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Spirituality

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Spiritual Reflections S.T.R.E.S.S. less this holiday season, be positive

BY LEE MERRILL

Does stress drain joy from your holiday season? When I get overstressed, every part of my life suffers. I’m inaccessible to family, testy with co-workers and inattentive to God’s presence.

Like any negative emotion, stress takes up soul space where peace belongs. While it must grieve God to see us struggle, He

doesn’t force His peace on us. As Jesus prepared to return to Heaven, He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV). Like a lovely gift, peace is right there for the unwrapping.

First, we must deal with the stress in our

November 16 - December 6, 2013

soul space. Prayer is a way to free up room for His peace and rest.

Next time stress moves in where peace belongs, try releasing it with these prayer points: Settle my soul, Lord.

Take my burdens into Your hands.

Renew my mind with Your truth.

Encourage my spirit with Your peace.

Speak wisdom into my circumstances.

Sing loves songs to my soul.

Shape your stress into prayers, and the peace of Christ will make a home in Your soul.

I choose not to let stress win this year.

Lee Merrill is a Christian writer and author.

Her new book “Prayer Gifts While You Wait: Grace for as Long as It Takes” is available on Amazon. Visit her website at prayergifts.net.

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Temple Emanuel preps for holidays Preschoolers and their families are invited to join Leslie Scheck, director of the Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool, at Temple Emanuel’s Hanukkah Story Time & Book Fair at 11 a.m. Sun., Nov. 17 at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe.

Guests will enjoy Hanukkah stories and holiday songs; 20% of proceeds of each purchase at the bookstore following the event will go directly back to Temple Emanuel.

Temple Emanuel’s Judaica Shop

Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections...

The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun 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@SanTanSun.com.

Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length.

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.

ce a p S d Limite er Now! t Regis 480-963-6105, Ext. 211 800 West Ray Road South Campus • Chandler www.RayofLightPreschool.org

2013-2014 PROGRAMS 9 A.M. - NOON 3-Year-Old Class Tuesday and Thursday Monday, Wednesday and Friday Monday thru Friday 4-Year-Old Class Monday, Wednesday and Friday Pre-K Class Monday thru Friday

THROUGH NOV. 24

SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sunday Mornings Traditional Worship

7:30 & 11:30 A.M.

Contemporary Worship 8:50 & 10:10 A.M. Sunday School

Sunday Evenings CORE (6th - 8th Grade)

6:00 P.M.

High School Youth Group 6:00 P.M.

8:50 & 10:10 A.M.

Adult Forum Bible Study 8:50 A.M.

RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 23914 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248 SW CORNER OF ALMA SCHOOL & CHANDLER HEIGHTS ROADS

Phone: 480-895-6782 • Email: info@RSLCS.org • Website: www.RSLCS.org

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November 16 - December 6, 2013

HOLIDAYS FROM PAGE 65

Hanukkah Sale offers holiday gifts, cards and supplies through Dec. 3. The sale is the largest in the Southeast Valley, according to Judaica Shop coordinator Meryl Briscoe.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays; the shop is closed Nov. 28 through Dec. 1.

Temple Emanuel of Tempe, 5801 S. Rural Rd., in Tempe, serves Reform Jewish families in the East Valley. To learn more about Temple Emanuel, visit emanueloftempe.org or call 480-838-1414; to learn more about Changing Hands, call 480-730-0205.

Spirituality Chandler church hosts harvest rally The New St. John Community Fellowship AME Church hosts its fifth annual Harvest Rally, culminating at 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 24 at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort, 1 San Marcos Pl., Chandler.

The annual event has partnered with more than 10 community charities in Chandler and the surrounding area, assisting homeless, veterans, single parents and the abused with supplies needed to help get back on track.

For more information, call 602237-7504.

www.SanTanSun.com

VUU hosts Dalai Lama workshops Learn from the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan and modern Buddhist teachers at a weekly Dalai Lama and Friends Workshop Sunday mornings at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s Religious Education complex, Room 5, 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler.

Meditation sessions run from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by the workshops from 9 to 10 a.m. Child care is available beginning at 9 a.m., and the workshop is completed in time for the 10:30 a.m.

VUU Sunday service.

Workshop discussion topics include “How to be more compassionate,” “Dealing with anger” and “How to meditate,” and often involve readings from books and audio or video presentations. All are welcome to either or both sessions, and to take part in the discussion or sit and listen if preferred.

“This workshop is an opportunity

to hear readings and explore the teachings of the Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hahn and other popular modern Buddhist teachers grounded in the Tibetan and Zen traditions,” says workshop facilitator Scott Henderson of VUU. “There is no need to be a Buddhist or to believe in any creed or doctrine. The workshop is an opportunity to encounter ideas and techniques that may be of use for people today living in our super fastpaced world.”

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

To learn more, visit vuu.org or call 480-899-4249.

Chandler church hosts fall events A variety of classes and activities continue this fall at Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler.

The church’s annual Fall Food Drive for local food banks is underway; help is needed collecting food Nov. 16 through 17 and 23 through 24.

A Fellowship Golf Outing for men and women is held at 8 a.m. Sat., Nov.

16 at Bear Creek Golf Complex, 500 E. Riggs Rd., Chandler.

Those planning their estates are invited to attend a Living Trust Seminar at 10 a.m. Sat., Nov. 16 in Room B200 of the church.

Jr. High Lockout: Insomnia is held from 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 22 through 7:30 a.m. Sat., Nov. 23.

The women’s ministry is now

accepting hostess signups for the Women’s Christmas Dinner on Fri., Dec. 6, featuring Gwen Smith. The event is offered on two nights this year: Thu., Dec. 5 with open seating and Fri., Dec. 6 with hosted tables.

To learn more, visit chandlercc.org or call 480-963-3997.

Spirituality

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VUU celebrates homecoming Valley Unitarian Universalist (VUU) Congregation in Chandler hosts its first homecoming service at 10:30 a.m. Sun., Nov. 17 at 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler.

The homecoming theme is an annual ritual of hospitality, celebration and food, symbolic of welcoming in every world religion and celebrating the fact that congregants are together, many after having returned from summer travels, according to VUU senior minister the Rev. Andy Burnette. It is “the perfect day to

Holiday gifts for kids in need Donations are still welcome for the Sisterhood’s ongoing “Toys from the Heart” program. This might be the only holiday gift many children get for the holidays. Individuals who would like to help can write a check in any amount, made out to SLJC Sisterhood, and earmarked “toys.”

Mail to 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, AZ 85249.

Call Geri at 480-305-0123 or Carol at 480-895-3168 with any questions.

bring a friend who may be looking for a faith home,” says Burnette.

Immediately following the worship service, the congregation will host a potluck meal to the west of the sanctuary. Entertainment will be provided by classic rock youth band Sapphire, featuring lead vocalist and keyboardist Sarah Harris, a VUU youth member.

To learn more, call 480-899-4249 or visit vuu.org.

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.

November 16 - December 6, 2013

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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.

Bible study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives.

Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ in Chandler Info: Jan Olson at 480-802-7457 or Joy King 480-588-1882 Celebrate Recovery 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.

CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: 480-722-0700, crnaz.com Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Fridays For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by

WebXtra:

meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.

Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: 480-963-3997, chandlercc.org 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 & Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

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.”

A Place of Love Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday Hamilton High School Auditorium 3700 S. Arizona Ave. Sundays 10 a.m. | Hancock Elementary | onechurch.com

www.loc-az.org

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Chandler United Methodist Church Celebrating 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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children..................................................9:45 a.m.

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

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

480-899-1400