July 17, 2017

Greetings!

Let me ask you a couple of questions: Have you ever been really excited when you bought the latest and greatest smartphone? Or when you finally found that perfect pair of shoes – and they were on sale? Do you remember how you just couldn’t wait to tell someone about it?

The advertising agencies on Madison Avenue know full well that when we really love something – we naturally want to tell other people about it. It is my personal opinion that the greatest form of advertisement in the entire world is word of mouth.

So, if this is true, why is it that we as Christians often don’t share about the most important relationship in our lives – our relationship with Jesus? Recently, I came across a staggering statistic that showed that only about 1 of out 10 Christians actively and intentionally share the message of the love of God with other people. Personally speaking, it’s hard to understand how we can personally experience God’s grace, love, and forgiveness, yet hold back when it comes to sharing His love with other people.

In my opinion, what it boils down to for many people I think is this: we hold back from telling others about Jesus’ love because we have believed a lie. What are some of the lies we believe?

Lie #1: People aren’t open to hearing about the faith. The truth of the matter is, we think that most people aren’t open, but reality says otherwise. According to Lifeway Researcher Dr. Thomas Ranier, “Ninety-six percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if they are invited.” Perhaps we need to pause on this response for a moment. More than nine out of 10 of the unchurched said they would come to church if they were invited. In a related study, 8 out of 10 people said they would be open to listening to someone talk about their Christian beliefs.

Lie #2: Sharing God’s love is reserved for Christian superstars. Is this true? The truth: We don’t have to be Greg Laurie or a TV preacher to share our faith. The Bible says the power is in the message (The Gospel) and not in the messenger. I am so glad that God uniquely made each one of us to share the message of His love in our own way.

Lie #3: Sharing the Good News is an event. From my twenty-five years in ministry, I have seen God working on people’s hearts and He often does it over time. I have also seen that there are usually several other believers in Christ who are also involved in sharing the faith with the same person I am sharing the faith.

Be honest, do any of you believe one or more of these lies? I know there are times that I have believed some of these lies, too. So, I’d like to encourage you to ask yourself the following questions:

• How will people know that God loves them?
• Who will show them and who will tell them?
• Do I feel compelled to show and tell them?

My prayer is that we would feel compelled by the love of God to share His love with those all around us.

I love being your pastor!

In Christ-the best place to be,

	FIRST LUTHERAN Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2017 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hephatha will help cook and serve dinner for those in the homeless community through Feed the Hungry at First Lutheran in Fullerton. Meet at Hephatha at 3:30 p.m.
	MARY’S KITCHEN Date: Thursday, August 3, 2017 Time: 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hephatha will help serve breakfast to those in need at Mary’s Kitchen in Orange. Meet at Hephatha at 7:30 a.m.
	CHOC Date: Thursday, August 10, 2017 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Help with crafts and setting up fun events for children and their families. Meet at Hephatha at 9:30 a.m.
	VINEYARD FOOD BANK Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Food distribution to local families in need. Meet at Hephatha at 9:30 a.m.

To sign up please contact the church office at
714-637-0887 or HephathaChurch@Hephatha.net

Summer Lunch Time Bible Study

The influence of Jesus is vast. How did a penniless preacher become the central figure in human history? How did He manage to influence the fields of science, art, government, medicine, and education? Today our culture embraces human dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance because of what Jesus taught. We’ll sit down and talk about “Who Is This Man?” on four Wednesdays. We will watch a very powerful video series in Pastor’s office.

Taco Tuesday

Join us for a family-friendly fun Taco Tuesday with both friends and family. We will meet for dinner at 6:15 p.m.

Moreno’s
Tuesday, July 25, 6:15 p.m.
4328 E. Chapman Ave,
Orange, CA 92869

SATURDAY 8:00 A.M.
AUGUST 5, 2017
CALLING ALL HANDS

Many hands make light work!

Questions? Contact Catherine Lagaris at clagaris@hephatha.net or
714-637-0887 ext. 156.

Confirmation is a two-year journey where students have the opportunity to learn, own and express their faith, and profess Jesus as Lord publicly! It typically spans the 7^th and 8^th grade years, but we are open to other situations!

Parent’s Meeting-Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
We’ll go over the expectations and requirements for Confirmation, the format of what we do each week, why we do it, how we do it, and when we do it.

Registration Deadline-Wednesday, September 20, 2017
There is a $35 fee for the year which includes a notebook, The Case for Christ Student Edition, and all necessary supplies for the year. There is a separate fee of $15 for Luther’s Small Catechism if you don’t already have one. Registration forms can be downloaded below

Classes begin Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Click Here for more information contact or the church office at HephathaChurch@Hephatha.net or 714-637-0887

Reformation 500
An Evening of Word and Song

Segerstrom Concert Hall
Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 7:00 p.m.

Concordia's choirs, handbells, and orchestras join with musicians from area churches and schools in a 500-member ensemble to lead a festive evening with hymns, choruses and sacred music around the themes of the reformation. The theologians from Christ College at Concordia will share what it means to always be Reforming as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Here are some of the ministries at Hephatha in need of extra hands to carry out their ministry …

Video: Did you know that we have been working on making the messages from our services available in video format online? We need people to assist with the video camera, so we can video-cast the service. This will help people who can’t come to worship anymore. Or, if you miss worship, you can catch up from the comfort of your own home! Now, if you heard a message that’s touched your life you can share that message with friends and family. Plus, it’s a chance for people who are new to check us out before they attend church.

Praise Band & Tech: Love to sing, play an instrument, or just want to help out with the service. We are looking for people to join the praise band. We are also in need of people to help with the projection and sound during the service.

For more information contact the church office at
714-637-0887 or HephathaChurch@Hephatha.net

What is Happening at
Hephatha this Week

MONDAY: July 17

• No Junior High School Youth Group this week. Beach Night July 19.

TUESDAY: July 18

• No Praise Band Rehearsal this week.
• doSOMETHING: Feed the hungry at First Lutheran Church in Fullerton @ 3:30 p.m. Meet at Hephatha.
  

WEDNESDAY: July 19

• Women’s Wednesday Morning Discussion @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
• "Who is this Man?" Bible Study @ 12:00 p.m. in Pastor's Office.
• Youth Beach Night @ 3:45 p.m. at Huntington State Beach Tower #3.

THURSDAY: July 20

• Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

SUNDAY: July 23

• Services: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
• Sunday School @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
• Child Care @ 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in Room 6.

MONDAY: July 24

• Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.