"Reigning" and Alive (08/15/21)

"Reigning" and Alive (08/15/21) - AMMENDED

Published: Fri, 08/13/21

"Reigning" and Alive!

What does it mean for the Lord to truly “reign” in our lives? In the Cambridge English Dictionary, the second definition of the word “reign” is intriguing to me: “to be the main feeling or quality in a…person.”

What if our main feelings were about the Lord? What if the qualities that held the most meaning for us were the Lord’s? How might that change our experience of life? I am profoundly grateful for an “Evening Prayer” I have recently encountered in the New Zealand Prayer Book, included here:

Lord,

it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

Let it be.

The night is dark.

Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives

rest in You.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of Your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In Your name we pray.

Amen.

Maybe developing my relationship with the Lord is much simpler than I’ve made it in my head all these years. Maybe it is most of all about remembering Who is the only giver of true peace (a peace that the world cannot give). Maybe it is about remembering that goals focused on self satisfaction and worldly success alone will not lead to (lasting) peace.

Peace that lasts is born of trust. Trust that Divine Providence is leading everything we go through (the good and the challenging) in the opportunities they present for us learn and grow in our reliance on God over self. Maybe it is time to recommit to building that trust through turning to the Word, seeking the Lord and loving others (this is how Jesus taught that others would know who His true disciples were, after all). There is a story that Ben Franklin would start his day asking: "What good may may be done today?" He would end asking: "what good has been done?"

And maybe as I head to bed with this on my mind and heart, I can close this day with gratitude for what has been and joyful anticipation (rather than fear) for what is to come. Maybe then am I truly letting the Lord reign.

Love and Peace,

Ethan

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS SUNDAY (08/15/21)

Pastor's New Mobile Number:

The pastor has a new permanent cell phone number: (520) - 305 - 1843

Sunday School:

For the time being - the children/teens can take part in “Sunday Service Projects!”

Margo Waddell and Christine Morey will guide the youth group in various projects that give back to the community. This will take place after the Children’s talk in the Children’s Chapel.

Informal "Upcoming Projects" Meeting:

There will be an opportunity for members of the Sunrise Chapel to gather and discuss upcoming projects this Sunday. This will happen in Friendship Hall from 12:30 - 1:30pm.

Serving Those Experiencing Food Insecurity:

Judith Keane is excited to restart the "Sandwich Ministry!" We will be meeting on Monday, August 16th at 9am in Friendship Hall to make 400 sandwiches to distribute to those in need. Join us! To indicate your willingness to help, email Judith Keane: judith.tucson@gmail.com.

Carpet Installation

There will be new carpet installed in Friendship Hall, the nursery, and the office module starting on August 30th. In the meantime, there are things we need to do to get ready. Email Claudia Wood-Osmus with your willingness to help: avery.hampton@cox.net

Caring for One Another:

The TUSD has started the school year with the following statement: "Masking in schools is an important mitigation measure to slow the spread of COVID-19, and especially the new delta variant." (From: Tucson.com). They have therefore required all students to mask at the beginning of the school year.

Several folks have recently expressed a desire for SC to make clear its own hopes for the health and safety of our attenders for similar reason (some of whom are uniquely vulnerable), and we are therefore requesting those attending indoor worship to consider masking.

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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