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!

This past Saturday was a blast hosting our Kids Christmas Event! We enjoyed some hot coco, decorated stockings, ate some pizza, watched a holiday film, and even had a snowball fight! Thank you to our youth and adult volunteers for helping to make this even so special. We hope all families are having a peaceful Advent season as we joyfully prepare to welcome the coming Christ-Child in love this Christmas! 

And then on Sunday, it was a joy to pass the Peace of Christ in worship, fellowship, and mission! After studying the advent lectionary passages about peace with the help of John the Baptist, we went down to the gym to share this good news over a wonderful lasagna lunch prepared by our friends on the Congregational Life Committee. Big thank you to this caring crew and to all those who brought a dessert to share!

After breaking bread together, two crews headed out to go Christmas Caroling throughout our community! It was such a blessing to be able to spread some Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear. Our homebound church family members appreciated were overjoyed to visit with us and even receive a stocking from some of our children! God is good and it is through events such as all of these that we can see the inbreaking of God's Kingdom even as we continue to wait, and watch, and wonder during this Advent season.

The season of Advent is all about preparing ourselves to welcome a child who illuminates hope, brings about peace, exclaims great joy, and embodies the love of God. Those four words: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love are represented by the four candles on the outside of our Advent Wreath. Last week we focused on the second candle of peace as John the Baptist received the peace of Christ from his cousin Jesus while in prison. This week we look to the third candle of joy, understanding that the joy that Christ brings does not exist in a vacuum, but is ushered forth into the world contextually through the reality of darkness and sorrow. All are welcome to come and set another candle ablaze with a light that pierces the darkness while we wait for the coming of Emmanuel, God-with-us!

Sunday's Scripture:

Matthew 1:18-25, NRSV

Luke 11:2-11, NRSV

Sermon Title:

"Sorrow and Joy"

Wish to worship with us again or during the week? Click below to view last week's worship service.

This week's worship will include a moment to give thanks Tony Mowell and the ministry he has joyfully offered over the past five years. All are welcome to wear their favorite flannel in Tony's honor as a show of appreciation. A "Love Offering" is being collected as an expression of gratitude. Anyone who wishes to make a monetary contribution may do so by delivering a check to the church office ASAP. All checks should be made payable to Tony Mowell. 

The Women's Ministry will gather at 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon in the youth room for their annual Christmas Celebration and White Elephant gift exchange. Please bring a gift that is used, created, or new ($10 or less) to share. Additionally, let's add to the holiday cheer by bringing a favorite finger food or dessert to share. Please speak with Gretchen Bentley or Karen Dale to if you have any questions.

All are welcome to enjoy a special service of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 21 at 10:00 am as the congregation makes a joyful music to anticipate the birth of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Our kiddos will be participating as well with the inclusion of a Children's Christmas Pageant in the midst of some of the scripture readings. Please invite your family and friends to attend as you won't want to miss any part of this Christmas miracle!

Please save this date for this year's Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church! We hope you and your loved ones will join us for this annual tradition as we celebrate the birth of Christ in our midst. Please invite your family and friends by sharing our facebook event here.

This year on Christmas Eve, the Missions Ministry Team will be accepting donations for our ministry partner Sleep in Heavenly Peace. We are proud to help them support children in our community who do not have a place to lay their head like our Lord and Savior long ago. We will accept new sets of twin sheets (normal size) and new pillows. Additionally, continued food donations for CHPC's Blessing Box are also appreciated for those who wish to ensure no one goes hungry in our neighborhood either. Please place any donations under the Chrismon Tree in the sanctuary. Thank you for your willingness to help shine the light of hope in our own community!

New Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church swag will soon be ordered! 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 cost $35. The deadline to sign up for one of these shirts was Tuesday, December 9th, but we will accept last minute orders through Sunday, December 14. Please let the staff know if you wish to add anyting else to the first order which will be done next week. 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. 

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 :)

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 may be picked up from the "Kids Connection Room" after worship.

CHPC's Children's Choir practices after worship in the Sanctuary to prepare for a special service in two Sundays. Parents - please note, adults and children will practice together in the Sanctuary on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00 am to rehearse. Please contact Terri Booth if your child still needs a costume fittings for the upcoming Children's pageant.

Sunday School Classes continue after worship on Sunday, December 14 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 continues its weekly bible study this Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 pm in the Youth Center. And then on Sunday, December 21, the Youth Group will hold our annual Christmas Party at the Randolph's home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. We will eat, exchange presents, and enjoy some festive games. Parents, please plan to drop off and pick up your student directly at the Randolph residence on December 21. Contact Tyler for more details.

Thank you to all who ordered poinsettias as part of the CHPC Christmas Memorial Gifts program. All names will be printed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 21 and any poinsettias may be picked up after the Christmas Eve service. Monetary contributions may still be offered through December 15 and will go to support the church's renovation fund.

The Marsh Regional Blood Center is always in need of donations at this time of year due low inventory of blood supplies. All who are able are welcome to visit their facility on 111 West Stone Drive Suite 300 to make a donation. No appointment is required and their general office hours are 10:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. If you have concerns about you ability to donate or you have other questions or concerns you may contact the Blood Center at 423-408-7500.

Save the date for the New Year’s Eve celebration from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31 as we travel together across the pond to ring in the new year! Members are encouraged to bring a finger food or sweet treat to share. Please invite your family and friends; all are welcome!

Schedules for serving in the nursery and with the children's ministry are being made now for the new year.  Volunteers are needed to help support this meaningful ministry as we have welcomed new children into the life of our church family. Please consider offering your time and talents to help share the love of Christ with the smallest members of our faith community. Contact Tyler to sign up to serve today!

Are you interested in serving during Sunday worship? A worship volunteer training is scheduled on Sunday, January 18 for anyone interested in serving as a liturgist, usher, or communion preparer. Lunch will be provided for all those who attend. Please let David know you’re interested.

It’s not too late to return the annual Time & Talent survey to share how God is calling you to serve in the new year. Additional surveys are in the church office or on the church website here. Thank you for your willingness to volunteer and support the ministry of this church family!

As 2025 comes to a close, we continue to prepare for Christ’s coming by generously giving of our tithes and offering. Thank you for your continued support of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church and for the ministry you help to offer in our community and beyond. Please make sure any final contributions are postmarked by December 31 to be included in this year's final giving statement. Please contact Sarah Johnson if you have any questions about your giving or to set up a pledge for 2026.

All items for the weekly online newsletter should be emailed to Mary at office@chpres.org by noon on Wednesday.

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

Family of Jonathan 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!