"The Lenten Season is a time of soul work preparatory to receiving the inflow of the Easter Mysteries . . . What this period actually accomplishes depends upon the effort put forth by the ego . . ."

"The principal events in the life of the Lord Christ Jesus . . . outline the initiatory Path which has been given all people and all races through the various religions of the world. This is why many declare that the story of Christ as told in the Gospels is a myth to be read allegorically . . . This interpretation leaves out the supreme light of esoteric Christianity, namely, the glorious archangelic Being, the Lord Christ, who ... dedicated Himself to the guardianship of our earth planet . . .  Hence when we learn to place ourselves into an ever closer and even more intimate relation with Lord Christ, we find ourselves correspondingly in closer attunement with the inner spirit of the changing seasons, and with the particular work best accomplished in each of the four seasons of the year."

Mystery of the Christos, Corinne Heline,

New Age Bible and Philosophy Center, 1961, pp. 63-65.

• offer a Commitment to Love Ceremony in the sanctuary.
• celebrate the Full Moon of Aries Easter Festival on the Labyrinth,
• have a Sacred Earth Day Service in the Community Garden,
• take the Holy Saturday Initiation Walk,
• celebrate the risen Christ with great joy,
• and much more!

Sunday, April 3, 10:30 a.m. 

Fourth Sunday in Lent

"Beginning Again in Faith"

Rev. Roberta Wilkes 

Beginning again in faith. What does a new beginning mean to you? Is it a new location? A new job? A new relationship? Or is it a step forward from where you are -- with the same partner -- the same boss. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life.

 Officiator: Pastor Retha Banez 

A Commitment to Love Ceremony

Sunday, April 3, 2011, 3:00 p.m.,

Sanctuary

Due to a conflict in the village schedule, our prior ceremony, Renewing Our Vows of Love was rescheduled for April 3. It now has a different focus.

As nature springs forth all around us, it is a wonderful time to come together for A Commitment to Love Ceremony officiated by Pastor Retha Banez and Rev. Roberta Wilkes. Our service is open to all who choose to make a commitment to love with a partner, family members, friends, neighbors, pets, etc. We will also include a loving dedication to the Christ and to humanity. Only those interested in participating in a Renewal of Vows need to pre-register with Pastor Banez by Friday, April 1 at 918-894-8695.

"Every Round Goes Higher - Higher! Thank God!"

Sunday, April 17, 10:30 a.m.  

Palm Sunday Service

"No Greater Love"

Pastor Retha Banez & Rev. Tom Simota
In the book, The Last Week, by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan we discover what the Gospels really teach about Jesus' final days in Jerusalem. They write that two processions entered Jerusalem on a spring day in the year 30. Pilate's procession into Jerusalem embodied the power, glory, and violence of the empire that ruled the world. Jesus' procession deliberately countered what was happening on the other side of the city, which embodied an alternative vision, the Kingdom of God. This confrontation between these two kingdoms continues through the last week of Jesus' life when he was executed by the powers who ruled the world. On this Sunday, as we wave our palms and shout, "Hosanna...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," we are reminded that there is no greater love than he who lays down his life for the injustice of others. Today we explore Jesus' true passion in his message about the Kingdom of God and God's passion for justice.  

Sunday, April 24, 10:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday Service

"Celebrating the Risen Christ" 

Pastor Retha Banez, Rev. Cynthia McGinnis & Rev. Susan Hamilton

               All are invited to join us on this joyous Sunday as we celebrate the risen Christ and remember the words he triumphantly intoned, "I am the resurrection and the life." Corinne Heline tell us in Mystery of the Christos that at the time of His Resurrection He gave to mankind the most glorious of all Easter messages; the demonstrable fact that death is but transition and will eventually have no part in man's planetary experiences. Joyously did He proclaim for all the world that life is eternal and love immortal. Let us gather in our beautiful sanctuary and celebrate the Good News!

Communion: Pastor Retha Banez
Hierarchy Meditation/Offertory Blessing: Rev. Peg Willson
Co-Ministers of Music: Rev. Roberta Wilkes & Rev. Mary Jane Dicus

 SPECIAL GROUPS  

April 24

Orin Meditation Group, Fourth Sunday, Sanctuary, 1:00 p.m.

Join the meditation group that holds short group meditations guided by channeled visualizations and meditation from the Orin material. Rev. Maggie Webb Adams-Karjens from Iowa, introduced this material to seven village folks about two years ago. The group believes these meditations have drawn the attention of those [in body and in spirit] who are in alignment with the higher plan by attracting people, resources and those with a servant heart to assist the journey of Light of Christ Community Church, Sancta Sophia Seminary and Sparrow Hawk Village.

If you are interested in meditating with a group of like-minded individuals, to add your positive energies to the healing and restoration of all levels of consciousness, humanity, Mother Earth and the solar systems beyond us -- come join us in body or in spirit. We welcome all to unite in our efforts to send out a positive, healing vibration into the ethers.

April 26

Blessings of the Cosmos Group, Tuesday, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m.

Pator Retha Banez invites all who would like to participate in a monthly group called "Blessings of the Cosmos," based on the Neil Douglas-Klotz Aramaic work highlighting nearly two dozen of Jesus' most powerful benedictions. His book reminds us that each one is a promise that "every person might become a son or daughter of God, living in wisdom and compassion, as Jesus did." Join Pastor Banez as she leads us through one of these powerful blessings each time we meet accompanied by a beautiful, guided body prayer.

The Celestial Hierarchy of Aries 

Aries by Johfra

Ruling from March 20 to April 20, the Celestial Hierarchy of Aries holds the archetype of the Christed One and each year bestows new energy of resurrection and renewal to humanity. This hierarchy of fire re-energizes the Christ-Within each spring. As the hierarchy of Aries replenishes the spirit of humankind, the entire revitalization of the planet occurs. The powerful energy floods every kingdom (plant, animal, and mineral) at the same time that it energizes humankind.

This hierarchy holds the archetypal pattern of a perfected Earth-the New Heaven and New Earth-for all to perceive intuitively. We are charged with energy to pursue our highest vision. These Fiery Ones resurrect our dreams and aspirations of high consciousness from deep within us, affecting souls either in meditation or in sleep-inspiring us to believe, "all things are possible," and know we can begin again.

This celestial hierarchy holds the secret of all life on our planet. All traditions reflect some part of this truth. In each world faith, we find fire and light used as significant symbols of deity. The holy ones fan the fire of fervor within humanity to ignite higher awareness in those who are ready, and to fill with aspiration those who are not yet ready but are unconsciously beginning to lean toward the Blessed Ideal. 

Adapted from The Book of Rituals--Personal and Planetary Transformation by Reverend Carol E. Parrish-Harra � 1990, IBS Press, Santa Monica, CA, & 1999, Sparrow Hawk Press, Tahlequah, OK.