Nothing you can see that isn't shown. 

Nowhere you can be that isn't

where you're meant to be.  

It's easy."

All You Need Is Love  

song lyrics by Lennon/McCartney

Sunday, August 7, 10:30 a.m.

Friendship Day

"The Gifts of Friendship"

Pastor Retha Banez 

What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.

--Aristotle 

Friendship Day was promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, and intended to be a day where people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. In 1935, the U.S. Congress declared the first Sunday of the month of August as Friendship Day with a formal proclamation in honor of friendship after the devastating effects of World War I and the greater need for friendship and camaraderie among nations and individuals. In April of this year, the United Nations General Assembly designated July 30th as the International Day of Friendship in recognition that friendship can contribute to the efforts of the international community to promote dialog among civilizations, solidarity, respect for diversity, mutual understanding, reconciliation, and a culture of peace between people, countries, cultures and individuals. There are other dates around the globe when friendship is honored as well. LCCC joins with many others this Sunday to celebrate the gifts of friendship and the deep meaning these valued relationships have in our lives.

 Officiator: Practitioner Nancy Veres

"Sustainable Spirituality"

Sunday, August 21, 10:30 a.m.

"Who Do You Say I AM?"

Rev. Dr. Susan Hamilton   

Naming someone or something gives identity to them and gives us power over them. What name then, do we give God? Jesus? and even our self? The ancient Hebrews and the disciples of Jesus all sought to ascribe a name to the Holy One "out there." Can we name the Holy Within?

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

Sunday, August 28, 10:30 a.m.

New Moon of Virgo Service 

"In the Womb of Time"

Pastor Retha Banez & Rev. Cynthia McGinnis

At the time of the new moon, we have the opportunity to plant new seeds in dark, rich soil, which will eventually give birth to something new in our lives. Per Lucis Trust, the Tibetan tells us, "Virgo symbolizes depths, darkness, quiet and warmth; it is the valley of deep experience wherein secrets are discovered and eventually 'brought to light'; it is the place of slow, gentle and yet powerful crises and periodic developments which take place in the dark and yet which lead to the light. Virgo stands for the 'womb of time' wherein God's Plan, the mystery and the secret of the ages is slowly matured, and with pain and discomfort, and through struggles and conflict, brought into manifestation at the end of the appropriated time." On this Sunday, we receive the blessing of the elements and remember the ongoing inner gestation and growth of the soul force within each one of us, the Christ Within...the Hope of Glory.

Save the date, tell your friends,

and plan to be there!

 CONNECT GROUPS  

August 4  

Prayer Shawl Group, First Thursday, Fellowship Hall, 7:00 p.m.

The prayer shawl group meets to knit and crochet shawls and lap blankets with prayers, love and good wishes for those who would benefit from these comfort items.

Once a year we gather these items at our November Sunday Blessing service and take them to nursing homes, oncology units and the like as our service work.

All are welcome to join us, beginners and advanced needle workers. We are interested in teaching those who wish to learn to crochet or knit.

August 18
Monthly Toning Healing Circle, Third Thursday, 7:00 p.m. 

Those who participate in the toning circle come together for the purpose of experiencing the vibrational qualities of our crystal toning bowls, the healing power of chanting and the haunting sound of the free notes. Participants can choose to surround themselves with the energy of one individual toning device, or experience them all at once. Most importantly, the presence of each individual adds to the power of the group. All are invited to join in this experience.

August 25   

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

Pastor 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.

August 28 

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.

The Celestial Hierarchy of Leo

Leo by Johfra

The Celestial Hierarchy of Leo, also known as the Lords of Flame (love and light), rules from July 22 to Aug 23. Leo inspires humanity to find its royal rulership: self-mastery. With the empowerment of the Lords of Flame, an illumined disciple touches into a deeper awareness of transcendental power. Love begins to be known, not as a passion or sentiment, but as a stream of divine energy to be used mindfully. We are held accountable for every resource we receive: "For to whomever more is given, of him more will be required."

The hierarchy of Leo belongs to the fire triplicity: light, love, and power. It is clothed in the Sun, representing the heart of our universe. We enjoy that generous sharing daily, as Earth moves through its cycles of life. Now we awaken to the fact that our heart is to become the sun of our sphere of influence. For high consciousness to rule in our lives, we need the light, love, and power of generosity.

As this transformation comes to pass, aspirants find themselves challenged to love the unlovable, to be generous when the mind says 'no,' and to use power, whether they want to or not, in order to shed light on the path of humanity. At this time, the Lords of Flame are guiding many to initiation through the co-working relationship between the hierarchies of Aquarius and Leo.  

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.