On A Journey (07/25/21)

Published: Fri, 07/23/21

On A Journey... (07/25/21)

I’ve been thinking a lot about journeys lately. There are so many journeys in the Word, and so much need for journeying from place to place. We could think of when Abram was called by the Lord to “get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12: 1). When Moses is called by the Lord to lead the exodus journey of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. And what about Joshua’s journey with them after this, across the Jordan to the enemies that would be faced on their way to inheriting the promised land?

A dear friend of mine recently made the point that when David was “on the move”, things were much better for him than when he was idle. In the New Testament, we read of Jesus’ own journey by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, and that He fasted 40 days and 40 nights. (Matthew 4: 1-11). Speaking of journeys of the spirit (as opposed to the body), we read:

The bodily senses can have no conception of a journey other than one that is made through intervals of space. Those however who think on the sensory level of their spirit, when that level has been...withdrawn to some extent from [that of] the body - and so think on a more internal level, can be led to believe...that such things have happened. (Emanuel Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven 9581)

Spiritually speaking, in the Word to journey is to live, so on one level you could say we are always on a journey. Our journeys are mostly happening on this inner (often imperceptible) level of the spirit. There are guideposts though, which help us to have some sense of that inner landscape and how to navigate it.

The clearest of these are shown to us in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. ...As I understand it, this was the original intention of Lent - a 40 day (and night) period reflecting Jesus’ period of temptation by the devil which was set aside to do the kind of intentional inner work modelled by his life.

When I was younger, I didn't give much attention to the idea that I even had an inner life, let alone that it needed tending to. What does a healthy tending look like? I like to start simple: "How much time have I spent thinking about the Lord (and the Word) this week? How much time have I spent considering (and doing something for) the needs of others outside of myself? It's a good place to start...which requires us looking up. Maybe this is why I have always enjoyed my hikes in the mountains:

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Isaiah 2: 2-3)

With High Hope,

Ethan

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS SUNDAY (07/25/21)

Message from the Luncheon Ministry:

The Sunday luncheons play an important role in fellowship for our congregation. Due to the Pandemic, kitchen renovations, and available volunteers; resuming our traditions needs to be put on hold. We need to be cautious moving forward with gatherings involving meals as all of our congregants have not had the chance to be vaccinated and/or are immune compromised. With that said here is our contingent plan until September 6th:

Continental Lunch will be offered: this will be pre-packaged and individually wrapped snack items…(this Sunday's chilli is being donated by Mike Villeburn) Lemonade and coffee will be served.

Pack your own picnic: this is the safest way for your family to participate in the luncheons during the pandemic and/or if you want more than just continental lunches.

We need to protect our vulnerable members and be a safe place for all to worship. Thank you in advance!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

I so appreciated being with you for our first full "introduction" Sunday together! I look forward to getting some time over the coming weeks to get to know 1) what brought you to Sunrise Chapel, 2) what you love that has kept you here, and 3) how you might be called to serve.

In Gratitude for each of you that make this community what it is,

Ethan

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The Asplundh Family Foundation is once again granting Sunrise Chapel funds to continue upgrading and maintaining our facilities and grounds!

This time they have awarded us $45,000 to help us with the following projects:

A: Continue to refresh the interior look and feel of our Friendship Hall wing so people appreciate it as a well-kept, safe, clean, functional, and welcoming church home:

• Refurbish two more bathrooms in Friendship Hall (two bathrooms have already been refurbished) (Approximately $8K)
• Replace more old flooring, sliding door screens, and drinking water fountains in the Friendship Hall wing (these well-worn items are over 25 years old) (Approximately $30K)

B: Continue to improve our property’s curb appeal from the street view:

• Maintain our parking lot and front landscaping (Approximately $12K)

NOTE: As part of our "investment" in these projects, we now need to raise $3,000 locally.

Please consider a gift to support and promote these projects.

You can use PayPal on sunrisechapel.org or send your contribution by check to "Sunrise Chapel" via our treasurer. Make a note that it is for "Asplundh Grant Support."

BLESSINGS ON YOUR WEEKEND!

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

Office 520-298-1245

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