A Favorite From A Favorite! (01/30/22)

Published: Sat, 01/29/22

A Favorite From A Favorite! (01/30/22)

Minister's Favorite Passage

Rev. Frank Rose (1988)

My mind and heart keep returning to Divine Providence 27. Here is a passage that points out very clearly the unselfish nature of the love that brought the universe into existence. It shows that the Lord's love finds fulfillment in giving to others, and also tells me that I will find fulfillment and inner peace in doing the same.

This passage is also remarkable for the way in which it shows that although we think of the Lord as being above and beyond us, the reality is that He is in us. When we experience joy and heavenly peace, He is communicating these things to us from His dwelling place within us!

Our ability to be wise and so reflect the wisdom of God makes us His image, and our ability to love others is what makes us like God, and so His likeness. It is wonderful to think (about the idea) that whenever love and wisdom are united in us, the Lord is there. As He said, "Where two [love and wisdom] or three [love, wisdom and use] are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20), or as in this passage: "The Lord in them is love united to wisdom and wisdom united to love."

"The Lord did not create the universe for His own sake, but for the sake of those with whom He is to be in heaven, since spiritual love is such that it wishes to give its own to another; and so far as it can do this, it is in its being (esse), in its peace, and in its blessedness. Spiritual love derives this from the Lord's Divine love, which is such infinitely. From this it follows that the Divine love and the Divine Providence therefrom have as their goal a heaven consisting of people who have become or are becoming angels, upon whom the Lord is able to bestow all the blessings and felicities that belong to love and wisdom, and to communicate these from Himself in them. Nor can He do this in any other way; for there is in them from creation an image and likeness of Himself; the image in them is wisdom, and the likeness in them is love; and the Lord in them is love united to wisdom and wisdom united to love." (Divine Providence 27).

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS SUNDAY (01/30/22)

A New Policy:

We are happy to announce that we will be having church this Sunday after discussion and input on many fronts (and from many different perspectives) concerning the safety measures for services to be held in Sunrise Chapel.

The leadership has undertaken the following considerations:

2 high quality HEPA air purifiers have been purchased for the chapel, as well as an air quality monitor. (As of today, these have actually been installed and are running). This way, we can have real data to look at when viewing the safety of air in Sunrise Chapel.

We are highly recommending masks, and for those that are high risk we are suggesting KN95 masks - which we will make available for you at the door. You will also see a new seating arrangement (including the removal of some chairs) to better reflect current social distancing guidance.

At this time services are going to be family services and we will not be having refreshments in Friendship Hall for the next several weeks (which we will revisit in the future when conditions permit).

These decisions have not come easily, but when we look at our
purpose and core values the answers become clear:

"Our purpose is to be a welcoming church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy."

The ripple effect from the pandemic is going to be impacting our
congregation for several years to come. So it is critical that we progress forward with kindness, respect, and love for one another. That we seek to come together, compromise, and work to curtail divisiveness in order to heal. So that we might better love (and serve) our current and future neighbors.

As we seek to turn to the Lord in how we face what is to come, we are assured of the outcome -

"If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands." (Psalm 91: 9-12 NIV)

Informal Board Gathering:

There will be an opportunity for members of the Sunrise Chapel Board to introduce themselves and what they do - and to hear from our new pastor what he envisions for this vital partnership. This will happen after lunch in Friendship Hall and go from 12:30 to 1:30pm.

Building Needs Update:

Many have noticed the new HVAC system which was purchased for the failing unit in Friendship Hall (with thanks to our Property Manager, Claudia Wood-Osmus!) Our current budget for the unit was $6,600. Actual cost was $8,800. Any contribution towards the shortfall may count toward our matching fund requirement on current grant monies. If anyone is interested in donating specifically to this use, please contact SRC Treasurer Bill Smith: william@sunrisechapel.org.

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEKEND!

Your church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in the practice of cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy

www.sunrisechapel.org

Office 520-298-1245

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