Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church is a congregation that 

values a diversity of belief. Whether you're full of faith or full of doubt, 

you'll find people who have been there and accept you for where you are.

We welcome all people to worship, pray, eat, seek spiritual answers,

and enjoy life within this community of faith. All are welcome!

The Season of Advent is rapidly approaching and we would love it if you planned on joining us in worship! Sunday Morning services will focus on the lectionary passages found here and will follow the traditional seasonal themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated in worship on Sunday, December 7, Wednesday, December 10, and Wednesday, December 24. Several special services are scheduled in the coming weeks, such as a Wholeness & Healing Service and a Children's Christmas Pageant during our annual Lessons & Carols Service, and we welcome all our friends in the community to attend as we anxiously away the coming of the Christ-Child this Christmas. "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to rescue O Israel."

Save the date for a special kids Christmas event on Saturday, December 6! Parents, enjoy a kid-free Saturday morning to check items off of the Yuletide to-do list! Kids who are three and up are invited to enjoy a CHPC Christmas Party! We'll have snacks, games, crafts, a short film, and pizza for lunch! Please take advantage of a morning at the beginning of the month before the Holiday season gets too busy. Contact Tyler Paulsen with any questions, to volunteer, or to sign your child up!

For the past two weeks, I've shared scenes from the 1984 movie, "Places in the Heart" during my sermons on Matthew 25. It's been said, "what happens once will never happen again, and what happens twice will surely happen a third time!" Well this final section of Matthew 25 focuses on the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats and I bet the Holy Spirit may bring us back to Ms. Edna's farm in Waxahachie, Texas this Sunday. For those who wish to watch the movie ahead of time, you may steam or rent it online through your favorite service here. May God's Holy Spirit continue to speak to us as we seek to learn more about what Christ teaches us about how to care for one another in the Kingdom of Heaven!

Sunday's Scripture:

Ezekiel 34:11-16, NRSV

Matthew 25:31-46, NRSV

Sermon Title:

"When, O Lord?"

Wish to worship with us again or during the week?

Click here to view last week's worship service!



Your Session met on Monday, November 17 for our regularly stated meeting. A devotion about Pascal's Wager and the faithful nature of risk was offered, minutes were reviewed, and committee reports were received. Approval was given to celebrate communion in January and February of the new year. A special presentation about the 2025 budget and the 2026 budget was shared by Treasurer Webb. One specific financial item of note was the approval to replace a 30 year old 10 ton HVAC unit in the gym at the cost of $25,000. The Session continues to thank all members for their faithful and generous support of our shared ministry. The next stated Session meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15 at 5:30 pm.

In Christ,

Chris Broadhead (Clerk of Session) & David Randolph (Moderator) 

As I reflect on my time at CHPC and try to put into words what this church means to me, my mind focuses on the incredible people of this congregation. You made me feel at home as a part of your ministry. My first Sunday as Worship Leader was the first Sunday that the church did not assemble due to COVID, I didn't really get to meet the congregation till much later, but I still remember the incredible feeling of assembling together in worship again and I'm forever thankful for the relationships that were eventually forged. I think we all appreciated worship a little more at that time and I pray we never take worship for granted again. 

We've sung together, played music together, shared peace together, built beds together, prayed together, loved one another, and all I can say is through the good and the bad, it has been absolutely wonderful. Keep singing, playing, sharing peace, building beds, praying, and loving each other and I will as well.

Peace,

Tony

Since coming to CHPC, Tony Mowell has led our Praise Band with a faithful spirit of dedication, camaraderie, and grace. He has been, and continues to be, an answer to my prayers both personally and professionally. He’s elevated my musical appreciation and influenced my Spotify algorithm for the better. Tony is a thoughtful and talented musician who has ministered well during a time of change to help us see what is possible within this musically blended service. That is a gift we may continue to enjoy in a new season, even though we shall surely miss singing alongside our flannel wearing friend.

Your Session has asked me to work with our praise band members to quickly discern how best to support this important ministry of our church family, and I look forward to supporting them as we discern who God might bring into our lives to help us make a joyful noise, just like God brought us Tony over five years ago. I also am very grateful that our praise band will continue to enrich our worship in the weeks to come, because Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church would not be true to our authentic self without their meaningful ministry. I am happy to answer any questions about these next steps and I look forward to worshiping with you in ways that “glorifies God and is inviting to all” like we named over four years ago.

The congregation will have a chance to thank Tony for his work with us on Sunday, December 14. Session has approved a “Love Offering” for Tony, so that we might wish him well and thank him for five years of faithful service. Anyone who wishes to make a monetary contribution may do so by mailing or delivering a check to the church office by Wednesday, December 10. All checks should be made payable to Tony Mowell and can be dropped off with Mary in the office.

Gratefully,

 - David

Don't forget that CHPC and Colonial Heights Christian Church partner to provide food boxes for local families in need of a meal on Thanksgiving. Please use the suggestion card and return your filled cardboard box by this Sunday, November 23. Thank you for supporting this meaningful local mission!

CHPC partners with Cap the Gap for this year's Angel Tree ministry in support of foster children in Sullivan County. Information is available in the Narthex, so please stop by before or after worship to pick a child's name to bless with a Christmas gift this year! The deadline for returning Angel Tree gifts will be Sunday, November 30. Please contact any of the Angel Tree Captains or Terri Marcum with specific questions.

The CHPC Christmas Memorial Gifts program is for those who wish to give a memorial gift to honor or remember those special people who have been a part of our life. You may choose to give a poinsettia that will be used to decorate the church or a monetary contribution to our Renovation Fund. The cost for a poinsettia is $10. All names will be printed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 21. Poinsettias may be picked up after the Christmas Eve service. Order forms are available in the narthex and should be ordered by November 25. Please make any monetary contributions by December 15.

We are excited to announce that new Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church swag is on the way! The Youth Group worked hard to put together the design that will be on the back of each garment. When reflecting on their church family, these four words--compassionate, charitable, uplifting, and accepting--were the thoughts they had about their congregation!

Short-sleeve shirts will be $25, youth shirt sizes $20, and sweatshirts will be $35. These will be available to order from our online partner soon, but please begin to let the church office know if you already have planned what you'd like to order. The deadline to sign up for one of these shirts will be Tuesday, December 9th. Any monies raised will go to support the youth ministry as they remind us all of how God looks at each beloved child of God.

CHPC hosts "A Good Death" Workshop this Saturday, November 22 from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm in the Sanctuary. Interest has been expressed in have a second offering sometime during the new year. Please let David know if you would be interested in participating in this important conversation at another time.

All children are welcome in worship this coming Sunday and have a special time together down front after the prayer of confession. Kiddos are welcome to enjoy “Children’s Church” downstairs during the sermon and will return to the Sanctuary to celebrate the sacrament of communion with the congregation.

CHPC’s Children’s Choir practice will resume after worship on Sunday, November 30 in preparation for our annual Lessons & Carols Service. All children ages 3-11 are welcome to come sing and play with this great group! Please speak with Carolyn Barry or Emily Broadhead to get involved.

Sunday School Classes continue this Sunday after worship at 11:15 am. The Disciples class meets in room 218 and the Remnant class meets in room 221 to discuss that day's worship service and sermon. Please speak to David to learn more about how you can get involved in either class or other various discipleship opportunities.

The Youth Group resumes its weekly bible study this Sunday, November 23 at 5:00 pm in the Youth Center. If you are interested in either joining in on this ministry or supporting it in another way, please contact Tyler. One very important way you can help is to Click Here to sign up to provide a meal! Thank you for feeding this wonderful group of God's beloved children!

The Church Office will be closed November 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 1.

Do you or your family have a Christmas Card or holiday photo to share? The church will be decorating our office bulletin board with photos to welcome visitors this Advent season. Please drop by a card or photo by the church so we can pin your smiling face on the board to show the warmth of this wonderful church family :)

Save the Date for CHPC's Annual Congregational Christmas Celebration after worship on Sunday, December 7. All are welcome to enjoy a nice lunch with your church family as we anxiously await the coming of the Christ-child this Christmas. Stick around for fun and games afterwards before two groups head out into the community to carol later that afternoon.

The Women's Ministry hosts a Christmas Celebration on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 pm in the Youth Center complete with a White Elephant gift exchange! Please bring a gift that is used, created, or new (10 dollars or less) to share. Additionally, let's add to the holiday cheer by bringing a favorite finger food or dessert to share. Speak with Gretchen Bentley or Karen Dale to learn more. 

Thank you for prayerfully considering how we may live into God’s “dream” as a church family in the upcoming year. Additional stewardship packets are available in the Narthex or on the church website. Any financial questions may be addressed to Sarah Johnson in the office.

All items for the weekly online newsletter should be emailed to Mary at office@chpres.org by the end of the day on Tuesdays.

Please continue to pray for all those on the Prayer List:

Jonathan and Brenda Hutchins, Vicki Weber (Marissa Paulsen's mother),

Jay Walters, Richard Bilbro (Cecil Bilbro's brother), Esther Favors (Tyler Paulsen's abuela), Baby Justice Gilreath, Julius Maikis (Scoutmaster White's father), William Savage (KC Savage's brother), Fr. James Fliss (Doreen Heppert's brother), Tina Whiteaker (Teresa Strickler's sister), Beverly Shelton, Barbara Holt, Joyce Callahan

As well as those in Health Care/ Assisted Living Facilities:

Mary Ann Smith, Mae Dale, Sue Fortney, Linda Gibson, Millie Pruett



Do you have a specific prayer request you'd like to share?

Please contact a member of the Care Shepherds or Pastor David

and we would be happy to pray with you!