Spiritual Reflections
The spiritual leaders of Gilbertarea 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@gilbertsunnews.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 Gilbert Sun News.
Christ Our Saviour Academy now enrolling
Christ Our Saviour Academy is enrolling kindergarten through eighth grade students for its private school in downtown Gilbert.
The school theme of “Supporting our families in the training of their children through a personalized education” highlights the emphasis of the school.
Through individualized, nonlecture approaches to instruction, students have their own individual goals to master each day. Classrooms are multigrade with 15 students. Tim and Lori Ihms are both certified teachers who have successfully used the personalized approach for more than 40 years. For more information on the school and enrollment, visit www.christoursaviouracademy.com
Christ Our Saviour Academy is located at 202 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert. For more information, call (520) 428-4631 or email admin@christoursaviouracademy.com
Bestselling author coming to Orpheum Theatre
One of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Rob Bell, is bringing his “Everything is Spiritual Tour” to the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7.
The stop has been described as a transformative one-man show.
With new discoveries, more and more people are asking bigger questions about just what kind of world we’re living in and what that means for our hearts, our souls, and our spirits.
On the “Everything is Spiritual Tour,” Bell makes surprising connections between the universe and life, and shows audience members how science and spirituality are long-lost dance partners. Wherever you’re coming from and whatever you’re wrestling with, let the “Everything Is Spiritual Tour” experience inspire, provoke, challenge, and give you hope as we together explore and enjoy this beautiful, mysterious, and endlessly
fascinating world we call home. Tickets are $23 to $98. The Orpheum Theatre is located at 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. A VIP/preshow seminar featuring a conversation with Bell is $100. That begins at 6 p.m. and includes priority seating and signed copy of “The Zimzum of Love.”
For more information, visit http://robbell. com/portfolio/tour/ Bell, who has written a series of books, founded Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan at age 28, and, under his leadership it was one of the fastest-growing churches in America. In 2011, he was profiled in TIME Magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People. Bell was featured on Oprah’s 2014 Life You Want Tour and will be speaking at venues around the world in 2015 on the “Everything is Spiritual Tour.” He and his wife, Kristen, have three children and live in Los Angeles.
These are the only
our students
experience
In this time of budget cuts, it’s good to know that Legacy Traditional School is committed to giving our students the benefits and rewards of a quality, well-rounded education. One that focuses on all areas of academic study, including music, art, physical education, extracurricular activities and clubs. In fact, where some schools are cutting, Legacy Traditional School is adding programs that enhance the education of our students. To learn more, contact us today!
Ms. Valerie Merrill, Principal
Rob Bell.
Football, Basketball, Soccer and T-Ball / Coach Pitch Leagues
• Organized Programs for boys and girls ages 3-14
• Focused on fun, inclusivity, good sportsmanship and safe play
• All instructors background checked and certified
• No fundraisers or mandatory volunteering
• All skill levels. No try outs!
• CHARACTER and TEAM PLAY emphasized most!
Worship guide
There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews.com.
The Bridge Church
860 E. Warner Rd., Suites 101 & 103 Gilbert 85296 480-294-7888 www.bridgechurchaz.org
Services: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays
We exist to show the world who Jesus is, and we believe that when people get to know Jesus as He really is, their lives will change forever. Therefore, it is our passion to help people know Jesus throughout Gilbert, Metro Phoenix and the world.
Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297
www.centralaz.com/ Arena/?page=5644
Services: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays
While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information.
The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts.
Real Life Church
Church services at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts
4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 444-0231 or www.reallife.cc
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints
3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000 www.lds.org/church/temples/gilbert-arizona?lang=eng
For more information about the temple, visit the website above.
First United Methodist Church of Gilbert
331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166 www.gilbertumc.org
Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays
There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance.
Mission Community Church 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024
www.mission68.org
Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The church believes in one God consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all things, including man.
Redemption Gilbert
1820 W. Elliot Rd, Gilbert 85233 (480) 632-2220
www.gilbert.redemptionaz.com/ about/a-brief-overview/ Services: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays
Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else.
Resurrection Episcopal Church Meets at Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., Gilbert 85233, each month except June. (480) 719-5343
www.resurrectiongilbert.org
Services: Call for information
The world sends the message that we must hold right beliefs and exhibit right behaviors before we can rightly belong. To God, that idea is backward. We always belong to God, and in Christ nothing can
and acceptance. Growth in Godly ways of being and doing is cultivated when we acknowledge that we are already known and loved by God. All people are welcome at the church, and congregation officials don’t just say it, they live it.
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
2654 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 279-6737
www.smarymag.org
A Roman Catholic parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, catechesis and celebration of the Sacraments.
San Tan Bible Church
1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert 85296
Phone number not available. www.santanbible.org
Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays
The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do.
Sun Valley Community Church
456 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert 85296
(480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com
Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays
The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life.
Two Rivers Church
326 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.2riverschurch. org
Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays
Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith.
Christ Our Saviour Academy provides ‘outstanding’ education
BY TIM IHMS, FOUNDER, CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR ACADEMY
In 2012, John Bridgeland created the term “Opportunity Youth” in a paper created with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The paper’s focus was to raise awareness of young people who had left high school before graduating. Mr. Bridgeland feels these young people have “extraordinary untapped potential.”
As reported on NPR recently, Mr. Bridgeland was quoted “I’m not one to paper over reality or hardship. I don’t like buzz terms or jargon.”
But in referring to students who had not graduated from high school he said, “Extraordinary untapped potential...They saw the benefits of finishing school and getting a decent job. They were extremely hopeful, not withstanding, their challenges. My bottom line was, if they can be hopeful, why can’t we?”
A hopeful message by Mr. Bridgeland, but what about those students who do not drop out? Somewhere around 80 percent of students graduate from high school each year. Of Arizona students who graduate, the percentage who are prepared to move on to meaningful work or education continues to be low.
years. That’s better than Arizona where, out of 40 percent of high school graduates head to college, over half do not earn a degree. I would like to expand the definition of “Opportunity Youth.” Instead of only students who have left high school early before graduation, the term “Opportunity Youth” should apply to all students who graduate from high school and who do not have the skills to continue on with a college education or a vocational education even after 13 years. Why? Because these student also have “extraordinary untapped potential.” How do I know? From more than 30 years of experience.
Take, for instance, the number of students who attend a Maricopa Community College who need at least one remedial class to seek a degree or transfer to a university. The average number of students for all 10 colleges is around 60 percent, with ranges from just under 50 percent at Paradise Valley and over 80 percent at Gateway. That information comes the community colleges as of the fall of 2013.
The organization named Complete College America provides more sad and unacceptable results for students attending college. Nationwide more that 50 percent of the students entering junior colleges and almost 20 percent of those beginning in four-year universities are placed in remedial classes. Fewer than a third of students nationally complete a bachelor’s degree in six
The individualized education provided at Christ Our Saviour Academy, like the two previous private schools I have started, allows students to reach their fullest potential. Average and highly skilled students realize that they are not held back by the lowered expectations of teaching to the mean of a group. Low skilled students are given the time to master basic skills so they may learn at an increased rate like the rest of the class. Students in the past who came to us at below a third grade reading level in ninth grade were able to attend community college after graduation. The majority of our students received scholarships which covered at least 70 percent of their college tuition.
Families come to us to unlock the potential of their children. Consistently we do that.
There is no reason for there to be so many “Opportunity Youth.” The traditional education system does not provide an education that allows most students to reach their potential. Here at Christ Our Saviour Academy we provide an outstanding education to all of our students in a caring, encouraging, personalized way you cannot find anywhere else in Arizona. It is a place where we create opportunities for our students through skills attained through a solid education. For more information, visit http://bit. ly/1IL0E7D.
No perfect people allowed
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey... ...you are welcome at the Bridge
