Friends,

The music ministry is an important aspect of our worship life here at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church. It helps to prepare our hearts for the worship of Almighty God and it speaks to us in ways that sometimes words alone are unable to achieve. While we have been working to create a meaningful worship service on Sunday mornings, the Staff Transition Team has been working hard throughout the weeks to navigate a challenging hiring process to find that right Director of Music after Carlene's retirement last fall. A job description was developed alongside the Worship Ministry Team and various musical stakeholders and interviews have been conducted with qualified candidates to see who God is calling to serve in this capacity.

And yet, something didn't feel quite right. It seemed to me and to others that God's Spirit was moving throughout our work in a different yet familiar direction. After a time of intentional discernment with Session and various members of the music ministry, I am pleased to announce that God was leading us directly to our friend Carolyn. Carolyn has the professional skills to succeed in her role as Choir Director and she has the gifts we need at this time to continue coming together in worship as one church family. She leads the choir with grace and she brings out the best in all those she serves alongside. I am grateful for Carolyn's willingness to serve in this capacity and am excited to see how God uses her to make a meaningful impact in our shared worship life.

I am proud of how our leadership took the time to thoughtfully discuss and pray over this change in direction and I am willing to speak with anyone who has questions about our music ministry or current staffing structure. Thank you for the faithfulness you've shown throughout this time of transition as we prepare to make a joyful noise to God in worship. May we continue to be a blessing to our community, not just on Sunday morning but each and every day of the week.

Gratefully,

- David

The Season of Advent continues this Sunday, December 11 with a focus

on this week's theme of Joy.

Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church is partnering with Colonial Heights Baptist Church to support their annual ministry of ringing the Salvation Army Bell at the Walmart on Fort Henry Drive.

We will be ringing the bell from 11am to 7pm on Thursday, December 15. One to two hours slots are available for those who are interested in serving. Please contact David directly to sign up with your preferred time. Thank you to our Mission Ministry Team for supporting this ecumenical effort!

In order to plan for this trip, we will be having a special joint Youth Group meeting from 5-7p on Sunday, January 8. Our goal is to discern whether God is calling us to attend the Montreat Youth Conference or to participate in an Appalachian Service Project trip. Parents are also encouraged to attend to hear more about both of these great opportunities.

The Youth Group will be having a Progressive Dinner Christmas Party this Sunday evening, December 11!

We will make several stops to the homes of church members to enjoy different dinner courses and Christmas activities. We will meet at the Randolph home at 5pm and take the van from there. Pickup will be back at the church at 8pm.

Please contact Tyler with any questions.

Thank you to all who supported this year's angel tree in partnership with SMILE! Don't forget any remaining gifts for the red and green angels should be left at the church by Friday, December 9. Gifts for the white angels that restock the supply closet at SMILE are due January 1. Thank you for helping to bring joy into the lives of these children within our community!

Thank you to all who ordered poinsettias as part of the CHPC Christmas Memorial Gifts program. All names will be printed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 18 and any poinsettias may be picked up after the Christmas Eve service. Monetary contributions may still be offered through December 12 and will go to the church's renovation fund.

Martha's Circle would like to invite anyone to join us on Tuesday, December 13 at 10:30am in the parlor. Mary Ann Smith will lead our Bible Study, "Sabbath". We will discuss future mission projects and just socialize, too. Please contact Lois Bronson with any questions.

All are welcome to our annual Wholeness & Healing service on Thursday, December 15 at 6pm in partnership with Waverly Road Presbyterian Church. This 30-minute service offers a dedicated time for peace and solitude during the busy Christmas season incorporating prayer, scripture, and communion. A nursery will be available for our littlest Presbyterians.

Christmas Eve is almost here! We will celebrate the coming of our Lord with a candle light service on Saturday, December 24 at 8pm in the Sanctuary. On Christmas Day, we will worship with a carols service at 4pm. All are welcome to both of these special services!

As 2022 comes to an end, we continue to prepare for Christ's coming by generously giving of our tithes and offerings. Thank you for your continued support of Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church and for the ministry you help to make possible. Please make sure any final contributions are postmarked by December 31 to be included in this year's final giving statement. If you have any questions about your giving or would like to complete your pledge for 2022, please contact Sarah Johnson at finance@chpres.org or by calling the office.

Office Hours remain the same 9am to 3pm, Monday -Thursday. The key code and fobs are not working in our main office door. We are working on the solution.

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

Prayer Requests