Join us this Sunday for the 3rd "Mindful Communication Challenge" |
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photo by Cat Mayer on Flickr A Parable of Lovingkindness The 3rd in a five-week series on being better communicators Last week I had fun interviewing a pearl merchant at the Gem and Mineral Show and bringing my "findings" to the Sunday service. This week I'm learning new and fascinating information about bridal parties in Jesus'
day that I look forward to sharing with you!
This series of services and small groups is going quite well with 4 weekly groups serving about 39-40 people (total) and the Sunday services engaging many more.
This Sunday and in the next week, we'll focus on the goal to speak with
kindness, asking ourselves "Is it kind?" "Is what I'm saying or about to say really coming from lovingkindness?"
To study this, we'll consider Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids on their way to a wedding feast. In the parable, Jesus focuses on a bridal party of ten virgins, five of whom brought plenty of oil for
their lamps and five of whom only brought a little and soon ran out of what they had. The parable is full of symbolism about what we need to acquire to "enter the kingdom of heaven." And by contrast, what holds us back from experiencing heavenly joy?
Nathan
LOTS OF OTHER THINGS GOING ON: Small Groups for this year's Journey of Spiritual Growth I'm really excited about the level of interest in our small groups this round. See below for the times and
locations of small groups for the 5-week "Mindful Communication Challenge" program. We started last Sunday, January 29, but the groups are open to anyone who would like to try them out.
30th Anniversary Invitation Letters Thank you to Louise and
Frank for composing a very nice letter of invitation and to Sammie for her expertise in layout and design. The letter has been sent to many Sunrise Chapel friends far and wide, and will also be distributed to many local people.
Patio Garden and other outdoor
areas... Thank you to Rachael and her crew of teens and other adults for helping remove all the prickly plants in the Patio Garden in preparation for its transformation into a gathering place. This same energetic crew will also create a 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!
Live Streaming Feature?Please see below for a little information on my hopes to get this feature up and running. I need to know if anyone "out there" would be willing to help
with donations to pay for the equipment and ongoing costs? This is a feature that could help us serve more people, especially those who are otherwise unable to attend our services in person.
Colton's Eagle Scout Project Dedication tomorrow One
of our young people has successfully completed a wonderful Eagle Scout Project, and welcomes everyone to the dedication tomorrow. The dedication of the memorial wall at Esperanze en Escalante will be February 11th from 9 to 11 AM in Tucson, Arizona. Hope to see you there! The address is 3700 S. Calle Polar. Turn left when you go in and drive to the parking lot nearest the Air Force planes. I invited Martha
McSally and the media, combat veterans and Boy Scout troop 774 along with any donors, family, and friends. Thanks again!
Colton
Nathan
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UPCOMING CHURCH ACTIVITIES:
9 - 11 am Colton's Eagle
Scout Project Dedication (see above for address & details)
9:30 am "Journey" Small Group #3 led by Michael Brown
10 am Music rehearsal 11 am
Worship Service - 3rd topic of "Journey" program - "Mindful Communication Challenge" -- "Is it Kind?" 12:00 pm Luncheon
MONDAY 2/13/2017
11 am Tai Chi for
Health
12:15 pm "Go for it" Meeting
TUESDAY 2/14/2017 Happy Valentines Day!
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group
7:00 pm "Journey" Small Group #3 led by Michael Villeburn
WEDNESDAY 2/15/2017 9:30 am Sermon Writing Team
6:30 pm "Journey" Small Group #3 led by Nathan Gladish (with a videoconferencing option - talk to Nathan for details)
THURSDAY 2/16/2017 11 am Tai Chi - Yang Style 7:00 pm "Journey" Small Group #3 led by Kelly Woofenden. This is a women's group. Contact Elise Gladish or Kelly Woofenden for location. SATURDAY 2/18/2017
8:45 am Plant Walk with Frank Rose - 3rd Saturday of the month - meet in the church parking lot or call Frank for info about the trailhead
SUNDAY 2/19/2017 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
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!
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... 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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Would You Contribute toward Live Streaming our Worship Services? |
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This photo doesn't really capture what's involved, but I hope it gets your attention.
Some people say that it's really wise to get our live streaming option up and running. There is more and more interest in being able to participate in services
remotely.
It's been my goal to install it by the end of this month - February - and ensure that it's up and running by our 30th anniversary celebration. The estimated cost is $2,000, which includes all the equipment, software and subscriptions needed to do it smoothly.
If you are reading
this and are interested in seeing this new feature happen, would you be willing to contribute toward it? Please send me an email or talk with me. I can't move forward on this until I have some idea of the level of interest and support for it.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Nathan nathan@sunrisechapel.org Cell 520-820-5148
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Phoenix New Church Women's Retreat |
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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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The Light of Love
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish
Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus said, “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out:
‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was
shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Angels Always Speak from Love
Heaven and Hell 238 - Swedenborg
Since angels’
language corresponds to the affections of their love, and since heaven’s love is love for the Lord and love for our neighbor, we can see how elegant and delightful their conversation is. It affects not only the ears but also the deeper levels of the minds of those who hear it. There was one particular hard-hearted spirit with whom an angel talked, and eventually he was so moved by what the angel was saying that he burst into tears, saying that he couldn’t help it, love was talking, and he had
never cried before. “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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