Join us this Sunday for the 4th "Mindful Communication Challenge" |
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A Parable of Workers in the Vineyard The 4th in a five-week series on being better communicators Last week was a fascinating study of the parable of wise and fooling bridesmaids. It's about having the combination of a functional lamp AND the oil for the flame. The oil is the motivating love that fuels one's rational understanding. Without the oil of love, the lamp of understanding is nothing more than a paperweight.
This Sunday and in the next week, we'll
focus on the goal of limiting our communication to what is useful. If what we think or intend to say is not useful, then better just zip your lips!
To study this, we'll consider Jesus' parable of the various workers in the vineyard. In this parable, Jesus focuses on a good landowner generously giving what he wants to each
worker. Why do some of the workers gripe and complain? Hint - it's about attitude.
Nathan
LOTS OF OTHER THINGS GOING ON: Small Groups for this year's Journey of Spiritual Growth We're still going strong with our small groups. See below for the times and locations of small groups for the 5-week "Mindful Communication Challenge" program. We started Sunday, January 29, but the groups are open to anyone who would like to try them
out.
Plans for the Tucson Festival of Books We will have booth #126 this year on March 11 & 12. It is towards the
west end of the U of A Mall, and it is on the south side of the road. That means the interior of the booth won't be overwhelmingly sunny, which is nice. See below for more information.
No Plant Walk tomorrowDue to the lack of flower blossoms and the
anticipation of rain on Saturday morning, Frank has cancelled this month's Plant Walk. However, next month is expected to be wonderful, so plan on joining Frank on the 3rd Saturday, March 18. These walks are especially geared for folks from Sunrise Chapel, but they are open to anyone. Talk with Frank for more information.
Patio Garden and other outdoor areas... Underground discovery! When the patio cement was poured 30 years ago, the construction team brilliantly decided to install PVC sleeves for irrigation and electricity! Thank you to Ken Lee for helping locate these sleeves! It will allow us to move forward with the landscaping
and water feature for the Patio Garden.
And thank you to Rachael & Danny and their crew of teens and other adults for helping prepare for the upcoming transformation of the patio garden into a gathering place. Last Friday, they
created a handsome path from the labyrinth to the west side of the Memorial Garden to tie in these two features. All of this is in preparation for our 30th anniversary celebration weekend coming up next month. GREAT WORK, FRIENDS!
Nathan
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UPCOMING CHURCH ACTIVITIES: 1 pm Planning Mtg for Booth at Tucson Festival of Books (see below)
9:30 am "Journey" Small Group #4 led by Michael Brown
10 am Music rehearsal 11 am Worship Service - 4th topic of "Journey" program - "Mindful Communication Challenge" -- "Is it Useful?" 12:00 pm Luncheon (No Board mtg - changed to next Sunday)
MONDAY 2/20/2017
HAPPY PRESIDENTS' DAY!
11 am Tai Chi for Health No "Go for it" Meeting today (Presidents' Day)
TUESDAY
2/21/2017
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group
7:00 pm "Journey" Small Group #4 led by Michael
Villeburn
WEDNESDAY 2/22/2017 9:30 am Sermon Writing Team
6:30 pm "Journey" Small Group #4 led by Nathan Gladish (with a videoconferencing option - talk to Nathan for details)
THURSDAY 2/23/2017 11 am Tai Chi - Yang Style 7:00 pm "Journey" Small Group #4 led by Kelly Woofenden. This is a women's group. Contact Elise Gladish or Kelly Woofenden for location. 9:30 am "Journey" Small Group #5 led by Michael Brown
10 am Music rehearsal 11 am Worship Service - 5th topic of "Journey" program - "Mindful Communication Challenge"
-- "Am I Willing?" 12:00 pm Luncheon 12:45 pm Board Meeting (changed from earlier in the
month)
Mindful Communication Challenge |
Join A New "Journey of Spiritual Growth" Group
Update -- Our groups are wonderful. I'm really thrilled with the level of interest in this program. People are finding the workbook very content
rich and the meetings very thoughtful and enjoyable.
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 a 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!
Started 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... Sundays at 9:30-10:30 am at Sunrise Chapel - Michael Brown, leader
Tuesdays at 7:00-8:30 pm at Sunrise Chapel - Michael Villeburn, leader Wednesdays at 6:30-8:00 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. Contact Elise Gladish or Kelly Woofenden for location details.
To sign up or just inquire, contact the church office or Nathan Gladish or Elise Gladish.
To purchase an E-book or sign up for
short daily emails, go to www.newchristianresources.org Or go to the New Church Journey site and check out more details at this
link.
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The Tucson Festival of Books - March 11-12 |
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Once again, we have the privilege of hosting a booth at the 3rd largest book event in the nation - the Tucson Festival of Books! March 11 & 12 from 9:30-5:30. Our booth number is 126, and we are excited to share our unique gifts with lots of people!
This year, organizers anticipate an attendance
of 130,000 people. The feature of our booth will once again be "The Joy of Spiritual Growth" and the Spiritual Growth Groups.
If you are interested in and willing to volunteer in the booth, speak to me, Frank Rose, or Kelly Woofenden.
We need friendly people to share their testimonials about the value of being involved in the spiritual growth groups. And we have some orientation suggestions to help you feel prepared and ready to enjoy the experience.
Planning
meeting... Saturday, February 18 @ 1 pm at Sunrise Chapel
Nathan Gladish
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Father and Son Art Show Opening Reception - March 4 @ 6 pm |
Frank and Owen Rose will be displaying their paintings at The Contreras Gallery 110 E 6th Street Opening reception will be on Saturday, March 4 from 6-9 pm All welcome!
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Phoenix New Church Women's Retreat - March 3-5 |
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The women of the Phoenix New Church are excited to announce their second annual women's retreat to be held on the weekend of March 3-5 at a beautiful, private home in northern Phoenix, generously provided just for this event. The spa pool, gas fire pit and lovely views on the edge of a golf course are part of the
rejuvenating experience.
The theme will be the Butterfly Effect (acts of kindness paid forward). Please contact Elise Gladish by February 20th (or sooner!). The retreat coordinator is Laurel Walsh of Phoenix. The cost is very minimal, covering food and craft supplies only. Carpooling will be available from Phoenix and Tucson.
Don't miss this event! It was a huge success last year, and will be again because of all of the wonderful ladies who attend.
Elise Gladish and Laurel Walsh
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Readings for Reflection for this Sunday, Feb 19 |
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-15
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay
them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon
and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them
also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who
was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” The Nature of
Goodwill
True Christianity 394
Goodwill is by definition a love for usefulness of all kinds. Goodwill wants to do what is good for our neighbor, and goodness is the same as usefulness.
Secrets of Heaven
3956
Goodwill toward the neighbor has within it the desire that it should be as well with others as with ourselves; and with the angels, that it should be better with others than with themselves. Such also is the feeling of goodwill; and therefore it is averse to all self-merit, and consequently to all the doing of good that looks to reward. To those who have goodwill, the reward consists in being able to show kindness, and in being allowed to do so, and in the kindness being accepted.
“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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