We Are Back! Wednesday Evening Service In-Person

If the Creek Don't Rise

In American slang, "... the creek don't rise" implies that strong intentions have been frustrated by unforeseeable but uncommon events, like weather! We've been meeting in person for ou mid-week service since the end of 2022, interrupted only once by a downpour of rain that made it difficult to get around Santa Rosa.

Nevertheless, we continue to have a strong commitment to our Wednesday Evening Service and look forward to seeing you at 7 pm. We meet in the Social Hall, where we serve cookies and tea and sometimes home-baked bread! The service is casual, with some meditative music, a message, and sometimes a spiritual practice.

A New Series

We are starting a new series this week, January 25, reviewing a paraphrased, modern English version of the first four chapters of The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes. Dr. Edward will provide handouts and conduct a fill-in-the-blank process as we go through the paraphrase together!

January 25, The Thing Itself - Dr. Edward

February 1, What It Does - Dr. Edward

February 8, The Way It Works - Rev. Russ

February 15, How To Use It - Dr. Edward

Why a Paraphrase?

The Living Bible, unlike most translations of the Bible, is a paraphrase by Kenneth N. Taylor, written to make the text accessible to younger readers who might have difficulty with the King James Version. Remembering how much I enjoyed reading The Living Bible and how it provided for me a stepping stone to look at other classic translations, I saw how valuable a paraphrase of Ernest Holmes’s classic, The Science of Mind, would be for those beginning their study of metaphysics.

As I began the task of paraphrasing the first four chapters of The Science of Mind and Spirit, it occurred to me that the text resembled language transcribed from a spoken recording. Frequently, I came across paragraphs or sections of the book that more logically belonged in different chapters, as well as phrases that were redundant or awkward in the written form. I went about paraphrasing the text, attempting to present the first four chapters in well-organized thoughts using simplified language.

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You Determine Your Welfare - Special Wednesday "Pulpit-Swap" Service with Dr. Edward and Rev. Russ

The idea that you determine your welfare speaks to the Science of Mind idea that well-being grows from the choices we make in thought, practice, and community. Using the book "Basic Ideas of Science of Mind" as our guide, our Wednesday evenings have been exploring the use of our mind, emotions, and actions, to contribute to our spiritual welfare. This Wednesday, join Dr. Edward Viljoen and Rev. Russ Legear at a special location to continue the exploration. Some context: Each year our community makes space for our neighbors at the local synagogue to gather more fully for the High Holy Days. In addition to being a gesture of hospitality, it carries a deeper reminder that our welfare is shaped by the choices we make together. We, in turn, hold our Wednesday Evening service in their beautiful synagogue and you're invited to join us. Science of Mind teaches that the Creative Power of Life responds to the quality of our consciousness, and through spiritual practice we ...

"Spirit Is An Artist" - Wednesday Evening Service with Rev. Russ

Every breath we take, every new friend we make; the tallest snowy mountaintop to the darkest depths of the sea--all is an act of creation. In fact, because Spirit is all there is, that means that we, too, are endlessly creating. Whether we know it or not. In tonight's Wednesday Evening Service, we continue our exploration of the Ten Core Concepts of the Science of Mind and Spirit with the third--the creative nature of Spirit. We'll share in spiritual exercises designed to grow your awareness of your creative nature so you can tap into it to paint the life of your dreams. And all will be wrapped in an atmosphere of music, freshly baked bread, and loving community. See you soon! -Russ

"Living On a Prayer" - Wednesday Evening Service with Rev. Russ

Whether he knew it or not, Bon Jovi was affirming a powerful prayer in his iconic song, "Living On a Prayer." One of the lyrics goes like this: We've got to hold on to what we've got Cause it doesn't make a difference If we make it or not We've got each other and that's a lot For love - well give it a shot Whooah, we're half way there Livin on a prayer Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear Livin on a prayer Tonight in our continuing series exploring the ten core concepts of the Science of Mind and Spirit, we will explore prayer--known as Spiritual Mind Treatment in the Science of Mind--and how we can use it to shift our mind from a focus on all that appears wrong, toward a focus on life that is rooted in compassion, love, and possibility. See at the Center at 7pm! -Russ

Wednesday Evening Service

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