This Sunday we continue "Practicing
Forgiveness" |
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Forgive Yourself Sometimes we get reminders of things we've done or said that were harmful to ourselves or others. The reminders might be in our heads as
thoughts, perhaps invasive thoughts that we didn't invite. They might come in the form of feelings of regret or remorse. To the degree that these reminders are helpful in making useful changes, they can be good. To the degree that they are just unhelpful nuisances, it may be better to just let them go. This is part of forgiving yourself - letting go of influences that are no longer helping. And often, it's much more helpful to replace those negative thoughts and feelings with positive
messages.
This Sunday, as part of our adult message, we will hear one person's story of the value and practice of self-forgiveness. Author, teacher, and speaker Teresa Campbell will share a personal experience of how she is using uplifting affirmations to strengthen her spirit and
create love and joy.
Small groups continuing! 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 |
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL
SATURDAY 2/17/2018 2 pm Private
Wedding 9:30 am Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church 11 am Worship Service Practicing Forgiveness #4 "Self-Forgiveness" 12:00 pm Luncheon - Everyone Welcome! TUESDAY 2/20/2018 6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group 7 pm Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church WEDNESDAY 2/21/2018 9:30 am Worship Team meeting
NO Tai Chi TODAY 3 pm Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the
church 7 pm Women's Group - Practicing Forgiveness: contact Elise Gladish for
details
SUNDAY 2/25/2018 9:15 am Practicing Forgiveness Small Group at the church 10 am Music rehearsal 11 am Worship Service Practicing Forgiveness #5 Transformation 12:00 pm Luncheon - Everyone Welcome!
Current Journey of Spiritual Growth! |
People are saying this is such an important topic, and the text is packed. The groups are going well!
There is no tuition or registration fee to participate in a group, though donations are certainly welcome. Contact Elise to get your copy of the book
($12).
We started PRACTICING FORGIVENESS on Sunday, January 28! The small groups are very enriching. Our final Sunday of this series will be March 4.
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 now being led by Steve G. at 9:30 am in the church library. (The original leader, Michael B., has a conflicting appointment.)
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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.
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Preparations for the Tucson Festival of Books Booth
254 |
This Year's Booth #254
COME VISIT US AT THE TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS -
Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11.
This year we will continue promoting Choose Joy Now and the Joy of Spiritual Growth!
We will also share the booth with author Frank Rose! And a
bonus just figured out this week... We welcome Michelle Chapin from Bryn Athyn, PA to support our efforts. Michelle works in our headquarter's Office of Outreach and is totally on board with spiritual growth groups. Last year one of her colleagues, Sasha Silverman, came out for the Festival and it was great. It's fun to share the love with others who love this work.
Questions? Contact me, Elise Gladish, Kelly Woofenden, or Frank Rose.
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Readings for Reflection on this Sunday's
topic |
Jesus Writes in the Dust
John 8:1-11
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.
They put her in front of the crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the person who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in
the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
The Role of the Lord's Mercy in Forgiveness
Secrets of Heaven 9452 - Swedenborg
The Lord regenerates us from Divine Mercy. This is done from our infancy down to the last of our life in the world, and afterward to eternity. For this reason, it is from Divine Mercy that the Lord withdraws us from evils and falsities, and leads us to the truths of faith and goods of love, and afterward keeps us in these. After
this, in Divine Mercy, the Lord raises us to heaven, and makes us happy. All this is what is meant by the forgiveness of sins from mercy. "Blessed is everyone who hears the Word of God and keeps 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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