eChimes for
September, 2019
From the Pastor's Mac


What Matters?

In Luke chapter 10, we read the story of Jesus and his friends having dinner at the home of Mary and her sister, Martha. Martha fussed to Jesus about her sister sitting with Jesus instead of helping in the kitchen. Jesus corrects Martha saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things,” suggesting that Mary had chosen “the better part.”

This story rubs a lot of people the wrong way, and I get it. You would think Jesus would be grateful that someone was preparing the dinner he would soon enjoy instead of reprimanding Martha in front of her guests, but that’s not what happened. Why was Jesus reprimanding Martha? I think it had less to do with her dinner preparations and more to do with the fact that she was “worried and distracted by many things.”

In our culture, it’s hard not to be a “Martha.” We are a worried people. We are a distracted people. It seems that we’re always being told about the next crisis, some catastrophe just around the corner. “Buy this or else you’ll be a victim of this impending doom,” we’re told.

Given that noise, what might happen if we stopped collectively and asked, “What Really Matters?” What did Jesus teach about what matters? At the end of a week, or month, or year, or life, how well will we have focused on that which really matters as opposed to the shiny object or the next catastrophy.

This fall, that will be the focus of our sermon series: “What Matters?” I hope you’ll join us as we take up this question, seeking to find a bit more meaning in a culture that keeps us distracted.

Love and light,
RevBlev

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This month, please join me in prayer for Herb McLaughlan and family as they grieve the loss of Mary Ann. A Celebration of Life for Mary Ann will be held at the Chapel on Saturday, September 7 at 11 am. Also please be in prayer for the family of George Tice; a graveside service will be held at Sylvan Abbey on Saturday, September 7 at 2 pm. Also, please pray for the Bahamas and those recovering from Hurricane Dorian.

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You can now listen to my sermons via podcast! Subscribe to my channel on iTunes at The Clergy Chick.























Chapel By The Sea will be collecting Bahama Relief donations the next two Sundays; September 8 & 15. For your convenience the Chapel Coach will be parked on the north side of the Chapel under the portico. Please bring your donations directly to the Coach. During the week these donations will be delivered to Albert Witted Airport in St. Pete and loaded on flights to the Bahamas.

If you prefer a cash, check or credit card donation, please denote Bahamas Relief. Donations will be sent to Church World Service through the ICCC.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!


The Chapel Chicks will be holding an encore event on September 10 at 11:00 am in the Conference Room. Together we’ll watch and discuss a video then walk to a nearby restaurant to enjoy lunch together.

No registration needed—just show up!






We’ll watch Amy Cuddy’s 2012 TED Talk and learn how our body language can shape who we are.
Back to School
Backpack Project
 
On Sunday, August 11, Chapel By The Sea held the annual "Back To School Backpack Project" followed by a potluck luncheon in Chapel Hall. A big thank you to all who generously donated over 100 backpacks and loads of school supplies.

Just in time for the first day of school, JoBeth Dickson and Debbie Wilson delivered the school supplies to Sandy Lane Elementary School.

Thank you to everyone who donated school supplies and brought delicious food to the Potluck. Another successful event hosted by our Congregational Life Committee.


From our Parish Nurse
Carla Creegan, RN, MSN


Please look for upcoming monthly events in Chapel Chimes, Church calendar, E-Chimes and the weekly bulletin.
 
Beginning in September with blood pressure screening and “Talk to the Nurse”.  I will refer to this as “group therapy for the healthy congregation”!
Then in October will begin the first of every other month formal education classes on the topics the focus group selected. Each class will offer a light, healthy lunch and of course handout materials. There will be sign up sheets in Friendship Foyer for all these events.
 
Here is the lineup of events through 2019:
 
  •  September 15—Blood Pressure Screening &Talk to the Nurse
  • October 20—Improve Sleep—Sleep Hygiene & the Importance of Vaccines for Children & Senior’s.
  •  November 17—Blood Pressure Screening & Talk to the Nurse
  • December 15—Healthful Holiday Tips and Recipes
 
I am available before church between 8-9 am for personal consultation. In addition to health for the geriatric population, I can provide resources for addiction issues. This is confidential assistance to you or a loved one in need of help. You will find me at a table near the Parish Nurse bulletin board in Friendship Foyer.  If you need to contact me during the week call or text me at (727) 439-8119 or [email protected]
 



Sunday
September 29, 2019
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM








Join us for this special emphasis Sunday in which we consider our role in being stewards of the earth. Following worship we’ll enjoy a potluck luncheon together in which, David Yates , CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium , will offer a compelling presentation about the newly formed, Clearwater-based, Ocean Allies and what we can do together to care for God’s creation.

Sign up for the potluck in Friendship Foyer before or after church on Sundays; September 8, 15 & 22.

Please join us for this event!
Ocean Allies

Chapel By The Sea is Ocean Allie certified. We join a growing number of Clearwater Beach businesses and organizations committed to keeping our oceans safe and reducing plastic.

We are making small changes here at the Chapel and will share frequently in the bulletin ideas how you can help us make small changes that will make a big difference!



YouTube


Every Sunday our Media Technician, Leon Tomlinson, records the Sunday  service. Following the service it is posted to YouTube. This is a great opportunity for our seasonal members, homebound, or anyone unable to attend in person to be part of Chapel By The Sea. Simply go to our website:  www.chapelbythesea.net
 
·   click sermons
·   select a date
·   click “click here for video” to watch
 
You may also  click “read more” which allows you to read the sermon from a recent weekly service.
August Attendance & Contributions
Attendance

August 4.......................133
August 11......................141
August 18......................162
August 25.......................136
TOTAL August Attendance - 572

August - TOTAL Contributions...........$9,738.00

Calendar for September

Every Week:
Sunday
10:00 am - Worship Service, Sanctuary followed by Orange Juice Fellowship
9:15 am thru 11:15 am - Nursery is available for children infant through 4's in Nursery/Toddler Rm.
10:00 am - Children's Sunday School start in church
6:00 pm - Alcoholics Anonymous - Meeting Room 3
Monday
9:30 am - Al-Anon, Meeting Room 3
Tuesday
6:00 pm - Alcoholics Anonymous - Meeting Room 3
Wednesday
7:00 pm - Sunset Beach Walking Club, Chapel parking lot
7:00 pm - Choir Practice - Sanctuary
Thursday
10:30 am - Bible Fellowship - Conference Room
6:00 pm - Alcoholics Anonymous - Meeting Room 3


September 10 - 11:00 am - Chapel Chicks
September 10 - 6:30 pm - CBA Meeting - Chapel Hall
September 10 - 7:00 pm - Music Director Search Team Meeting - Conference Room
September 10 - 7:00 pm - Property Committee Meeting
September 15 - Blood Pressure Checks - "Talk to the Nurse"
September 18 - 6:00 pm - Size Transition Task Force - Conference Room
September 18 - 7:00 pm - Church Board Meeting - Conference Room
September 19 - 1:00 pm - Peace Cafe Cooking - Peace Memorial Church
September 27 - 5:30 pm - Rider/Gordon Wedding Rehearsal - Sanctuary
September 28 - 5:30 pm - Rider/Gordon Wedding - Sanctuary
September 29 - Care For Creation Sunday & Potluck

Save These Dates:
October 5 - Praisin Pooches II
October 22 - Recycling Presentation
November 9 - Rise Against Hunger
February 1, 2020 - Beach Walk/Walk
Beach Walking Group on Wednesdays - 7:00 PM
 There is an evening walking group that meets every Wednesday at 7 pm for fun, fitness, and friendship. Please come out and join the sunset group which meets in the church parking lot. What a great way to get healthy and make new friends! All are welcome. Free to park. Free to walk. Free to talk.




Rise Again Hunger

Join us on November 9, 2019, to again package meals to support this worthy cause. It’s a fun event; all ages are welcome and we will have jobs for all volunteers!


Christian Education Programs

Children & Youth Programs    
Sunday School

Our youth Sunday School program offers curriculums attending to nursery, grade school, pre-teen, and teenage students specific to their interests and learning abilities.
 
The “ Deep Blue ” At Home With God series presents a Full Faith Experience for toddlers and children 5-9. Pre-teens and teens are stimulated by the highly interactive “re-form” series that cleverly engages students to ponder life’s big questions like, Does God Still Create Stuff Today? Or, Who wrote the Bible? And, of course, we indulge in some healthy snacks to keep our energy high! 
 
This program starts when the children come out of the 10:00 worship service on Sunday mornings. 

The Nursery is open for those 4 and under .
  
  • Thursday Morning Bible Fellowship continues: You are invited to join the THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE FELLOWSHIP which is currently studying the many interpretations of the life and teachings of Jesus. The Fellowship meets at 10:30 am in the Conference Room for informal study and discussion on the subject of living our faith. Our group is multi-age, multi-gender, multi-denominational.
parkinglot
Parking

Parking is available in the church parking lot, and the entire City lot across the street. The parking charges on Sunday don’t start until 12:30 p.m. so that parking for church is free.

The Chapel currently contracts with Florida Parking Co. to    manage our lot outside of Sunday service hours. There is a solar    kiosk along with an attendant on duty during peak parking times.  Church members and guests can park free for events and meetings at the church. If you come for a meeting or event when an attendant is on duty, simply tell them you are here for church business and that will suffice. You may also place a church bulletin on your dashboard to ensure the attendant knows you are a Chapel By The Sea member.

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September Birthdays



Morgan Sides...............September 01
Richard Brant...............September 02
Marc Dal Balcon...............September 02
Rick Frye...............September 02
Jeanne Rich...............September 02
David Bell............... September 03
Diana Schilleman............... September 03
Jan Burke...............September 04
Nancy Gardinier............... September 04
Albert Hawi...............September 05
Linda Mabrey...............September 05
Ronald Mall...............September 06
Susan Watt...............September 06
Robyn Lyons...............September 07
Bill Johnson...............September 09
Julia Snyder...............September 09
Kent Maxwell...............September 11
Gary McRae...............September 11
Chris Brown...............September 12
Jackie Sullivan...............September 12
Margaret Amburgey...............September 14
Donald Brackett...............September 14
Jim Abegglen...............September 15
Adam Kozusko...............September 15
Madison Holder...............September 16
Terrance Ryan...............September 16
Ava Burnett...............September 17
Christine Sinicrope...............September 17
Janice Lex...............September 18
David Lomaka...............September 18
Kevin Sullivan...............September 19
Frances McAfoos...............September 20
Ian Reed...............September 20
Matthew Nocernio...............September 21
Beth Prast...............September 23
Sally Mitchell................September 24
Joshua Brandt...............September 26
Candy Zimmerman...............September 27
Susan Luce...............September 28
Greg Grice...............September 29
John Doran...............September 30
Zach Hawi................September 30
Joe Holmes...............September 30
Shauna Sconce...............September 30
Joyce Smith...............September 30
 
Peace Café – The Chapel participates in feeding the homeless at the Peace Memorial Church “Peace Café” on the third Thursday of every month. 12-15 individuals are needed each time to serve food, carry trays and clean up afterward. The next date is September 19. Please contact Teddi McCune if you can help - [email protected] or 727-481-1855.
 

"HAVEN ORANGE SUITCASE PROJECT” For September
 
PLEASE READ CURRENT GUIDELINES for the “HAVEN ORANGE SUITCASE PROJECT” (including some recent changes):
 
Chapel-By-The-Sea's  “Haven Orange Suitcase Project” collects the items listed below for the Safe House of “The Haven of RCS” Domestic Violence Center - which provides a temporary Safe House and other  services for victims of domestic violence in our community and their dependent   children.
The Haven Safe House residents are now in need of NEW REGULAR-SIZE TOILETRIES ( Shampoo, Soap & Body Wash, Lotions, Dental items, Cosmetics, Hair & Grooming Care)   as well as Towels, Washcloths, Single-bed Linens, Socks, Undergarments, C anvas & Duffel Bags, and Luggage .
Please note that at their request and due to storage limitations and other resources at the Safe House, we now collect and deliver only  the very much needed  donations listed above . All items listed are collected at the "Orange Suitcase" table in Friendship Foyer from which they are sorted and distributed to The Haven.
 
Two Important Changes :
1) Clothing is no longer received at the Safe House. (Thrift stores welcome them.)
2) Mini-toiletry hotel-type donations are now collected by Maureen Friday in a separate container NEXT TO the Orange Suitcase for the RCS Food Bank.
 
Thank you for adjusting as needs change at The Haven and for your continued support!! (Questions?  Contact Lorraine Freitag).
Orange Suitcase
  Annual FACES Luncheon
 
The annual "Haven of RCS Faces of Domestic Violence Luncheon" will be held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 409 S. Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; the luncheon/program is 12 - 1:00 p.m. It is a ticketed event ($25) that benefits The Haven and its mission.
If you attended last year, you should receive a written invitation in the coming week to make a reservation, which includes a "Comments" section where you can indicate if you would like to sit at the Chapel-By-The-Sea table. Without a written invitation you can make a reservation at the RCS website: www.rcspinellas.org/ (click on "Events" then "Faces" then "Individual"). The “Comment" section is there.
In either case RCS suggests letting Lorraine Freitag (441-8539) know if you wish to sit with other Chapel attendees so she can send a list to the planner ahead of the event.
 
Amazon Smil e Program
Chapel by the Sea is enrolled in the Amazon Smile program. When you next go to Amazon to shop, instead go to  smile.amazon.com and choose us as your charity. Amazon will donate to Clearwater Beach Community Church dba Chapel-By-The-Sea. 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. It is a simple and automatic way for you to  support the Chapel every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at  smile.amazon.com , you’ll find the exact same low prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to us.
 
Thank you for your support.

RCS Food Donation Barrel

The RCS food donation barrel is located in the south corner of Friendship Foyer. The RCS truck picks up Chapel By the Sea donations on the 2nd Tuesday each month. September 10 is the next pickup date. Thank you in advance for your continued generous contributions of food for this worthwhile organization!


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Water Coolers

There are now water coolers in the Narthex and Church Office. Eliminating single serve plastic bottles is another small step the Chapel is making since becoming Ocean Allies.

Prayer Chain - To place someone on the prayer Chain or to join the group, contact Jan Burke at 418-5736 or [email protected] .

Condolences to the family of George Tice;
Herb McLachlan and Family on the loss of Mary Ann McLachlan