Chapel Chimes May 2024
Spring Turns to Summer
By Rev. Rhonda BlevinsAs the days are getting warmer, which means we’ve said goodbye to our beloved snowbirds for the season. If you’re a snowbird, we miss you already and eagerly await your return!
Today in worship, we are reviving an old Chapel tradition . . . Music Sunday! Our Chapel Choir has been working hard as they have prepared to lead us in worship today. We’re also incorporating the top four hymns from our recent “Favorite Hymn” poll: “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” and “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” I hope you enjoy singing these favorites today.
Later this month, on May 19, we will hold a special “Baptism in the Sea” after worship. For those who wish to be baptized by immersion, please pick up information, including a registration form, in Friendship Foyer or visit chapelbythesea.net/events. All are invited to join us and celebrate this Holy Sacrament together!
Finally, we are getting closer to beginning our sanctuary renovation project. As with renovation projects, we are encountering our share of progress and setbacks. As for progress, our architect has completed plans which have now been submitted to the City of Clearwater for permitting. As for setbacks, the general contractor we’ve been working with for several months has resigned, so our most urgent task is to find his replacement. In the meantime, our organ builder continues his work at his shop in North Carolina, and other subcontractors are eagerly awaiting a green light from us once the City approves our plans and we have a new general contractor in place.
These are exciting days at Chapel by the Sea! God has richly blessed this congregation. We are adding new members regularly, people who sense that God has big plans for the Chapel in the days ahead. That’s why I believe . . . Chapel’s so bright, gotta wear shades!
Love and light,
Rev
Blev
Bible Study
Chapel Chicks
Bible Study: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: the hybrid Tuesday Forum eats together at 6:15pm followed by class at 7pm (Zoom Meeting ID 895 0402 7068; Pass code: 417209) AND Thursdays in-person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these small group studies!
Chapel Chicks May Luncheon
MAY 14, 12PM: May’s luncheon will feature a presentation titled “Beyond Parsley” with Jamie Groves from Indian Rocks Eats. She will demonstrate fun and pretty food presentations, giving everyone an opportunity to make some to take with! Don’t miss the last 23-2024 luncheon at the Chapel! $20 per person which covers meal and supplies for ‘take-with’ project.
Fermenting the Faith, Second Thursdays
MAY 9, 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 Nite Out
MAY 23, 5:30PM: Join the Chicks for the last nite out of the season! The Chicks will be meeting at the Chapel at 5:30 pm to catch the Trolley to the Hiatus Rooftop Bar. You can also meet at the venue at 6pm. Come out for one last night out on the town! Sign up in Friendship foyer or at https://www.chapelbythesea.net/ chapelchicks.
Chapel Chicks Book Club
MAY 28, 10:30AM: Calling all ladies! Join the Chapel Chicks Book Club to discuss Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere by Savannah Guthrie. Please plan to join us either in person or online. Online attendance is available via Zoom using the meeting ID: 836 1011 5212. For additional information email Allison Kitchens at allisonkitch66@ yahoo.com. *This will be the last Book Club meeting until Fall.
Dear Church Congregation,
I hope this letter finds you well and filled with the joy of the Lord. As we continue to grow and enhance our worship experience, I am writing to encourage your support for our music fund. Your generous donations play a vital role in maintaining our pianos and our newly acquired pipe organ, which requires more upkeep than our current digital organ. These instruments are not just instruments; they are vessels through which we offer our praises and connect with the divine during our worship services.
Additionally, your contributions help bring talented guest musicians to our services, enriching our musical offerings and providing unique experiences for all of us. Whether it’s the special services during Easter and Christmas Eve or the cherished tradition of Carols by Candlelight, these moments are made possible through your generosity to the music fund. Moreover, your donations also suppor new sheet music acquisitions and contribute to our music scholarship program, fostering the growth of our singer talents.
I invite you to prayerfully consider contributing to the music fund as we strive to uphold the exce lence and beauty of our worship through music. Your support not only sustains our musical heritag but also allows us to explore new horizons in musical expression, enriching our collective worshipexperience. Thank you for your continued dedication and generosity to our church family.
Blessings, Brent Douglas
A Message from our Music Director, Brent Douglas Security Committee Update
At the beginning of this year, visitors to our Church caused a vocal disturbance. As a result of that disturbance, a Security and Safety Committee was formed. The primary purpose of that committee is to reduce concern and to provide our members a safe church environment. That committee is composed of Jim Martin, Barbara Roberts, Linda Walter, Joe Creegan, Rick Frye, Patrick Shea, and Dan Brafford.
Because of that incident, extra security was requested from the Clearwater Police Department for specific Sundays to provide assurance that we take this kind behavior seriously, even though this particular incident was not violent. We now have church members that provide their services as greeters, observers and security every Sunday. Your Security Team is in the process of drafting a Security and Emergency plan. Our first efforts are to identify “security vulnerabilities”, then we will evaluate fire and safety, and then medical emergencies. We thank you for your unwavering support to the Chapel and encourage you to ask questions or express your concerns.
Your Operations Manager, Dan Brafford
Outreach Committee
The Chapel’s Outreach Committee has been very busy lending a helping hand in various community groups and projects, including the Head Start Reading Program, Habitat for Humanity, and an upcoming Foster Parent Appreciation dinner with Family Support Services. We cannot thank our Outreach Committee and volunteers enough for making such an impact in our community.
HEAD START READING PROGRAM
The reading program expanded from HEP to Head Start in February. Our Chapel readers and preschool children enjoy the time spent together for an hour of reading and play time! We are looking for more locations to read to, so please reach out to Pam Ora if you have any ideas on expanding our outreach to more children.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
CBTS volunteers participated in a Habitat for Humanity “Veterans Build” on April 4th. We have two scheduled upcoming “Faith Build” days; May 4th and May 11th! The “Faith Build” is a home that is built entirely by volunteers from area Faith Communities.
Chapel by the Sea
54 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
727-446-0430 | chapelbythesea.net
churchoffice@chapelbythesea.net
Save These Dates
MAY 1ST
Marketing Team Meeting, 9am
MAY 5TH
Music Sunday
MAY 9th
Fermenting the Faith, 7pm
MAY 12th
Mother’s Day
MAY 14th
Chapel Champs Breakfast, 9am
Chapel Chicks Luncheon, 12pm
MAY 15th
Board Meeting
MAY 19th
Baptism in the Sea, 11am
MAY 23rd
Chapel Chicks Nite Out, 5:30pm
MAY 27th
Memorial Day, Office Closed
MAY 28th
Chapel Chicks Book Club, 10:30am
MAY 29th
75th Anniversary Planning Team Meeting