​Chapel by the Sea was the first church on our island and remains

a church for the community, welcoming all people seeking

to know and serve Christ. We are a mission for Jesus Christ and

a church for all seasons - seasons of life - seasons of the year -

seasons of our growth as Christians.

Now conducting in-person worship services. Masks required.

All other programs are still postponed until further notice.

 Recorded Sermons and Bulletins available online.

Click on the Sermons heading above to access videos and bulletins.

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Greetings Chapel Family and Friends,

 

We are pleased to welcome Reverend Dr. Winston Lawson as our pulpit supply this Sunday, June 20.

 

After completing Seminary training in Jamaica in 1967, Winston spent a year at the University of Winnipeg, Canada, doing a yearlong internship for the World Student Christian Federation, in preparation for becoming the General Secretary of Student Christian Movement (local WSCF chapter), in Jamaica. Since then, he did graduate studies at Pittsburgh Seminary in PA, served the denomination at the General Assembly level, and churches in Atlanta, GA, Columbia, SC, Jackson, KY, and Tuscaloosa, AL. In 1992, Winston completed his Ph.D. in Social History at the University of the West Indies, in Kingston, JA.

 

In 2001, Winston was called to the pastorate of Hillside Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA, from which he retired after 14 years. In 2014 he moved to Lehigh Acres, where he served a one-year interim-ship at First Presbyterian, before associating regularly with Covenant Presbyterian Church, as an honorably retired minister in Peace River Presbytery, where Winston is now is a member of the Partnership Task Force on Cuba.

 

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Deacon’s Corner

Lois Doggett, Elder and Deacon

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This coming Sunday, June 20, is Father’s Day.

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Did you know that the nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington? However, it was not until 1972 that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

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The Bible speaks about fatherhood in the following passages:

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       Psalm 103:13 - As a father has compassion on his children,

                                  so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

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       Ephesians 6:4 - “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead,

                                    bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

 

God the Father loves each and every person as His very own child, and He gives earthly fathers everywhere the wisdom and guidance to live the Christian life.

 

So Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, especially all our fathers in heaven, and enjoy the following written by the late Erma Bombeck.

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God Creating the Father

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When the good Lord was creating fathers he started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, “What kind of father is that? If you’re going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.” And God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child-size, who would children have to look up to?”

 

And when God made a father’s hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said, “Do you know what you’re doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can’t manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats.” And God smiled and said, “I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day…yet small enough to cup a child’s face in his hands.”

 

And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. And the angel nearly had a heart attack. “Boy, this is the end of the week, all right,” she clucked. “Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?” And God smiled and said, “A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, and hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus.”

 

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. “That’s not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?” And God smiled and said, “They’ll work. You’ll see. They’ll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross, or scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.”

 

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, “Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?”

 

The angel shuteth up.
– Erma Bombeck

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​​FINANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

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The Finance and Stewardship Committee presented the proposed operating budget for fiscal year (July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022) to Session this week. Expenses are the sum total of each committee’s projected spending, along with administration, facility projects and other. Income is based upon the pledges received, identified regular giving, loose plate offering, and miscellaneous other income. Not an exact science, for sure, especially since we will have an interim pastor for most of the budget year.

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Chapel balanced our actual budget this fiscal year due to lower expenses from the Covid-19 shut down and some very generous special gifts. For the first time in recent years, we’ll go into the new fiscal year with an operating budget that is not balanced and shows a deficit. So that all the important programs of Chapel may continue, the Session board has decided to accept the deficit budget. That includes God’s Table, AA, Immokalee support, and other community outreach programs. Finance/Stewardship Committee will monitor and manage all spending and income on a month-to-month basis. Not the ideal way to do it, but we have faith in our Chapel members and friends that this will work!

 

THANK YOU for all your support now and in the future!

 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...Psalm 23:1 (NRSV)

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Tithing?        Do You?        Could You?        Here How...

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Worship Services at Chapel by the Sea

Chapel is now holding in-person Worship Services.

Masks Required.

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Sunday Service
Sunday Worship Services are held at 10:00 a.m.,

Communion is offered on the first Sunday of every month.

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Christmas Eve Services
Candlelight Services are offered at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

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Easter Services

Easter Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

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Ash Wednesday Service

Ash Wednesday, 12:00 p.m.

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Maundy Thursday Service

Thursday, 7:00 p.m.