www.SanTanSun.com March 3 - 16, 2012 57Spirituality

Spiritual ReflectionsBy Pastor George Saylor

If you are a parent, do you remember when your firstchild was born? You couldn’t keep your eyes off the baby,could you? You felt like you could just stare forever at yourchild’s face and never get tired of it. The baby couldn’t getenough of you, either. He had to be held, touched.

And remember when he wrapped his tiny hand aroundyour finger for the first time?  What a grip! How did that feel?

Have you ever fallen in love? Every time your loved onewalked into the room, you would get that goofy, excitedfeeling. Remember the first time she touched you? Perhapsyou were walking somewhere together and you realizedshe’d slipped her hand into yours.

It is amazing what is in a touch. But if you’re a leper,people don’t want to touch you anymore. People can’teven look at you without revulsion or fear.

Have you ever been a leper?  Maybe you fumbled theball in a big game. Maybe you were the object of gossip.Perhaps your character flaw had been discovered. Ormaybe you were going through a divorce … or diagnosedwith an illness. 

In biblical times, leprosy was the most dreaded diseaseknown. The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcersand decay. Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skinwould discolor and stink. There are even certain types ofleprosy that would numb the nerve endings, leading to a

loss of extremities and fingers, perhaps even a hand or a foot. 

The social consequences of leprosy were severe. Sincethey were considered contagious, lepers were banished orquarantined. Throughout Scripture, the leper is represen-tative of the ultimate outcast.

Now I think you can understand the state of the manwho came to Jesus for help. He was a leper.

Now the fact that he comes to Jesus was a shock. Leperswere forbidden to approach anyone. But this leper came toJesus through a crowd … and had to violate all the neces-sary standards of exclusion to get to Jesus. But hisapproach, however shocking, was reverent, humble,respectful and hopeful. He came begging and kneeling.

“Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.”  Mark says Jesus was moved with compassion.  He

stretched out his hand, touched the man, and said, “I’mwilling, be cleansed.”

Jesus healed with a word and a touch. No liturgical cer-emony or fanfare, just a touch and a word.

Then Jesus sent the man to Jerusalem and to the priestfor examination, because only a priest could pronounce aleper healed or restore him to his former life. Jesus gavetwo commands. First, go to the priests. Second, say noth-ing to anyone along the way.

The leper disobeyed the command to say nothing. Hespread the news around to such an extent that Jesus couldno longer publicly enter a city for the crush of the

crowds.  Now the leper is free to come and go where hewishes, free to resume his life, to go back to his family andcareer. But Jesus now has to stay in the countryside,because he could no longer go into a town openly for thecrush of the crowds.

In a sense, Jesus traded places with the leper. And that’sa metaphor for what he did for us on the cross. We werethe spiritual lepers who lived in alienation and isolationfrom God because of our sin, and he who knew no sintook our guilt upon himself and suffered the penalty forus in our place. On the cross, Jesus was forsaken and wewere adopted into God’s family as pure, undefiled,cleansed children.

I don’t think anyone here has been a leper in a medicalsense, but spiritually, emotionally or perhaps morally, weall have been there. There is someone, the Son of God,who with a touch and a word, can cleanse of us of allunrighteousness, all sin, all guilt. He is not appalled byour spiritual uncleanness. He is not frightened by ourpredicaments. His heart goes out to us. He’s ready to say,“I am willing. I am willing. I am willing to touch you, tocleanse you, to even die for you.”  

Pastor George Saylor leads services at Chandler PresbyterianChurch, 1500 W. Germann Rd. in Southern Chandler. Formore information, call 480-963-3821 or visit www.chandler-pres.org.

What’s in a touch?

58 March 3 - 16, 2012 www.SanTanSun.comSpirituality

New PreschoolEXPLORING MY WORLD PRESCHOOL

Now Enrolling!Classes begin August 8th

Offering classes for 3- and 4-year-olds

Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.

(childcare provided)

Sunday Adult Bible Study: 9 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School: 9 a.m.

Christian singles 50 and older areinvited to an evening mixer hosted byCornerstone Christian Fellowship Churchof Chandler. The event will be held from7 to 9 p.m. Sat., March 3 at Cornerstone,1595 S. Alma School Rd.

“It’s going to be a fun and relaxingevening with lots of time to mix and min-gle and make new friends,” says BradWiggers, head of adult ministries. “We’vegot some fun activities planned, as well.”

Participants need not attendCornerstone in order to attend the event– the first of its kind at the church.

We want to provide a supportive community for singles over 50 with opportunities to nurturemeaningful and healthy friendships,” explains Carolyn Brown, one of the new group’s organizers.“Singles don’t have to attend Cornerstone to participate.”

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship is “a progressive, Bible-based church.” For information on thesingles group, contact Carolyn Brown at carolyn.j.brown@cox.net or 480-219-4285. To learn moreabout Cornerstone, visit www.cschandler.com.

50+ singlesgroup forms

Spiritual Reflections

Share your spiritual reflections...The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun area churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute

their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature toNews@SanTanSun.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line,” and keep your articles around 200-300 words, orthey may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflectionsare printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the authorand not that of the SanTan Sun News.

Christian schools host open house

Families interested in enrolling their children inChristian-based schools can visit two area campuses Tue.,March 6 for more information on curriculum and staff.

Chandler Christian School will host its open housefrom 6:30 to 8 p.m., while San Tan Christian Academy’spreview is from 7 to 8 p.m.

There will be a question-and-answer session, as well asinformation about scholarship opportunities.

Chandler Christian School is at 301 N. Hartford St. inChandler. Its phone number is 480-963-0748.

San Tan Christian Academy is at 501 W. Flint St. inChandler. For more information, call 480-963-3307.

Visit the schools’ websites at www.chandlerchristian-school.org or www.santanchristianacademy.org for details.

www.SanTanSun.com March 3 - 16, 2012 59Spirituality

HUGERUMMAGESALE!

Saturday, March 106 a.m. - 1 p.m.Rain or shine.

Christian preschoolopens registration

Registration for the 2012-13 school year is now underwayat Ray of Light Christian Preschool in Chandler. The schooloffers programs for 3- and 4-year-olds and pre-kindergartenersfrom 9 a.m. to noon, five days a week. Ray of Light ChristianPreschool is located at 800 W. Ray Rd. between Alma SchoolRoad and Arizona Avenue. To schedule a tour or for moreinformation, contact Director Cristina Haney at 480-963-6105, ext. 211, or visit www.rayoflightpreschool.org.

New preschool starting at ChandlerPresbyterian

Hands-on learning opportunities for children ages 3 and 4 will begin this fall at Chandler Presbyterian Church, 1500 W.Germann Rd. in Southern Chandler.

Enrollment is open for Exploring My World, which uses creative curriculum, zoo-phonics, centers and circle time for children.

Classes start August 8. To schedule a tour or for more information, call 480-313-4738 or visit www.explor-ingmyworld.com.

“Market on the Move” comes to ChandlerChandler’s first “Market on the Move” (MOM) will bring fresh low-cost produce to area residents from 8

a.m. until noon, Sat., March 10. The event, hosted by Desert Palms Church at 4265 S. Arizona Ave., will pro-vide participants with up to 60 pounds of produce for $10.

“MOM is an opportunity to help Chandler residents during these challenging economic times,” says DesertPalms member and event coordinator Jonas Zamora. “We anticipate having enough produce for 600 people,and encourage anyone trying to stretch their dollar to come and participate in this worthwhile event.”

“As a church we want to bless our community,” adds Desert Palms Pastor Kelley Hand. “This kind of thing isa natural outworking of the gospel. It’s a chance to give to others because we have been given so much. We’reexcited to host Market on the Move and hope a lot of people hear about this opportunity to get some great food.”

MOM is part of the 3000 Club, a group that rescues fresh produce destined for landfills and distributes itaround the Valley. Past events have offered corn, eggplant, yellow and Italian squash, tangerines, tomatoesand peppers. Desert Palms plans to host MOM events the second Saturday of each month during growingseason. To learn more, email jonas.zamora@gmail.com. For information on MOM, visitwww.the3000club.org.

Author to visit Chandler PresbyterianOrdained Episcopalian clergyperson and well-known author Dr. Frederick Ramsay will lead worship at

10:30 a.m. Sun., March 11 at Chandler Presbyterian Church, 1500 W. Germann Rd. After the service and fol-lowing a light lunch, Ramsay will lead a discussion on his writings, and sign copies of his recently releasedbook, “The Eighth Veil,” part of his Jerusalem series. All are welcome at the event. To learn more, call 480-313-4738 or visit www.chandlerpres.org.

‘Life Walk’ at Chandler ChristianThe local Christian pop and rock band, Spirit Surge, will perform at the Pregnancy Care Center of Chandler’s

annual “Life Walk,” to be held from 8 a.m. to noon Sat., March 31 at Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. AlmaSchool Rd. The event will include prizes, a bounce house and face painting, along with a raffle for restaurantgift certificates, gym memberships, personal training, dance lessons, spa and salon services and more. ThePregnancy Care Center of Chandler provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, options coun-seling, referrals for adoption, and community services to women and families facing unwanted pregnancies. Forinformation on walking, sponsoring a team or making a donation, visit www.pccchandler.com.

NOW ENROLLING!Quality Care

and Christian Education:Infant through 5th Grade

• High Academic Achievement• Low Student / Teacher Ratio• Responsive, Nurturing Staff• Positive Learning Environment• Community Service• Leadership Development

RISEN SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL23914 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248

480-802-1505 www.rslcs.org

Please contact the school office at 480-802-1505 for tours,

financial information or to learn more about Risen Savior School.

You may also visit us online at www.rslcs.org

Citrus Massage

$65Lemon

and Lime Pedicure$45

LuckyCharm Facial

$75

Spring Specials

480-726-9700www.labellasalondayspa.com

1035 W. Queen Creek RoadChandler, AZ 85248

www.SanTanSun.com March 3 - 16, 2012 61SpiritualityStock up on local produce

For a $10 donation, load up on fresh fruits and vegetables at Produce with a Purposefrom 8 to 11 a.m. Sat., March 10 at Boys and Girls Club of Gilbert, 44 N. Oak St., Gilbert.

Each person is allowed up to 60 pounds of food and is encouraged to share theirbounty with friends and neighbors.

The event is sponsored by The Oasis Church of Chandler, which currently meets inBasha High School’s auditorium at 10 a.m. every Sunday. For more information, visitwww.theoasisaz.com.

Luncheon plays up music theme

Tickets for Risen Savior’s “Music in the Air” luncheon, to be held at noon Sat.,March 31 in the Fellowship Hall, are on sale now. The cost is $15 per person.

Formerly known as the Tea and Style Show, the event, hosted by the LutheranWomen’s Missionary League of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, will feature themedtables representing a chosen song to coordinate with its centerpiece, place settings andother table decorations. Food will be catered by Becky McGee, and Bill Bade and TenniAnnen will provide musical entertainment.

The church is at 23014 S. Alma School Rd. in Chandler.For tickets, call Carol Devereaux at 480-510-2456. For those wishing to host a table,

call Gerri Ried at 480-895-8474.

Circus-themed PurimCelebrate Purim with jugglers, stilt walkers, trumpet music, a world-record hoop

artist, a buffet dinner and more at Cirque Du Purim, co-sponsored by Chabad of theEast Valley and the East Valley Jewish Community Center. The Megilah reading andparty will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wed., March 7 at Noah’s, 2100 E. Yeager Dr. in Chandler.

“It combines ancient Jewish traditions with a modern twist,” Rabbi Mendy Deitschsays of this year’s event. “We focus on doing interesting and innovative holiday pro-grams, yet still keeping with the holiday theme.”

Cirque Du Purim is open to the public, and attendees are invited to wear circusattire or a costume of their choice. Advance purchase tickets cost $20 for adults and$15 for children through March 4. Regular admission is $25 for adults and $18 forchildren. The first 120 ticketholders will receive a gift. To learn more, call RabbiDeitsch at 480-855-4333 or visit www.chabadcenter.com.

WebXtra:For a complete list of SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit www.SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality” to read the Spiritual Connections column.