Holding on and letting go
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Funny picture, unless it's a habit you want to train your dog out of!
It's January, and I think about the topic of habits every year. I happen to be starting some new habits right now, so it's top-of-mind for me. A question related to starting up a new habit is "What do I need to let go of?" Sometimes the purpose of letting go is to free up time to do something else. Other times it's to free up mental or emotional space. Whatever the reason, it's not always
easy.
Sometimes a week gets so busy and then all of a sudden it's Friday, and time to get out the weekly email update. This was one of those weeks with lots of fulfilling activities that I love doing with my pastoral hat on - visiting members and friends, meeting about special services, working with volunteers, helping to write a grant request, and the list goes on. So, in order to get this email update
out Friday afternoon, I'm sending it without this Sunday's readings. Another reason to come to church!
Welcome to a new year of progress with spiritual growth in practical life!
Last Sunday I enjoyed introducing some ideas that I found helpful in setting goals for little changes this year. I'm intrigued with the idea of implementing many little changes in order to see bigger changes over time. This is not only practical, it's good theology. Whether I am working on rising above impatience or creating a new habit of decluttering, making small, incremental changes can lead to
big, significant changes.
For some easy, fun, and down-to-earth reading, check out www.jamesclear.com. I've suddenly become a fan of his motivational writing and practical suggestions!
A Tangible Benefit of Attending Church Services
My friend, Lori Odhner, writes a daily blogpost called "Marriage Motes" which I find fun, inspiring, and a good way to start my day. Yesterday's message was about some of her reflections on attending church services. I loved her closing sentence:
"There are wonderful worship events that I could view online.
But I would not get a chance to hug anyone."
It's probably not something we could market, "Come to church for your weekly hug!" but it's definitely something I appreciate.
Chili Cookoff - next Sunday, January 19
This month, instead of Bill's "world famous" home made spaghetti, the luncheon will feature delicious chili made by several people. Come find out which is "the best"!
More Gratitudes
I am so grateful for people who volunteer in various ways for the church, whether it be at the Chapel or in your own home! There are many things that happen behind the scenes that only a few people may be aware of. See below for some highlights of volunteer service during this week.
With love and respect and prayers for many blessings,
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL
SATURDAY 1/11/2019
3 pm Arizona Spiritual Growth Foundation Meeting
SUNDAY 1/12/2020
11 am Worship Service - Nathan Gladish, preaching
12 noon Luncheon
MONDAY 1/13/2020
11 am Tai Chi class - Friendship Hall
TUESDAY 1/14/2020
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group in the Chapel
WEDNESDAY 1/15/2020
9:30 am Worship Team meeting
FRIDAY 1/17/2020
4:30 pm Teen Time with the Pastor at the church
SUNDAY 1/19/2020
11 am Worship Service - Nathan Gladish, preaching
12 noon Luncheon - "Chili Cookoff"
Volunteer Highlights This Week
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This past week an active set of volunteers made more good progress with several property improvements and projects at the church
1. Cakes For Causes - Pictured above are Darleen and the director of Cakes
for Causes. Thank you to them and DeDwayne for organizing and overseeing the pickup of our donation to this worthy organization, one of the non-profits we supported over the Christmas season.
2. A new drinking fountain installed in the foyer of the Chapel - thanks to Ken L. and Tom H!
3. "Indoor-outdoor grass carpet" - The outdoor space adjacent to the nursery and Friendship Hall has a new "carpet" of synthetic grass - much neater and more user-friendly for a variety of activities - thanks to
Claudia and Kim!
4. Two sliding doors and their screens from Friendship Hall and the nursery are now cleaned up, with new glides, and sporting new screening material - thanks to Tom H!
5. Weeding! Do you love to weed? Johanna V. does, and she's back at it! Her current emphasis
is on the most noticeable triangular garden space below the "Monument" sign in the front parking area. Thank you Johanna V!
6. Computer maintenance. Did you know that Microsoft is ending its support for
Windows 7 and earlier versions? That meant that all the church's computers had to be upgraded to Windows 10, a task that was started in October and successfully completed this past week. Thank you to our amazing IT guru, Dave L!
7. Hats for the Homeless - Thank you to Judith K. for delivering our collection of
hats to homeless people. With this cold weather, they can sure use them!
What is your Sweet Spot for volunteering?
In our teachings, the church on earth is intended to be an image and likeness of heaven. Heaven is not a spiritual retirement home. It is people happily working together, being useful for the common good. The more the merrier, as in heaven, so upon the earth.
Thank you to everyone who volunteers!
It is heartwarming to witness all the energy and enthusiasm that you all share.
And now, in this new year, dear reader, I encourage you to consider making a fresh commitment to volunteer in some way that suits you - to build up the health and growth of Sunrise Chapel. There are many ways to get involved either regularly or occasionally. It could mean taking on a routine behind-the-scenes task, or leading an activity or small group once a quarter. There is something for everyone!
What could become YOUR volunteer sweet spot this year?
A few tasks looking for volunteers:
- Name Tag Ministry (during the Sunday luncheon)
- Kitchen ministry
- Luncheon cleanup
- Bringing a food item for monthly Camp luncheon (last Sunday)
- Indoor plant care and watering
- Decorating the chancel (occasionally or regularly)
- Indoor decorating for holidays
- Teaching Sunday School
- Posting prayer requests by email
- Changing the road sign letters (weekly or as needed)
- Putting out the blue recycling containers every other week
- Custodian of our Little Free Library
- Office records organizer and/or archivist
Does one of these speak to you? Talk with Elise or me for more information or referral to others with similar interests.
~Nathan
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEAR-END DONATIONS!
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Great News! We made it! THANKS TO YOU for your generous year-end donations to the General Fund!
Because of both regular donations and extra donations toward the $4,000 anonymous remote match, we made our six-month financial goal and then some! This means that Sunrise Chapel's general fund is solvent for the time being, and we have another six months to creatively figure out how to improve our income - hopefully through new events and rentals, new fundraising activities, and new donors. One of my personal goals this year is to have fun giving. After all, it is for such a good,
worthy cause! Giving in any form - time, talent, treasure - is meant to be enjoyable and useful, not onerous or burdensome. Who wants to join the fun?
Want to donate with a credit card or electronically? Our treasurer, Bill Smith, can now swipe credit cards in the church office, or you can go to the Donate page on sunrisechapel.org or go directly to the church's PayPal account .
Thank you for supporting Sunrise Chapel!
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Readings for this Sunday's 11 am
Worship Service
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(Come to Sunrise Chapel this Sunday to find out!)
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Livestream and Archive Videos of our 11 am
Worship Services
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Thank you to our volunteers in the sound booth every Sunday for helping make our livestream happen. We are finding that it is a long learning curve to get all the sound levels tuned, so thank you for your patience. And please give me input based on your listening experience.
If you subscribe to our YouTube channel, you can get an alert when we go live on Sunday morning. If you bookmark the link in your favorite browser, you can also easily view any available archived service anytime.
There is really no substitute for worshiping together in person with all the nuances of community, personal connection, and interaction, but modern technology does provide a great window into the experience. ~ Nathan
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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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