3rd Sunday of Advent Season
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Experiencing Heavenly Joy
Are you experiencing as much heavenly joy as you would like? I know I fall short of my goal. It takes ongoing effort and real spiritual work to increase one's level of joy. And the Lord came into the world to help us with that.
This year I am featuring the topics of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE - one on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. This is a common Christian tradition, and we are lighting one Advent candle on the chancel for each Sunday.
This Sunday is an opportunity to explore the Scriptural experiences of joy that various people had at the Lord's birth. And by contrast, it is useful to recognize that some people had very non-joyous reactions to news of his advent.
The Word is written in such a way that all the different personal responses are reflections of our own experience. The stories act like a window for us to see the possible spiritual states that we can go through.
This Sunday's Luncheon
Thank you in advance to "Spaghetti Man!" That's my new nickname for Bill, who is preparing his monthly special meal for Sunday's luncheon. It's a long, involved process, with deliciousness wafting throughout the church kitchens and Friendship Hall. Come prepared to enjoy!
Christmas Eve Services - Monday, Dec. 24
5 pm (family)
7 pm (candlelight)
Thinking of you all with love and respect,
Nathan
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL
11 am Worship Third Sunday of Advent - Joy
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group (in the small room of the Chapel)
WEDNESDAY 12/19/2018
9:30 am Worship Team meeting
1 pm Bible Study - Gospel of Luke
SUNDAY 12/23/2018
10 am Music rehearsal
11 am Worship Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love
12 noon LUNCHEON
MONDAY 12/24/2018
5 pm CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP
7 PM CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
Christmas Church
Services
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Sunday, December 23 at 11 am
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE
Monday, December 24 at 5 pm
Christmas Eve Family service
Monday December 24 at 7 pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight service
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Weekly Bible Study:
1 pm Wednesdays |
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Open group - everyone welcome
Wednesdays from 1-2 pm EXCEPT Dec. 26
Each Wednesday, "rain or shine." Dive into the details of the Gospel story from Luke's perspective. It's amazing how much there is to talk about in just a couple of verses! The Bible is the most important and fascinating book in the world. The teachings of Swedenborg say the Bible story has layer upon layer of
spiritual meaning. We will go at the group's pace, taking questions and comments as they come up. It's a study, not a lecture.
Anyone welcome. We meet in the small room off the lobby of the main Chapel.
Bring a Bible, bring a friend.
~Nathan
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Fundraising Gala Friday February 8, 2019 |
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Location: La Mariposa
Activity: Dinner + Musical Entertainment + Auction fundraising event!
NEW INFORMATION:
Preparations continue. Invitations have been finalized and are being sent out! Thank you to everyone who provided input into the design, wording, and production... a lot of time and thought and effort.
Even though the official deadline is January 15, the sooner we can get your RSVP, the better! Thank you for your love and support!
The idea of this event is to provide a fun, social evening, including a meal, entertainment, and an auction of goods and services that a broad audience will 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.
It will take collaboration and lots of planning to pull it off.
Put a big star on your calendar for 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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Please consider Sunrise Chapel in your year-end charitable giving
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Every church organization has many financial obligations, but the most important thing your gift supports is a the opportunity to gather locally to develop meaningful relationships with the Lord and one another. Sunrise Chapel relies on the generosity and dedication of donors to keep the various uses and ministries going.
When you give an unrestricted gift to Sunrise Chapel's General Operating Fund, you are supporting this spiritual community as well as our down-to-earth efforts to serve more people.
Thank you for considering Sunrise Chapel in your charitable giving
If you write a check, make it to Sunrise Chapel.
The PayPal button here takes you to an option for either a one-time or a monthly donation.
Thank you from our Treasurer, Bill Smith
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Readings for this
Sunday's Church Service - About Joy
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A Prophecy of Joy Coming
Isaiah 12:2-6
In that day you will say:
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Mary's and Elizabeth's Joy
Luke 1:39-47
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb
leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Heavenly Joy
Heaven and Hell 397—Emanuel Swedenborg
By its very nature, heaven is full of pleasures, even to the point that if we see it as it really is, it is nothing but bliss and pleasure. This is because the divine good that emanates from the Lord's divine love constitutes heaven both overall and in detail for everyone there; and divine love is the intent that everyone should be saved and should be most profoundly and fully happy. This is why it is all the same whether you say "heaven" or "heavenly
joy."
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Your church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in the practice of cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy www.sunrisechapel.org nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245 |
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