What’s happening at

Chester Baptist Church in March???

Saturday, March 11th

9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 18th

10:00 a.m.—Noon

With a light lunch following

Every Wednesday join us for Dinner at 5:30 p.m. &

Activities at 6:30 pm.

March 1st and 16th

6:00 p.m.

March 2017

2 March 2017

Lloyd’s Lines—Dr. Lloyd Braswell, Senior Pastor

For this article I want to focus on the word LOVE. It is a word that is used in so many differ-ent ways. I love nice weather. I love ice cream. God loves you. There are different types of love. Obviously no matter how much I love ice cream or nice weather it can’t compare to God’s love for me. In the Greek language there are three different terms for love: eros – romantic love, philos – friendship love, and agape – God’s love. I am not going to go into elaborate details on the types of love, but I want us to think about love. In February, we celebrated Valentine’s Day and March 1 began the season of lent (a time to focus on the life of Jesus – His love and sacrifice). Chester Baptist is a church that has a tremendous amount of love. I have been reflecting on how much love has been shown to me as your pastor. I came to Chester in September of 2009. In the past 7+ years I have experienced several personal tragedies in my life. God’s love and the love and support of this church have helped me grow through each of these experiences. Someone once told me – God must have realized that you would be going through these tragedies – so he sent you to us so we can love on you. In John 13:34-35 we find the words of Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Too often Christians are known more for hate than love. May we continue to allow God’s love to flow through us. I am thankful for the love that has been shown to me and every day I seek to show love to members of this church and the wider community.

As I stated March 1 began the season of Lent. March 1 was Ash Wednesday. This is a day to realize our sins and shortcomings. It is a time to repent and turn more fully to God. Joel 2:12 states, Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. As we repent and turn to God may we realize God’s love for us. During the Lenten season, Christians often make a commitment to “give up something.” That can be a great exercise if it helps us grow closer to God. I encourage you to further commit to really focus on God’s love for you. God loves you completely. God loves you daily – no matter what God’s love is there. Soak it in. Experience that love and allow it to flow over you and transform you. Focus on Jesus’ life – His love and His ultimate sacrifice that was made because of His love for each of us. During the Lenten Season I will be preaching a series of sermons based on the words Jesus said from the cross. These words in some way all relate to His love for us. Finally, we need to grow in how we demonstrate our love for the wider community. Over the past 1 - 1 ½ years I have been encouraging you to pray for our church and for how God may be leading us. I encourage you to continue to pray. I believe that God has great things for us and that our best days are ahead of us. This spring and summer we will spend some time visioning and dreaming about how God is leading and directing our church. The specific dates in which we will be going through this visioning process have not been finalized, but I wanted to share with you a little more about this. Mike Queen will be coming to our church and leading us through the vision-ing process. Mike Queen is a church consultant and a former pastor. He served as a pastor of First Baptist Church, Wilmington, N.C. for 25 years. Since retiring from First Baptist, he has worked as a church consultant. Let me share the over-all plan for the visioning process. Mike will come to Chester Baptist three to four times. The first event will be a Saturday in which he will meet all day with a visioning team. This will be a day to spend thinking about our church and community and seeking to determine how God may be leading us. After this there will be one or two listening sessions in which everyone from the church will be invited to share your ideas about our church and how God may be leading us. After getting all this input, Mike will lead a final day retreat to right up a report of what has been learned with some recommendations. Jim Hammacher, the director of missions for the Middle District Baptist Asso-ciation, has agreed to work with us on implementing these recommendations. Often the visioning process is long with lots of meetings and over a long period of time. Sometimes a church spends a lot of time in the visioning pro-cess then they do not adequately work to implement the recommendations. My goal is for us to go through the vi-sioning process and then have a strong focus on the implementation.

The longer a church has been in decline the more difficult it is to experience a re-birth. Chester Baptist is a church of love. We share a lot of love for one another. We experience love from God. May we work to determine how God is leading us so that we can share more and more love to our broader community. I encourage you to daily pray for our church. Pray for this process. Pray that we will be open to follow how God leads. God Bless you. Lloyd

3 March 2017

A Note from Joel

Dear Church Family,

As some of you may have heard, I have been called to leave Chester Baptist this month. My final day coming into the office is Wednesday March 8

th, and my final Sunday leading worship will

be Easter, April 16th.

Four years ago, Chester Baptist called me to become an interim worship leader. My trial Sunday was March 31, 2013 which also happened to be Easter Sunday. I was quite nervous and had never planned and led a contemporary service on an ongoing basis before. There was a steep learning curve, but over the last 4 years you all have encouraged me as I have grown as a musician and as a minister. I’m so thankful for my time and ministry here and for the prayers and support from each one of you. As I take this next blind step of faith down the path that God is calling me I take comfort in the growth and wonderful times we had together as a church. I will be praying for you all and I hope you will continue to pray for us as we seek to follow God’s will for our family. I came on Easter Sunday in 2013 nervous and not knowing what God had in store for me and I will leave Chester Baptist on Easter Sunday 2017 feeling much the same way, but so thankful for what God has done in my life, and in the life of Chester Baptist.

In Christ,

Rev. Joel Ingram

Come join us on Saturday, April 1st at 8:00 a.m. and participate in our Spring Workday. We have several projects which require your support and assistance on Saturday morning, all necessary to keep our church looking great. Coffee and do-nuts will be provided for breakfast and we'll be finished with our projects by noon. Please meet in the Great Hall at 8:00 a.m. for a productive morning, comradery, and fun. Point of contact is Cary Allen, caryallen5@aol.com, 804-896-3069.

Church-wide Workday

CBC Deacons are pleased and honored to offer a scholarship to a deserving individual(s). The applicant must be an active member of CBC (for at least 2 years) pursuing a study of his/her choosing. For a list of qualifications and an application, please see Edye Parrish in the church office. The deadline for turning in the application is May 15th.

Deacon Scholarship

Don’t miss our Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon! It’s for everyone, all ages! Join us for activities, crafts, games and more. We will have a light lunch following our fun day.

Family Fun Day

4 March 2017

Welcome New Members

Please help us welcome our newest church members:

Steve, Meredith and Jaime Roberson. Their address is 2310 Indian Hill Road, #150, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

We are glad you are part of our church family!

The Day Group is studying The Gospel of Mark-The Jesus We Are Aching For. It’s a 7-week study by Lisa Harper. Meet in Room 302 on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. –12:00 p.m. All women are invited.

The Evening Group is studying All Things New: 2 Corinthians. This is an 8-week study by Kelly Minter. Meet in Room 302 on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All women are invited.

New Women’s Bible Studies

The deacons would like to thank each of you who signed up to serve on one or more of the eight Deacon Ministry Teams. Sharing your abilities, talents, and gifts will be a blessing to all involved in this cooperative endeavor. The deacon coordinators for each team are listed below:

Bereavement Ministry Team – Landa Cook

Casserole Ministry Team – Verta Blake & Ellen Sapko

Celebration Ministry Team – Linda Conyers, Emily Gibson & Kathy Lilley

Hospital Visitation Ministry Team – Kenny Hart

New Member Ministry Team – Gene Raines & Rob Farmer

Prayer Ministry Team – Crystal Hill, Brenda Riding & Mary Kay Hornberger

Small Jobs Ministry Team – Ashley Williams, Rob Farmer, & Paul Sebra

Visitor Outreach Ministry Team – Edye Parrish & Crystal Hill

If you missed the opportunity to sign up for a team(s), we will happily sign you up as soon as you ex-press a desire to join - just see a deacon coordinator.

The deacons served communion to ten of our homebound members in February. What a special time spent with those who are unable to partake of the Lord’s Supper during regular church services!

Thanks to the Homebound Department for ministering to these members and others on a regular ba-sis.

Closing Thought: Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.

Kathy Lilley

Deacon’s Corner

5 March 2017

Celebration Corner

News From Chester Baptist Preschool

The Celebration Team is very active and has enjoyed celebrating numerous people in the church. Some of the people/groups we have celebrated are church-wide birthday parties, honoring our veterans, celebrating the other teams within our church, sending birthday cards, breakfast for Sunday School workers, and numerous other things.

We usually go to a restaurant, eat and socialize, and then have our planning meeting. We really enjoy celebrating our church and its people. If you would like to join us, please let the church office know. Remember, you do not have to be a member of the church to join.

Wedding Anniversaries

Jewel and John Barger celebrated 64 years together on February 7th.

Kendall and Steve Bozarth celebrated 6 years together on February 26th.

Staff Anniversary

Susan Meredith celebrates 8 years with Chester Baptist on March 16th. Thank you for your ser-vice!

Births

Sheryl and Tom Magee’s grandson, Beau Allen Tucker (Bethany and Tyson Tucker’s son), was born on January 22. He weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz. and was 20” long. Best Wishes to the family!

Dear Friends,

Let’s talk about our friend Michael King. What about Michael, you say? Well, listen up. I have known him for 30 years and in the last two months I have really found out during this time what a wonderful mentor he is. Michael is the chairperson of the CBP Board and we love him! He uses a lot of BIG words when he talks, so we all put our “smart” face on and pretend we can understand him. Remember, we work with children– 2 years thru 5 years– our vocabulary is limited. I’m speaking for myself (Ginny). We all got to know him when he came down during a very stressful time at the preschool and listened to us, hugged us and prayed with us. He came everyday for al-most a month. He also helps out with chapel on Mondays and reads to the children on Wednes-days. His eyes twinkle just like an old friend of CBC, Betty Neal (for those of you who knew her). A BIG shout out to Michael for being such a blessing to Chester Baptist. He also has a lot of let-ters after his name, I do too, but my letters after my name are A, B, C, D, etc. Make sure you let Michael know when he comes back from his “world wide trip” what an awesome job he is doing. Remember you can volunteer anytime you want and give Michael a run for his money!!

P.S. Michael really can enunciate his words with a smile.

Love,

CBP Staff

6 March 2017

5:30-6:30 p.m.- Dinner in the Great Hall

6:30-7:30 p.m.- Activities for all ages:

Children’s Programs: -Nursery (infants-preschool)- Meet downstairs off of preschool area. -Children’s Programs (K-5

th grade)-Meet in the Preschool Area for music, Bible study and games.

-Youth Group (6

th-12

th grade)-Meet in Youth Area. “Echo the Story” Bible Study.

Adults Programs:

-Men’s Bible Study-Meet in FOCUS 303 for an in-depth journey through Scripture. Paul Riding leads this study. -Women’s Bible Study-Meet in Berea 302 for a Bible study. Crystal Hill leads this study. -Lecture Series-Meet in the Sanctuary for the study described below. Lloyd Braswell leads this study.

Call the church office at 748-2939 with questions or to make a dinner reservation!

The Next Christian: 7 Ways you Can Live the Gospel and Restore the World

by Gabe Lyons (author of UnChristian)

March 8 – April 5

Is the end of Christian America on the horizon? How can the church remain relevant to believers who feel Christianity is becoming too "packaged"? In this provocative look at the future of our faith, Lyons anticipates the next big historical shift and reveals six fundamental qualities that will ensure the church's best years are still to come. (Books are available for $10, but not required. Please let the office know if you would like a book.)

Wednesday Night Activities

Saturday, March 11th

9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $5 (includes lunch &

t-shirt)

7 March 2017

Thank you!

Chester Baptist Church,

Thank you for the sympathy and support our family was shown at the time of our love one, Albert Elliott’s passing. Your kindness and prayers brought us comfort at this sad time.

We also wish to thank Dr. Lloyd Braswell, Edye Parrish and the Hospitality Committee for generous-ly donating their time and help in arranging for a visitation with family and friends. Your kindness was greatly appreciated.

The Elliott Family (Marian, David, Diane and Scott)

Dear Church Family,

Thank you so much for the prayers, cards, calls, visits and food while I was sick with pneumonia. It meant so much to me.

God Bless You!

Verta Blake

VIPCare is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. There are several events planned. The next event is May 5th: Grounded in Compassion: Fostering Spiritual Practice in an Age of Terror and Twitter, A Lecture by Marjorie Thompson, Friday, May 5, 2017, 5:30 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Grove Avenue, Richmond, Va.. Join us as we welcome Marjorie Thompson, noted author of Soul Feast, as she speaks on ways to regain access to our deep center—the soul—and through it our connection with others. A question and answer session and then a reception will fol-low the lecture. Fiftieth Anniversary events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact VIPCare at 804-282-8332.

VIPCare 50th Anniversary

Please prayerfully consider a contribution to the Annie Arm-strong Easter Offering for North American Missions (formerly called Home Missions). If you have a box, there will be an envelope for this purpose among the March enve-lopes. There are also envelopes in the pews and welcome table. Please give beyond your tithe if you are able. Our goal for this year will be $1500.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Spring Forward

Don’t forget to “spring forward” one hour on March 12th!

8 March 2017

Financial Update

Our Boy Scout Troop is having a mulch fundraiser. They are selling 2 cubic foot bags of high quality shredded brown hardwood mulch for $3.75. The bags will be deliv-ered to your home and placed on your driveway. You can also have the Scouts spread your mulch for an additional $1.50 per bag. You can order and pay online atwww.troop2837mulch.org. There are also flyers in the church foyer if you would like to mail in an order with a check. The proceeds from the mulch sale pay for the scouts to go to summer camp. If you have questions you can contact Stephen Hamilton, Troop Committee Chair at 804-393-2847 or email troop2837@gmail.com

Deadline to order is March 15. Thanks for your support!

Support the Boy Scouts

FINANCIAL UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2017

ACTUAL BUDGET VARI-

FISCAL CON CON CON

YEAR LESS LESS LESS

MONTH CON EXP EXP CON EXP EXP EXP

OCT '16 48,007 46,392 1,615 51,909 52,431 (522) 2,137

NOV '16 39,920 51,126 (11,206) 51,909 54,281 (2,372)

DEC '16 88,828 52,956 35,872 51,908 52,605 (697) 36,569

JAN '17 42,068 46,271 (4,203) 51,908 54,712 (2,804)

FEB '17 40,238 47,518 (7,280) 51,909 48,936 2,973

MAR '17 - - -

APR '17 - - -

MAY '17 - - -

JUN '17 - - -

JUL '17 - - -

AUG '17 - - -

SEP '17 - - -

Y-T-D 259,061 244,263 14,798 259,543 262,965 (3,422) 18,220

February expenses exceed receipts by $7,280. For the fiscal year starting with October of 2016, receipts have exceeded expense by $14,798.

9 March 2017

EASTER CELEBRATION Saturday, April 8, 10:30 am-noon

Welcome to all children ages 3 years old—5

th grade

There will be crafts, snacks, games, egg hunt and the Easter Bunny! Please invite your friends, family and

neighbors!

We are collecting candy and plastic eggs for this event. There is a donation box in the church foyer.

We also need volunteers! Please call or text Crystal Hill

at 894-2254 if you would like to volunteer!

10 March 2017

Youth News!!!!

Mission Madness 2017

April 28-30th

In Hampton, VA

Cost: $40 (includes t-shirt, lodging, Friday dinner,

all meals Saturday and Sunday breakfast)

Meet at church at 5:00pm on Friday, April 28th

We will return around noon on Sunday, April 30th

Youth Family Meeting Wednesday, March 8

th (7:00-7:30 p.m.)

Please plan to attend this important meeting where we will go over upcoming events including Mis-sion Madness and Passport Camp. Meet in the youth room! “Escape the Race” Epic Day of Missions Saturday, March 11

th (9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Starting out with a “Rise Against Hunger” (formerly “Stop Hunger Now”) event at Chester Baptist, youth will race against youth from across Chesterfield County completing different Mission (and silly) tasks. Don’t miss out on this exciting day of missions!!! Cost: $5.00 (includes lunch and a T-shirt) Mission Madness!!! April 28-30

th in Hampton, VA

Join with churches from across Virginia to engage in missions and worship in Hampton, VA. Meet at church at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28

th and we will return around noon on Sunday, April 30

th

Cost: $40.00 due by Wednesday, April 19th

SAVE THE DATE- PASSPORT 2017- JUNE 18-24

th in Greensboro, NC

For those who participated in the Spaghetti Dinner, camp is fully paid for thanks to the generosity of our church family. However, a $75.00 deposit is due no later than Wednesday, April 19

th just to re-

serve your space. The check or cash will be returned to you when we leave for camp on July 18th.

Be sure to mark your calendar with these upcoming Youth Group activities!! Wednesday, March 8

th: Family Night Dinner (5:30 p.m.), Youth Group (6:30 p.m.), and Family

Meeting (7:00 p.m.) Saturday, March 11

th: “Escape the Race” Mission Day! (9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 15th: Family Night Dinner and Youth Group (5:30-7:30 p.m.) Wednesday, March 22

nd : Family Night Dinner and Youth Group (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 29th

: Family Night Dinner and Youth Group (5:30-7:30 p.m.) Wednesday, April 5

th: Family Night Dinner and Youth Group (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

11 March 2017

Weekly at CBC

Building Lock-up Schedule

Sunday

9:45 a.m. Bible Study 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Ser- vice (Great Hall) 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Tuesday

8:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Time 9:30 a.m. Ladies’ Bible Study (Sept.-May)

Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Dinner (Sept.-May) 6:30 p.m. Activities for all ages (Sept.- May) Children’s Activities (Nursery- Fifth Grade) Youth Group (Grades 6-12) College Age & 20 somethings Lecture Series Ladies’ Bible Study Men’s Bible Study

Thursday 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

Monday–Thursday

9:30 a.m. Chester Baptist Preschool

For an accurate and complete list of all scheduled activities, please access the church calendar at the following web-site:http://chesterbaptist.mhsoftware.com

March

Rob Farmer Feb. 26-Mar. 4

Michael King March 5-11

Ed Newman March 12-18

Bill Damon March 19-25

Randy Miller Mar. 25-Apr. 1

Dr. Lloyd Braswell, Senior Pastor

Dr. William J. "Bill" Damon, Associate Pastor

Randy McConnell, Minister of Music and Worship

Rev. Alice C. Clarke, Minister to Youth

Rev. Joel Ingram, Journey Worship Leader Edye Parrish, Church Secretary

Susan Meredith, Financial Assistant

Ellen Sapko, Pianist

1 Arthur Feeback, Lisa Zuskin

3 Mike Lohr, Kyle Woodcock

4 Sara Foy Eanes, Lori Gale

5 Dana Eckert

6 Carlene Allen, Larry Griffin, Stephen Massie

7 Brenda Miller

8 McKenzie Bozarth

9 Phyllis Bass, Victor Foreman, Mary Kay Hornberger, Kim Surber

10 Debbie Jones, Nicole Meager, Linda Wil-liams

11 Judy Tomlin

12 Ryan Gartrell, Ann Whipp

13 Hyde Benton, Cindy Harrison, Becky Hux

15 Ellwood Allen, Gary Lilley

16 Mark Monger, Mechelle Stansfield

18 Haywood Bass

19 Kaitlyn Wildeus

20 Vickie Morgan

21 Nathon Orr, Robert Shipp

23 Jack Brockwell, Dakota Martin, Wayne Pen-tecost

24 Crystal Hill, Helen Roberts

25 Tim Blake, Jessica Parrish

26 Mary Cole

27 Bert Foreman

29 Matt Viar

March 5 Pam King Beth Sullivan Sue Hart

March 12 Kendall Bozarth Robert Wray Lauren Sapko Katie Meredith

March 19 Judy Morris Sunny Hong

March 26 Tammy Brockwell Gayle Fitzgerald Lauren Sapko Ellen Truett

March 5 Robert Wray 748-5682 Mary Kay Hornberger 717-5328

March 12 Verta Blake 590-1290 Paul Sebra 748-0686

March 19 Edye Parrish 731-5632 Rob Farmer 717-2380

March 26

Brenda Riding ‘536-2040 Gene Raines 518-5807

Deacon Chairperson: Kathy Lilley 748-6576

Sunday Child Care

During Worship Services

DEACONS

For the Week of

Each Sunday see calendar for possible changes

Morning Worship Traditional (Sanctuary) 11:00 AM

Contemporary (Great Hall) 11:00 AM

Sunday School 9:45 AM

CHESTER BAPTIST CHURCH Phone: 748-2939 Fax: 748-2064

Located at Harrowgate Road and School St.

4317 School Street

Chester, Virginia 23831

www.chesterbaptist.com

Our mission is to create devoted followers of Jesus Christ.