‘First Things First’ at Unity of Whidbey

Rev. Joanna Gabriel will speak on “First Things First” at the Unity of Whidbey service on Sunday.

In a world where we are deeply influenced by the messages on the screen in front of us, whether it is the computer or TV, telling us what is happening, what is important, what is not, it is easy to lose sight of what we are doing and why.

How does any of it relate to what we desire in our hearts? Within all the activity of the day, what part or parts of it are about who we really are and what we truly desire for our lives?

Gabriel will explore the importance and power of intention in our day-to- day, moment-to-moment experience.

Lynn Parr will provide the music, and the platform assistant will be Donna Vanderheiden.

There will be a heart-to-heart congregational meeting immediately following the worship celebration.

The service is at 10 a.m., and all are welcome. Unity of Whidbey is in its new chapel at 5671 Crawford Road in Langley.

Unity of Whidbey also maintains office hours at the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

See the Unity Web site at www.unityofwhidbeyisland.org for more information.

Sunday service examines covenant

“Creating Peace: A Covenant of Right Relations” is the focus at the Sunday service of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island.

A covenant is a behavioral agreement reminding us how we wish to treat one another. Rev. Kit Ketcham will speak about what it means to be in covenant together.

The service is at 10 a.m., and all are welcome. The service will be followed by a potluck and discussion of the covenant process.

Values-based children’s religious exploration classes and childcare will be provided.

UUCWI is located at 20103 Highway 525, just north of Freeland. Check www.whidbey.com/uucwi for more information.

Adult forum to examine beliefs

The next adult forum at St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland is “Christianities of the Second Century.”

In this lecture, the forum will consider the meaning of the terms orthodoxy and heresy, and then examine the beliefs of various groups of Christians of the second century, who all claimed to represent the true understanding of the religion, but who disagreed, both among themselves and with the group that emerged victorious.

In particular, the group will look at Jewish Christian Ebionites, who insisted on the validity of Jewish Law; the Marcionites, who rejected all things Jewish; and the Gnostics, who believed the material world was evil, and that they had the secret knowledge, revealed by Jesus, necessary to escape it.

The forum starts at 9:15 a.m. Sunday; Ted Brookes will present.

Early days of Christianity explored

Many Christians want their fellowship to emulate the early church. So what was it like during the earliest days of Christianity? Pastor Darrell Wenzek continues the story of that journey Sunday morning at South Whidbey Community Church, when he speaks on the topic, “The Church at Jerusalem, Part 2,” based on Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6.

Also, following worship, there will be a congregational meeting and potluck, also at the Deer Lagoon Grange. Visitors and guests are cordially invited, as this is a great opportunity to find out more about the church, and about the congregation’s vision and plans for the future.

Morning worship begins at 10 a.m. and is preceded by an adult learning forum at 9 a.m. with Stan Walker leading an inductive study into Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus and Art Angst leading a study into the Gospel of Luke. These are open classes to which everyone is invited.

South Whidbey Community Church provides a unique church experience in a historical setting, with traditional worship and hymns in a friendly, informal atmosphere. All SWCC sermons and special adult forum lectures are recorded, and copies on CD-R or e-mailed as Windows audio attachments may be obtained by calling the church at 221-1220.

SWCC is a local independent, non-denominational church that adheres to the National Association of Evangelical’s Statement of Faith. It is open to everyone and gathers for worship each Sunday at the Deer Lagoon Grange, 5142 Bayview Road.

For further information about the church and services, call 221-1220.

Rediscover church at SW Assembly

South Whidbey Assembly invites all to a free breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 3, with one gathering at 10 a.m. at the church.

Each week, South Whidbey Assembly will have a glimpse into who Jesus is, directly from his own description of himself.

This is a great series for those who have drifted away from church or who have never had a regular routine of attended church gatherings. The series will be non-judgmental and thought-provoking, related to the bigger issues of living life in a relationship with Jesus.

Nursery care is available for children younger than 3. Kid’s Quest children’s church is offered for ages 3 years through the third grade during the 10 a.m. service.

On Oct. 10, South Whidbey Assembly will resume its normal schedule of two gatherings at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Nursery is available during both gathering times. Kid’s Quest and Studio 46 (kids in fourth through sixth grades) are offered during the 10:30 a.m. gathering. Sunday school hour for children and adults will be at 9 a.m., beginning Oct. 10.

South Whidbey Assembly is located at 5373 Maxwelton Road, Langley, across the street from the elementary school.

‘Reality’ is topic of Sunday service

On Sunday, Sept. 26, the topic of the Christian Science service is “Reality.” Every day, we are making choices about what is real, about what will sustain us or protect us. The idea of the kingdom of God can seem increasingly distant as we continue to make physical choices.

“Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven, the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen,” (“Science and Health”).

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Services begin at 10:30 a.m. at 15910 Highway 525, just north of Bayview and across from Useless Bay Road. Everyone is welcome.