The Spiritual Benefits and Costs of Keeping Secrets |
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It's no secret that the Lord loves you Following on from last week's topic of the ins and outs of hiding, this Sunday let's look at a different set of teachings about secrecy - when it's important, even necessary to keep something confidential and when it gets in the way of our spiritual development. There are
very interesting stories in the Word of people keeping secrets for both good and bad reasons. What are you keeping secret? And how might you be led to a better state if you shared that secret with the Lord?
What are some topics you'd like to have addressed in our church services? Ever think of some life-issue you'd like
me to talk about in church? I'm always open to suggestions! E-mail me, text me, or just call me with your idea. Or use the contact form on our website - your comments will come directly into my inbox.
Some topics I'm thinking about covering (in no particular order yet):
Whispering Ordinary Life
The Fear of Scarcity Wholeheartedness
The Word has a lot to say about each of these topics, and they are all very down-to-earth, too. I hope you can join me in exploring them in relation to our spiritual lives and our efforts to experience heavenly joy in the
here-and-now.
SUCCESSFUL Calendar Planning Meeting #1 - LAST Sunday Well, well, well! We had a GREAT brainstorming session after our luncheon last Sunday. Elise captured a ton of ideas. There was really good energy for sustaining many of the activities that we are used to, and also fresh energy for new ways to serve. People who
are taking initiative will help communicate as things progress, and Elise and I will also do what we can to keep up the momentum.
Thank you to these people who participated last Sunday! Darleen R, Gail B, Kelly W, Steve and Betsy G, Frank R, Lex W, Michael B, Elise and yours truly.
Thinking of you all with love and respect, Nathan
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Fundraising Gala Friday February 8, 2019 |
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Momentum is building for our first big fundraising event in a while
Last Sunday it was decided! -
We're booking La Mariposa (at a discounted rate) for a dinner+dancing+auction event! Thank you to Gail B for taking initiative to get us rolling. Next is to continue planning by setting up a variety of teams.
The idea is to provide a fun, social evening, including a meal, entertainment, and an auction of goods and services that a broad audience would bid on. This kind of event is not only fun, but it can also be morale-boosting as we work together on a common project. It
can also be an opportunity to welcome friends and others who appreciate Sunrise Chapel.
Come to a planning meeting on Sunday, July 29 after church at 12:30 pm. It will take collaboration and lots of planning to pull it off. The plan is to do a lot of preparation in the next couple of months since people get really busy in November and December; then pick up momentum again in January. Put a big star on Friday February 8, 2019. Consider it a big "date night" or some special event with family and friends. It's gonna be great! ~Nathan |
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL
11 am Worship with Pastor Nathan - "Keeping
Secrets" 12 noon LUNCHEON 12:30 pm Ad Hoc February Fundraiser Planning Meeting (any/all welcome) 4 pm Memorial Service and Reception
MONDAY 7/30/2018 11 am Tai Chi Basics 6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group (in the small room
of the
Chapel) WEDNESDAY 8/1/2018 9:30 Worship Team meeting 11 am Tai Chi Yang 24 Friendship Hall
7 pm Women's Group: Contact Elise Gladish for details 11 am Worship with Pastor Nathan 12 noon LUNCHEON
Who will study the
Bible with me? |
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As I think about planning the calendar of church activities for the coming year (our "church year" started July 1), I plan to offer more opportunities for group Bible study. There are many ways of doing this, and what we settle on will depend on the interests of the
group (or groups).
I have already gotten replies from some folks who are interested. Let me know if you are curious about studying the Bible in a group and what times of the week and day you prefer.
~Nathan
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Thank you for your dedication and support throughout the year.
With folks going and coming on vacations, summertime is typically a time of lower attendance at church activities, which is sometimes reflected in decreased donations. Have you considered setting up a regular, automatic donation to the Chapel's general operating budget?
The PayPal button here as an option for one-time or monthly donation.
If you write a check, make it to Sunrise Chapel.
Thank you from our Treasurer, Bill Smith |
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Readings for
this Sunday's church service |
Not Keeping the Lord’s Word Secret
Psalm 78:1-7 (NIV)
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their
descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put
their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Keeping Secrets
Proverbs 11:12-13
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
A gossip betrays a
confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Jesus Keeping Things Secret
Matthew 13:34,35
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things kept secret from the
foundation of the world.”
The Word Has a Spiritual Meaning That Has Not Been Known until Now
True Christianity 193
Because the Word is divine, it has a spiritual core. When we are told this, surely we all acknowledge it and agree. Up until now, though, has anyone known what that spiritual core is and where it is hidden in the Word?
The Word has a spiritual
core because it came down from the Lord Jehovah and passed through the angelic heavens. As the Word came down, the divinity itself, which was originally inexpressible and imperceptible, became adapted to the awareness of angels and, further on, to the awareness of human beings. As a result, the Word has a spiritual meaning that is present within its earthly meaning much the way our soul is present in us, the thoughts of our intellect are present in what we say, and the feelings of our will are
present in what we do.
If I may make comparisons with things that appear before our eyes in the physical world, the spiritual meaning is contained in the earthly meaning the way the whole brain is wrapped in its meninges or membranes; or the way the branch of a tree is wrapped in its inner and outer bark; or the way everything necessary for a chick's development is contained within the shell of its egg; and so on.
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Your church home for cultivating spiritual growth in order to experience heavenly joy www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245
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