Chapel Chimes February 2024
Flags from 200 countries surround our Peace Pole on January 7.
Life in the Shadow of the Cross By Rev. Rhonda Blevins
As I write this month’s newsletter article, I hear the buzz of volunteers cleaning up after another successful BeachWalk, the 15th BeachWalk Chapel by the Sea has led. I’ll have more to report in next month’s Chimes, numbers and participants and funds raised. What I can tell you right now is that once again, our amazing team of volunteers pulled off an incredibly successful event with happy, smiling participants enjoying supporting the work of two local nonprofits: Hope Villages of America and Homeless Empowerment Program. Good work, team! As we turn the pages of the calendar to February, we begin our Lenten preparations. Here’s the rundown on what’s happening during Lent to help us deeping our faith journeys: • The International Council of Community Churches, with whom we participate, is providing a free Lenten devotional guide which you can find at chapelbythesea.net/lent. • Joe Creegan begins a Lenten Sunday School study on February 11 at 9am. He’ll be exploring the “I Am’s” of Jesus during this seven-week course.
• Ash Wednesday is February 14. Once again we’ll be offering a drive-thru blessing and imposition of ashes from 10am–3pm. • The Lenten preaching series, “Life in the Shadow of the Cross,” begins February 18. • A drop-in Good Friday experience will be offered at the Chapel on March 29 from 10:30am–1:30pm. • We’ll celebrate Easter Sunday with a sunrise service at 7am and two traditional services at 8:30am and 10:00am. In the middle of our Lenten observations, we’ll celebrate our 75th Anniversary as a church with a special worship service on March 3 and a celebration banquet at Island Way Grill on March 7 (read more inside). As you can see, the Chapel is shining the light of Christ in so many good ways! What a blessing it is to be a part of this church. May you know the love of God in new and deepened ways as we do life together in the shadow of the cross. Love & light,
RevBlev
Bible Study: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Bible Study
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: the hybrid Tuesday Forum eats together at 6:30pm followed by class at 7pm (Zoom Meeting ID 895 0402 7068; Passcode: 417209) AND Thursdays in-person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these small group studies!
Chapel Chicks Luncheon
Chapel Chicks
FEBRUARY 6, NOON: Topic: February is American Heart Month. Presenter: Patrick Brafford, Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department. Learn about heart emergencies, how to help, how to use AEDs and their relationship to CPR. Hear stories from work in life saving professions. Register online or in the Chapel Office by February 5. Cost: $18
Fermenting the Faith, Second Thursdays
FEBRUARY 8, 7PM: This month at Rapp Brewery! Join us on the second Thursday of each month for some deep conversation around faith and theology. Nate Ryan, facilitator. All are welcome! Rapp Brewery is at 10930 Endeavour Way in Seminole.
Men’s Breakfast, Second Tuesdays
SECOND TUESDAYS @ 9AM. Meet with the Champs to enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Christian discussion. Leave with a full belly and soul. $10 suggested donation. Did you know? You can purchase a Chapel Champs shirt on our website! Visit chapelbythesea.net/chapel-store to order yours today!
Chapel Chicks Book Club
Book Club
FEBRUARY 27, 10:30AM: The Chapel Chicks Book Club meets every fourth Tuesday in the conference room. Online attendance is available via Zoom using the meeting ID: 836 1011 5212. This month’s reading selection is The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. For additional information email Allison Kitchens at allisonkitch66@ yahoo.com.
The Caregiver Toolkit
FEBRUARY 25, 11:15AM: Presented by Carla Creegan, MSN RN, Director of Empath Adult Day Centers and the Chapel’s Parish Nurse. Learn how to avoid stress, regrets, and isolation. Discover resources for providing care at home. Consider your caregiving plan. Register online at chapelbythesea.net/events or in the Friendship Foyer.
75th Anniversary
This year the Chapel celebrates 75 years as a “Beacon of Faith” on Clearwater Beach! The celebrations began January 7 with the dedication of a Peace Pole on our front lawn followed by a potluck luncheon. On January 14, we launched “75 Acts of Service,” a special missions/outreach effort. March 3 will be our 75th Anniversary worship celebration with Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herb Freitag, preaching and a new anthem composed by Director of Music, Brent Douglas. Then we’ll gather for a celebration banquet on March 7 at Island Way Grill. Later in the year, following the sanctuary remodeling project, we’ll have a Sanctuary Rededication service with an organ recital. 2024 will be a year to remember at Chapel by the Sea!
75th Anniversary Worship Celebration
MARCH 3: Make plans now to join Chapel by the Sea on March 3, 2024 at 10am for the 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration. The choir will be performing an original anthem composed for the occasion by Brent Douglas with words by Pastor Rhonda Blevins. Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Herb Freitag, will preach. Other special touches are in the works, so this is one Sunday you won’t want to miss!
75th Anniversary Worship Celebration
75th Anniversary Banquet
MARCH 7, 5:30 pm: Join your Chapel family for a delicious dinner at Island Way Grill to celebrate 75 years of Chapel by the Sea! This will be a special time to reminisce and thank God for what Chapel means in the lives of so many, as well as look ahead to what God might have in store for us in the days ahead. You can choose a steak, chicken, grouper or vegetarian entree. Business casual dress with a cash bar available. Cost: $55 per person. Deadline: February 22, 2024. Register by sending in a check or online at chapelbythesea.net/75th-anniversary.
The Seven “I Am’s” of Jesus
FEBRUARY 11, 9:00AM: Join Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, for a Lenten Sunday School series entitled “The Seven I Am’s of Jesus.” Jesus used seven “I Am” statements to describe himself and his purpose. Deepen your Lenten experience through discovering more about Jesus and his ministry and mission.
Spectrum News 9 covered our Peace Pole Dedication, the first Peace Pole in the City of Clearwater!
Chicks Nite Out
FEBRUARY 22, 5:30 PM: Join the Chicks for some fun on the town at Seaweed (2819 W. Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs). Bring a friend! Sign up in Friendship Foyer or online at chapelbythesea. net/events.
Save These Dates FEBRUARY 6, 2024 Chapel Chicks Luncheon, Noon FEBRUARY 8, 2024 Crafting Comfort, 9:30 FEBRUARY 8 Fermenting the Faith, Rapp Brewery, 7pm Pastor Rhonda poses with officers from the Clearwater Police Department after they responded to hecklers who interrupted worship on January 7.
Sanctuary Remodel Update
FEBRUARY 11, 2024 Lenten Study Begins, 9am FEBRUARY 13, 2024 Chapel Champs Breakfast, 9am FEBRUARY 14, 2024 Drive Thru Ash Wednesday, 10-3
Later this month our general contractor will begin the permitting process. Our project is scheduled to begin at the beginning of April after Easter Sunday on March 31. You can see the architect’s renderings on the home page of our website: chapelbythesea.net.
MARCH 3, 2024 75th Anniversary Worship Celebration, 10am
Chapel by the Sea
MARCH 29, 2024 Good Friday
54 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 727-446-0430 | chapelbythesea.net churchoffice@chapelbythesea.net
MARCH 7, 2024 75th Anniversary Banquet at Island Way Grill
MARCH 31, 2024 Easter Sunday