Unity in the Pines     

A  Christian Community Church
That Love Is Growing

    Newsletter                               August 2009 

Editors -- Joyce Bailey and Kristine Baker  

Stand by Your Convictions 

By Rev. Liz Petipren 

At times, when difficulties continue in spite of our earnest prayers, it may seem easy to become discouraged--to become lax in using the principles of Truth taught by Jesus. Then more than ever, we need to stand by our convictions, to believe in the ever-present goodness of God in our lives. It is all-important then to establish ourselves in a deeper awareness of the teachings of the One who knew the goodness of the Father of us all. To do this requires daily insistence and persistence in turning our thoughts in the right direction and following through consistently, regardless of what may appear to be happening to the contrary in our outside world.  

Everything is working for good in your life. Believe this. Decree it. Speak it. Insist upon it. Persist in believing it. Be consistent in following through after speaking these words by listening within for God’s direction. Pursue the ideas that come to you with every action you take. Follow the truth that Jesus taught in every thought, word and action. It is the miracle working power of God that will get us through every trial, challenge, and difficulty in life. 

We may protest that this is not easy to do, but we must do it anyway. We must do what Mother Teresa advocated, “When you find yourself in hateful surroundings, give back to them with love.” Take heart and know that every bit of persistence and faith will pay big dividends. It did two thousand years ago and it is still doing so Continued on

today in the lives of those who consistently seek to follow the Unity Principles. The love of God never sleeps. God’s miracle working power is constantly present--working, moving, producing, and urging us to accept its benefits. Whether we are  consciously aware of it or not, it is where we are now in this moment. God is  always blessing us in every circumstance, right now in this moment. Miracles work as speedily in our outer world as we allow them to work by being persistent in consciously knowing that everything is working for good.  

We have heard that “Prayer is not for the purpose of changing God," but to help us turn our innermost thoughts and feelings into that conditioned state of awareness that enables Spirit’s healing, strengthening, peace-giving presence to work through us. It is our prayers that save us. Every prayer is an act of faith. Our healing begins when we first think of going to prayer. First we must go within, in order to have all things outside of us to work in perfect order with ease and under Grace. Stand by your convictions, the Unity Principles are working in everyone and everything when we work them.  

August Birthdays 

03 – Effie Toth 

13 – Nino DeSilva 

27 – Kristine Baker 

30 – Estelle Friedman  

www.unityinthepines.com 

By Joyce Bailey 

You are encouraged to visit our new website. Kristine Baker and Rev. Liz have provided some of the initial input, but Brian Kirsch will continue with the remaining development. Do you have questions about the church history? Upcoming services, or you need another copy of the newsletter? Go to the website. Especially helpful under the Resources tab are Meditations. Our Board member, Anne Bacon is delighted with the website for daily meditations, and helps other people get in touch with the Unity Principles by referring them to the site. Check it out, explore and help others get acquainted with Unity, and the Daily Word. 

Services for August 2009

Sunday August – 02                                             

Rev. Taylor Stevens                                             

“Sweet Hour of Prayer”                                      

Music; Nino DeSilva & Kalimba      

Sunday August – 09                                             

Rev. Bob Konrad                                                  

“Weathering the Storm”                                    

Music; Betty Ferrell & Carole Belcher      

Sunday August – 16 

Rev. Tim Sodergren 

“The Higher Standard” 

Music; Nino DeSilva & David Goodman 

Sunday August -  23  

Rev. Joanna Gabriel 

“Who’s Report Will You Believe?” 

Music; Mino DeSilva & Kalimba 

Sunday August – 30  

Rev. Louise Morley 

“Coming Home” 

Music; Perry Stokes

Update on Church Renovation Committee  

By Joyce Bailey 

The Renovation Committee -- Eddie Perez, David Fields, Antoinette Conigilio, Estelle Friedman and Rev. Liz Petipren -- continues to meet and has obtained estimates for the exterior painting, storm shutters and doors. These bids have been presented to the Board and the contractors selected. The committee is currently working with Palm Beach County Zoning on the requirements for the steeple installation. In addition, there is brainstorming on landscape and parking improvements. 

Trustees  

President: Rev. Liz Petipren      

Vice President: Joyce Bailey  

Treasurer: Louise Hunsinger

Secretary: Anne Bacon  

Secretary: Floyd Beil  

Director: Eddie Perez   

Director: Rev. Tim Sodergren 

Invocation  

I am now in the presence of 

Pure Being and immersed in the 

Holy Spirit of life, love and wisdom. 

I acknowledge Thy presence and Thy power. 

Oh, Blessed Spirit, in the Divine wisdom 

Now erase my moral limitations and from 

Thy pure substance of love bring into 

Manifestation my world 

According to Thy perfect law. 

Charles Fillmore 

Unity in the Pines 

6073 Summit Blvd. 

West Palm Beach, FL 33415 

Phone: 561-478-5454 

Email: unityinthepines@att.net 

www.unityinthepines.com