Aliso Viejo
Lutheran Church of the Cross &
Christian Preschool
(949) 837-4673, fax 829-0215
24231 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Lutheran Church of the Cross &
Aliso Viejo Christian School K-8
(949) 389-0300, fax (949) 389-0383
1 Orion, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
__________________________________________
Weekly Worship Schedule:
Laguna Woods (LW) Sat. 5pm, Sun. 8, 9 & 10:30am
24231 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, California 92637 (949) 837-4673
Aliso Viejo (AV) Sun. 9:30am
1 Orion, Aliso Viejo, California 92656 (949) 389-0300
Aliso Viejo (AV) Sun. 7 pm
"Refuge" worship service
1 Orion, Aliso Viejo, California 92656 (949) 389-0300
Isaiah 56:1-8, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Luke 19:41-48
Sharing Your Story
This devotional was written by Doug Fields
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, —Matthew 28:19
If we really want to live life differently and to accelerate spiritual growth, we must learn to care for other people's spiritual condition.
When I use the word care, I'm referring to something deeper than simply being nice. Nice is nice. I appreciate it when someone opens the door for me or pulls out my chair. But caring for others involves something much more than being nice. I want to challenge you to learn to care for someone's spiritual condition, to care about his connection with God, to care enough to make sure she knows about the good news of forgiveness and eternal life.
I know it's not popular these days to talk about evangelism. Many Christians don't even like that word anymore. But, I'm not asking you to do anything fanatical. In fact, if it's easier for you, I want you to put aside the word evangelism if there's too much negative baggage connected to it.
Instead, I'm inviting you to fall increasingly in love with God. That's the plan. Fall in love with all His majesty and glory and goodness. Get to know the Savior as never before. When that happens, Scripture says that the love of Christ will compel you (2 Corinthians 5:14). When we know God intimately, that gives us a new power to care for the spiritual condition of others. Then, as God gives you opportunity, simply share your transformational story with others, where they can be exposed to an option that can move them from stuck to starting anew, with a Power that is greater than their own.
The important thing to remember is that people are hurting and can benefit from hearing of your experiences with Jesus. People in pain need to hear that they're not alone and that someone else has made it out from underneath the pile. People who are lonely need to hear about how you've found community. People who live without a relationship with God need to hear that life is so much better when they discover it's not all about them—it's about God. People who are caught in a lifestyle of sin and darkness need to hear the story of someone who lived there and found the light.
Sharing personal stories about Jesus reveals the power of God. You don't have to be a perfect Christian, have everything together, or know all of the answers. God invites you to be in the process—and perhaps, along the way, help someone else get a fresh start. When that happens, hold on…you're in for a spiritual growth ride of your life.
GOING DEEPER:
- In your life, what connection have you seen between knowing God and talking about Him with others?
- What is your spiritual story? What would you tell someone about the impact God has had on your life?
FURTHER READING:
John 4:1-42; 2 Corinthians 5:14
Devotions Jan 30 - Feb 05, 2012
LOVE MONDAY, JANUARY 30
JOHN 15:12-17
The disciples are to abide in Jesus as a branch abides in the vine. The result of this abiding is fruit, and the most precious fruit of all is love. Love will define the lives of the disciples who stay connected to Jesus and his word. In 13:34-35, Jesus says this: “I give you a new commandment, that you love
one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples ...” This theme is picked up in 15:12. Here we are specifically called to love one another in the body of Christ, and to love our neighbors and enemies. Have you heard your call
to love as Jesus loved – completely, unconditionally, and sacrificially? Can you do it? How is it difficult? What can help you? When we build genuine relationships for the sake of planting seeds of faith, we are, in essence, loving one another. Ask God to help you love others better.
CONVERSATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 31
JOHN 3:1-8
Nicodemus comes to Jesus and engages him in conversation. Nicodemus has questions! Last week we talked about where to find people God may be calling us to reach. If God has opened our eyes to see the opportunities all around us, to no longer see others as scenery or objects, but as people God
created, then it’s time to take the next step: build a friendship. That process almost always begins with conversation. How do you strike up a conversation with someone new? What are your fears? How can you overcome them? Again, what can help you? Just like the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus, friendship sometimes leads to spiritual conversation. Ask God to help you reach out and begin a conversation.
THE STACK WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
JOHN 3:9-21
Jesus and Nicodemus have a very deep conversation about spiritual things, and seeds of faith are planted into Nicodemus’ life through conversation. Here is a tool developed by Tentmakers called The Conversation Stack: Nameplate: A person’s name is the sweetest sound to them in the world. House: Where do they live? Where are they from? Ask about their family. Airplane: Where have they been? Where are they going over spring break? Tennis Racquet: What do they do for fun? Do they play sports, have any hobbies? Lightbulb: What are their ideas or thoughts? How do they feel about …? PFC: Imagine a Private First Class soldier at attention. This stands for problems, frustrations and concerns. What are theirs? Trophy: What are their accomplishments? Flowers: Shower them with genuine compliments along the way. Praying Hands: If appropriate, offer to pray with or for this person. This is the ultimate form of conversation, as it includes God. Does it seem easier now? Let this tool guide you into conversation with someone new today. Try it. Practice.
INTENTIONALITY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2
JOHN 4:7-15
Jesus intentionally goes to the well at noon and engages a Samaritan woman in conversation. While conversation is the doorway to friendship, it is only the doorway. Genuine friendship requires a commitment of time and intentionality. Our purpose is not to convert anyone, but to simply love people where they are. We express that love through: Acceptance: God isn’t done with them yet, but loves them anyway. We can, too. Genuine kindness: the little things like offering to drive them to the airport or sending a card when times are tough. Affirmation: reflecting back to others the gift that God created them to be. Authenticity: being yourself and only yourself. Transparency: revealing your struggles and frustrations when appropriate, which helps people to be “real” with you. Forgiveness: in genuine friendship we will step on each other’s toes! Are your conversations intentional? Are you really trying to know and love all of God’s children you encounter? In today’s story at the well, Jesus practices all of these intentionalities. Ask God to help you practice intentionality today.
FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
JOHN 11:32-44
Jesus weeps at the thought of his friend’s death. He knows the power of friendship and uses it. Have you noticed how often Jesus simply welcomes people into his life, just loves them as they are? That is often the prelude toe symphony of conversation about faith. In Jesus’ day, the relationship between student and rabbi was one of inferior to superior, but notice what Jesus says to his disciples: “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends. You did not choose me but I chose you.” Friendship is how Jesus shared faith with his disciples, and it’s still the primary context for sharing faith today. Have you seen this pattern in your own experience? Did this happen to you? Ask God to help you understand the power of friendship.
PROBLEMS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
JOHN 15:9-11
Jesus truly loves his friends. If we’re going to reach over the fence, we’ll need to make a new friend or two. But many of us would say that we have enough friends. We’re like little LEGO bricks; we have only a limited number of possible connection points. You might think, “I just don’t have time for more friends; I have trouble keeping up with the ones I have!” God is simply calling us to reach out to one, no more than two. Make this apriority, because this is a part of God’s agenda for his disciples. For many of us, making friends is a lost art form. Some of us haven’t made a new friend since fourth grade! For others, the way culture defines genuine friendship (often online!) falls short of the kind of friendship that plants seeds of faith. Do you see these barriers in your life? How can you get past them? Ask God to help you make finding one new friend a priority.
CAUGHT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
JOHN 21:15-19
Peter truly loves Jesus. Their relationship is a good example of faith being more caught than taught. As we look at Jesus’ life, we see how faith is caught, and how friendship is the primary bridge Jesus uses to walk from one life into another. It’s not about preaching to people, or having all the answers, or converting or convincing. It certainly isn’t about shoving the Bible down someone’s throat. It’s simply about befriending someone, loving them well, earning their trust and respect. And, more often than not, in the context of genuine friendship, faith happens – not because we bring the subject up, but because they do. What have you learned about building genuine friendships this week? How can you apply it?
Ask yourself, honestly, will you do it? Ask God to give you the courage, the desire, and the intentionality to follow through.
Devotions Archives:
Devotions for the week of Jan 29 - Feb 5- 2012
Devotions for the week of Jan 23 - 29 - 2012
Devotions for the week of Jan 16 - 22 - 2012
Devotions for the week of Jan 9 - 15 - 2012
Devotions for the week of Jan 2 - 8 - 2012
Devotions for the week of Dec. 26- Jan 01-2012
Devotions for the week of Dec. 19-25-2011
Devotions for the week of Dec. 12-18-2011
Devotions for the week of Dec. 5-11-2011
Devotions for the week of Nov. 28-Dec. 4-2011
Devotions for the week of Nov. 21-27,-2011
Devotions for the week of Nov. 14-20,-2011
Devotions for the week of Nov. 7-13,-2011
Devotions for the week of Oct. 31-Nov. 6-2011
Devotions for the week of Oct. 24-30-2011
Devotions for the week of Oct. 17-23-2011
Devotions for the week of Oct. 10-16-2011
Devotions for the week of Oct. 3-9-2011
Devotions for the week of Sept. 26-Oct. 2-2011
Devotions for the week of Sept. 19-25-2011
Devotions for the week of Sept. 12-18-2011
Devotions for the week of Sept. 5-11-2011
Devotions for the week of Aug. 29-Sept. 4-2011
Devotions for the week of August 22-28-2011
Devotions for the week of August 8-14-2011
Devotions for the week of August 1-7-2011
Devotions for the week of July 25 -31-2011
Devotions for the week of July 18 -24-2011
Devotions for the week of July 11 -17-2011
Devotions for the week of July 4-7-2011
Devotions for the week of June - 27-July 3-2011
Devotions for the week of June - 20-26-2011
Devotions for the week of June - 13-19-2011
Devotions for the week of June - 6-12-2011
Devotions for the week of May - 30- June 1-2011
Devotions for the week of May - 23-29-2011
Devotions for the week of May - 16-22-2011
Devotions for the week of May - 9-15-2011
Devotions for the week of May - 2-8-2011
Devotions for the week of April -18-24-2011
Devotions for April 11-17, 2011
Devotions for April 4-10, 2011
Devotions for March 28 – April 3, 2011
Devotions for March 21-27, 2011
Devotions for Feb. 28-Mar. 6, 2011
Devotions for February 21-27, 2011
Devotions for February 14-20, 2011
Devotions for February 7-13, 2011
Upcoming & Ongoing Events:
- Forest Home Winter Camp– High School, February 17-20. Registration Deadline is February 1. A registration form is attached. Contact Chris Vecera ASAP if you are interested in attending so he can reserve a spot for you, chris@lcotc.org
- "Tables of 8"-Will begin in February. Sign-up by this Sunday, January 29. Enjoy supper and informal discussion. Sign up to attend or host a "Table of 8". Look for signup sheets.
- Preschool Registration- Starts February 1, 9am for LCC Members with returning students. Call the preschool office for more information, 581-8115.
- New LW Confirmation Class- Sunday, 10:30am @ LW and 10:45am at AV (7th-9th grades).
- Work Day– Saturday, February 11, 8am @ both campuses. This is a great opportunity for middle school students to earn community service hours.
- Holy Land Trip-We will have an interest meeting on Saturday, February 11, 6pm @ LW in the Social Hall. Pizza will be served. Look for signup sheet.
- Congregational Meeting– Sunday, February 12, 11:45am @ LW.
- Ash Wednesday Services– Wednesday, February 22, 10:30am @ LW, 7pm @ AV & LW.
- Mission Potluck & Presentation–Saturday, February 25, 6pm @ LW. Ray Abrudan will be here to talk about his mission in Romania. Look for signup sheet.
- Blood Drive-Sunday, February 26. Appointments are available in 1/2 hour time slots from 7am—1pm. Look for sign-up sheet.
- Lent Services @ LW– Wednesdays, beginning February 29 through March 28. Lent service @ 11am followed by soup lunch. Look for signup sheet to provide soup. Wednesday evening, supper (5:15pm) & Lent Service (6:15pm).
- The Seven Last Words of Christ-Please pray about sharing your thoughts/testimony with one of the seven last words of Christ during our Good Friday worship service. Please print out the attachment and consider participating in this special opportunity. Please contact Pastor Leland (837-4673) or Pastor John (389-0300) for more information.
- Men's Retreat-April 20-22, 2012 @ Palomar Christian Conference Center. Contact Ken Whitney, ken@lcotc.org for more information.
- 2nd Corinthians Bible Study- Sundays 9am (LW), 10:45am (AV), Tuesdays 6am, Wednesdays 10am and 6:15pm (LW). Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
- New "Tween Xtreme" @ LW- 5th and 6th grade Youth Group. Wednesdays, 6:15pm-7:30pm. Meet in the youth group "Board Room" @ LW.