Hephatha Lutheran Church and Schools
5900 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd
Anaheim, CA 92807
Phone: (714) 637-0887
Fax: (714) 637-6088
Day School: (714) 637-0887
Pre-School: (714) 637-0887
E-mail: hephatha@sbcglobal.net
CC SMALL GROUPS
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The church is a community of people….not a thing or a place but a living, breathing, group of people connected to their God and to each other. At Hephatha, we believe that small communities of believers are some of the best places to get connected to Jesus and other believers. Community Connections small groups are places where people get together to read and study God’s word, talk about how it applies to their lives, and pray for each other. |
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SMALL GROUPS FOR WINTER-SPRING OF 2010
| The Groups | | A Message From Pastor Andrews | | Mission Statement | | FAQ |
| GROUP #1: THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE | |
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Leaders: Mike and Lorri Keevern
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GROUP #3 & #4: SMART FAITH
This
CC small group will challenge you to gain a deeper understanding of
what it means to "Love God with all your mind." This thoughtful and
life-changing study is full of relevant examples and down-to-earth
analogies. The Smart Faith CC small group enables you to grasp the
theological and philosophical foundations of the Christian faith. Seize
this opportunity to learn how to:
• Identify fallacies of logic - your own and others'
• Embrace the mind's role in spiritual formation
Become
a better-rounded, intellectual disciple--someone who can clearly
elucidate the finer points of the Christian faith. Learn to embrace the
mind's role in spiritual formation and acquire new spiritual
disciplines. The Men’s Bible study on Thursday morning’s at 7:15 a.m.
begins a new series on January 14th.
Leaders: Pastor Arthur & Price Maron
A shortened Co-ed version of this study will meet on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. February 21st, 28th, and March 7th
Leaders: Jeff Wakefield, Brent Wagstaff, and Ralph Quiroz
To sign-up, call Pastor Arthur at (714) 637-0887 ext. 156.
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GROUP #5 & #6: MARRIAGE BUILT TO LAST
Money, in-laws, sex, arguments … we all want a healthy, loving marriage, but there are so many real issues that can stand in the way. Tragically, research has shown that 50% of Marriages are ending in divorce. In the study, you will hear the story of Dave Ramsey and his wife Sharon as they recovered from financial stress and hardship. You will also hear the story of Kurt Warner, NFL quarterback and Super bowl champ, and his wife Brenda as they share candidly about expectations, trust issues, and adjusting to a blended family. “Marriage: Built to Last” includes Biblical and practical teaching on critical topics:
• Adjusting to Expectations
• Learning to Communicate Clearly
• Breaking Down Walls
• Resolving Conflict
• Striving for a Christ-Centered Marriage
Whether you’re newly married, remarried, or wanting to improve your relationship, this series will provide Biblical and practical teaching to give you tools to live intentionally and love Biblically. Our CC Small Group meets on Tuesdays mornings at 9:15 a.m. starts on January 12th, 26th, February 2nd, 9th, and 16th.
Leaders: Pastor Arthur & Natalie Merrick
A shortened version of this exact study will meet on Wednesday nights starting January 13th, 20th, and February 3rd at 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Leader: Pastor Arthur
Childcare will be available for both the Tuesday morning class and Wednesday night course.
For more information, contact Pastor Arthur at (714) 637-0887 ext. 156 or e-mail him at pastorarthur@sbcglobal.net
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GROUP #7: PARENTING YOUR TEENAGER
This is an insightful and Bible-based program that addresses the issues of identity, turmoil, rebellion, and spiritual legacy.
Session one will give parents practical tools to help their teens find their identity in Christ since every day teenagers are faced with complicated relationships, images of impossible beauty, and difficult challenges.
Session two will focus on equipping parents to more effectively empathize with the jumbled emotions of their teens and learn biblical and practical tips for helping them through turbulent times.
Session three will discuss the subject of rebellion. Parenting can be tough. Teens will make mistakes and cross boundaries, and sometimes lose the trust of their parents. We’ll help address scary issues like rebellion, drugs, sex, and drinking. To sign-up, please be sure to contact Jessica Lacy or Pastor Arthur.
Leader: Pastor Arthur
This CC small group will meet on Thursday nights at 7:00p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
The dates for our Parenting Your Teenager studies are January 21st and 28th
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GROUP #8: CRAZY LOVE
Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it or not…we all know something’s wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts—it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love you will never be the same. Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. This 3-week study meets on Sundays at 12:15p.m. – 1:15 p.m. starting on January 31st, and February, 21st, and 28th. Leaders: Pastor Arthur
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FINANCIAL SEMINAR
In today’s unsettling times, financial challenges are frequent -
both as individuals and our organizations are struggling.
But, there is a way to navigate it all.
Living in “God’s Economy”
There is hope, help, and insight!
January 24, 2010
12:00-1:15 p.m.
Cost: Free*
Rosinne’s Restaurant catered luncheon in Hephatha Fellowship Hall
(*Donations are happily accepted to defray costs of speaker and food!)
View Flyer
To Register for this seminar:
please contact Pastor Arthur Andrews
Phone: (714) 637-0887 ext. 156
e-mail: pastorarthur@sbcglobal.net
About the speaker...
After a successful 20 year career in restaurant management, Jim Sullivan transitioned into the mortgage financing and insurance industry. Throughout the last 18 years Jim has directed areas as large as 7 states recruiting local teams of staff and volunteers, and equipping them to effectively implement biblical stewardship training in churches, Christian organizations, schools, and in the marketplace. Currently, Jim serves in Southern California & Hawaii. He lives in Mission Viejo, California with his wife and their daughter, Desiree.
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GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK (TUESDAY MORNING STUDY)
Every moment of your life is like a page in a Where’s Waldo book. God is there, the Scriptures tell us—on every one of them. But the ease with which he may be found varies from one page to the next. God is closer than you think! Intimacy with God can happen right now if you want it. A closeness you can feel, a goodness you can taste, a reality you can experience for yourself. That’s what the Bible promises, so why settle for less? God is closer than you think, and connecting with him isn’t for monks and ascetics. It’s for business people, high school students, busy moms, single men, single women … and most important, it’s for YOU. God Is Closer Than You Think shows how you can enjoy a vibrant, moment-by-moment relationship with your heavenly Father. This CC small group will show you God’s hand stretching toward you even in the helping you to see the miraculous in the seemingly mundane.
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THE BLESSINGS OF COMMUNITY - A Message From Pastor Arthur
Even a preliminary study of the Bible shows that true Christian community offers blessings. For the sake of brevity, I will share just four blessings:
· We get strength for life’s storms;
· We receive wisdom for making decisions;
· We experience accountability, which is vital to spiritual growth;
· We find acceptance that helps us repair our wounds;
First of all, in a Christian community we experience strength when we face major challenges in our lives in a small group. For instance, King Solomon wrote: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Each individual can help carry a load too heavy to bear alone. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). In my own life, I have experienced how the body of Christ can extend help in times of hurt. Also, bear one another’s burdens.
Secondly, small groups also provide wisdom when we face tough choices. As Proverbs 15:22 explains, “Plains fail for a lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” In this season of corporate downsizing, you know people who lost their jobs. Or, perhaps you’ve had parenting trouble—or you know someone dealing with difficult children. Can you see how a CC small group can help you sort through the complex choices of dealing with your finances or even your family?
Thirdly, we need friends that hold us accountable and offer Christian acceptance while we make positive Christ-centered changes in our lives. Friendships can offer unique opportunities for spiritual growth. If you hear something from the Bible or a sermon and then open up to a trusted Christian friend that authentic community can bring long-term change in your life. In Proverbs 27:17, we read: “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend” (NLT).
And lastly, when we are going through change we need acceptance and care that is offered in a small group. More than any other institution, the church is uniquely suited to offer this acceptance we need in small groups. Though many people have become resigned to isolation, no longer expecting to find true community, the church can offer friendship. It is the only institution given this mandate from Jesus: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12-13).
The church is a key place where most people, whether introvert or extrovert, have a reasonable promise of finding healthy and accepting relationships. Small groups are a place where you can experience God’s strength, receive God’s wisdom, experience healthy accountability, and a God-empowered acceptance. Would you like to experience the blessings of a small group? If so, seriously consider our CC small group ministry opportunities.
Pastor Arthur Andrews
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CC Small Group Mission Statement
To connect people relationally in CC small groups for the purpose of growing in Christ-likeness, loving each other, and contributing to the work of the church, in order to glorify God and make disciples of all nations.
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