Click HERE for our Website

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Longboat Key, Florida 34228

(941) 383-6491

The Chap7line

December 24, 2024

“The Message of Christmas”


I don’t remember when I first learned about Christmas, do you? My family was already talking about Christmas before I was born, so I don’t think I’ve ever NOT KNOWN about Christmas. What about you? Do you remember your first Christmas?


Believe it or not, there was a time in history when people didn’t know about Christmas. Christmas, as we know and recognize it, wasn’t added to the official Roman calendar until 354AD, after church leaders convened a meeting and approved it. Though Rome and some other countries had been celebrating Christmas for 20-30 years under Emperor Constantine’s authority, it wasn’t until then that the Western Church finally agreed to recognize Christmas as its own special day. The Eastern Church, however, celebrates Christmas on January 6.


Yes, it took a while before everybody got the message. Without the internet, printing press, or even reliable means of transportation, it took a long time for people to transmit the message of Christmas. Can you imagine what it must have been like to learn about Christmas for the first time? Lots of adults learned of Christmas from another person. Maybe they heard it from a child. Perhaps they heard the message of Christmas from a missionary or clergyperson. 

Google says that the Message of Christmas is about Celebration, Reflection, Gratitude, Unconditional Love, Salvation, and Hope. Assuming that’s correct, we can definitely assume that the Message of Christmas became much bigger than the original church leaders ever thought. People didn’t yet know about Santa, Rudolph, or Charlie Brown, nor did the church leaders who finally approved it.


As Christians, we often talk (among each other) about the Message of Easter. We are correct in doing that because Easter points us directly towards Eternal Life with our LORD. Christmas, too, is a big deal, because it represents the beginning of something much bigger that we can see, smell, hear, or purchase.


Christmas represents what God chose to do for us. Our LORD chose to become completely vulnerable to whatever the world would (and could) do. That couldn’t have been an easy choice for God. God saw the suffering of the world, and rather than waving His hands to fix it, He came down and lived right among us. We needed more than just an instant fix. We needed someone to show us what to do over the course of a lifetime. We needed a real-life example to guide us.


It’s Christmas Eve. Experience Christmas today or tonight. Read the story. Better yet, read it with someone or experience it at any of the many local churches around you. Everyone needs to experience the Message of Christmas!


“Joseph went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.” (Luke 1:5-6, NRSV)


I hope to see you soon, in person or online, at the Chapel! 


God Bless, Brock.


Worship Service on Sunday, December 29

10:00 a.m.

Online Worship and in the Sanctuary

 "Worth the Wait"

Rev. Brock Patterson

Luke 2:22-38




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

Streaming Link

Purchase Your New Chair for the Sanctuary!


Our Sanctuary pews aren't going to make it! It costs much more to restore them than they are worth. If we did spend the money to fix them, (estimated at 75K or more), another flood would destroy them again! As a result, we are buying chairs!


Make your check payable for $85 per chair to the Longboat Island Chapel and indicate "chair purchase" in the memo line.

Christmas in the Garden 2024


Our magical Christmas Garden is open for strolling until 9 p.m.

 every evening through December 31st.


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 QR code attached or send a check or we can also take a credit card.

Call the Chapel office at 941-383-6491.

New Year’s Eve Celebration!

 Tuesday, December 31, 2024

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Shook Fellowship Hall


Rock out to John Rinnel, “The Voice of Solid Gold” will be performing your favorite dance hits.


Sign up in Shook Fellowship Hall or call the office at 941-383-6491.

 

Heavy appetizers provided. Bring your own beverage.


$15 donation suggested.



Charitable Outreach Committee

     “Baby It’s Cold Outside”


Sweater, Jacket and Coat Donation Drive

             (only ADULT sizes needed)


Please drop off new or very gently used donated items in

Shook Fellowship Hall starting Sunday January 5 until the end of January.

All donations will be given to Turning Points.


Gather and Give Social

Tuesday, January 21

5-7 p.m.

Shook Fellowship Hall

 

Bring a dish to share and your own beverage.

Shifting Sands

Thursday, January 2 (date change-originally was January 9)

10:00 a.m. in Shook Fellowship Hall


This group meets to assist each other in maneuvering through

difficult times.



Contact Rev. Jeffrey at: jeff@longboatislandchapel.org.

Volunteers Needed to Clean Up

the Christmas Garden

Sunday, January 5

starting at 11:00 a.m.


We can really use your help! Our Christmas Garden will end for the season on December 31. The more hands we have, the quicker and easier it becomes to clean up. Meet in Shook Fellowship Hall after Worship service. We hope you enjoyed the Garden this season!

Prayer Group

Thursday, January 9

8:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary


If you are available to pray Thursday, join us in the Sanctuary. Pray for the times, our planet, for all nations and for prayers that God has placed on our hearts.

Let's Have a Party! Why? Because We Can!

Sunday, January 12

11:15 a.m.

Shook Fellowship Hall


Do we need a reason? All our friends are back on the island and the weather is beautiful! That's enough for us!


Sign up in Shook Fellowship Hall prior to the event or call the office at 941-383-6491.

Chapel Book Club

Onansburg, Iowa Author: Peggy Lammers

Monday, January 20

Noon at the Lazy Lobster (LBK)


Our very own Peggy Lammers is an author! We will be reading and discussing her book. Peggy will be there to answer your questions. Please contact June Hessel for a seat reservation: junehessel@live.com.

The Lord's Warehouse is Re-Opening!

Saturday, February 1


It's been a lot of hard work! Thank you to all the Lord's Warehouse volunteers who have been helping get the warehouse back in business. They have been unstoppable! Our scheduled re-opening

is Saturday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.


Regular hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

from 9a.m.-1 p.m.

AA to Resume at the Chapel!


Alcoholics Anonymous will be starting again 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

Advent Reading presented by Valarie Evanko

and the Lord's Warehouse volunteers.

Fort Lonesome Country Western Band

in the Garden

Christmas Sweater Contest entrants!

This was lots of fun!

Thank you all for participating.

Connie Di Maggio and Michelle Giannico

in the Garden.

Ft. Lonesome played on December 19 in the Garden.

Hospitality Food Needed!


With the busy season approaching, we are in need of snacks and treats to be donated weekly for the hospitality table provided after each Service. Homemade or store bought, we love and appreciate it all!


Contact: Vickie Van Meier: victoriavammeier@yahoo.com or admin@longboatislandchapel.org or call #941-383-6491.

Sponsor Sanctuary Flowers for January


Now is the time to let us know if you would like to sponsor flowers for our Worship services during the Winter 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 last week at Sunday Worship!


Michelle and Tom Giannico,


Thank you to Renee Lynch and Vickie Van Meier

 for helping with the hospitality Sunday.



The Chapel offices will be closed

Wednesday, December 25 through January 5.




Happy Hanukkah!

May Your Miracles be Many!

Hurricane Relief Fund:



Total paid for Chapel hurricane recovery - $223,335

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: $254,267

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!