Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 9
8:15, 9:45 & 11:15 a.m. (FLC)
Imagine what it was like for Jesus
as he stepped into the challenging
events of Holy Week 2,000 years
ago. Join us as we look at how
Jesus’ courageous steps spiritually
support us in taking our own
courageous steps during the most
challenging situations of our lives.

Holy Thursday & Good Friday

We invite you to join us for two new
Holy Week Services:

Holy Thursday* at 7pm April 13
and
Good Friday *at 7pm April 14

Please join Reverends Richard, Alice, and Shannon for both of these experiential worship services as we prepare for our celebration Easter Sunday!

Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 16
6:15 a.m. Sunrise Service (Lawn)
8:15, 9:45*, and 11:15 a.m. (FLC)
Arise! We’ve been actively
involved in seven weeks of spiritual
preparation for transformation.
Join us as we celebrate both the
resurrection of Jesus and the
resurrection of the Christ presence
within our lives!

*Interpreted for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

Preparation for Transformation:
Resurrecting the Christ in You

Week 1 -
Breathe
Message
Summary

For seven weeks Unity of Phoenix will be preparing for transformation and discovering the Christ within as a community. Some members of the community will be deepening their experience by participating in circle groups. These groups will discuss the week's message, review questions for consideration, pray together, hold affirmations together, and deepen their experience within themselves, with Christ centeredness and each other. See Week One's dicussion points here.


 

Summary Sheet - Week 1

Breathe

Points:

Would you like to transform your life?  We all want our lives to get better but we are not always willing to do the work needed to make it happen.  The key to transformation is preparation. While preparation work can be tedious, it is a vital part of improving and transforming any area of our lives.

Lent is a season of spiritual preparation. Jesus believed in the power of preparation. He took time to prepare himself before he began his ministry, before he performed miracles, before he taught, and especially before the events leading up to triumphant Easter experience.

Preparation precedes all transformation. The important question we must ask ourselves is,  ‘Am I willing to do the preparation work needed to transform my life?

The first preparation step in transforming our lives is to BREATHE. Our breathing affects our minds and bodies, our emotions and feelings. Our breath is a powerful tool for calming us and connecting our awareness to God, our Source. The Songs of Solomon tells us, “Breath restores me to my exact self.” which means our breath restores us to our oneness with God.
How well do you use your breath to connect with God?

Practice:

  1. During any challenging situation or before you do something important pause and breathe. Take 5 long slow deep breaths saying, ‘I am relaxed and centered in God.’

  2. At least 3 times per day breathe and between each breath affirm: ‘God is my Source.’ ‘With God all things are possible.’ ‘I can do all things through God who strengthens me.’

 

Questions:

  1. As you make this commitment to spiritual preparation, how will your life look different?

  2. Is there anything you need to do to prepare yourself for transformation?

  3. How does being centered in God make a difference in transforming our lives?

  4. What are some of the ways we can use to connect our awareness to God?

  5. How could you use your breath to ground yourself in God?

 

Affirmation:

God is the breath of Life. My breath calms me and connects me to the Truth that God is the answer to all my needs and desires. With each breath I take I relax and allow the activity of Spirit to flow through my life.

I, ___________________, breathe in God's peace and love, knowing that God is my source and with God all things are possible!'
Amen.

 
Week 7 - Arise