The Power of Useful Service
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I had a really good day
Yesterday my wife and I individually reconnected with some members of our church family we haven't talked with for a while. CoViD-19 has put a damper on some of our ordinary connections, and it was just really heartwarming to chat over the phone one at a time with a few people. I recommend it! Just get out a copy of the church directory or look up a contact in your cell phone and call a friend. Not
only can it brighten the other person's day, I can testify that it did wonders for me, the caller.
Go ahead - I double dare you!
"Love one another as the Lord loves you."
If you can't find your church directly, let me know and I'll email you one.
Sunday's Topic: A Sixth Human Need - conclusion
This Sunday I'm eager to share a key to heavenly happiness - feeling useful. By contrast, a key to hellish frustration is feeling useless.
Nobody likes to feel useless. And being useful with no thought of reward is its own reward. But how do we navigate the challenges of feeling unable to contribute in a meaningful way? And what if we either deliberately or inadvertently take away someone's feeling or ability to be useful? I believe this is very much a spiritual issue, with influences from many sources trying to rob us of a reward the Lord
wants us to enjoy all the time.
If you have any personal stories or examples to share with me ahead of time, I'd love to hear from you!
In person church services
I'm noticing that a variety of our sister congregations are reopening to accommodate in-person church services. For example, this past Sunday our churches in Bryn Athyn, PA, Rochester, MI, and Boulder, CO had their first in-person services in months. In all cases, they are continuing their online options. My colleagues are excited and cautiously optimistic. They all understand that many people will
continue to opt for the online worship, but oh what a difference it makes to refresh the personal interaction as a church community.
Last Sunday Elise participated in the Chapel in person for the first time in months. She also VERY carefully helped set up the Holy Supper for social distancing and individual servings. She is planning to be in the Chapel again in person this Sunday - with a welcoming sparkle in her eyes and a smile underneath her mask.
Please join your church family this Sunday at 11 o'clock either on YouTube or in person at the Chapel (with the guidelines below).
This Sunday will be our 27th church service in the era of CoViD-19.
That's more than six months. I will continue to offer the online livestream option, but as community spread of the virus decreases, I invite you to attend in person under the guidelines below. There's room in the main Chapel for 15-20 people. You are also welcome to view the monitor in the Vestry or in Friendship Hall. If you prefer, you can gather in one of our outdoor spaces and connect
to our livestream on your phone or tablet.
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With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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Good news - Community Transmission is Reducing
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Here is good news from the Pima County Health Director about the reducing number of CoViD-19 cases. Click on the image to watch a 2-minute You Tube overview of some current data for Arizona and Pima County. If the link for the image doesn't work, copy and paste this link into your browser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcTA27oRsJk
This You Tube channel is a great resource. Usually three brief reports each week, without the hype and politicization that comes through most media outlets.
~Nathan
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Graphic: How to join a ZOOM meeting
Hey, church family!
Do you miss our get togethers in Friendship Hall? I do! But there is still a neat and fun way of connecting in spite of CoViD. You can check in and visit at noon on Zoom.
Everyone welcome, even if you haven't participated yet! You are welcome to pop in for a bit and leave whenever you need to.
To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link at NOON
If this link doesn't work for you, go to zoom.us/join and enter these credentials for the meeting:
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020 (hint: the numerical date for May 15, 2020)
Alternatively, you can call in on your phone (without your computer or video). There are a few more steps, but you can use one of these phone numbers and follow the prompts. You may have to enter the Meeting ID and the password. You will be able to listen and talk (but you won’t see anyone and no one will see you).
Phone call-in numbers:
346-248-7799
669-900-9128
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Last Sunday's Task - The Human Need for Growth
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Guidelines for "soft" reopening for in-person church activities
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Doors into the chapel
This Sunday, I continue to welcome you in person with caution
I welcome anyone to attend in person who feels safe within the guidelines outlined below. I also realize that most people will not attend in person, yet, so I'm glad when I "see" you participating through the livestream option! Please use the YouTube chat feature to "check in" and let your church family know you care about our faith community.
We have space for at least 15-20 people in the seating area of the Chapel. There are also the "overflow" rooms to view the TV monitor in the Vestry (off the front lobby) and in Friendship Hall. Recently, the maximum number of people in person has been 8 so there is plenty of room to be together and to social distance.
Specific guidelines for in-person attendance
I believe following these guidelines is also in keeping with the Golden Rule.
1. Stay safe while being kind and respectful. If you attend, observe the guidelines. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, please take care of yourself first; feel free to leave without any negative judgments.
2. Do not attend in person if you are sick, or if you are concerned about getting sick, or if you are at high risk. Instead, please continue to participate remotely.
3. As a community of people who love and respect each other, wearing a face covering is a community service to protect each other, especially the vulnerable. Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. Please bring your own face covering (mask, scarf, bandana, etc). A face covering will be provided if you forget to bring your own.
4. Practice social distancing while on the church property (inside buildings and outside) including friendly no-touch greetings.
5. We will limit our number of participants in the main seating area of the Chapel to 20. Members of the same family may sit together.
6. On entering and leaving the buildings, please wash hands with soap or use hand sanitizer (provided in the lobby).
During the church service:
• I wear a mask before and after the service and while I am singing. I remove my mask for prayers, the children's talk, the readings, and the sermon, with the understanding that the closest participants are over 8 feet away from me.
• Sanitary wipes are available for individuals to wipe down chairs and surfaces they use.
• Bathroom use is limited to one person at a time, using only the main bathrooms at the entrance to Friendship Hall.
• No printed bulletins or songbooks. Instead, song lyrics are projected on the monitor and announcements will either be projected or verbal.
Please, let me know whatever you think. It's good to hear from as many people as possible. I'm doing the best I can, and I don't want to put any volunteers or visitors in any unsafe positions. I appreciate your help and patience!
Looking forward to your participation either in person or online!
Nathan
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Photo: laptop + coffee
Weekday Meditation (9:00-9:30 am MT) This is the link for the Monday meditation that I lead, but it is also the same link for the rest of the weekdays, led by other folks. Try it! You might like it!
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
New Church Vineyard (This is a RICH source of KID-ORIENTED content for all sorts of stories from the Bible and the teachings of Swedenborg. Use this for family worship and for "Sunday school" type activities to enhance your spiritual lives at home.)
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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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