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!

Having just studied what Jesus says in Mark’s Gospel about “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath,” I’ve been praying about how I am to keep sabbath in my own life, and even how we are to keep sabbath together as a family of faith. The Sabbath is a day set apart from the other six because God blessed it and called it “holy”. Exodus exclaims it’s because God rested after the work of creation; Deuteronomy declares it’s because God rescued Israel out of slavery in Egypt; Jesus says, “it’s because we need it.” Human-beings need time to rest our bodies, renew our spirits, and delight in the Lord our God. 

The poet Wendell Barry is a writer I admire. One practice he has maintained since 1979, is to take a walk every Sunday morning and then head home to write what he calls a “Sabbath poem.” These reflections are deeply spiritual, even if they do not quote verses of scripture verbatim. A collection sits on the desk in my study and I’ve started to read one each day I come to the church as a small practice of observing the sabbath that I preach. This one struck me earlier this week: 

“Whatever is foreseen in joy

Must be lived out from day to day.

Vision held open in the dark

By our ten thousand days of work.

Harvest will fill the barn; for that

The hand must ache, the face must sweat.

And yet no leaf or grain is filled

By work of ours; the field is tilled

And left to grace. That we may reap,

Great work is done while we’re asleep.

When we work well, a Sabbath mood

Rests on our day, and finds it good.”

(“This Day: New and Collected Sabbath Poems” by Wendall Berry)

So take some time and ask yourself: 

• How do we live out God’s joy day to day?
• By the grace of God, what work could create the gift Sabbath’s rest, not just for ourselves, but for our neighbor too?
• When will we find our “good” and be willing to rest like God, our creator, redeemer, and sustainer?

If you’re anything like me, those answers might be easier said than done; but the more often we can remember to honor the gift of the Fourth Commandment - the more we intentionally set aside time to rest our bodies, renew our spirits, and delight in the Lord our God - the closer we will be to encountering the risen Jesus who meets us and heals us in places like Galilee. 

Gratefully,

 - David

Sunday's Scripture:

Mark 2:1-11, NRSV

Join us this Sunday as we continue our new Summer Sermon Series where we will accompany Jesus throughout the region of Galilee. Mark's Gospel begins in Galilee and it concludes by telling Jesus' followers they will see him again in Galilee. Come and see how the simple message of an itinerant religious teacher from a small fishing community sparked a spiritual fire that set our world ablaze!

Come share the Peace of Christ with coffee and fellowship before worship beginning at 9:30am in the Parlor! Don't forget that this week's worship service will include the celebration of communion, as we gather together around the Lord's table to proclaim the Good News of God's grace.

Wish to worship with us again? 

Click below to view last week's worship service.

Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church is so proud of our recent Dobyns-Bennett High School graduates, Lydia Garrett and Isaac Whitson! Both are beloved children of God who we cannot wait to see how the Lord leads them to be a positive influence in our world, no matter where the places they will go! Please keep them both, and their families, in your prayers as Lydia prepares to enroll at Tennessee Tech and Isaac begins studying anthropology.

Save the date for two more child-centered events coming up later this summer. On June 23, children and their families will participate in a putt-putt adventure to Paradise Acres. Then on July 28, the entire church will enjoy a picnic and field day in Warriors Path State Park. More details to follow as the events get closer, but if you have any questions, contact Tyler. Spread the word and see you there!

CHPC's Financial Administrator, Sarah Johnson, will be working on a new weekly schedule this summer. From Monday, May 20 on, she will be in the office on Mondays and Wednesday from 9am to 2pm. We ask that you please keep these office hours in mind if you ever need her assistance, and any check requests will need to be received by Wednesdays at 10am. Please contact her by phone at (423)239-9194 or by email at finance@chpres.org if she can be of any help to you. 

Since 1955, Holston Camp and Retreat Center has offered youth from our area and abroad the opportunity to seek God while building nurturing relationships and having fun outdoors. It’s a time to make new friends, learn new activities and skills, and simply enjoy God’s creation. CHPC is proud to partner in ministry with Holston Camp. Please consider learning more and making space in your summer for a fun time at camp! You can register for Summer Camp at Holstoncenter.org.

Our Adult Sunday School Classes continue this Sunday. The Disciples Class will meet in room 218 and the Remnant will meet in room 221. Contact David to learn more about participating in either class.

The Youth Group will celebrate the end of the school year by traveling down to Johnson City to visit Into The Fire for a pottery painting outing! Church van will leave this Sunday evening at 4:30pm and we will be back at the church by 8pm.

The Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study will be following along with David's sermon series on the book of Mark. Join us as we take a sneak peak at the weekly sermon scriptures and discuss the passages in Mark's gospel, anticipating the hearing of the Word proclaimed on Sunday morning. Group meets each Wednesday at 3pm in the parlor for prayer, fellowship and lively discussion.

The Spirit continues to move each Wednesday evening at CHPC with a special time for prayer at 6:30pm. This weekly prayer gathering meets for a 30 minute intentional time of communal prayer and contemplation. Please contact Elder Donna Whitson if you would like to participate.

Save the Date for this CHPC's Annual August Splash Down on Saturday, August 10. This will be the perfect way for the entire congregation to celebrate the end of the first week of school!

Mark your calendars now for next year's Annual Churchwide Retreat at Holston Camp and Retreat Center from May 2 -4, 2025! We had such a wonderful time this year and we cannot wait to go back.

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

Prayer Requests 

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

Beverly Shelton, Ginny Snow, Lee Walker, Boyd Holder,

Bobbie Cooper (Sharon Pugh's mother), Bethany Thompson, Shirley Hurst, Friends of Miller Lyons, Family of Leon Boyd, Family of Sue Anderson (Donna Weinman's Mother), Esther Favors (Tyler Paulsen's Grandmother), Family of Lois Carter (Bronwen Huff's Mother), Kirk Cole

Family of Angela Kelly (Bill Kelly's Wife), Evelyn Hill

Health Care/Assisted Living Facilities

Anne Hertel, Evelyn Hill, Sue Fortney, Charles and Linda Gibson,

Betty McMillin, Wayne & Millie Pruett