www.SanTanSun.com
Spirituality
May 2 - 15, 2009 63
Spiritual
Refl ections
Approaching prayer during stressful times
by Interim Pastor Dr. Larry Eaken, Chandler Presbyterian Church footsteps. “Ask God the hard questions while we ‘still apply ourselves to living our
With all the stresses of life today, this contribution from the “Fellowship of Joyful faith in prayerful communion with God.’”
Christians” may be helpful. Roseann wrote to their editor: “I suffer from occasional Calvin enjoyed taking the book of Psalms and using the Psalms as prayers.
bouts of depression. But each day I decide to be happy, and look for the small joys, Even though we most often think of John Calvin as very stern, he once wrote, “It
and do something good for someone else if possible. I put a smile on my face and is nowhere forbidden to laugh or to eat one’s fi ll or gain new possessions or enjoy
‘act as if … until it becomes.’ And it works most of the time.” oneself with musical instruments.” He must have been a very wholesome and
Roseann says that one day when she was “in the pits,” she asked herself, what likable fellow.
should she pray for? She composed the following prayer: We often have a tendency to portray certain fi gures in history in a generally
“Lord, grant me a joyful heart and a holy sense of humor. Please give me the accepted way, even if it smoothes over some signifi cant aspects of that person’s
gift of faith to be renewed and shared with others each day. Teach me to live life which just don’t quite fi t that picture. This applies to Calvin in several ways,
this moment only, looking neither to the past with regret, nor to the future with including the fact that he believed that “the best prayers are sometimes unspoken.”
apprehension. Let love be my aim and my life a prayer. Amen.” By this, Calvin was talking about spending time just “being with and listening for
Sometimes the more simple and straightforward the prayer, the more effective God” in a quiet setting of prayer. This is the heart of contemplative prayer, which
it can be in your life. The Protestant Reformer who most shaped my Presbyterian is an often overlooked but very enriching experience for those committed to
tradition, John Calvin, left his mark on how we should pray in several ways. First pursuing it.
Calvin took prayer seriously. Here’s my prayer that your prayer time has been and will be a source of strength
Gary Hansen, professor at Dubuque Theological Seminary, presents Calvin’s for you during these stressful days.
perspective on the importance of prayer as “the chief work of faith.” If you trust in
God, “What do you do? You pray. You ask God for help, you sing to God in praise,
Chandler Presbyterian Church is located at 1500 W. German Rd. in Southern Chandler. Visit them
you tell God the truth about what you have done wrong and, when life turns
at
www.chandlerpres.org or call 480-963-3821.
against you, you complain to God about it.” He challenges us to follow in Calvin’s
CUMC celebrates with music
Listen to classical, spirituals, hymn arrangements, attend. A free-will offering will be taken. The event features talented congregation members of
southern gospel traditional and contemporary choral For more info, call 480-963-3360, or visit www. all ages.
music at Chandler United Methodist Church when
eastvalleychorale.org or
www.chandlermethodist.org. CUMC is located at 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd. in
the East Valley Chorale performs at 5 p.m. Sun., May 3. In addition to the chorale performance, the CUMC Southern Chandler.
The group is composed of nearly 60 singers from 30 hosts its annual “Methodist Idol” at 7 p.m. Fri., May
different area churches, and the public is welcome to 8 with a potluck dinner preceding the show at 6 p.m.
Sunday Worship Opportunities
Light of Hope United Methodist Church
7:30 AM Traditional Worship
8:50 AM Contemporary Worship
Dear Beloved,
8:50 AM Kids Church (Sunday School)
8:50 AM Adult Forum Bible Study
I want you to know that I
Celebrate Mothers
10:10 AM Contemporary Worship
love you deeply and that I Day and come and
10:10 AM Kids Church (Sunday School)
worship with us
desire to be in relationship
11:30 AM Traditional Worship
with you. I know we may
Risen Savior Lutheran Church & School
not have talked lately, but
23914 S. Alma School Rd
remember I am only a prayer
Chandler, AZ 85248
away. Phone: 480-895-6782
Email:
info@risensaviorlutheran.com
- God
Website:
www.risensaviorlutheran.com
Worship with us every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
"Connecting People to Jesus!"
3990 E. Riggs Road (NW corner of Riggs rd. and Lindsay Rd.) 3
Complimentary refreshments between services.
www.WorshipWithUs.org 480-895-1259
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76