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 Advent season, we have been studying Names for the Messiah found in Isaiah. But on this Sunday, December 22, we highlight another cherished name for the Messiah--Emmanuel! Emmanuel means God is with us. We hope that you and your family will also be with us that morning to make a joyful noise to the Lord in worship! All are invited to come, sing, and hear through our annual Lessons & Carols service that God is very much with all of us through Jesus Christ!

Parents - Please note our children are welcome to stay in the sanctuary for this special service but we will still have children's church and nursery available for all to enjoy.

Sunday's Lessons:

Genesis 22:15-18, NRSV

Isaiah 9:2,6-7, NRSV

Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9, NRSV

Luke, 1:26-35, 38, NRSV

Luke 2:6-16, NRSV

Matthew 2:1-12, NRSV

John 1:1-14, NRSV

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

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined... For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:2,6-7, NRSV)

We hope that you and your families will join us on Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30 pm for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service with Communion. All are welcome to worship with us as we celebrate the birth of our newborn King! A nursery will be available for our little ones while children are welcome to worship in the sanctuary.

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. 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!

Your Session met on Monday evening, December 16 for its final regularly stated meeting of the year. Items of interest included: additional upgrades to the sanctuary sound system, the unanimous approval of the 2025 budget, and the calling of a Congregational meeting on January 26, 2025 for the purpose of 1) reviewing the 2024 financials, 2) receiving the approved budget for 2025, 3) approving the Pastor's annual terms of call, and 4) voting upon a nominee for the office of Elder in the class of 2025. Special thanks was given for the Elders in the class of 2024: Allen Booth, Rachel Gray, Clark Parker, Sharon Pugh, and Ed Stanford. The Session will meet for a leadership retreat on Saturday, January 11 and the next Stated Session meeting will be January 20 at 5:30 pm in room 221. 

In Christ,

Clark Parker (Clerk) & David Randolph (Moderator)

The CHPC Youth Group will hold our annual Christmas Party on Sunday, December 22! The Randolph family has graciously opened their home to host our group this evening. Youth will go an extra half hour, from 5:00 - 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. Contact Tyler for more questions or to RSVP!

Are you interested in serving during Sunday worship? It takes over twenty people to help us worship on a typical Sunday morning. A worship volunteer training is scheduled on Sunday, January 12 after Sunday School at noon 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 if you’re interested in serving and planning on attending this event.

COME ONE AND ALL to a Faith Formation Brainstorming Event on Wednesday, January 15 at 6pm. Don’t worry, NO ONE will be asked to serve on the committee and NO ONE will be asked to head up a project; The only thing we will be discerning will be how God is leading us to feel, know, and share the love of Christ in this new year. Food and Drink will be served and the meeting will last OLY ONE HOUR. Please come ready to share ideas that can nurture and deepen our faith and relationship with God and with one another. 

In Christ,

- Karen Bennett

Sunday School Classes continue this Sunday after worship at 11:15 am to discuss the final chapter of the Advent study book, "Names of the Messiah". The Disciples Class meets in room 218 and the Remnant Class meets in room 221. All are welcome to either of these gatherings!

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 22 and any poinsettias may be picked up after the Christmas Eve service. All monetary contributions received support the church's renovation fund.

The church office will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 30. 

It's that time of year for the Christmas Joy Special Offering! Your gift supports current and retired church leaders and helps to develop new leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges serving communities of color. To give, use the offering envelope provided or give online. Please also let Sarah know to credit your gift to this offering.

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!

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 Narthex. Thank you for your willingness to volunteer and support the ministry of this church family!

As 2024 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 2025.

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

Prayer Requests 

Emily Bowman, Joyce Callahan, Ramona Gothard, Barbara Holt,

Beverly Shelton, , Boyd Holder, Bethany Thompson, Bonnie Cole,

Julius Maikis, Dixie Keith, Charles Gibson, Richard Crawford,

Donna Whitson, Denise and Al Doty, Jonathan and Brenda Hutchins,

Family of Joy Weber (Marissa Paulsen's grandmother),

Dennis Vaughn (Denise Doty's brother), Family of Betty McMillin,

Family of Lisa Mahon



Health Care/ Assisted Living Facilities

Ginny Snow, Sue Fortney, Charles and Linda Gibson, Wayne & Millie Pruett