SAN MATEO, Calif., April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting this Easter Sunday, April 20th, The Message Church in San Mateo will begin a 5-week series titled "Because I'm Happy: how to beat stress, anxiety, depression and be really free." The church meets at the Century 12 movie theaters in downtown San Mateo. Each Sunday gathering will consist of live music, talks, Q&A, and personal stories designed to give people tools to be emotionally well.

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"I love the Pharrell Williams pop hit 'Happy.' You can't hear it without singing along," says Beto Carvalho, who serves as pastor at the church. "But as a social phenomenon, I'm a little intrigued by anyone repeating 'I'm happy, I'm happy,' over and over. It's almost as if they are trying to convince themselves. In reality, happiness is hard to hold on to because it is linked to external events. Emotional health, on the other hand, is an internal reality that carries us through the good and the bad."

Alex O, a regular attender at The Message, would agree. He claims that it was a series like this that saved his life. "I used to have bouts of deep depression, to the point where I tried to commit suicide. That's when I knew I had to change and started attending services. The support and guidance I've received in this community has helped me turn my life completely around."

Guest speakers will include Dr. Fernando Carvalho, a pastoral counselor, as well as psychologists from Christian Counseling Center of northern California. "We live in one of the most beautiful and wealthiest regions in the U.S. It is also one of the most stressful," states Dr. Jonathan Arnold, clinical psychologist and president of Christian Counseling Center. "Our emotional health is put to the test every day, and we cannot continue to sacrifice it. We must make our emotional care and well-being our highest priority."

To that end, the Happy Series will use biblical stories and concepts, but the church emphasizes that it is intended for and open to everyone, regardless of being religious or not. Thousands of postcards have been sent to San Mateo and Foster City residents as an open invitation. Those who miss the morning messages can subscribe to The Message Church podcast on iTunes.

The Message Church was started in 2007 and since 2013 meets at the Century 12 movie theater in downtown San Mateo every Sunday at 10:00 AM. Its motto is, "Where nobody is perfect, beginners are welcome, socks are optional... but grace is required."

5-Week Series - Sundays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 2014
The Message Church
Sundays, 10:00 AM
Century 12 Theaters
320 2nd Ave 
San Mateo, CA 94401

Christian Counseling Center Contact:
www.christiancounseling.net

The Message Church Contact:
Valerie Kerr
http://www.themessage.cc
(650) 242-5919

Read more news from The Message Church.

SOURCE The Message Church