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February 12, 2018
Dear Judy,
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the forty days of Lent. Christians have been preparing for the celebration of Easter by walking through a “Holy Lent” since ancient times. This is patterned after Jesus temptation in the wilderness. Lent is a season of repentance, refocusing, and renewal. Of course, all of this happens with the sure knowledge of God’s grace to us through Christ.
Neither Ash Wednesday nor the season of Lent is in any way about condemnation. In fact, this season is a time in which human beings who have encountered God’s forgiveness through Christ, can be honest with God, with ourselves, and with each other. Historically, Ash Wednesday is the day in which Christians gather to receive the imposition of ashes.
Since Biblical times, ashes on the head have signified repentance. In the Old Testament, Job said, “I repent in dust and ashes.” Ashes also represent mourning, as Tamar in the Old Testament used them to mourn her abuse which was not in any way her fault, but which devastated her. Ashes remind us that we are mortal and will return to our maker.
How do I observe Ash Wednesday?
Generally speaking, the Ash Wednesday service will focus on repentance, grace, and God’s forgiveness. The readings include warnings from the prophet Isaiah. This service will remind us that we are mortal and that we need repentance in our lives. In our service, you will be invited to come forward and to kneel. The elders will impose ashes upon your forehead saying, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.” The service will be reverent and quiet.
During the service, you will be called upon to join with the whole Church in a Holy Lent. To pray that God will open our eyes to see that we can be honest with Him, and repent. To see that we can tell Him of our pain, and sorrow and that He understands.
You don’t have to be a Lutheran to participate. If your church does not observe Ash Wednesday, you will be welcomed to join us, without having to be a member of Hephatha. Every one of us is in need of a journey of repentance together.
May your Ash Wednesday be one in which God’s grace so comforts you, that you are able to freely acknowledge your failings and faults with the sure knowledge that you are His child, and He loves you.
Hope to see you at Ash Wednesday Service.
I love serving as your pastor.
Lenten Blessings to you,
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Hephatha is hiring child care workers age 16 and older to join our team to work the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services, and occasionally the 6:01 p.m. service.
For more information, wages, and to apply, please contact Timothy Potthoff at 714-637-0887 ext. 157 or tpotthoff@hephatha.net
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Join us this Wednesday evening for a special worship for Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the season of Lent. This is a
40-day journey to renew our walk with Christ. We hope you can join us for dinner at 6:00 p.m. and service at 7:00 p.m. The elders will be serving corned beef sandwiches.
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 Mid-week Lenten Series 2018
Gathered by the waters of Babylon, Judean exiles wistfully wondered: Is God for real? If so, does He really care about us? What does our future hold? Will this ever change? God’s people had watched their world shatter into a million pieces. They were demoralized and disillusioned. Their disaster looked terminal.
Do you feel this way? Does it look as though your current problems are more than you can bear? Do you find yourself asking: Why did this happen? Why did God allow it? Is there any order in the world? Will God really deliver on what He said?
Isaiah answers these questions in chapters 40–55 of this powerful prophetic book.
Join us for dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by Worship at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Ash Wednesday – “God Has a Word for That” (Isaiah 41:14–16)
February 21, 2018 – “I Only Have Eyes for You” (Isaiah 43:1–7)
February 28, 2018 – “Marked” (Isaiah 44:1–8)
March 7, 2018 – “Breaking Down the Gates” (Isaiah 45:1–8)
March 14, 2018 – “Get Out” (Isaiah 48:17–22)
March 21, 2018 – “One Little Word Can Fell Him” (Isaiah 49:1–6)
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 Sunday Sermon Series For Lent
When most of us hear the word “discipline”, any hint of the “warm and fuzzies” is displaced by a “water-in-your-boots” kind of feeling. We are generally resistant to discipline because it implies drudgery and pain. Even the most musically accomplished and physically fit among us equate “discipline” with “work.” But what if discipline was more than that? What if discipline was not work, but was instead something that God worked in our lives through His grace? What if this was a God-given path by which we could grow in our relationship with God.
February 18, 2018 – Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13).
February 25, 2018 – Fasting (John 6:27-35, 40)
March 4, 2018 – Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28)
March 11, 2018 – Service (Mark 10:35-45)
March 18, 2018 – Study (Joshua 1:7-9)
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Mary's Kitchen, acknowledging the Christian principles upon which it was founded including compassion and respect for human dignity, through volunteers, feeds, clothes and provides services that support and enhance the quality of life for the hungry and homeless that come to Mary's Kitchen.
Once again Hephatha will be volunteering at Mary’s Kitchen. Last time we volunteered at Mary’s Kitchen, we helped with clothing organization and distribution.
| Date: |
Thursday, February 22, 2018 |
| Time: |
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Location: |
Mary’s Kitchen
517 Struck, Orange CA 92867 |
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DR. MICAH PARKER–GUEST SPEAKER
The difference between being an effective Christian vs. just being successful. The four easy steps presented in this talk will be easy for you to remember. Dr. Parker will "lead you home" and challenge you to "touch all the bases" in the game of life. An emphasis on servanthood, following, and a personal relationship with Christ is shared through humorous and thought-provoking stories.
| Date: |
Saturday March 3 |
| Time: |
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. |
Location:
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Fellowship Hall |
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LENTEN RETREAT
We often talk about the importance of prayer in church, but rarely do we have space to practice and grow in this discipline. The Bible gives such an intimate glimpse into Jesus’ prayer life in the hours before his crucifixion as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Join us for an in-house retreat hosted by Jen Manglos that explores what we can learn about prayer from Jesus' life. This time will include a brief teaching and time to pray, rest, and reflect with God.
| Date: |
Saturday March 17, 2018 |
| Time: |
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. |
Cost:
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$5 |
Jen Manglos is a spiritual director, retreat planner, and writer based out of Pasadena, California. In addition to regularly blogging on her website, JenManglos.com, she is currently working to start a nonprofit organization, Oak House Ministries, which provides care and resourcing for pastors and church leaders through retreats.
To register or for more questions,
contact the church office at 714.637-0887 ext. 155 or email at HephathaChurch@Hephatha.net
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What is Happening at
Hephatha this Week
MONDAY: February 12
- Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
TUESDAY: February 13
- 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: February 14
- Women's Wednesday Study @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Lenten Dinner hosted by the Board of Elders (corned beef sandwiches) @ 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Ash Wednesday Service @ 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
- High School Youth Group meets @ 7:00 p.m. for the Lenten service, 8:00 p.m. for fellowship in the Youth Room.
THURSDAY: February 15
- Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
SUNDAY: February 18
- 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.
- "Open in the Word" Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the Youth Room.
- Foundations New Members Class @ 12:15 a.m. in Pastor's Office.
MONDAY: February 19
- Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
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