Gilbert Sun News, October 2015: Spirituality

Delight in God with ‘DIG’

A new community learning and enrichment opportunity with something for everyone is coming to the Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd.

Come to Living Water United Methodist on Thursdays at the library from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Oct. 8 to Nov. 19 for a family meal during The DIG—Delight in God.

Then stay from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. for family-style Bible study, followed by a short worship service. Kids are an important part of the family but they learn in a much more interactive way with time for silliness and fun. That’s why they’re invited to join in for enrichment activities including a storytime and crafts.

The church recognizes that tween and teens have heavy school demands, so it has planned a homework help center for anyone who pre-registers. They’ll also be able to choose between the Bible study and fellowship in the teen center or attend the adult Bible study with their parents. The adult Bible study will begin with “Money Matters: Financial Freedom for all God’s Children.” Imagine feeling free

from debt in control of your finances. Together participants will find out how to do God’s math based on spiritual principles found in Scripture.

According to the 2014 Barna Group’s tracking data, a large percentage of people find their spiritual needs are not fulfilled at church. Teens as well as adults want to find fulfillment and meaning. They want to learn about God in a nontraditional church setting where doubts have a place and questions can be answered.

To register, visit www.livingwaterum. org/register-for-the-dig.

A Time to Act

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

The story is told of a farmer whose old shed was struck by lightning. He wasn’t too concerned and, in fact, said it relieved him of having to tear it down. Then the rain washed off his car and saved him from that chore as well. When asked what he was doing now, he replied, “Waiting for an earthquake to shake the potatoes out of the ground.” Well, there is a time to wait. But there’s also a time to act! If you are waiting for a perfect or ideal situation, you will miss some great opportunities like the young man who vowed never to marry until he found the ideal woman. Unfortunately, when he found her she was waiting for the ideal man!

A failure to act can be illustrated with the little story of three turtles who went on a Sunday afternoon picnic. One carried the basket of food, one carried a jug of Turtleade, and the third turtle carried nothing. They set up for the picnic, but then felt raindrops. The two turtles that carried the food agreed that the one who carried nothing should go back and get the

Spiritual Reflections

umbrella. But he didn’t want to do that for fear that they would eat all the turtle food and drink all the Turtleade while he was gone. Finally, however, they prevailed upon him to go back and get the umbrella. Well, several hours went by with no sign of him. Then days went by...then two weeks...No sign. One of the turtles said, “Well, I guess we can eat the turtle food and drink the Turtleade because he’s not coming back.” At that point they heard a voice over in the bushes say, “If you do, I won’t go.”

I’m afraid that too many times we are like that turtle. We don’t want to miss the picnic, so we take no risks and refuse to move forward. For those who know Jesus, there is certainly a time to wait on the Lord (see Isaiah 40:31) but there also comes a time to move forward with courage and faith, pursuing the direction God has made clear. In the Bible we see people who, at God’s command, did things that completely defied human logic: Noah built a ship on dry land, Abraham was willing to offer up his only son, Moses gave up the treasures of Egypt to identify with God’s people, and Joshua besieged Jericho for seven days—depending on God alone to give the victory. Furthermore, there are countless others (in the Bible and down

through history) who trusted in the Lord with all their heart and immediately moved forward at His direction. Are there areas in life where God is asking you to do that? We don’t have to be afraid we’ll miss the picnic by moving forward! We only miss it when we hold back and “play it safe.”

Share your spiritual reflections

The spiritual leaders of Gilbert-area 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.

Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation lists upcoming events

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is an established reform congregation that meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel on the second Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Services are an opportunity 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 the attendees. Oneg Shabbats are held immediately after the services at Sun Lakes Country Club. Everyone is invited to attend. The services and Oneg’s are a great place to meet members, ask questions and learn

Sisterhood events resume Spiritual Reflections

Sun Lakes Sisterhood has resumed its meetings, the first of which will be held Thursday, Oct. 15. Gwen Tierney, a docent from the Phoenix Art Museum, will be presenting a program, with slides, on the fashions of “Downton Abbey” and the changing world of fashion. Her talk highlights the glamorous fashions adorning the aristocratic Crawley family and the functional clothes worn by their staff. Tierney joined the docent program at the museum in 1999 and has been an active participant since. Her recent focus has been on the Fashion Design Gallery.

The New Member Luncheon will be held on the same day. The meeting will be at the Chapel Center, starting at 1 p.m. Call Anita at (480) 895-8203 or Norma at (631) 889-2048 for those who would like to be included.

The board would like to take the

Health

&

more about the congregation.

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation is hosting a meet and greet to introduce individuals to its organization from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.

The social gathering will include a welcome by the president; Rabbi Irwin Wiener and Cantor Rhonda Polesky; meeting board members and committee chairs and learning about their roles; introduction to Sisterhood and Men’s Club; donation and social action; discovering the online Shpiel; listening to the renowned choir; Passover

Seder; adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah, adult education and Hebrew classes; formation of new social groups and Chavarahs; trip to Israel and affordable dues.

For those who wish to attend should email Doris Codkind at Randor55@gmail.com or call (480) 883-1378 or Jeff Spear at Jeff. Spear46@gmail.com or call (480) 556-1284.

The Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation invites everyone to come to the Friday, Oct. 9, Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. where new members will be honored. In honor of the holiday of Sukkot yizkor will be recited.

opportunity to thank some of the members of the business community who graciously and generously contributed goods and/or funds to the Card Party last February.

Other businesses include Dr. Edward Tokatlian/Associated Internists of Ahwatukee; MICA Creek-Sagamore Capital Partners, LLC; Millennium Lighting LLC; Rue Bax; Dr. Scott Kriener/Ahwatukee Sports & Spine; Jim McFazden; Border States Industries Inc; Dr. Randall Porter/Neurological Associates LTD; Debi Rizzo/L’mage Salon Studios; Kellis Nails; Alex the Salon; Southwest Jewelry & Coin; Jeffrey S. Garelick, D.D.S./Ocotillo Dental Care P.C.

Other upcoming events include the Card Party on Tuesday, Feb. 2, and the Sisterhood Shabbat on Friday, Feb. 12.

Wellness

Expo to

be held for two days

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community will hold the fifth Health & Wellness Expo from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The event will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle, located at 3450 W. Ray Rd., in Chandler and admission is free.

The expo will feature more than 30 booths in many phases of health and wellness. Attendees will enjoy demonstrations, massages, informational handouts, treats, door prizes, and parish nurses will provide free blood pressure

screenings. Flu shots will be available at the Walgreens booth.

More than 3,000 people are anticipated. Booths will include a wide variety of local businesses and nonprofit groups, as well as diagnostics facilities, various doctors, chiropractic entities; massage therapists, insurance representatives, and many other health and wellness businesses.

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Faith Community is a parish of more than 4,700 registered families. For more information, call (480) 899-1990, ext. 136, or visit www. standrewchandler.com.

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

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 Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000

www.lds.org/church/temples/gilbertarizona?lang=eng

For more information about the church, 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.

Gilbert Presbyterian Church

235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-6753

www.azgpc.org

Services: 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays

Gilbert Presbyterian Church is called to be a Christ-centered covenant family nurtured by the Holy Spirit to worship God and to share God’s love with everyone.

Living Water United Methodist Fellowship

Highland Park Elementary School

230 N Cole. Dr., Gilbert 85234

www.livingwaterum.org

Services: 10 a.m. Sundays

Living Water exists to bring people in to meet Christ, build people up to follow Christ and send people out to share Christ.

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 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 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 (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 separate us from his love 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.

Valor Christian Center

3015 E. Warner Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 545-4321, www.ValorCC.com

Services: 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays

Valor Christian Center is a spirit-filled church that believes God’s word is relevant for today. Its mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world and to see lives transformed by His power. Join the congregation for its Healing Service the last Sunday of each month.

No perfect people allowed

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey...

...you are welcome at the Bridge