Practicing Forgiveness week 3: Being Forgiven

Published: Sat, 02/10/18

This Sunday we continue "Practicing Forgiveness"
father+prodigal_son
"Forgiven"
Last week we looked at the shift from "I forgive" to "I forgive you." One thing I really like about this chapter in the book we are studying is the emphasis on debunking various myths about forgiveness. 
Misconceptions:
   - It means looking the other way.
   - It requires an apology from the offending person.
   - It's a one-time deal.
   - Withholding forgiveness means that the other person suffers. 
This Sunday, we'll study the Parable of the Prodigal Son and consider the roles of remorse and apology in our efforts to understand forgiveness. What is the difference between remorse and shame? What makes for a good apology?  
Forgiveness seems to be a popular subject; one that can take a lot of time and effort throughout our lives.  

We have four active, engaged groups (see below for times and places), and I am already very satisfied with how they are progressing. I believe this topic is timely and important for us to work on individually and as a church in order to turn our lives over to the Lord's lovingly wise will for us.  

Small groups! Join one!
See below for more info
Being in a small group is part of building spiritual community. 
Small groups are educational, enriching, reflective, and fun. If you haven't tried participating, I encourage you to consider it. The groups are open in the sense that if you have a schedule conflict with one group, feel free to attend a group that is meeting at an alternate time. Contact the leader for more details. 

Thinking of you with love and respect,
Nathan 
 
 

 UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL 


SATURDAY 2/10/2018
    2 pm Private Memorial Celebration of Life and Reception afterwards

SUNDAY 2/11/2018
    9:30 am Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church
    10 am Music rehearsal
   11 am Worship Service Practicing Forgiveness #3 "Being Forgiven" 
   12:00 pm Luncheon - Everyone Welcome!  

MONDAY 2/12/2018
   11 am Tai Chi Basics

TUESDAY 2/13/2018
    6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group
    7 pm Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church

WEDNESDAY 2/14/2018
   9:30 am Worship Team meeting

THURSDAY 2/15/2018
   11 am Tai Chi Yang 24
    3 pm Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church
   7 pm Women's Group - Practicing Forgiveness: contact Elise Gladish for details

FRIDAY 2/16/2018
    4 pm Private wedding rehearsal in the Chapel

SATURDAY 2/17/2018
    2 pm Private wedding in the Chapel

SUNDAY 2/18/2018
    9:15 am Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church
    10 am Music rehearsal
   11 am Worship Service Practicing Forgiveness #4 "Self Forgiveness" 
   12:00 pm Luncheon - Everyone Welcome!




 
Current Journey of Spiritual Growth!

Books are in! Our second order of PRACTICING Forgiveness books is here. $12 each. There is no tuition or registration fee to participate in a group, though donations are certainly welcome. Thank you for your patience on the book order. Contact Elise to get your copy. 

We started PRACTICING FORGIVENESS on Sunday, January 28! The small groups are very enriching. 

Thank you to our good friends at New Church Outreach for putting it together. Some sister congregations did this course in the Fall. Others are doing it at the same time as we are. Our final Sunday of the series (March 4) is timed for the weekend just before the Tucson Festival of Books. 
 
GROUPS
* Sunday Morning small group is being led by Michael Brown at 9:30 am in the church library. This Sunday, this group will decide who may take over leading this group for the final few sessions (since Michael has a conflicting appointment).

* Tuesday evening small group meeting is being held at 7 pm at the church (Library), led by Mike Villeburn. Please talk with Mike for more details.  

* Thursday afternoon small group is meeting at 3 pm in the main Chapel (small group room), led by yours truly. Please talk with Nathan for more details. 

* Thursday night Women's group meets at 7 pm at various women's homes. Contact Elise Gladish for any details.

Questions about groups? Contact Elise or me - Nathan.
 
 
Teen Ministry 
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Following a great brainstorming meeting about our TEENS recently, I have started meeting with a group on Friday afternoons (after school). Some of the time is just good small-group interaction and sharing, and we are also discussing the general topic of practicing forgiveness in conjunction with our current Sunday series. 
For more information and to join the fun, contact Elise or me.   
~Nathan 
​​​​​​​
 
Reading for Reflection on this Sunday's topic

God's Forgiveness
Psalm 103:1-5,11-12

Praise the LORD, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

John the Baptist's Mission 
Luke 3:2-6
The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’”


Accepting the Lord's Forgiveness
Secrets of Heaven 8393 - 
Swedenborg
Being Mercy itself, the Lord is constantly forgiving our sins. Still, sins cling to us no matter how much we suppose we have been forgiven. Neither are the sins removed from us except through living according to our faith's commandments. To the extent that we keep those commandments, our sins are removed; and to the extent that our sins are removed they have been forgiven.
  
"Blessed is everyone who hears the Word of God and keeps it." 
​​​​​​
 
Nathan Gladish
Helping people experience heavenly joy through spiritual growth
www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org    Office 520-298-1245