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November 13, 2017
Greetings in Jesus Christ,
Jesus said,
“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and I believe it. Do you?
But does God really expect me to give as He has given to me? Let me be very clear about some expectations God does not have of you when it comes to giving.
God does not expect you to have others decide what you give, and that includes me or anyone else you know. Furthermore, God doesn’t expect you to give reluctantly. God isn’t interested in coercing anyone to give. I’m not either. Finally, God doesn’t expect you to give begrudgingly.
However, God does have some great hopes for you when it comes to your giving. He wants you to experience the power of the sowing and reaping principle. He wants you to experience the power of the cheerful principle. He wants you to experience the power of the grace principle. And He wants you to experience the power of the abundance principle.
And this leads to some hopes that I have for you as we look to the coming year of mission and ministry of our church. I hope you will sow generously so that you will reap generously. I hope you will grow as a cheerful giver. I hope you will experience grace in your giving, not a sense of law and obligation. I hope you will discover that you can never out-give God. He has a much greater storehouse than you have.
While I have these hopes for you, I also have this prayer for you: that you will grow as a generous giver. A great step in that direction is to complete the commitment card and return it in the envelope that was sent to you a week ago and be sure to bring it to this coming Sunday’s special commitment at each of the morning services and the evening service.
And when you aren’t so sure you can do this, remember these words of promise,
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
See you on Sunday!
Your pastor and friend,
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November Youth Group Events |
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Junior High School students join us for an evening of fun
at Camelot.
Date: |
Monday, November 22 |
| Time: |
7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. |
Meet at:
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Camelot Golfland
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Bring money for games, attractions, food, etc.
Must have a current Hephatha medical form for 2017/2018. |
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High School Students join us for an evening of jumping, hoops, dodgeball, and climbing at Sky Zone Trampoline Park.
Date: |
Wednesday, November 15 |
| Time: |
6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
Meet at:
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Sky Zone, Anaheim
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Cost:
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$17
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Must have a Sky Zone waiver filled out and a current Hephatha medical form for 2017/2018. |
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For more information contact Timothy Potthoff at
714-637-0887 ext. 157 or at tpotthoff@hephatha.net
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BAG IT UP!
“...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...” Matt. 25:35
Once again during Thanksgiving, we will be teaming up with First Lutheran Church of Fullerton for their Caring Hands Ministries. We “Bag It Up” for those families in need providing essential food items. Please bring your food items to the Youth Room no later than Sunday, November 19, at 11:30 am. You can help by donating the following items:
- $10 Grocery Store Gift Cards
- Fresh or Frozen Turkeys, Chickens or Hams
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Meats
- Canned Soups
- Peanut Butter
- Hot or Cold Breakfast Cereal
- Macaroni & Cheese
- 1 Pound Packages of Rice or Dried Beans
Financial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church/Caring Hands Community Outreach for the purchase of additional gift cards.
We will gather in the Youth Room at 11:30 am and then we will be taking these items to First Lutheran Church in Fullerton on Sunday, November 19, 12:00 pm and sorting them. If you would like to sign up, please contact us at 714-637-0887. Thank you in advance!!!
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
On the evening before Thanksgiving Day, we hold our annual Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:00 p.m. titled “The Secret of Contentment.” Join us as we praise God for His abundant blessings in our life.
| Date: |
Wednesday, November 22 |
| Time: |
7:00 p.m. |
Location:
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Sanctuary
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Mid-Week Advent Services & Dinner
Whether you are the person who is ready to relax and savor the season because you did all your shopping and preparations months ago (not likely) or the person who dreads the busyness, responsibilities or loneliness that steal your joy this time of year (much more likely), the Christmas season offers a unique opportunity to experience God’s love. Jesus—the Messiah, the Savior—came as the light into the darkness of our world. That world then, just like our world now, including our lives, needs the light to illuminate. Christ’s coming brings that ultimate light and His peace, joy, and love. Those are the true gifts of Christmas.
Join us for an unforgettable Advent series as we celebrate how Jesus’s birth brings us hope, love, joy, and peace today!
Join us each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the
Fellowship Hall for an Advent Dinner followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
December 6, 2017 — “The Gift of Hope”
Dinner hosted by the Board of Elders
December 13, 2017 — “The Gift of Love”
Dinner hosted by Evangelism Board
December 20, 2017 — “The Gift of Joy”
Dinner hosted by the Youth Board
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SUNDAY ADVENT SERIES
It just doesn’t work to start in the middle of a story. There will be conversations and decisions and reactions that make no sense to you because you missed the beginning. In this Advent series, you hear the whole story, from beginning to end.
December 3, 2017
The Need―Genesis 6:5-8
December 10, 2017
The Announcement―Luke 2:14
December 17, 2017
The Plan―Isaiah 53:10; Romans 8:31
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CHRISTMAS AT HEPHATHA
Christmas Eve Morning we will have one service at 10:00 a.m. Childcare (18 months—3 years old) will be available for this service. No Sunday School.
| Date: |
Sunday, December 24 |
| Time: |
10:00 a.m. |
Christmas Eve, we offer two services at 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.
| Date: |
Sunday, December 24 |
| Time: |
7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. |
Christmas Day we will have one all-church festival celebration at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School or Childcare is NOT available.
| Date: |
Monday, December 25 |
| Time: |
10:00 a.m. |
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What is Happening at
Hephatha this Week
MONDAY: November 13
- Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
TUESDAY: November 14
- Hephatha Mom's Bible Study @ 6:30 p.m. at the Potthoff's home.
- Praise Band Rehearsal @ 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
WEDNESDAY: November 15
- Women's Wednesday Morning Study @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Confirmation @ 3:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
- Foundations @ 7:00 p.m. in Pastor's Office.
- High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
THURSDAY: November 16
- Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
SATURDAY: November 18
- Concordia Women's Brunch @ 9:00 a.m. at Hilton Orange County.
SUNDAY: November 19
- Services: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 6:01 p.m.
- Sunday School @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Child Care @ 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 6:01 p.m. in Room 6.
- Foundations new members class @ 12:15 p.m. in Pastor's Office.
- Bag it Up. Meet at Hephatha @ 11:30 a.m. or First Lutheran Church in Fullerton at 12:00 p.m.
MONDAY: November 20
- Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
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