God creates everyone for heaven
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My interest in this topic was rekindled by a meditation group I am currently in
The mantra for the meditation time yesterday was a brief quotation from the book Divine Providence by Emanuel Swedenborg:
"Everyone is predestined for heaven." (Divine Providence §322)
In spite of the brevity of the quotation, the discussion was rich and satisfying. What does this bring up for you? I would love to hear from you before Sunday, and I'm also planning a time for a few people to share their thoughts during the service.
"THE BEST" Chili - last Sunday, January 19
From Mike Villeburn:
I am happy to report the feedback from everyone that talked with me that best of show goes to all that participated:
Elise - Best Vegetarian Chili
Bill - Best Steak Chili
Lonnie - Best AZ Camp Chili
Greg and Lorie - Best Montana Hillbilly 4 Bean Chili
Steve - Best Chicken Green Chili
Mike - Best Venison Chili
Thank you to Bill for the idea and the organization of this special luncheon. He is suggesting we do it again on February 16 and make it into a mini fundraiser for our church's general operating fund.
New Small Group Program starts next Sunday, February 2!
“Growing Through Challenges” See below for details
A New Resource for Online Small Groups
I am thrilled to announce a new online platform for "virtual" small groups and community building with people associated with our church and Swedenborg around the world. Check out the Grand Human Project the purpose of which is "To create and sustain communities of people bringing spirituality to life based on the writings of
Emanuel Swedenborg." It was just launched a week ago by our church headquarters' Office of Outreach after months of planning and hard work. I am excited by the potential of this online venue for increasing the sense of belonging for many people especially those who are unable to gather a group in one central location.
Join me and a few others online for a 30-minute Thursday morning meditation group
I'm tickled to say I was the first participant in the first online group started a week ago Thursday morning. The group I joined is a 4-week series on meditation that meets from 10-10:30 am Mountain Time, led by Sasha Silverman. If you want to join me, let me know and I'll help you with the technology! You can start here by signing up to the Grand Human Project platform. After that you'll be able to sign up for any group offered, including the meditation group.
With love and respect and prayers for many blessings,
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New Small Group Series starting the week of February 2
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"Growing Through Challenges" - a New Church Journey Program
Welcome to a new year and a new opportunity to gather in small groups around an important topic related to our spiritual growth!
This series will explore the life experience of facing challenges. We will gather insight and wisdom from the Bible, from Swedenborg's works, and from each other about how to grow through challenges.
What will this series focus on?
Life is rarely without its hardships. Sometimes challenges can feel like weights bearing down, making it difficult to move. So, how can we better prepare ourselves for these overwhelming times?
This 4-week series explores the Biblical story of Gideon, a young man who was called on by the Lord to overcome many challenges. Through his example of patience, hard work, and faith, we too can access the tools to come out stronger on the other side.
Week 1 (February 2) - The Presence of the Lord
Week 2 (February 9) - The Peace of the Lord
Week 3 (February 16) - The Power of the Lord
Week 4 (February 23) - The Praise of the Lord
Expect to have a choice of several groups at different times of the week, including an online option. More details to come!
Interested? Intrigued? Can't wait?
Talk with Élise or Nathan
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Thank You for your food donations for the Community Food Bank
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A message from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
On behalf of the Community Food Bank, we would like to thank you for your food collection to benefit those in our community!
At your food drive, you collected 144 pounds of food!
We are truly grateful for your time and dedication to helping our neighbors in need. Your generosity helps us provide nutritious meals for those in need throughout Southern Arizona.
Sincerely,
Brittany Taft
Community Events Manager
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
communityfoodbank.org
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THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AT SUNRISE CHAPEL
SATURDAY 1/25/2020
2 pm Private Celebration of Life in the Chapel
3 pm Private Reception in Friendship Hall
SUNDAY 1/26/2020
11 am Worship Service - Nathan Gladish
12 noon Luncheon in support of Arizona Mountain Camp
12:30 pm Board Meeting
2 pm Private Baptism
MONDAY 1/27/2020
11 am Tai Chi class - Friendship Hall
TUESDAY 1/28/2020
6:30 pm Bereavement Support Group in the Chapel
WEDNESDAY 1/29/2020
9:30 am Worship Team meeting
THURSDAY 1/30/2020
10 am Meditation Group (in person or online) See above
FRIDAY 1/31/2020
4:30 pm Teen Time with the Pastor at the church
SUNDAY 2/2/2020
11 am Worship Service - Nathan Gladish, preaching
"Growing Through Challenges" #1 The Presence of the Lord
12 noon Luncheon
What is your Sweet Spot for volunteering?
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This year, I am ramping up efforts to invite more people to volunteer in ways that enrich your life and the life of our church. I encourage everyone to invest some of your time and talent in supporting the smooth operation of our church organization for the sake of making it a place to welcome all into spiritual community. Some tasks are BIG, others are relatively
small and infrequent, but each one is important.
Our teachings say 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!
What could become YOUR volunteer sweet spot this year?
A few categories and tasks looking for volunteers:
Facilitate and/or host a small group for our upcoming Journey program in February
ORGANIZE STUFF
Revive and maintain the Name Tag Ministry (during the Sunday luncheon) THANK YOU TO SANDI M for offering to restart this practice!
Change the outdoor road sign letters (weekly or as needed)
Custodian of our Little Free Library - THANK YOU TO JUDITH K for continuing to help with this!
SECRETARIAL TYPE TASKS
Tidy up and file office records
Post prayer requests by email (from your home)
PREP & CLEAN UP
Bring a food item for monthly Camp luncheon (last Sunday of the month)
Kitchen ministry
Luncheon cleanup
Put out the blue recycling containers every other week - THANK YOU TO CAROL W for taking this on!
PLANTS (INDOOR OR OUTDOOR)
Indoor plant care and watering
Weed & water outdoors
CHILDREN
Help with Nursery or Sunday School
PROVIDING A WARM WELCOME
Become a "Connector" for guests and newcomers
Decorate the chancel (occasionally or regularly)
Indoor decorating for various holidays
Does one of these speak to you?
Talk with Elise or me for more information or referral to others with similar interests.
Thank you to everyone who already volunteers!
It is heartwarming to witness all the energy and enthusiasm that you all share.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, dear reader! There are many ways to get involved either regularly or occasionally. There is something for everyone!
~Nathan
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Readings for this Sunday's 11 am
Worship Service
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Children and Heaven
Matthew 19:13-15
People brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Born for Heaven
Divine Providence §322 & 324 (Swedenborg)
Sound reason tells us that everyone is predestined to heaven and no one to hell. We are all born human, which means that we have the image of God within us. The image of God within us is our ability to discern what is true and to do what is good. Our ability to discern what is true comes from divine wisdom and our ability to do what is good comes from divine love. This ability is the image of God; it is enduring with everyone who is whole and is never erased.
Everyone is created to live forever in a blessed state, since the One who wants us to live forever wants us to live in a blessed state as well. Otherwise, what would eternal life be? Love always wants what is good for others. Parents’ love wants what is good for their children; a groom’s or husband’s love wants what is good for his bride or wife; our love in friendship wants what is good for our friends; so
why not divine love? Further, what is goodness if it is not pleasing, and as for divine good, what is it if it is not eternal bliss?... We can see, then, that eternal life is eternal blessedness as well.
This state of humanity is the ultimate goal of creation, and the Lord is not to blame if only the people who get to heaven enjoy it. That is our own fault...
By creation and therefore by birth we have the inherent possibility of getting to heaven.
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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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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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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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