Welcome to Sunrise Chapel, a Christian Church in Tucson, AZ and a congregation of the global New Church. Our core purpose is to help people experience heavenly joy through spiritual growth. Worship with us Sundays at 11 am. Take part in one of our small groups or a marriage education activity. Wedding plans? Check us out!

Starts February 2

Everyone is invited

Discover how the seven days of creation offer strategies for bringing peace into the world, one day at a time

Each of us has the potential to progress from spiritual darkness toward a state that is more awake, present, vibrant, loving, and peaceful. The "Seven Practices of Peace" program will walk you through each of the seven days of creation, offering inspiration and suggestions for practicing peace, a little every day.

“Seven Practices of Peace” focuses on the creation story, made personal with insights from the Bible, the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and opportunities to reflect on bringing peace into our lives and relationships. The program's workbook offers seven weeks of readings, questions and reflections, and is geared toward small group or individual study. Combined with weekly worship, this program is an inspiring way to study the rich symbolic imagery from the seven days of creation.

Join a group! The options are:

• Sunday morning at 9:15 am, led by Dawn Graffam
• Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm, led by Judith Keane
• Monday at 6:00 pm, led by Betsy Gladish and Kelly Woofenden
• Thursday evening at 7:00 pm, led by Mike Villeburn and Art Watson

For more information, call the church office or email Nathan.

Welcome to Sunrise Chapel!

At Sunrise Chapel we offer you a welcoming spiritual community, a meaningful spiritual framework to live by and opportunities to be of service to others. Our goal is to support each individual in developing a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and encouraging spiritual growth.

Sunrise Chapel is located in Tucson, Arizona's Eastend on Wrightstown Road between Pantano and Camino Seco Roads. The unique building design incorporates a spectacular mountain vista and the natural beauty of the desert landscape. Our inspiring teachings offer a new and enriching vision of God, the afterlife, marriage and family, faith and salvation.

We are a family-oriented congregation serving the people of Tucson since 1987. We welcome visitors anytime. Come on in, enjoy our heavenly views, and take part in our caring, supportive community.

Three Ways Sunrise Chapel Can Help You Grow Spiritually

1. Worship

• Connect with the one loving God, our Lord Jesus Christ

• Hear relevant messages that inspire positive life change
• Experience a picturesque and welcoming worship space that invites closeness with God and each other
• Enjoy a blend of contemporary and traditional worship styles and music
• Foster your child’s relationship with the Lord through our gentle and nurturing Sunday School program

2. Relationships

• Connect with others and enrich your spiritual life
• Join a small group to study, pray and grow
• Discover resources to strengthen your marriage and family
• Participate in family-oriented activities and event

3. Service

• Connect with the community and ‘Let your light shine’
• Use your talents in service to others
• Feel a wonderful sense of your faith in action
• Inspire others by giving of yourself

 

 

Sunday Messages

Sunday, February 23 - Pastor Nathan

"The Fourth Day of Creation - Navigating"

Day 4 of the creation story is devoted to the sun, moon, and stars - the greater light to rule by day and the lesser light to rule by night. What principles of love and faith can help you navigate your way toward more spiritual growth and maturity?

Recent Services

Sunday, February 9 - Pastor Nathan

"The Second Day of Creation - Distinguishing"

“Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth” (Gen 1:6). The focus this week is on the Lord creating space between higher and lower aspects of our lives so that we can choose which aspect to nurture. What things in life are real, true and worth dwelling on, and which are fleeting, and not vital?

Sunday, February 2 - Pastor Nathan

"The First Day of Creation - Spiritual Awakening"

This Sunday we begin our annual Journey Spiritual Growth Program – a 7-week sermon series on the 7 Days of Creation as they apply to our spiritual re-creation. It’s called Seven Practices of Peace. You can also participate in one of several small groups beginning this week. The first groups start this Sunday at 9:15 am and 1:00 pm, both at the church. Look to the left for more details!

Sunday, January 26 - Pastor Nathan

"What is Salvation, and Who Needs It?"

What does the word, salvation, mean to you? I’m really curious! What images does it conjure up in your mind? Is it just a spiritual or religious term to you, or does it apply to other areas of life? And if anyone needs to be “saved,” how and when does it happen?

Sunday, January 19 - Pastor Nathan

"The Lord's Saving Hand"

This Sunday let’s look into the miraculous story of Peter and Jesus walking on water together. Our focus will be on the moment Peter begins to sink, then stretches his hand to grab the Lord’s and be lifted up to safety. How is this story applicable to our lives?

Sunday, January 12 - Pastor David Lindrooth, Guest Speaker

"Spiritual Recovery"

Welcome back David, former Associate Pastor of Sunrise Chapel and current Director of Outreach. His focus will be on a parable of loss and recovery and its relationship to our daily spiritual lives. The word recovery is connected not only with finding something, but saving something (or someone) from loss. What in your spiritual life might the Lord recover for you this week?

Sunday, January 5 - Pastor Nathan

"Interviewing Jesus"

What would it be like to sit and talk with the Lord? When Jesus was just 12 years old, we learn of one remarkable interaction. He was in Jerusalem’s temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Sunday, December 22 - Pastor Nathan

"The Gift of God's Presence"

Christmas is a special time to focus on the Lord’s closeness to us. He is so eager to be received by each of us that He came into the world in human form. Because of His life among us, we have the opportunity, and example, to understand what He wants us to do to transform our lives and our world for good. May the spirit of Christmas touch your heart, mind and life this season!

Sunday, December 1 - Pastor Nathan

"The Prophecy of the Christmas Star"

How can we get to know the Lord better? In the Old Testament, the prophet Balaam predicted the Lord’s advent into the world by referring to “a star” that would “come out of Jacob.” Just as the knowledge of this prophecy helped guide the wise men to Jesus, it can also help us discover the Lord in our own lives today.

Sunday, November 24 - Guest: Rev. David Lindrooth

"God's Gems in Rough Places"

Gratitude often follows hard times. The Bible tells of a mother’s gratitude as her fears of starvation melt away. The Lord is always eager to help us shift our perspective after trials and encourage us to open up to deeper blessings. How does He do that? Let’s consider this together on Sunday.

Sunday, November 17 - Pastor Nathan

"How is Your Spiritual Diet?"

What does your heart hunger? The Lord has a lot to say about food in the Word – agriculture, dietary laws, miracles and parables involving food. But the most important hunger is of the heart. Swedenborg teaches that “Everyone in heaven desires and hungers for wisdom as much as a hungry person hungers for food.” (Heaven and Hell 274)

Sunday, September 22 - Pastor Nathan

"Be Kind - Don't Beat Yourself Up"

In order to be kind to others, you need to take care of yourself. In the busyness of life with all the various demands and expectations, it can be easy to neglect spiritual self-care. Do you have an internal Critic that takes pleasure in reminding you whenever you mess up --and then rubs it in? This week, let’s look at a few things the Lord teaches to put healthy “love of self” into perspective.

Sunday, September 15 - Pastor Nathan

"Compassion"

The more compassionate you feel, the more important it is to learn skills to show your care. This Sunday, in connection with the 21-day Kindness Challenge that started on 9/11, we continue a series of worship services on the same subject. This time let’s explore what the Lord’s Word says about the multi-dimensional quality of compassion. It can be “intensive care,” relatively brief and specific, or “long-term care,” more steady and persistent. Both take special skills.

Sunday, September 8 - Pastor Nathan

"Join our 21-Day Kindness Challenge"

This Sunday we will highlight kindness and invite everyone to join thousands of others in a 21-day transformative experience. Grow and learn through your own efforts to invite kindness into your daily life. You can do this on your own or sign up with KindSpring to be part of a community of other kind people. Their interactive website has kindness ideas as well as a forum to post your own stories.

Sunday, September 1- Pastor Nathan

"Spiritual Work - A Labor of Love"

Happy Labor Day weekend! While this holiday was not set up as a religious holy day, the Lord has a lot to say about laboring and working. On the one hand, many Biblical stories describe the challenges of forced labor among the Old Testament people. On the other, Jesus, in the New Testament, calls us to find rest from such burdens. He invites us to labor not for worldly, temporary things but for things that last – qualities of spirit that are a joy to work on. This Sunday, let’s celebrate the spiritual work we do and honor the Lord for giving us the ability and resources to carry out His strategic plan for our spiritual growth and health.

Sunday, August 25- Pastor Nathan

"Elasticity and Reboundology"

Picture a basketball player who misses a shot and then quickly looks down, shaking his/her head, focusing on the mistake and turning away. Now picture the same player with a new attitude who isn’t focused on the miss but on the next opportunity – the rebound. It’s an attitude of psychological elasticity, resilience. I submit we need this attitude in spiritual growth. A friend of mine calls this “reboundology.” Our readings will feature the difference between the spirit of rigidity and flexibility. Join me this Sunday as we consider some thoughts the Lord shares about this important idea in His Word.

Sunday, August 18- Pastor Nathan

"The Art of Deprocrastination"

Procrastination is an extremely common experience, and it is also a sore one for many people. Who doesn’t feel some awkwardness or even regret over their own procrastination? “I wish I had paid that bill last week!” “If only I had spent more time with my aunt Joanne.”
But the point of this Sunday’s message is to think positively about making a change. There are always a million things you could be doing – which of them will you put aside and which will you focus your attention on? De-procrastination is empowering and satisfying, especially when it applies to the most important aspects of life.

Sunday, August 11 - Pastor Nathan

"Practice a Healthy Love of Control"

Everyone has a tendency to love to control or at least to appreciate the benefits of being in control. I love the fact that I can control various devices—from a simple pencil to a large and complex car. We depend on various engineers who love to design reliable technological control features. In fact it’s part of our human condition to want to be in control, and it’s not all bad! But we get into trouble when our love of control comes from a sense of self-importance. Today’s message is based on the Biblical story of a Judge named Jotham who confronts a very selfish, controlling king by telling a parable about trees.

Sunday, August 4 - Pastor Nathan

"Relinquishing Your Resentment"

It’s pretty common to carry around unresolved or unexpressed anger towards people and situations. One word for this is resentment. It’s a corrosive state of mind, a burden, a downer. Even though it may last a long time, it has no lasting value. What if you relinquished your emotional or intellectual hold on it? What states would open up to you? Compassion? Forgiveness? Peace of mind?

Sunday, July 28 - Pastor Nathan

"Connecting with the Lord through Prayer"

This week, our road sign says “It’s God Calling. Can you talk now?” The topic I want to address on Sunday is the perennial question of how to improve our conscious contact with the Lord. It’s our challenge, in the sense that the Lord is always available and tuned in. In what ways can we improve our openness to the Lord’s presence and influence? Prayer is one way, and listening attentively is a key part of prayer.

Sunday, July 21 - Pastor Nathan

"Get a Perspective on Worry"

How much do you worry? I think everyone worries at least from time to time - some more than others. Doesn’t it seem like a universal human condition? And there are so many kinds and degrees of worry. Yet Jesus says, “Don’t worry...” Does that mean worry can be optional? What are some alternatives? Let’s explore this important topic together.

Sunday, July 14 - Pastor Nathan

"Enjoy Life's Roller Coaster"

I’ll be talking about “the ups and downs of life.” Why are there so many? Why are the ups and downs so relentless? Do angels experience them? How are we to think about these inevitable changes?
The talk will be based on the Lord’s covenant in Genesis 8:22 “During all the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

Sunday, July 7 - Guest Preacher

"A Healthy Love of Country"

Rev. Frank Rose, pastor emeritus of Sunrise Chapel, will preach on the Sunday of the Independence Day weekend.

Sunday, June 30 - Pastor Nathan

"Look for Blessings from Valid Complaints"

Receiving a complaint can seem like such a nuisance. Other times it could be positively life-changing. How are giving and receiving complaints important parts of our spiritual lives?

Sunday, June 23 - Pastor Nathan

"The Apostle John's Vision of a New Jerusalem"

In the book of Revelation, the Lord provides a grand vision of "the Holy City New Jerusalem." It is so beautiful, like a bride all dressed up for her wedding. What is this vision about in terms of our spritual lives?

Sunday, June 16 - Pastor Nathan

"Honor Fatherhood and our Fathers"

Whether you have (or had) a stellar relationship with your father or not, we all hae the opportunity to seek our and benefit from the noble qualities in father figures in our lives. Let this be a time of prayer, appreciation, and spiritual growth.

Sunday, June 9 - Pastor Nathan

"Giving and Receiving Advice"

One person asks for advice and doesn't like what he gets. Another gives some advice only to realize afterwards that it wasn't well received. And how unfortunate when a well-meaning doctor or engineer gives advice that is actually harmful or dangerous! This service is an opportunity to reflect on the quality of advice to avoid giving or receiving.

Sunday, June 2 - Guest Preacher

"Judge not by Appearances" Rev. Frank Rose will preach again on the story of the prophet, Samuel, being instructed by the Lord not to be influenced by outward appearances, but to look at the heart.

Sunday, May 26 - Guest Preacher

"Honoring Those who Died in Battle"Rev. Frank Rose is the founding pastor of Sunrise Chapel. In his retirement, he continues to support the church in many ways. He will address the topic of Memorial Day weekend.

Sunday, May 19 - Guest Preacher

"Thinking Spiritually Opens Creativity" Rev. David Lindrooth, from Bryn Athyn, PA, is a former Associate Pastor of Sunrise Chapel. Currently he is the Director of Outreach for our worldwide church.

Sunday, May 12 - Mother's Day

“Nurturing Relationships”
One quality associated with mothers: it is their nature to nurture. On a very physical level, before birth, while a baby progresses through gestation, nurturing is taking place. When mothers look after the physical, emotional, and even spiritual needs of their children, they are nurturing.
Similarly, it is the nature of the church to nurture healthy relationships - with God and with one another. That is why, in the Word, the church is called a mother.

Sunday, May 5

“Replace Jealousy with Empathy”
This is part two of a 2-part series called “Extreme Attitude Makeovers.” We’ll focus on King Saul’s jealousy toward David (I Samuel 18:8) and Saul’s subsequent change of heart. What triggers the irrational attitude of jealousy in the first place, and what steps can be taken to replace it with an attitude of goodwill?