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Spirituality
Spiritual Reflections Am I a neighbor? BY PASTOR RYAN GEAR
Have you heard the following sayings? “I like Jesus, but I don’t like organized religion.” “I like Jesus, but I don’t like church.” “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual.” These are popular sayings in American culture. In my opinion, they express a frustration with religion that millions of Americans feel. In short, they believe that the Christians they see in the media, or in some churches do not adequately reflect the love of Jesus. Of course, this does not apply to all, or even to most, Christians, but some of the more vocal Christian leaders in the media appear to be too judgmental and partisan in the opinions of many. In the famous “Parable of the Good Samaritan,” found in Luke 10:25-37, Jesus dialogues with an expert in religious law who is confident of his own moral superiority. After quoting the teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself,” the religious expert seeks to limit the term “neighbor” to include only the people whom he already likes. He defiantly asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replies by telling the “Parable of the Good Samaritan,” fully knowing that the religious expert detests the Samaritan people– the Samaritans were of a different race,
followed a different religion and lived in a different region than the religious expert. By making a Samaritan the hero of the story, Jesus exposed the prejudice and hypocrisy of this very religious man. The parable PASTOR RYAN GEAR emphatically states that, “Who is my neighbor?” is the wrong question. The correct question is, “Am I a neighbor to everyone I meet, regardless of my perceived differences with them?” As I read the “Parable of the Good Samaritan,” I am challenged to ask myself the same question, “Do I seek to qualify whether someone else is worthy to be my neighbor, or am I the kind of person who chooses to be a neighbor no matter what?” As a pastor, I believe this question posed by the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” would lead to millions of our neighbors seeing Jesus more clearly in His followers. Ryan Gear is the founding and lead pastor of One Church in Chandler. For more information, visit onechurch.com or email Pastor Ryan at ryan.gear@onechurch.com.
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High Holy Day, picnic at Temple Havurat Emet With the holiday coming early this year, Temple Havurat Emet will hold its High Holy Day special event, Rosh Hashana, which will start on Wed., Sept. 4. A full membership for the temple is $100, which includes admittance to High Holy days. The offer is for first-year members only. For more information or for tickets, call Gigi at 480-785-7767. Catered picnic A picnic catered by Chompie’s Restaurant will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 2 for members. It will include slider sandwiches, side salads and chips for $9 for adults and $4.50 for children younger than 13. A special service for children will follow at 6:30 p.m. and the usual Friday night service will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecky Room of the Ed Robson Library at 9930 E. Riggs Rd., Chandler. Call Carol at 520-423-9941 in Maricopa or Linda at 420-588-1826 in Sun Lakes for information or visit templehavuratemet.org.
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.
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July 6 – July 19, 2013
CRMC, MGMC host healthy living classes Healthy living classes are being presented by Chandler Regional Medical Center’s HEAT Wave committee. Patients with congestive heart failure, recovering from a heart attack or anyone interested in adopting a healthy living lifestyle can attend either of the classes taught by registered nurses in cardiology. Classes are being held at Chandler Regional Medical Center 6 to 7 p.m. Thu., July 18 in the lower level conference rooms one and two, 1955 W. Frye Rd., Chandler and 6 to 7 p.m. Thu., Aug. 15 at Mercy Gilbert Medical Office Building, McAuley Auditorium, third floor, 3420 S. Mercy Rd., Gilbert. Call 480-728 5414 or visit MercyGilbert.org or ChandlerRegional. org to register or for more information.
Spirituality
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‘Porn and Pancakes’ men’s breakfast at CCC
of Sat., July 13 and Sun., July 14, will help the students at San Marcos Elementary School. Donations can also be made through volunteering time to prepare, deliver and distribute the backpacks. For more information about the program, visit chandlercc.org/backpack-2013.
Chandler Christian Church is hosting a men’s breakfast, “Porn and Pancakes,” with XXXChurch.com from 8 to 10 a.m. Sat., Aug. 10 in the Worship Center. The breakfast is open to all males, including those 12 and older with an adult. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students when purchased in advance, or $15 for adults and $10 for students at the door. They are available online at chandlercc.org/porn-and-pancakes. The breakfast will address the problem of pornography through a relevant and straightforward approach with keynote speaker Craig Gross, who is the founder of Fire Proof Ministries and XXXChurch.com. David Dean, a clean comedian, will also speak. The intention is to inform, inspire and encourage men to take steps in dealing with the issue of pornography in a transparent and healthy way, as well as be supportive for others who struggle with pornography. Chandler Christian Church no longer wants to stand by and allow the pornography industry to directly and indirectly harm men, women and children in numerous ways. For additional information, contact Pastor Larry Daily at 480-963-3997 or larrydaily@chandlercc.org.
Singles night out Those interested in watching “Hairspray” at Hale Centre Theatre on Sat., July 13 are encouraged to email cccsinglesaz@gmail. com.
Upcoming summer events, news
Mission team A mission team is being formed to help Ninos de Baja in El Porvenir, Mexico Sat., Aug. 3 through Sat., Aug. 10. The team will help construct a new house for young girls. Visit chandlercc.org/ninos-de-baja/ for information.
FOUNDER: Craig Gross started Fire Proof Ministries and XXXChurch.com. Submitted photo
Local mission trip The next mission trip for Connecting Ministries will be a visit to Rocky Point from Sat., July 13 through Tue., July 16. For more information visit chandlercc.org/ rocky-point-spring-2013. Backpack drive The Connecting Ministries Backpack Drive, which is due before the weekend
Tour of Holy Land A tour of the Holy Land will be made with Pastor Roger and Nancy on Sat., Sept. 28 through Thu., Oct. 10. There are a few spots left for the tour. Contact Pastor Roger at roger.storms@chandlercc.org or call 480-963-3997. Administrative assistant needed A full-time administrative assistant position is available at Connecting Ministries, which supports life groups, memberships, support and recovery, men’s and women’s ministries and senior ministries. The position can be found at chandlercc.org/church-employment. Contact Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, at 480-9633997 for more information.
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Sisterhood to Young see ‘Hairspray’ Shabbat family service This year the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood will see “Hairspray” at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert at 3 p.m., Sat., Aug. 10. Tickets are $22. For more information, call Denise at 480-895-8665. First guest speaker Rabbi The first guest speaker of the season for Sisterhood will be Rabbi Irwin Wiener on Thu., Sept. 19 in the Chapel House in Sun Lakes, followed by light refreshments. October festivities A new member luncheon will precede the Thu., Oct. 17 meeting. A day at the races at Turf Paradise Race Track will be arranged for the Sisterhood, on Tue., Oct. 29. Details will be announced Toys from the Heart program The ongoing “Toys from the Heart” program is seeking donations to provide holiday gifts to the kindergarten classes at Frye Elementary School. Donations of any amount can be made by sending a check made out to SLJC Sisterhood to 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, AZ 85249. Write “toys” on the memo line. More than 100 children received toys from the Sisterhood. Additional Sisterhood news The sisterhood dues of $25 can be made out to SLJC Sisterhood and mail it to 3495 E. County Down Dr. Chandler, AZ 85249. Co-presidents Geri and Carol appreciate any comments or suggestions, and can be called at 480-305-0123 and 480-895-3168, respectively.
Members and nonmembers of the Jewish community are invited to attend the Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley Young Family Shabbat service and vegetarian dinner on the third Friday of every month at 3400 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler. Rabbi Kenneth Leitner will lead the energizing service, which will merge traditional prayers with family friendly tunes in the main sanctuary. The service, which helps introduce and incorporate the ritual of welcoming in the Sabbath to families, will engage individuals of all ages. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children 12 and younger and $10 for families. Payments can be made by check to TBS-EV or through PayPal at tbsev.org. Individuals are encouraged to reserve their space by emailing shabbatdinner@tbsev.org to ensure there is enough food. Call 480-897-3636 for more information.
School supply drive at Chandler Presbyterian Church The Chandler Presbyterian Church Mission Committee is collecting supplies for an estimated 10,000 needy local children. The children will visit Chandler High School on July 20 for the annual school supply event. Supplies such as backpacks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, colored folders, binders, lined paper, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, pencil cases, school glue and scissors are needed. Individuals are encouraged to bring the supplies to church, located at 1500 W. Germann Rd., Chandler on Sun., July 7 and July 14. Cash donations, as well as check donations made out to Chandler Christian Community Center, can be given to Lori Dayton. For more information, visit chandlerpres.org.
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Lessons come alive through interactive learning Brick campaign at Chabad Pollack Jewish Center The Chabad Hebrew School is holding registration for its upcoming school year, which will begin on Sept. 8 at the new Chabad Pollack Center for Jewish Life. The classes will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon for children ages 5 to 13. No membership is required to register for the classes. The students will be taught by warm and professional teachers while using the most advanced textbooks and methodologies to learn about the Jewish history, heritage, culture and holidays and Parsha lessons. The lessons will come alive in weekly updates in a scrapbook, which will advance each student’s reading by the end of the year. Other activities include honey dish craft, cards, Yom Kippur slippers, Sucaah Hop, kosher label contest, olive oil press, menorah making, Hanukkah Carnival, choir, Shabbat meal for parents and students, Shalach Manot distribution, Purim party and Matzo Factory. Interested parties can visit the Chabad
WebXtra:
Hebrew School by appointment by calling 480-855-4333 or emailing info@ chabadcenter.com. For more information about the center visit chabadcenter.com. Donate a brick Bricks can be donated in honor of loved ones for $100 per brick at the Chabad Pollack Jewish Center. Messages are 60 characters long and can be donated for birthdays, anniversaries, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, holidays, good luck, in memory of or a simple gift to someone. Each brick donated will help fortify the Chabad Pollack Jewish Center. Chabad of the East Valley is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Donations can be made through a secure form at chabadcenter.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. www.loc-az.org
480-899-1400 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 ..................9:30 a.m. (June & July) SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children.....................................................9:40 a.m. 480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.