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!

Coming soon to the Holston Camp near you: A chance to Restore & Renew with the all church retreat! Everyone is invited to be a part of this year's retreat at Holston Camp the weekend of May 2-4, 2025. As we look over the past year, there has been chaos, devastation and loss across the country and even within our own congregation. We have seen the destruction brought by Hurricane Helene wreak havoc across Appalachia into the heart of Holston Camp. For many people, coming to the mountains holds a sense of peace, comfort, and healing. Being in the presence of the beauty of nature can help us to center and focus, bringing us closer to God and even to one another.

This year, we have an opportunity to help restore damage done at Holston Camp for a renewed summer of ministry. Serving together we can restore and renew our own hearts for God and each other, further healing from the hurts we have suffered.  So, whether you have been to Holston Camp a dozen times or have yet to have the privilege, the time to sign up is now! Singles, couples, and families alike are welcome. You may come and stay for two nights or perhaps just drive over for the day on Saturday. Our main working service project time will be Saturday morning and will include ways for anyone to participate. Things wrap up on Sunday morning after streaming a special service led by guest pastor, and child of our church, Rev. Ted Hagan.

Costs vary by length of stay, and type of accommodation: 

• Guenther Lodge (Hotel style, with all linens included)

Double occupancy full bed with private bath- $150 per Adult

Twin bed double occupancy with shared bath $125 per Adult

• Cabin (no linens included)

Twin bunk beds (each room sleeps 4) with shared bath

Children 4 and under are free

Students K-12 are $50

Adults: $100

• Day Rates (covering meals)

Adults:$50

Students K-12 $25

Children 4 and under: free

Please speak with me, Karen Bennett, or any member of the Faith Formation committee if you have any questions. You can sign up by contacting Mary in the church office to reserve your spot. I look forward to this time of rest and renewal with you!

Peace,

- Amylyn Crawford-Thornton

Just as Jesus turned his face towards Jerusalem, so we have turned our hearts and minds to the Lord over these forty days known as Lent. Throughout this season, we walk with Christ through the Gospel of Luke hearing the familiar parables we love. Last Sunday, we studied the short story of the barren fig tree and discerned how we have been called as Christians to "Repent and Lament". This week, we turn to the familiar parables of Luke 15 to learn how God can turn the sorrows of being lost into the greatest of joys after being found. Let us continue to grow in God's love as we walk with Christ closer to the cross.

Sunday's Scripture:

Psalm 51:1-12, NRSV

Luke 15:1-10, NRSV

Sermon Title:

"Found Joy"

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

We are overjoyed to officially welcome Jon Hutchins into the life of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church! This past Sunday was so special celebrating Jon's baptism in worship, as it reminds us all of the promise God has so graciously and lovingly made to all of us.

Please be sure to speak with Jon, and his wife Emily, the next time you see them in church and share how glad we are to do life with their family!

For the next three Sundays, CHPC continues to gather for a congregational supper and intergenerational bible study about the book of Joshua. All are welcome to study different scripture passages from this often overlooked book of the Old Testament. Children will enjoy a time of music, a lesson, and some fun while the adults and youth have their own bible study from 5:30-6:30 pm. This coming Sunday's focus will be on Joshua 2 and the important story of Rahab. This coming Sunday's meal is a pot-luck supper, so please come with your favorite dish to share with your church family!

CHPC's March Madness Ping-Pong Tournament begins this week! The bracket is below, but it's not too late to join in the fun. Each round has one week to complete their game and turn their results into the staff. The finals will be played during the last Lenten Supper. All are welcome to complete a bracket and turn it in for a special prize for the closest bracket. Contact Tyler or David if you have any questions or are still interested in participating in this fellowship event.

CHPC's new spiritual discipline continues each Saturday during Lent as we exercise our hearts, minds, and souls with the practice of Yoga! All are welcome to participate in this class offered at 2:00 pm at Vidya Yoga & Fitness in downtown Kingsport. This sixty minute instructor-lead, "warm" class will be paired with positive music and scripture readings to help participants lean into the reflective side of Lent. Classes will continue through Saturday, April 19. Please speak with David or Tony to learn more and let us know to expect you!

Your Session met Monday night, March 17, for its regularly scheduled meeting. Business included the approval Jon Hutchins for sacrament of baptism, the scheduling of an Easter Sunrise Service at 8:15 am on April 20, the invitation to Rev. Ted Hagan to lead worship at CHPC on May 4 as part of the church wide retreat, and financing to support the youth group going to Montreat in July. Proceeds from the annual pumpkin sale of $6840 will help to send two chaperones and eight youth to this annual conference. Additional items of note were Buildings and Facilities reported the sale of the church van for $17,000, and discussion of improved televisions in the sanctuary to better facilitate worship. The next schedule session meeting will be held on Monday, April 21, at 5:30 pm.

In Christ,

- Emily Hutchins (Acting Clerk of Session) & David Randolph (Moderator)

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses to our recent Campus Improvement Survey. Your insights are valuable and we appreciate your commitment to seeing our shared ministry continue to grow. We are pleased to see how a majority of your responses concurred with our initial assessment, as well as the current priority of the Session, of focusing on the sanctuary area of our building including the entrances, bathrooms, and parlor/narthex. Of course, this kind of project will not be a quick fix type of commitment for our church. Planning will continue with a timeline being developed and the CIC will continue to look at other suggestions for the improvements needed for some possible other areas, such as our youth area and children/nursery area. Our next steps will be soliciting an architect to work alongside us to create a visioning document that captures the potential to house and support our ministry. We look forward to sharing more updates on our work with you in the future and ask for your prayers during this discernment process. 

CHPC partners with Marsh Regional Blood Center to sponsor a Blood Drive in the Church Parking on Sunday, April 13 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments for the Drive can be scheduled by speaking with Mary in the church office. Please be aware that you are not able to participate in this drive if you have given blood between February 16 and April 13. Contact Mike Strickler if you have any questions.

Sunday School Classes continue after worship at 11:15 am. The Disciples Class meets in room 218 and the Remnant Class meets in room 221. Please reach out to David directly if you would like to participate in either class or desire to discuss joining a small group.

The Children's Choir practices this Sunday after worship in the choir room. All children ages 3-11 are welcome to come, sing, and play! Please contact either Emily Broadhead or Carolyn Barry with any questions.

The Youth Group joins the rest of the congregation in the gym on Sunday nights to participate in the inter-generational Bible Study Series on Joshua. Parents - please remember to review the recent Montreat email to sign your youth up for this formative event.

The Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study continues each week at 3:00 pm in the parlor. All are welcome to participate in this lively discussion of upcoming scripture passages from the Revised Common Lectionary. Please contact Lisa Pecorini if you would like to participate.

The CHPC Easter 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 an Easter Lily that will be used to decorate the church or a monetary contribution to our Renovation Fund. Lilies are $12 and forms are available on the information table in the narthex. The order for these lilies must be returned by Monday, March 31. Any monetary contributions to the Renovation Fund should be given by April, 10.

Holy Week is on the way, so save the dates for special services on Palm Sunday (4/13 at 10:00 am), Maundy Thursday (4/17 at 7:30 pm), and Easter (4/20 at 10:00 am). The Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 9:00 am on Easter Sunday, April 20. This will include treat bags for the kids and finger foods for the entire church. Help is needed to make this tradition possible. The Congregation is encouraged to bring both sweet and savory items to share so we have a great balance for everyone to enjoy! Coffee and donuts will also be provided. Please sign up to bring your favorite Easter Snack in the Narthex. We appreciate your help in making this an egg-cellent time for all!

The Women's Ministry heads to Montreat later this year for the annual Women's Connection Conference from August 8-10. The cost is $247.00 and our friends at First Presbyterian Church Kingsport graciously allow us to stay free with them for the weekend. You must register online (do so as a commuter, we do not need rooms) and then please let Lisa Pecorini know that you have registered to go. Learn more about this great event here from Montreat's website and register here. It's going to be a wonderful weekend of fellowship and worship!  

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

Prayer Requests 

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

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

Julius Maikis, Charles Gibson, Jonathan and Brenda Hutchins,

Family of Lisa Mahon, Family of Ginny Snow, Tina Whiteaker

(Teresa Stricker's sister), Family of Donna Whitson,

Family of Carolyn Sade (Bill Sade's sister)

Condolences

Please pray for the Webb Family on behalf of the death of Anne's father, Robert Wayne Bailey, who passed away last week. A visitation will be held at Hamlett-Dobson on Saturday, March 29 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Please keep Anne, Isaac, and their entire family, in your prayers over the days ahead.

Health Care/ Assisted Living Facilities

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