SanTan Sun News,11-21-15: Spirit

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Spirituality

Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2015

Spiritual Reflections

Bumps and Detours as we see in Psalm 86:7, “In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will The journey of life certainly has it answer me.” detours and bumps in the road—and Secondly, don’t stop praising. Matthew that’s probably putting it mildly! But the Henry wrote: “Be not afraid of saying good news is that God is in charge and too much in the praises of God; all the exercises perfect wisdom in working danger is of saying too little.” How true! through the various Make sure that every circumstances of life. day your praises ring However, our response out to the One who is to trials and challenges is eternally worthy of our critical. Do you respond whole-hearted worship. by drawing nearer to King David had been God and seeking His face going through one of the more intently than ever? most difficult times in Or do you complain and his life (and he had quite become despondent? a few!) but he declared, Humorist Charles “I will bless the Lord at Lowery has suggested all times; His praise shall some questions for us: continually be in my Do you see dark clouds mouth” (Psalm 34:1). You in every silver lining? Do see, in the most trying you find the difficulty of times we can be in every opportunity? assured that God is using Marc Drake. Submitted photo Do you wear black trials and difficulties to just in case someone produce greater Christdies? When you smell flowers, do you likeness in the believer. immediately look for a coffin? Do you Thirdly, remember that God is faithful. shake your head instead of hands? He In fact, one of the purposes of adversity says that if you answered yes, you are is that it takes away those things in which going to be seasick for the entire voyage we trust so we can clearly see God’s of life! faithfulness and put our trust in Him. As So how should followers of Christ Christians we are pilgrims down here, not respond to the trials they encounter— residents. But one day the journey of life whether physical, emotional, financial, will be complete and we will be home— marital or spiritual? First, cry out to our eternal home. In the meantime, we God. That’s what people in the Bible must keep trusting in our faithful God did (as well as countless others down who leads us every step of the way and through the centuries). They learned meets every need (Philippians 4:19). that God brings His people to the place Why not write the above three truths of utter dependence on Him. Sadly, we on a card and post it in a place where you often come to that place squirming and will see it often: Cry out to God. Don’t resisting, grasping for this or that, trying stop praising. Remember that God is to make something happen. But God faithful! wants us to simply cry out to Him such

BY DR. MARC DRAKE, SENIOR PASTOR, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SUN LAKES

www.SanTanSun.com

Sun Lakes UMC offers free cab ride to holiday events Sun Lakes United Methodist Church has a full lineup of Christmas events, and it doesn’t want anyone to miss out on its programs for lack of transportation.

In December, anyone who uses a cab service to attend one or more of the church’s Christmas programs will be reimbursed, compliments of SLUMC. Congregants can take cabs to any of the following holiday events, then mail in their cab receipts with their name and address to the church office at 9248 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes for reimbursement.

For more information, call (480) 8958766.

Upcoming events include: • Cookie Walk, 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in Lindsay Hall. Fill an empty box, which is provided, with your choice of homemade cookies for the holidays for $10.

• Chandler Symphony Holiday Concert, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in the church sanctuary. Chandler Symphony Holiday presents “Deck the Holidays with CSO.” Tickets are $10 at the church office.

• Sun Lakes Chorale Holiday Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the church sanctuary. Tickets are $10 and available at ACE Hardware Sun Lakes only on Tuesdays.

• Chancel Choir’s Christmas Cantata “The Mystery and the Majesty,” 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12, and 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, in the church sanctuary. This performance is free.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. with the Chancel Choir and 7 p.m. with special music, both of which are in the church sanctuary.

Food trucks, ministry featured at Walk through Bethlehem First Baptist Church Chandler is having its annual Walk Through Bethlehem Live Nativity event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20. The three-day event will be held at 3405 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Admission is free.

There will be food trucks on location each night. Enjoy the cuisine from Focoso Wood Fired Pizza on Friday; Queso Good Quesadilla on Saturday and Burger Amor on Sunday. Make sure to stop by the free photo booth to capture memories.

Begin the event by watching a live puppet show. Free crafts for the children and cookies, hot chocolate and cider will be available.

Step back in time to the 14th century and listen to a brass band play, along with some carolers. After enjoying Christmas music, step into the city of Bethlehem. Merchants will show their wares and live animals will be in the stable providing attendees with the opportunity to feed them.

For more information, visit www.fbc. net or call (480) 963-3439.

Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sunarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@ santansun.com.

Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website.

Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not those of the SanTan Sun News.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m.

SUNDAY: WORSHIP 10 a.m.

19609 S. McQueen Rd. • Chandler, AZ 480-899-LIFE (5433) • 480-343-0022 www.gospel4life.org

First Baptist Church, Chandler Come Visit Us! 480-963-3439  www.fbc.net

Thanksgiving Eve Service

facebook.com/FirstBaptistChandler

SUNDAY



“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

His love endures forever.”

— Psalm 107:1

November 25, 2015 (Wed.) Socials start at 6:30 PM

 Worship 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.  Spanish Worship 1:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY (Summer)



Student Wash Out Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.

SAN TAN FREEWAY (202) QUEEN CREEK RD. OCOTILLO RD.

ARIZONA AVE.

3405 S. Arizona Ave. All Are Welcome!

APPLEBY RD.

* Only Nursery care is available 1770 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286 // www.hopecov.com

Spirituality

www.SanTanSun.com

Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2015

Community invited to SLJC’s Shabbat service The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation will celebrate Hanukkah with a Shabbat service at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. In honor of the holiday, a special Oneg will follow.

Other 7:30 p.m. Shabbat services include: • Jan. 8: Installation of congregational board, officers and committees • Feb. 12: Service honoring Sisterhood • March 11: Service honoring choir, Interfaith and Hadassah • April 8: Yom HaShoah observance • May 13: Service honoring Men’s Club • June 10: Annual healing service and rabbi’s Bar Mitzvah year.

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is an established reform congregation that meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel on the second Friday of the month. Services allow the congregants to meet new people, connect with Judaism and learn. New attendees are invited to be introduced at the service and members of the congregation connect with these attendees.

Oneg Shabbats are held immediately after services at Sun Lakes Country Club.

Everyone is invited to attend.

As part of its membership drive, SLJC is forming several new Chavarah. This is a

chance for new members to get to meet other congregants with similar interests or hobbies. A singles group is forming as well.

Those interested in starting a group can contact Wende Levy at WLevy@his.com.

In other SLJC events, the Chandler Symphony Orchestra will perform at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Rd. The concert benefits Neighbors Who Care and is supported by the Interfaith Council, of which SLJC is a member. Included in the program will be a special performance by Shea Marshall featuring klezmer music.

Tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Lakes Methodist Church office and on the day of the performance.

Sisterhood sets meeting date The next meeting of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood is 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the Chapel Center.

A 10-year Chandler Police Department employee, Dan Shellum will speak about his move to Arizona to pursue a law enforcement career. He earned a master’s of criminal justice from ASU and, as part of his program, he studied counterterrorism in Israel.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener conducting Hanukkah services at Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Submitted photo At the meeting, donations to Toys from the Heart are appreciated.

Dues are $25 until Jan. 1; after which they go up to $30. Payments can be sent to Phyllis, at 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, 85249.

This year’s card party is forthcoming, but there are more donors to honor from last year including: Alan J. Discont, Salon Karizma, Pamela Schauer, Jennie DePreist, Michael’s Creative Jewelry, Scottsdale Pet Hotel/Laura Weissman, Southwest Medical Dermatology Inc., Arizona Family Dental, Barmar Inc., Energy Savings Group, Albertson’s, Safeway and Chandler Car & Driver.

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Shop early at Epiphany Lutheran Church’s boutique Epiphany Lutheran Church’s holiday boutique and bake sale is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the church, 800 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.

More than 20 vendors will have holiday items available for purchase, including quilts and blankets, Norwex, Partylite Candles, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, jewelry, stained glass, wood crafts and other handcrafted items.

Baked goods will also be available for purchase. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, call (480) 963-6105.

Fashions with Flair, other T.H.E. events set Temple Havurat Emet is hosting Fashions with a Flair on Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Oakwood Country Club in Sun Lakes. Lunch will be served and fashions will be from Dillard’s at Chandler Fashion Center.

The fashion show will include door prizes, raffle prizes and the annual hat raffle, with the $50 in $1 bills attached.

“The Wolfman,” otherwise known as Tom

Wolfe, will return to the Arizona Room Phase 1, at the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 Sun Lakes Blvd., for an afternoon of song and memories from the past. On Sunday, Jan. 24, he will sing songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s.

The Temple Havurat Emet meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Friday of the month at the Lecky Center of the Robson Library, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., located behind the Robson Library in Sun Lakes.

VUU free film series on racism A free film series called “Continuing the Conversations: Racism in Films” will be shown at VUU from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays Feb. 7, March 6 and April 10.

The films, in order of dates are “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Rosewood” and “Do The Right Thing.”

Movies will be held in the VUU sanctuary, followed by a discussion.

“The films and conversations afterward will create a deeper understanding of how racist attitudes are embedded in our culture thereby supporting the practices of discrimination and brutality,” explained VUU member and co-coordinator Beverly McCormick.

She said the film series also supports the mandate for awareness issued at the

Rabbi Dr. Janet Madden and Cantor Dr. Nancy Cohen fly in from Los Angeles to lead the congregation in worship services each month.

The Hanukkah celebration is Dec. 4 and will include a potluck dairy dinner before the services.

For more information, visit www. templehavuratemet.org/.

Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly this year that “Black Lives Matter.”

Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living.

VUU is located at 6400 W. Del Rio St., in Chandler. For more information, call (480) 899-4249, or visit www.vuu.org.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Chandler United Methodist Church

Celebrating more than 100 Years in Chandler. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913.

SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship.................. 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children ............................. 8:40 a.m. and 10:10 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS ..................................................... 9:45 a.m.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY “Elijah–The Prophet of God”.......... Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes

Sun Lakes UMC Chancel Choir presents... a Christmas Cantata by Joseph Martin conducted by Music Director Cris Evans

A Church of Joy Committed to the perfect Word of God, living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and worshiping with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Dr. Marc Drake, Senior Pastor invites you to join in our traditional worship service at 9535 E. Riggs Road Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

480-895-1088 www.fbcsl.org Sundays:

Bible Study: 8:30 am | Worship: 10:00 am Wednesday: Prayer & Bible Study: 6:30 pm

CHRISTMAS EVE “The Meaning of Christmas” Candlelight Service 3:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. with Chancel Choir 7:00 p.m. with Special Music Rev. Marvin Arnpriester Rev. Jean Newell

Saturday, December 12 at 4 p.m.

Sunday, December 13 at 8:15 and 10 a.m.

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, AZ, Ph: 480-895-8766, www.sunlakesumc.org

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Spirituality

Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2015

www.SanTanSun.com

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.

SUNDAYS Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community. Join the group at 10 a.m., proceeding the service, for fellowship.

Youth and toddlers meet during service.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa.

Info: (480) 593-8798, www.interfaithcommunity.org Kids’ Sunday School 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www. unityofchandler.org Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music.

Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www. unityofchandler.org St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 7:30 a.m. traditional worship 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band There is also a service at 12 p.m.

Wednesdays.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W.

Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 899-7386, www.saintmatthewschurch.org.

MONDAYS The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333, rabbi@ chabadcenter.com TUESDAYS Silva Class and Meditation 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800.

Career Connectors 9 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits. Central Christian

Church, Gilbert Campus/Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert. Info: www. careerconnectors.org, (480) 442-5806 Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter—Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www.christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room C100, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www.christianbusinessnetworking.com Grief Share 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays A combination seminar and support group that meets weekly with people who understand because they have “been there” themselves. Fee for materials is $15, but scholarships are available. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 963-4127, www. htlutheran.com

HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays Free weekly small group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church, Room 106, 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler.

Info: hope4all@comcast.net, www. helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org Shalom Chapter of Hadassah 11:30 a.m. second Tuesday of each month Iron Oaks (Oakwood) Clubhouse, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Info: Cyril, (480) 802-0243; Kathy, (480) 895-5194; Shirley, (480) 883-9159; or Joyce, (480) 802-4902.

Monthly Women’s Fellowship 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.” Best Western-Mezona 250 W. Main St., Mesa.

Info: (480) 232-3773 Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon)— Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church, 1125 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler.

Info: www.nar-anon.org

Join us for THANKSgiving!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. ~Psalm 107.1 NIV

Thank You, Lord!

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Wednesday, Nov. 25th | 7 pm Bring a non-perishable food item for Matthew’s Crossing, a local Chandler charity

Be our guest this weekend!

Traditional Service - Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 8:30 am Contemporary Service - Sunday at 11 am Sharing Christ, Changing Lives!

Epiphany Lutheran Church 800 West Ray Road, Chandler www.EpiphanyChandler.org