Join us for this Sunday's service |
Our Close Connection with the Lord The Lord uses the analogy of a yoke to help us understand our connections with the things of our spiritual life. That yoke can feel oppressive if it is based on hellish influences trying to
control us, or it can be a lovingly wise tool for collaborating with the heavenly influences trying to help us experience more freedom and joy. Let's explore this Divine analogy and how it helps us deal with some of the pressures of daily life.
LOTS OF OTHER THINGS GOING ON: Lobby Renovations and more... This week the popcorn ceiling in the Chapel lobby and the small group room ("the vestry") was removed and retextured, and also the old linoleum tile in the lobby was removed. Next week, the ceilings will be repainted, new light fixtures installed, then new
ceramic tile will be installed on the lobby floor as soon as the work can be scheduled, and new baseboards after that! Our entrance is looking more and more inviting! Thank you to the Asplundh Foundation for the generous grant! And thank you to Carey Kent from Afford-A-Wall Drywall Company for his professional work. And thank you also to James Waddell for his help with a variety of tasks around the building - painting, and other
handyman jobs. And not least of all, thank you to Mike Villeburn, our Property Manager, for his initiative and dedication to oversee many other ongoing projects such as the proper care of our roofs and the HVAC equipment, etc.
Nature Walk with Frank Rose - weather permitting! Saturday, January 21 Frank is continuing to lead "Plant Walks" on the 3rd Saturday of the month. You can rendezvous at 8:45 am in the Church parking lot, or contact Frank for the location of the trail head and meet there. If it is actively raining and doesn't look like it will let up, this month's walk will be cancelled.
Come to a Special Presentation by a local photographer this Thursday, January 26! See below for more information about "Awakenings" - a special feast for your eyes and ears presented by a local photographer, Nelson Rodriguez.
This will be inspirational, meditational, and awe-inspiring. Don't miss it! Free and open to the public.
Memorial Service for Frank Finley - Saturday, January 28 at 2 pm Joan and Frank Finley have been associated with Sunrise Chapel for a long time. Joan met Frank Rose at a Watercolor Guild meeting years ago and has remained connected to Sunrise Chapel ever since. Joan's husband died last month. Please join her, her family, and other friends for a memorial service and celebration of life next Saturday, January 28 at 2 pm at Sunrise Chapel.
Small Groups Starting for this year's Journey of Spiritual GrowthSee below for the times and locations of small groups for the 5-week "Mindful Communication Challenge" program that starts Sunday, January 29.
30th Anniversary Event Page on Facebook If you have a Facebook account, please go to our event page and click "Going" if you are planning to attend. You can also leave a comment or add something relevant. The more
positive activity on the event page, the better!
With love and respect, Nathan
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UPCOMING CHURCH ACTIVITIES:
SATURDAY 1/21/2017
8:45 am Monthly Nature Walk led by Frank Rose - weather permitting
SUNDAY 1/22/2017 11 am Worship Service - Nathan Gladish 12 noon Luncheon
MONDAY 1/23/2017
11 am Tai Chi for Health
12:15 pm "Go for it" Meeting
TUESDAY 1/24/2017
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group
WEDNESDAY
1/25/2017 9:30 am Sermon Writing Team
THURSDAY 1/26/2017 11 am Tai Chi - Yang Style 7 pm "Awakenings" - A remarkable photographic experience. This event is in place of the weekly Women's Group. EVERYONE welcome - It's going to be GREAT! SATURDAY
1/28/2017 2:00 pm Memorial Service for Frank Finley at Sunrise Chapel
SUNDAY 1/29/2017 9:15 am "Journey" Small Group #1 led by Michael Brown
10 am Music rehearsal 11 am Worship Service -
First topic of "Journey" program - "Mindful Communication Challenge" -- "Am I Listending?" 12:00 pm "Arizona Mountain Camp" Luncheon
"Awakenings" - A remarkable photographic experience |
Come to this Special Event Thursday, January 26 at 7 pm at Sunrise Chapel.
Please welcome a special guest presenter to
share his remarkable photography encouraging mindfulness of God’s grandeur throughout creation. Free and open to the public.
This will also serve to launch and promote the new Journey Spiritual Growth Program “Mindful Communication Challenge”
What—”Awakenings”
When—Thurs, Jan. 26 at 7
pm
Where—Sunrise Chapel
Why—Fun, inspiration, awe
Who—Nelson Rodriguez
This unique presentation invites our minds and hearts to experience beauty through our visual and auditory faculties. Nelson Rodriquez will follow the show with a brief discussion on how he as a photographer practices to allow himself to experience the awe and wonder around him, and how this practice shapes his
photography.
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Mindful Communication Challenge |
Join A New "Journey of Spiritual Growth" Group
This five-week program inspires us to pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, and the way we express those thoughts and feelings to others. Since true connection has a heavenly
quality, we will explore symbolism from various Biblical parables that start with the words, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . ."
Each chapter of the workbook includes a communication task drawn from the parable, as well as daily readings, quotes and reflections.
This will be a great chance to
support each other on a journey of true self-expression, as we nourish connections with those we love. Join us as we practice speaking in ways that are kind, true and useful!
Starting Sunday, January 29 Week 1: Am I listening?
Week 2:
Is it true?
Week 3: Is it kind?
Week 4: Is it useful?
Week 5: Am I willing?
Small Group Options so far... Sundays at 9:15-10:30 am at
Sunrise Chapel - Michael Brown, leader Tuesdays at 7:00-8:30 pm (place to be determined) - Michael Villeburn, leader Wednesdays at 6:00-7:30 pm at the Ada Peirce McCormick Building near the U of A (including videoconference
option) - Nathan Gladish, leader Thursdays Women's Group at 7:00-8:30 pm in various women's homes - Shared leadership
To sign up or just inquire, contact the church office or Nathan Gladish or Elise
Gladish.
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The Lord's Kind Invitation to Connect
Matthew 11:29-30 (New International Version)
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light.”
The Lord's "Mild Yoke and Light Burden"
Secrets of Heaven 905 - Emanuel Swedenborg (New Century Edition)
The Lord’s presence involves liberty; the one is a consequence of the other. The more present the Lord is, the freer we are. In other words, the more we love goodness and truth, the more freely we act. That is the nature of the Lord’s influence, coming by way of
angels.
Hell’s influence, on the other hand, coming by way of evil spirits, brings with it the forceful effort to dominate. Those spirits connive at nothing else than to put us so completely under their yoke that we become nothing and they become everything. When they are everything, then we are one of them—and hardly even one of them, but like a nobody in their eyes. So when the Lord delivers us from their control and removes their yoke, a battle begins. And when we have been delivered—
reborn—the Lord leads us so gently by means of angels that it is anything but a yoke, anything but domination. Through pleasure and happiness we are led and loved and esteemed. This is what the Lord teaches in Matthew:
My yoke is mild and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30)
“Blessed are those who hear the word of
God and keep it."
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Helping people experience heavenly joy through spiritual growth
www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245
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