The New Church of Boulder Valley

Life is a journey. The destination is happiness, fulfillment, belonging and being part of something bigger than ourselves–being able to use our gifts to be of service to the greater good.

We know what the journey is like because we have been on it for a long time. We know it has its ups and downs, rough patches and times of peace. And we know we have to keep working at it even when it seems like it is too much to handle or as if we aren’t getting anywhere.

Keep going. Taking it one day at a time. Knowing you are loved and are being led to greater and greater states of happiness, no matter what it might seem like now or along the way.

We hope you can be with us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as we gather in worship and community.

Bible stories can certainly be unusual, but they are shared because they tell a story of what is going on inside of ourselves. In the story of Jacob we read of him moving a large stone by his own strength and working for fourteen years without complaint all because of the love he had for Rachel.

This story helps us to understand that it is love that motivates us to learn and to work and to understand and to be happy. It is love that helps us to see things as they truly are. And when we are motivated by a love for what is good things start to make sense and life begins to unfold in a wonderful new way.

Join us this Sunday as we continue to dig into the inner, spiritual meaning of the story of Jacob from the book of Genesis.

We are going to be looking at a story in the Bible about Jacob. Jacob was leaving all that was familiar to him and going to a place he had never been. On the way he had a dream of a ladder or stairway to heaven. There were angels going up and coming down on it. He also received a message of comfort, that he would be blessed, not be alone, be kept safe and would return to his home some day.

Translating this to our lives? We all are on a journey. It may seem scary and worrisome to make new changes. This story shows us that if we go forward with a few simple goals in mind we will be led toward higher states of happiness and peace.

You are invited to worship this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. We hope to see you then!

What are healthy boundaries? How do we protect ourselves and feel safe and confident in what we believe and hold important, and how do we identify and respect the boundaries that others have set for themselves?  Do we unknowingly put up walls that keep us disconnected from others? What walls can come down and what walls might need to go up in our personal lives?

Let’s talk more about this on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

There is a parable in the New Testament about a landowner who went out at 6 am, 9 am, noon, 3pm and 5 pm to find workers for his vineyard.  They all agreed to work for the same wage.  At the end of the day those hired first expected more and grumbled at what they received.

This parable illustrates a progression from an attitude of “what’s in it for me?” to one of helping with no thought of reward. We are taught that this latter attitude brings with it one of the greatest kinds of happiness we can experience.

This week when you do nice or kind things for others if thoughts of reward show up recognize them and ask for help in letting them go.  Refocus your attention on the joy your efforts might give to others and see how your heart begins to change.

See you Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The church is “on holiday” for two weeks so there will be no services of worship or classes or other events until Sunday, July 29th.

We pray you can use this time for connecting with family or the beautiful nature scapes of Colorado or just general refreshment and rejuvenation.

We look forward to gathering together for worship with you on the 29th.

Peace and love

USA, Colorado, Aspen, Maroon Bells in morning

The Bible on the literal level can be pretty weird and confusing and can be and has been used in lots of hurtful ways. There are places where it is made clear that there is a deeper meaning to the stories and words. Jesus Himself taught many parables and it is said of Him that, “He did not say anything to them without using a parable.” (Mark 4:34)

One of the unique teachings of New Church is that there is an internal sense or meaning to the Word and that it is showing us all about our inner life and journey. In its essence it is all about love to God and love to the neighbor. It is comforting and exciting to know that when we go to the Word of God the message is all about how to love one another.

“These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language.” (John 16)

Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The Sermon on the Mount begins by the Lord outlining what the true blessings of our life are.  This coming Sunday we will discuss the sixth one: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

One of the keys to our happiness is to work with the Lord to clean up our heart – that is, the desires and loves of our will or heart.  When we resist the bad behaviors, attitudes, thoughts and speech that we are inclined to indulge in as if from our own strength the Lord can remove them off to the side so they become quiescent and their influence lessened. When hellish influences are removed the Lord can then be present and we can be united to Him–this is what it means to “see God”: it means to be with Him (and that makes us feel pretty darn happy!)

Join us or worship this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The Sermon on the Mount begins by Jesus outlining what the true blessings of our life are.  This week we will discuss the fifth one: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”

The fifth key to happiness is to recognize your need for the Lord’s mercy in your life by examining your own life and seeing your own shortcomings.  When we do this then the Lord’s mercy and compassion is welcomed in and felt for the first time and it can spread from our lives to the lives of others. In other words when we see how imperfect we are it helps us to accept the imperfections we see in others and even see them from a place of love and compassion.

We are a lot happier when we can let go of judgment of others.

See you Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The Sermon on the Mount begins by Jesus outlining what the true blessings of our life are.  This week we will discuss the fourth one: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” These words are a reminder to us to cultivate a desire and a passion for things that are good and right.  In other words, to care that what is truly good prevails and that the truth really does matter, and also to bring this to life by being of service to one another. When we desire these things we will be filled with happiness and delight. It is easy to be distracted by a lot of other things that we think will fill us and make us feel happy, but that later leaves us feeling empty or hollow inside. Find out how to generate a passion for what is good and right and find lasting happiness: Sunday 10:30 a.m.