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February 19, 2018
Greetings in Jesus Christ,
My social media feeds are a flutter with posts about the season of Lent. It seems that there are a lot of misunderstandings about the nature of the Lenten season. For some people, they are talking about Lent being “Roman Catholic” or that there is no need for Lent because “Jesus already paid for my sins.” I think that we need to unmask Lent for those who are unsure about this season. I think that we need to see Lent for what it is, and certainly for what it is not.
Lent is not a time to earn forgiveness for your sins. It is not a time to begrudgingly give something up temporarily only to greedily pick it back up after Easter. It is not a time for false humility or personal piety. Lent is not only a tradition for the liturgically minded.
- I believe that Lent is for the priesthood of all believers.
- I believe that Lent is full of hope.
- I believe we must journey to the foot of the Cross before we stumble upon the Empty Tomb.
In one sense, Lent is catholic. Lent is catholic, not Catholic. This is not meant with any insult toward our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, far from it!
In this Lenten Season we are athletes in intense training rather than sinners in the hands of an angry God. There are ancient disciplines and biblical practices that help locate and combat the spiritual flab on our souls. Much like a marathon runner needs to practice for weeks and months on end, stretching before each run, we are stretched through our continual workouts as we practice for the kingdom.
I believe that the call in Lent is also a clear call to discipleship. That is to say, in this penitential season of self-reflection and intentional spiritual awareness we look down the slopes of the Mountain of Transfiguration straight to the cross on Golgotha and journey with Jesus. Jesus’ 40-day temptation retreat in the wilderness provides the framework for our introspection and spiritual regimen. Why?
- Because we know that we need the cross daily.
- Because we know the areas of our hearts and lives that are not aligned with God.
- Because we know that we are but ashes and dust; we are creature not Creator.
Our call is not to become spiritual superstars or to take on disciplines to the notice and laud of others.
Lent teaches us to live in the shadow of the cross and the radiant light of the empty tomb. We learn to die to self and rise in Christ. Taking on of spiritual disciplines, coupled with “giving things up”, helps form us more fully as members of God’s Story rather than our own. Our desperate need for grace plant us firmly in the tradition of the one holy catholic and apostolic church which teaches us to rely on God’s grace.
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 Our Easter Choir
Rehearsals following the Wednesday Lenten Services Beginning February 21
For information
Contact Mike Cooper
mcooper@hephatha.net
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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
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 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 19
- Office Closed for President's Day.
- No Junior High School Youth Group.
TUESDAY: February 20
- Hephatha Mom's Bible Study @ 6:30 p.m. at the Potthoff's home.
- Praise Band Rehearsal @ 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
- Women's Tuesday Evening Bible Study @ 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
WEDNESDAY: February 21
- Women's Wednesday Study @ 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Lenten Dinner hosted by the School Ministries (crock pot soups and Chili) @ 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- Mid-week Lenten 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 22
- Volunteer at Mary's Kitchen @ 7:30 a.m. meet at Hephatha, 8:00 a.m. meet at Mary's Kitchen.
- Women's Thursday Morning Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
SUNDAY: February 25
- 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.
- "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 26
- Junior High School Youth Group @ 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room.
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