Mid-week message from Nathan

Mid-week message from Nathan > Sunrise Chapel

Published: Wed, 09/16/20

Something useful to do when you're not feeling so useful

Last Sunday I concluded a 6-week series of talks on basic human needs

At the end of each sermon, I provided a suggestion for applying the teachings in daily life. Above is the graphic I shared in last Sunday's slideshow, and I thought it would be a useful reminder to share it mid-week.

The talk was about being useful, but there are a lot of times in life when it's easy to feel useless. The teachings of the Bible and of the Writings of Swedenborg say a LOT about the Lord's will for us all to feel and be useful, so that's a given. But when we're down or feeling a lack of motivation, creativity, or energy, sometimes I find it important to focus on some spiritual work to gain perspective and get back up. Hence the task:

When you’re not feeling very outwardly useful, shift your attention to your own spiritual work. Remember: this is a very important way of serving and loving others.

I want to thank Frank Rose for this task. It was serendipitous that we were independently working on this topic at the same time. He introduced it in the Wednesday afternoon spiritual growth group last week, then I introduced a similar version in the service on Sunday. Kelly Woofenden also used it in her Sunday morning spiritual growth group.

Whether you are in a small group right now or not, this is a useful task about being useful. I commend it to your attention!

Here's a direct link to last Sunday's service:

https://youtu.be/6Cyo3veQd-M

With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,

Nathan

Click the YouTube icon or HERE to watch our Livestream

Thank you to our musicians

Thank you to Pablo and Mariana for continuing to provide music for our services. Pablo has been very helpful and patient as we continue to adjust the sound system in the Chapel. And Mariana has been continuing to record her keyboard accompaniment which Pablo then uses during the livestream. It is a delicate dance every Sunday.

I'm also very happy that Mariana was able to add a bass track to her recording last Sunday! It is a beautiful addition.

And after the children's talk last Sunday, I loved sharing Diccon Lee's song about usefulness, called "Bring Your Love." If you want to watch the slides and listen to him and his band, it starts at about minute 24 of the recording on You Tube.

Here is a link that should start at the point when Diccon's song begins:

https://youtu.be/6Cyo3veQd-M?t=1480

I also want to thank Pablo and Mariana for helping me introduce new songs to our worship services. Last Sunday we led with "Come Just As You Are" - a beautiful invitation to worship. And "just as you are" includes with masks and social distancing as well as with hopes for the Lord's inspiration, encouragement, hope, and strength. We need it!

I do love leading in worship and coordinating with our musicians and volunteers on Sunday morning, and I love being your pastor!

Blessings on this mid-September Wednesday,

Nathan

Online resources (laptop & coffee photo)

Photo: laptop + coffee

Other online Church-related resources:
Sunrise Chapel website

You Tube - Sunrise Chapel Livestream

Sunday after church Zoom at NOON meeting

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!

Sunrise Chapel's Facebook page

New Church Resources
Grand Human Project for Spiritual Groups

offTheLeftEye
New Christian Bible Study

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.)

New Church Sunday Schools You Tube Channel (This is the other site run by New Church Vineyard featuring lovingly created videos of various kinds.)

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Swedenborg Foundation
Swedenborg Foundation YouTube page

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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