Deacon Ordination and Communion, Sunday Feb. 5

This Sunday, February 5, we will gather for a special time of worship together.  Ruth Barnard will be ordained by our church as a deacon.  Ruth and Sterling have been members of our church for several years, and Ruth has begun serving as our church treasurer this year.  We welcome Ruth to the Chatham Baptist Board of Deacons as she begins a three-year term of service and ministry.

As is our custom on the first Sunday of the month, we will also gather around the Lord’s Table this Sunday to share communion.  This is our first communion of 2012, and I invite you to join us this week for these two significant moments in the life of our church.

Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 PM

Our annual Christmas Eve service of carols, candles and communion will begin at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 24, 2011.  The come-as-you-are service will last about 45 minutes, and families are encouraged to bring everyone from babies to grandparents for this special event.  We’ll sing familiar Christmas carols, read the Christmas story from both Old and New Testaments, and celebrate communion together in the glow of Christmas candles.

On Christmas Day which falls on Sunday this year, we will gather at 11 AM for worship only.  I hope to see you at both services as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! May you have a wonderful Christmas with those you love.

A Shepherd’s Story

Sunday, December 11th, Chatham Baptist Children and Youth present: A Shepherd’s Story by Pam Andrews. The play will be during the morning service. Please come show your support!

Christmas Caroling

Saturday, December 10th, we will be singing Christmas Carols to different members in Chatham. We will meet at the church at 2:00 PM. Please plan to attend. Bring your Christmas hats!

Community Thanksgiving Service

We had a room full at our community Thanksgiving service tonight.

Community Thanksgiving Meal and Service

This year our community Thanksgiving service is Wednesday, November 16, at Chatham Baptist Church.  Dinner will be served at 5:45 PM, followed by the Thanksgiving service around the tables at 6:30 PM.  Reverend Mikel Pugh, pastor of Chatham Presbyterian Church, will present the Thanksgiving message.

Youth Meeting

There will be a youth meeting on  Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 6:00 PM.

Anyone and everyone that loves children and has a passion for youth is invited. Even if you are not able to volunteer directly with the children, still attend. The meeting will take place in the Fellowship Hall. If you are not able to attend and still have ideas or concerns, please call Erica Galvan at 432-8003.

I firmly believe that our church will be a healthier, more effective ministry if we have a healthy young teen ministry. We will attract more families, raise future leaders, and connect with kids of an age that is possibly the most receptive to life-long change and commitment to Christ.

 

From The Pastor

Our Sunday School class plus another 90 people had on these great T-shirts for Pastor Appreciation Day!

What A Surprise!

You did it!  You outdid yourselves for this year’s Pastor Appreciation Month when you surprised us on Sunday, October 30, wearing red T-shirts that said, “We Love Chuck & Debbie.”

But that wasn’t all!  We all enjoyed a wonderful covered-dish lunch at Ben and Betty’s farm on a beautiful autumn afternoon.  Add to that the hand-crafted gifts from our boys and girls, your many expressions of support, the “big card” everybody signed, and many personal cards and gifts – all of that made the day one we will never forget.  We love you, too, and are grateful to be able to serve our Lord here with you at Chatham Baptist Church.

On the June 21, we began our eighth year together as pastor and people.  I have served several wonderful church congregations, but you are special to us in so many ways.  Thank you for your support and expressions of appreciation.

Welcome, Erica!

In the month of October we welcomed Erica Galvan into a new position, Church Ministries Coordinator.  In addition to her duties in the office, Erica has taken on responsibility for developing activities for children and youth, while coordinating everything we do here at Chatham Baptist Church.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know Erica, you should soon.

Community Thanksgiving Meal and Service

This year our Community Thanksgiving Service will be on Wednesday night, November 16.   We’ll join together with the Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians for dinner and then a brief Thanksgiving service around the tables.   See the calendar for details, and plan to join us on that Wednesday.

Advent and Christmas

Before you know it, Advent and Christmas will be here.  Keep this newsletter handy as your guide to all the services, programs, and activities of the Christmas season.  Christmas in Chatham is always special, and this year will be no exception.  Because Christmas is on Sunday this year, we’ll give you and your family time to enjoy Christmas morning together, and then gather for worship only at 11 AM.  Of course, our Christmas Eve service will be at 5:30 PM the night before.

As always, Debbie and I love serving here with you, especially during this season.  May God bless you and your family as we serve Him…together!

Free Concert to Benefit Danville Arts

Free concert to be held on Sunday, Oct 23, 3:00PM at 767 Main St., the former Main St United Methodist Church, Danville,  featuring Mt.Hermon Creative Arts Team (liturgical dance), an outstanding 13-year-old violinist, organists, a pianist and a singer.  An offering will be taken to construct a restroom on the main floor of the 1869 historic church building.  See Jean Vernon for details. Please plan to attend.

Operation Inasmuch This Saturday, October 8

Operation Inasmuch is the Pittsylvania Baptist Association’s joint effort to help our community and its residents.  Over 140 individual projects, carried out by almost 1,000 volunteers, will take place on Saturday, October 8.  Over 80% of the PBA’s churches are participating, and the event has been over a year in planning.

Here’s the clip WSET ran Tuesday night during the evening news:
http://www.wset.com/story/15616262/140-volunteer-projects-being-performed-by-southside-volunteers