SanTan Sun; 07-18-15: Spirit

Spiritual Reflections

A man who would not die in battle

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

For more than 150 years, a fascinating story appeared in virtually every student textbook in America, but, sadly, it has not been seen for decades. It is the story of George Washington when he was 23 years of age and involved in the French and Indian War, 20 years before the American Revolution. The colonists sided with the British in this war, and most of the Indians sided with the French.

Washington was a colonel in the Virginia militia at the time, and when the British troops arrived, he and 100 Virginians joined with General Braddock, a British general. The troops were divided and Braddock, Washington and 1,300 soldiers marched north to drive the French from Fort Duquesne, which is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Then, while marching through a wooden ravine, only seven miles from the fort, they found themselves ambushed with the French and Indians firing at them from tree tops and from behind rocks. The result was a slaughter.

not a single bullet had touched him. He said: “By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation.” Washington openly acknowledged that God’s protecting hand was on him. Interestingly, 15 years later during a time of peace, Washington and a friend returned to those same Pennsylvania woods. An old Indian chief, having heard that Washington had come back to that area, traveled a long way just to meet with him. He told him that in the battle 15 years earlier, he had instructed his braves to single out all the officers and shoot them. The chief said that he had personally shot at Washington 17 times, but without effect. Finally, the chief told his braves to stop firing at him. He then said to Washington: “I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle...I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

Jewish congregation to hold Lay-led Twilight Service

Yet, of the 86 British and American officers involved in that battle, Washington was the only one who had not been shot down off his horse. Once the battle ended, Washington gathered the remaining troops and retreated back to western Maryland. The next day he wrote a letter to his family explaining that after the battle was over, he had discovered four bullet holes through his jacket; yet

This is only one example of God’s timely intervention in the founding of our great country. Therefore, let us never forget our spiritual heritage, and let us give heartfelt thanks to God for it. From Columbus to the pilgrims to Washington to Lincoln, we have been blessed with leaders who understood the fact that God’s hand has been on this nation. The Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12.

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 that of the SanTan Sun News.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m. SUNDAY: WORSHIP 10 a m

Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation (SLJC) will, on Friday, Aug. 14, offer lay-led Twilight Services in the Chapel House at 5:30 p.m. Meet new people, connect with Judaism and learn during the service. At the service new attendees can be introduced and members of the congregation connect with the folks.

Oneg Shabbats are held immediately after the services at Sun Lakes Country Club. Everyone is invited to attend. The services and Onegs are great places to meet members, ask questions and learn more about the congregation.

Planning is already underway for the Jewish holidays. SLJC will celebrate the High Holidays as follows:

• Rosh Hashana Eve: Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

• Rosh Hashana: Monday, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m.

• Kol Nidre: Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m.

• Yom Kippur: Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m.

SLJC dues are $150, which includes the High Holiday ticket. Additional tickets for guests, family, significant

others and friends can be purchased as outlined on the website at www. sunlakesjewishcongregation.org.

The Book of Remembrance in which the congregation honors and memorializes departed family members and friends is under construction. Names must be received by Tuesday, Sept. 1, to be included.

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation invites everyone to come to the 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, service, during which the congregation will honor new members. Immediately following the service, congregants will celebrate the holiday of Sukkot by having Oneg in the Sukkah.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, SLJC will have a new member event at the Chapel House from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. New members will receive invitations and will be encouraged to come and meet the rabbi, cantor board members and the committee chairs of SLJC. In addition, this will give new members a chance to meet other new members. A light snack will be served.

The Perfect Place, a social destination for seniors needing day care

Valley guitarist and pianist Ron Clavecilla has volunteered to play for participants of Perfect Place for the last 10 years.

“I feel good about using my talents for the greater glory of God,” he said.

The Perfect Place is located on the campus of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Sun Lakes. It is a nonprofit faith based adult day care. Its volunteers are knowledgeable of Alzheimer’s, dementia, developmental disabilities and various adult neurological challenges.

For those who believe their family or caregiver would benefit from this service, contact The Perfect Place at (480) 895-2892 or send an email to ThePerfectPlace85248@gmail.com.

The Perfect Place is located at 23914 S. Alma School Rd., Sun Lakes. It is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and

Ron Clavecilla has played for participants of Perfect Place for the past 10 years. Submitted photo

Friday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Contributions from service organizations and personal donations to the scholarship fund allow the nonprofit to provide financial assistance.

‘Widows, Orphans and Aliens’ discussion set for chapel

“Widows, Orphans and Aliens: The Political, Economic and Social Implications of the Biblical Version,” will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays Aug. 5, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19 at Sun Lakes Chapel Center, 9230 Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes. This series will challenge preconceived ideas that the Bible is only for spiritual edification. The series will call for political, social and economic revolution that overturns conventional wisdom and the current sentiment in the United States that individuals give more to the rich and let the poor and marginalized fend for themselves. The Bible portrays God as having a “special place in his heart” for widows, orphans and aliens. This is because

people who find themselves in these types of situations are particularly vulnerable to oppression, mistreatment and abuse.

So, what are the implications of the biblical text for political, economic and social commitments and obligations? The series will look at three texts over three weeks; first with a view to what the texts tell us about ancient Israel and its world and then with a view to challenges these texts present to our current realities of budgets, political alliances and social commitments.

Free will offerings are accepted.

For more information call Pastor Vernon Meyer at (480) 895-6317 or email slucc@wbhsi.net.

Chabad Center to hold Lamentations reading and discussion

An evening of reading and discussion of Lamentations by candlelight will be held Saturday, July 25. During the day of mourning on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, attendees do not sit on a raised seat to minimize pleasure and to help

Jesus Christ, and worshiping with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Dr. Marc Drake, Senior Pastor 9535 E. Riggs Road Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248 480-895-1088 www.fbcsl.org

Sundays:

Bible Study: 8:30 am Worship: 10:00 am

relive the difficulty and the loss of the holy temple that stood in Jerusalem.

The service will be held at the new Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler.

For more information, call (480) 8554333 or visit www.chabadcenter.com.

Chabad Hebrew School opening doors

Chabad Hebrew School will be opening its doors to the Jewish community of the East Valley, regardless of individual background or affiliation, to take part in an opportunity to teach children about the Jewish heritage, culture and holidays. Every student at Chabad Hebrew School is special and is encouraged to contribute and participate in each lesson, activity and discussion.

The school has an exciting and enjoyable program. All students participate in fun activities like honey dish craft, holiday cards, Yom Kippur slippers, Succah Hop, kosher label

contest, olive oil press, menorah making, Hanukkah Carnival choir, Shabbat meal for parents and students, Purim party, Matzo Factory and more. Jewish History and Parsha lessons come alive in weekly updates in a scrapbook and the advancement each student makes by the end of the year in Hebrew reading is remarkable. The school is open for children ages 5 to 13.

The school will open Sept. 6. Classes are held on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (480) 8554333 or email info@chabadcenter.com or visit www.chabadcenter.com.

Temple Havurat Emet resumes normal services

Temple Havurat Emet will resume its normal monthly services at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Lecky Center of the Robson Library located at 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes.

Rabbi Janet Madden and Cantor Nancy Cohen will conduct a table service for this month. An indoor picnic will be held to welcome everyone back from their summer hiatus. The picnic will be held at

6 p.m. and will consist of various small sandwiches and side salads. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.

Services will start at 7:30 p.m. Call Charlotte at (520) 836-0867 or Bobbi at (480) 940-9960 for further information and reserve a spot for the picnic. The deadline is July 31.

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., preceding 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

Celebrate Recovery Men’s Step Study

5:30 p.m. Sundays

Gender-specific accountability groups that meet for 28 weeks and use the eight recovery principles. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Info: (480) 722-0700, celebraterecovery@crnaz.com

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

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) 4250624, www.christianbusinessnetworking. com

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.

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

Send us your church, temple events

Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@ santansun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

WebXtra:

WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”

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

WEDNESDAYS

Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798 or www.interfaithcommunity.org.

“A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays

The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798, www.interfaith-community.org

The Art of Parenting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays

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. Chandler Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com

Panic Healing and Meditation

7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays

Guided meditation and healing for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800

Grief Care

6:30 p.m. Wednesdays

A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com

Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle

7 p.m to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays

Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800

Meditation Moments

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday of the month

An interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as long time students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798 or www.interfaith-community.org