The Chapeline

“Can We Fix It? Yes, We Can!”

When one of my children was young, one of her favorite shows was an animated show called, “Bob the Builder.” The main character of the show, Bob the Builder, had lots of equipment vehicles, each of whom was alive. The backhoe would talk to the cement truck and the hydraulic crane would interact with the bulldozer. All of them could talk to each other and to Bob, and together, they would encounter some difficult building project that appeared to be impossible. During each show, they would encounter a task that required them to work together to accomplish. Bob and all the other characters would say together, “Can We Fix It? Yes We Can!”, encouraging them to continue the project. My daughter and I would watch the show together, and I used to encourage her when she would encounter a problem, “Can We Do It?” In her little girl voice, she would reply with enthusiasm, “Yes We Can!”

It’s funny. Here I am, a middle-aged pastor of a church that needs floors, chairs, a new roof, a driveway, air conditioners, and so on. Every once in a while, I find myself chanting in my head, “Can we fix/do/build it? Yes, We Can!” 

That’s silly, isn’t it? It doesn’t really have anything to do with Faith. The teaching purpose of Bob the Builder was to teach children how to work together to accomplish tasks and encourage them when things look difficult.

I suppose I could step into the pulpit and say, “Can We Do It?”, but I’m assuming the only response I’ll receive is a cricket’s chirp. Still, that phrase rolls around in my head when things seem really difficult. 

The creators of Bob the Builder probably never planned to encourage a pastor who, watching the show with his children, would need some occasional encouragement 25 years later. However, I learned very early in my pastoral role that God often uses all kinds of influences to help us make good, right, and strong decisions. The original intent of the influence, whether it’s a person, place, or thing, doesn’t need God’s permission to encourage and strengthen our Faith. If God can turn an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan then God can certainly change a terrible mess into a beautiful work of art.

Can we do it? Yes, we can!

See you at the Chapel this week, online and in person!

God Bless, Brock

Worship Service on Sunday, December 15

Third Sunday of Advent

10:00 a.m.

Online Worship and in the Sanctuary

 "Waiting on a Family"

Rev. Brock Patterson

Matthew 1:18-24



Watch Sunday Worship LIVE at 10 am (EST) on our website.

Remembrance Service for Reverend Charlie Shook

Sunday, December 15

Sanctuary at 2:00 pm

There will be a brief Visitation after the Service

Memorials preferred and made payable to Longboat Island Chapel.

Save this Chapeline newsletter for Service reminder and link.

Christmas in the Garden 2024

We are in need of volunteers December 10th until December 31 to help with chair set-up/takedown, and parking lot attendants for the events in the garden and also the New Year's Eve party.

• Tonight - December 10 - Chair set up starts at 5 p.m.
• Thursday, December 12 - Chair set up starts at 4 p.m.

Contact: Lesley Rife, 863-660-2044 or Kelly Shrout, 256-490-3378.

Our magical Christmas Garden is open until 9 p.m. every evening through December 31st.

TONIGHT! December 10 at 6 p.m. - Boris & Sax in the Garden

Thursday, December 12 at 6 p.m. - Sarasota Academy of the Arts Chorus- Bryan Eagan, Director, in the Garden.

Dress warmly for the outdoor events. In case of inclement weather,

events will be held in the Sanctuary.

Please Donate to the Christmas in the Garden Fund!

If you would like to donate towards the Christmas in the Garden fund, please use

the Venmo QR code below attached or if you prefer, send a check or call with a

credit card number.

Call the Chapel office at 941-383-6491 if you have any questions.

AA to Resume at the Chapel

Alcoholics Anonymous will be starting in the Vince Carroll Room (2nd floor) on Monday, January 6.

Meetings will be held every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

at 7:00 p.m.

All attendees must be able to climb stairs as our elevator is not yet in service. 

Pictures of the Week

The Lords Warehouse is Ramping up for Re-Opening Next Year!

The walls are replaced and painted, the air conditioner has been replaced and the floors are new!

NOW, we need help sorting, hanging and pricing items.

• Thursday, December 12, 9:00 a.m. to 12 pm.
• Saturday, December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers can come directly to the warehouse on the dates/times noted and help.

We are accepting donations on the front porch of the Lord's Warehouse.

Sponsor Sanctuary Flowers for December/January

Now is the time to let us know if you would like to sponsor flowers for our Worship services during the holiday season. Include your own special message!

Sign up in the Shook Fellowship Hall or contact the office at

941-383-6491. Don't forget to include any special colors you might

like too.

Thank You!

Thank you to our Ushers and Greeters who helped create a welcoming environment during Worship service last week!

Your care and generosity were appreciated!

Connie DiMaggio, Richard Engel, and June Hessel

Thank you to Val Evanko , Renee Lynch, and Chef David for planning and helping with the Champagne Brunch Sunday. We had a great crowd!

The Chapel offices will be closed

Wednesday, December 25 through January 5.

Hurricane Relief Fund:



Total paid for Chapel hurricane recovery - $194,294

Remaining balance in Reserves (for hurricane recovery) - $155,060

(Still Needed: Sanctuary Air Conditioners, Sanctuary Floors and Seating, New Roof, Driveway Maintenance, Elevator, Various Electric-related projects for Chapel and Lord's Warehouse. Amounts above DO NOT include several significant in-kind gifts of Kitchen equipment, Plumbing Projects, etc.)

Longboat Island Chapel

“Share the Light” Capital Campaign

Our Capital Campaign is in full swing to raise funds for expanding and upgrading our facilities. By donating to our campaign during 2024, you will be investing in our future and helping all of us achieve our long-term goals.

Bright yellow envelopes at the Welcome desk and also on our event sign-up table are designated for our “Share the Light” donations may be used for your contributions.

Are you away from LBK and wish to make a donation? Contact the Chapel Offices and we will make it happen! We can accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, investment transfers, IRA/SEP contributions, etc.

Contact Susan Schaefer at (941) 383-6491.

Chapel Goal: $640,000

Donations to Date: $252,187

Giving to The Chapel

• Checks and/or money orders written out to Longboat Island Chapel.

• Direct withdrawal from your bank to ours. Call the Chapel office at (941) 383-6491 for our routing and account numbers.

• All major credit cards are accepted. Simply contact the Chapel office at (941) 383-6491 to charge your one-time gift.

• Ongoing monthly support via your credit card. Office staff will be happy to debit your card at the beginning of each month in an amount established by you.

• Support the Longboat Island Chapel via the "donate" button, located on our website at www.longboatislandchapel.org. This may be a one time or ongoing contribution, whichever you prefer!



Thank you for your generosity!