercise. God is listening. Your prayers matter to usand they are making a difference. What can I say about Kristina Dawn Payne? She is the third of my four children. Psalm 127.3 says, Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. When she walked into a room, she lit it up. Kristi was gifted and talented; but she really loved people. Kristi was a great friend, daughter, aunt, sister, coworkershe was a light to everyone who got to know her. What are some of the things I remember most? She was a beautiful child who loved her family. I remember her decision to become a Christian, and her baptism at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston almost 20 years ago. Kristi was an artist. When she was about 10 years old, I was amazed at her ability to draw the cartoon characters she watched every Saturday on TV with such detail. Later in life, she actually sold some of her work. Kristi was a wonderful mother who deeply loved her 6-year-old son, Mason. They were inseparable. They did everything together and she wanted the best for him. When she moved a couple of years ago, Kristi relocated to an area closer to her family, and where Mason could get the best education possible. Kristi was always outspoken she could have a sharp tongue. She was not shy about expressing an opinion to friends or familyespecially when it came to discussing sports. My daughter Mindy, and Kristi are so knowledgeable and passionate about sports of all kinds. When I would ask them, how did you two get so fanatic about sports? Then they would just look at me like I was crazy. You see, I had been that way when they were growing up. Kristi’s sports interest blossomed into dreams of a future in sports broadcasting on ESPN. About 4 years ago she called on her dad for some advice. As some of you may know, I was a TV producer, writer and director for more than 30 years. She asked me how to get into the business through podcasting. Through many phone calls and several long meetings at my home, we discussed everything from microphones to how to write a script. I was so proud because she wanted to follow in my footsteps. Kristi did it she was living her dreams and she was a very good podcaster. She became host or cohost of several talk shows during the last few years. She had a bright future. But unfortunately, it was not to be. Mostly I remember her character. She was a lover of many people who loved her back. I will remember that Mindy and Kristi are sistersand great friends. Let me get real personal with you. How do I, Kristi’s father, make sense of what happenedand the evil that took her life? I can’t. A tragedy like this could easily destroy me if I do not have an anchor for my soul. Especially since this is the second child I’ve lost to death early. My son, Elton died in a car accident at age 24, twenty years ago next month. So, I don’t have the words to express how very difficult this has been for me and the family. Butalthough we are hard pressed during this time, we are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; despondent, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We know we can endure all things through Christ who gives us strength. Kristi joins her brother Elton in a place far better than here. Kristi, as much as her brother, made this world a brighter and better place. I leave you with this for your contemplation from Psalm 121.1-2: I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

From Sea to Shining Sea (by Johnny Cash) The beautiful spacious skies, the amber waves of grain To the majestic purple mountains above the fruited plain God did shed His grace from sea to shining sea on you and on me... From Sleepy Hollow mountain country to the swamps of Okefenokee To Guthrie Oklahoma, to Hibbing Minnesota To Grants Pass Oregon, to Stone Pipe Wells, California From Texas to Montana, from California to Maine In the sunny days the winter snow from Arizona sand To Cherokee North Carolina, to Tarpen Springs Florida America, it's time to be refreshed, recalled to memory God did shed His grace on Thee from sea to shining sea The land is big the best is free Sand and surf grass and tree from sea to shining sea God shed His grace on me And crown Thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea Have A Safe and Relaxing July 4 Weekend! God Is Still Blessing America!

1 Corinthians 13 1 If I speak in the tongues [1] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.... 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, [2] but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. See more

"Though we may find it hard to imagine God exulting over us with shouts of joy, that is what I am called to believe. The love of God for each of us is an everlasting love! Just as Jesus was the beloved Son of God, so we are the beloved joint heirs with Christ. And God shows that love for us when we are at our worst. What a great love that is! Praise God for the love that He lavishes on us!" Pastor Larry Quinnell

https://www.foxnews.com//ravi-zacharias-online-memorial-pe The greatest apologist for our faith since Billy Graham. And the only Christian evangel to give a sermon at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City several years ago.

https://www.christianitytoday.com//george-floyd-ministry-h

The is my brother, Don: Christ-follower, ministry leader, father & media communications expert speaking on the subject of race in America and the church’s biblical responsibility. The interviewer is Kelly Michelle Edmiston.

My Christian friend of nearly 40 years, internationally-famed drummer/author/teacher John Xepoleas. I’ve mentioned him to you before during our worship team rehearsals. He’s an old-school, Greek Orthodox worshipper. Please take the time to read his testimony and how John sees a victory through God as he strengthens John against ALS.

https://vimeo.com/413389820 My brother, Don, is located on the 3rd row,3rd person from the right near center. This is an Awesome video! This is Don's ministry team from his church just outside of Houston--the First Colony Church of Christ.

Songs for Sunday, May 3: Call To Worship: NEW MEDLEY: God I Look To You (G)/What A Beautiful Name (G) (We will only sing the Bridge 2, Chorus 3 and Ending of What A Beautiful Name) Kids Song: Holy Is The Lord ... Led by Theresa on guitar and Chris WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRAYER Adoration: Do It Again (Bb) Way Maker (E) MESSAGE BY PASTOR LARRY Response/Invitation: In Christ Alone (F) Assurance/Sending: Kids Song: Our God Led by Theresa on guitar and Chris

COME WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE AT marinersdiscoverychurch.com SUNDAY, APRIL 26 WORSHIP Call To Worship:... Here For You (Matt Redman) Good Good Father (Kids Roar) WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRAYER Adoration: Stand In Your Love (Josh Baldwin) The Rock Won't Move (Vertical Worship) MESSAGE BY PASTOR LARRY Response/Invitation: Holy Water (We The Kingdom) Assurance/Sending: (I Wanna Be) Thankful (Kids Roar)

Gettin’ for April 19 worship!

How's everyone doing through all the craziness? With the stay-in-shelter order, now is a great time (as always) to praise God for how He has blessed us and how He continues to so. It's also a great time to listen to a variety of worship songs--old and new--not only in our praise at church, but especially at home! Regarding new songs: Keep those suggestions coming. We'll introduce a new song on April 26. There are a lot to choose from. We know that worship in song is just on...e of many ways to worship our Living God. Now during this time, we also can iron-sharpen-iron each other regarding how and why we worship with some great reads. The Bible, of course is a great place to start. The Psalms are great for connecting with the Lord and study worship basics. The Psalms are also great for encouraging playing our instruments and singing skillfully (Psalm 33:3) Of course, the Bible has more than a few other great verses regarding worship. My favorite places to read about the beginnings of what has become our organized worship continue to be verses in 1Chronicles chapters, 13-25. I had a wonderful conversation with Theresa and Christopher about the movie reference for Raiders of the Lost Ark. All that is covered in those verses and other places. I've probably mentioned this before, but my favorite book other than the Bible to read about worship is the great Stephen Miller book: Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars! The book is a stinging reprimand of what has become the "AmericanIdolization" of praise and worship in church in many churches--pros and con. The book gives plenty of examples what is "the new normal" for the presentation of worship music. But the book also goes a long way towards reminding us that as praise team members, we are first and foremost-worshipers because we are the redeemed. Then, we are deacons, pastors, theologians, storytellers, artists--all as Christians. A couple of months ago, I started re-reading a book that a worship pastor gave me when I was at Crosswinds Church over 10 years ago: Bonhoeffer-pastor, martyr, prophet spy. His take on worship is still quite profound after all these years! Scribbling In The Sand (Michael Card) and What's So Amazing About Grace (Philip Yancy) are 2 other great ones. Here are our songs for Sunday, April 19: SUNDAY, APRIL 19 AT MDC: Call To Worship: Our God (B) The River (Bbm) WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRAYER Adoration: How Great Is Our God ((D) God Of Revival (F) led by Holly MESSAGE BY LARRY Response/Invitation: Spontaneous Worship: Open The Eyes Of My Heart (E) Assurance/Sending: KIDS: SONG 6 - KIDS VBS ROAR: I Will Not Be Afraid (E) We'll be virtually seeing each other on Sunday! Blessings, Clif Payne Worship Leader