Dear Friends,

Thanks for joining us last week and hearing from our community member, Cheryl Robertson. Cheryl did a magnificent job walking us through the Lord's Prayer through the prism of surrender. Please check it out here if you missed it.

Finding Your Genius

This Sunday, I'll be preaching about achieving your genius. The commitment related to it from the Conscious Leadership book reads:

I commit to expressing my full magnificence and to supporting and inspiring others to fully express their creativity and live in their zone of genius.

I Need Your Help Answering 4 Questions

In preparation for my sermon, I would like to include these four questions about me from the book. I'll make sure to use the answers without attributing them. Please email me your quick responses to revtafel@holycitydc.org by Saturday, April 19th? 

1. What am I doing or talking about when you experience me most energized and happy? 
2. When you experience me at my best, the exact thing I am doing is __________. (Fill in the blank). 
3. What do you see as a special skill I am gifted with?
4. What are your three favorite qualities you see in me? (Do your best to use one word per quality). 

Have a blessed rest of your week,

Rich

Readings for the Coming Sunday

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and I will build my church on this rock, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then, he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Swedenborg Insights

The goals of creation are useful functions. Nothing can be created that is not useful. If it is to be useful, it must be for the sake of others. Even if it is for its own sake, it is still for others because we are useful to ourselves to be fit to be useful to others. Anyone who keeps this in mind can remember that truly useful functions cannot arise from us but from one who brings forth nothing but what is useful—God. 

Compline on Tuesday, April 30th @ 6 PM EST

Join Us for Evening Communion and Meditation on April 30th.

On Tuesday, April 30th, from 6:00 - 6:30 PM, Rev. Rich Tafel and Roxanne Sperry will host a hybrid (online/in-person) communion and meditation service. This traditional service, Compline, incorporates a reading from the Psalms, meditation time, and communion. There is no sermon or discussion.

You can use the same Zoom link as we do on Sunday. Rev. Tafel will be in the sanctuary for anyone wishing to join in person.

Compline, a time to be still and know you are a child of God.

Whatever fears you must face, it is time to rest assured in the embrace of God.

This is a time to quiet your mind and release the day’s chaos.

Compline a time to silence the chatter of the world so we can hear the voice of God.

Whatever loneliness accompanies you, find companionship in the presence of others.

This is a time to be. Be without the demands of life.

We hope you will join us!

Thought of the Week

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