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 Sunday, the church heard a minute for ministry about the continued work of the Campus Improvement Committee (CIC). Members include co-chair Al Doty, co-chair Nathan Begue, Gretchen Bentley, Jonathan Hutchins, Marissa Paulsen, Casey Ratchford and Shelby Ratchford. This team has been working hard for the past year after Session saw a need to explore the feasibility of improving our church facilities. Various ministries of the church and congregation members have offered helpful information through committee discussions and individual surveys. After reading through the results of your answers, the CIC compiled a priority ranking of all the suggestions given to improve our church and our involvement in the community. Your top suggestion for improvement was the worship area, which includes an easy to access entrance, office area, narthex, bathrooms, parlor, and sanctuary.  The CIC recommended this to our Session in February and received their approval that this would be the primary goal.  All other areas mentioned in the survey have been placed on a priority list which will help us to create a master plan for the entire facility in the future for additional improvements. 

In June, a Mission Statement was sent to architectural firms soliciting bids to create a visioning document to serve as a Master Plan for our facilities. Four firms responded to our inquiry and three firms were interviewed in late July. The CIC evaluated these interviews, discussed pros and cons of each, and decided to recommend Cain, Rash, West (CRW) as our partner.  The Session approved this recommendation on Sunday, August 10. CHPC and CRW are now ready to get the ball rolling with the Master Plan, which will include detailed drawings and 3D renderings of what our space may look like in the future. CRW will also prepare an Engineering Assessment of our current facility to help identify needed mechanical improvements. Think of it as a homeowner’s inspection that will let us know of any problems which might deserve our attention. 

This investment in our future church and ministries is possible because of the generosity of members like you, who have repeatedly offered over and beyond their annual giving to the church. These bequests will cover the $30,000 cost of this project and work has already begun as we continue discerning how best for our facilities to match the mission we’ve been given as a church family. The CIC looks forward to updating the congregation on the progress of this project and hopes to have a Master Plan completed early next year. This is an exciting time in the life of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, and we cannot wait to see what God already sees here in this sacred space. Thank you for your continued prayers, for your continued support, and your open ideas for what things could look here at CHPC. God is indeed full of miraculous surprises, and we believe even more miraculous surprises are in store!

In Christ, 

Al Doty, Co-Chair of the Campus Improvement Committee

The fires of Pentecost have burned brightly this summer as our church family has spent a season studying the Book of Acts. By the Light of God's love, we've witnessed the newly formed ancient church grow into the beautifully diverse Body of Christ, and by the gift of God's grace, we still sense the Spirit nudging us all to keep "ACTing Out" our faith in similar ways today. Like Paul and the other Apostles, we too have storms and struggles to navigate, but with God's help, we make it through them "without hindrance." Those are the last two words Acts shares with us. They are a hopeful, comforting, and resilient sentiment, just like the Lord our God who strengthens us in this journey of faith. All are welcome to worship with us this week as we reflect on the end of this sermon series and push ourselves to remember how the Church is called to keep "ACTing Out" our faith together.

Sunday's Scripture:

Acts 27:13-26, NRSV

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31 NRSV

Sermon Title: "ACTing Out:

Without Hindrance"

Wish to worship with us again or during the week?

Click below to view last week's worship service.

Our Fall Sunday Night Suppers continue for the next four weeks! On Sunday evenings, we will enjoy some blessed fellowship and study God's Word. Dinner starts at 5:00 pm and after that, Children, Youth, and adults will break apart for their own fun and learning from 5:30-6:30 pm. Our passages come from a few of the parables in Luke's Gospel that Jesus shared to better explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. This week's text focuses on the Parable of the Great Feast from Luke 14:15-24. All are welcome to gather around Christ's table together!

Your Session met on Monday, August 18 for our regularly stated meeting. A devotion was offered, minutes were reviewed and committee reports were received. This included minutes from a called session meeting on August 10 to proceed with the recommended architectural partner for the future facility master plan. Special thanks was given to Jim Fisher and the Buildings & Facilities committee for coordinating the installation of a new main water pipe for the facility. Additionally, approval was given to host another Rise Against Hunger food packing event for April 12, 2026 (the Sunday after Easter). The next stated Session meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 5:30 pm.

In Christ,

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

Your Faith Formation Committee would like to invite all parents, guardians, grandparents, or any other caregiver to fill out this brief Informational Survey on behalf of the child or youth in your life. Please let us know how our ministry can better serve your kids, we would love to ride the waves of life alongside you and your family!

As our students begin their new semester, our church family has an opportunity to support our youth by providing meals for Sunday night youth gatherings. Please follow the link below to see the youth dinner schedule and sign up. Or if you would simply like to contribute to cover meal, please contact Tyler directly. Thanks so much for supporting our fantastic youth group!

The 2025 Officer Nominating Committee (ONC) is authorized by the Session to accept suggestions from church members to serve as Elders for the class of 2028, Trustees for the class of 2028, and members of the 2026 Officer Nominating Committee. 

From the names you suggest, and dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit, the ONC will move a slate of five individuals for your approval as Elders, two individuals as Trustees, as well as three individuals to serve on next year’s ONC. In accordance with the Book of Order, a congregational meeting to elect officers has been called by the Session at the conclusion of worship on Sunday, October 26. The deadline for returning your suggestions is Sunday, September 14. You may offer your submissions by completing a nomination form and returning it to the church office or emailing it to Mary directly. Thank you for taking the time to discern who God is calling to lead our church family in this new season!

Mark your calendars, because our fourth annual Pumpkin Patch will be here before you know it! Things kick off with our pumpkin roll out on Saturday, September 27. We will meet in the front courtyard to unload the delivery truck at 9:00 am. The Pumpkin Patch grand opening will be the following day on Sunday, September 29 at 11:00 am after worship. All sales go to support our children and youth ministries, such as helping to send our youth to the Montreat Youth Conference.

Please click below to fill out a short survey letting us know how you can help out during this year's Pumpkin Patch. Assistance will be needed throughout the month of October, so please plan on lending a helping hand!

Children are always welcome in worship and have a special time together down front after the prayer of confession. All children may enjoy “Children’s Church” downstairs during the sermon and may be picked up downstairs after worship.

God is doing great things in the life of the Children’s Ministry! If you would like to come downstairs and see for yourself, talk to Tyler about volunteering with the nursery or with the children. Additionally helpers are needed on Sunday nights as we continue to share God's love with our kiddos.

Sunday School Classes meet after worship at 11:15 am. The Disciples class meets in room 218 and the Remnant Class meets in room 221. Please speak with David to learn more about how you can participate in these lively discussions or any other faith formation opportunity. 

The Holston Presbytery Youth will be hosting a trip to the Johnson City Family Skate Center on August 24. This trip is open to any middle and high school aged kids! The van will leave from the church at 3:30 pm and we will be arriving back at the church around 6:30 pm. Contact Tyler if you would like to come!

Save the Date for CHPC's “Fall Firsts” on Wednesday, September 3 at 5:15 pm as the church gathers for a shared supper. This unstructured time is a wonderful opportunity for the Body of Christ to break bread together and enjoy each other's company during the middle of the week. Special thanks to the Men's Fellowship for feeding the church for this first monthly gathering. Family and friends are welcome, so please spread the word!

The Presbyterian Association of Musicians hosts a Festival of Choirs on September 12 & 13 at First Presbyterian in Morristown. More information, including how to register, may be found here.

CHPC partners with The Marsh Regional Blood Center for a Blood Drive on October 19th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Participants can contact the Church Office prior to the event to schedule an appointment. Please note if you have provided a blood donation after August 25 that you cannot participate in this event. Please contact Mike Strickler with any questions.

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:

William Savage (KC Savage's brother) John Fitzgerald and his son JR Fitzgerald (Amanda Livingston's cousins) Family of Charles Gibson,

Fr. James Fliss (Doreen Heppert's brother), Family of Ed Dempsey,

Robert Blessing (Patti Garrett's father), Tina Whiteaker (Teresa Stricker's sister), Jonathan and Brenda Hutchins, Bonnie Cole, Beverly Shelton, Barbara Holt, Ramona Gothard, Joyce Callahan

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

Mary Ann Smith, Mae Dale, Sue Fortney,

Linda Gibson, Wayne & 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!