Back-to-School Prayer Service – Hope You Can Come!
Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Back to School, Commonwealth Chapel, prayer, Richmond, RVA Comments Off on Back-to-School Prayer Service – Hope You Can Come!
Neighbor 1: Hurting
Posted: Monday, August 1, 2011 Filed under: 2k11, books, who is your neighbor? series | Tags: bishop steven w banks, chapter a day, Commonwealth Chapel, father-wound, Good Samaritan, hurting, john eldredge, neighbor 8 CommentsOne thing I have learned recently is that most of my posts have been WAY too long, and I am going to work on that. So, keep me honest…and help me keep these short.
This is the first post in a series that I wrote about called who’s ur neighbor?. I am reading who is my neighbor? by Wayne Gordon and exploring just one chapter a day. In addition, I hope to post on each chapter each day…starting today…no promises, though.
Chapter 1 answers the question with…’My Neighbor is Hurting’. Hurting is defined by physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. I could offer up many examples of hurting. I see it lots and am sure that you do to.
The Father-Wound is one that comes to mind today. Saturday, Louis attended a gathering of men who were discussing the Father-Wound, what that looks like and how to be healed of it. We hear of fatherless children, abused children, but many also have fathers who are physically present, but are emotionally detached, others who are deceased. All of which creates a deep wound in the hearts of boys and girls~and then you grow up with that hurt still present. In the spirit of keeping this short – to learn more, check out Fathered by God by John Eldredge and Healing the Father-Wound by Bishop Steven W Banks. People experiencing Father-Wounds is just one example of hurting people.
So, I challenge us today…look for people who are hurting, and see if there is a way to help your neighbor by easing their pain. What does that look like? It looks like sacrificing time to…
- be a father-figure for a kid, young adult, or even a mature man who needs a father.
- visit, call, write, etc. when the person or a loved one is sick or dying.
- be present…sometimes without saying a word.
- listen
- hug them or hold their hand
- cry with them
- kiss a skinned knee
- babysit…for no charge!
- if you worship at Commonwealth Chapel, note who lights a candle, and pray for them throughout the day/week. (or however your church takes requests)
- what else?
We can’t love our neighbors until we recognize them. So look around you. Be sensitive to those who are suffering — who are hurting — sometimes in silence. They will not be hard to find. And remember, that hurting person is your neighbor. Like the Good Samaritan, we have the option to walk away and the opportunity to love.
Mom….I’m bored!!!!
Posted: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, missional, Northside, RVA, STEP, summer activities, Triumphant Baptist, urban ministry, VBS 1 Comment
Mom....I'm bored!!!!
I was talking to a couple of parents and grandparents about activities their kids could get involved with this summer. So, now…we are making a list of activities to keep kids from getting “bored” this summer! Let me know if you are aware of other activities. Be sure to provide the details. A detailed list will be provided…Dates, Time, Location with address and phone number, and other comments (like snacks, transportation, etc.) If you want a copy of the list, just subscribe to the blog…and you will get a copy when it’s posted!
These free or very affordable activities need to in a healthy and safe environment that fosters inclusion, encouragement, with high morals/values.
Here’s a sampling of the list for Northside kids. It’s still a work in progress.
- 6.27-7.1 9a-12n VBS Triumphant Baptist on Lamb (provide snack)
- 7.5 – 7.29 8:30a-1p Mega Sports Program Triumphant Baptist on Lamb (provide breakfast and lunch) (need to get in early…it’s fills up quickly!)
- 7.11-15 3p-6p VBS STEP @ Eternity Church on Chamberlayne ( provide snack and I am working on transportation if kids will go)
- 7.18-22 9a-12n VBS Commonwealth Chapel (my church) (provide snack) (last year we had transportation. i am verifying for this year.)
- Monday TBD Weekly Missional Community (bible study, crafts and service component)
Weekly Thursday Gathering
Posted: Thursday, December 23, 2010 Filed under: 2k11, Northside Missional Community | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, Jesus, Northside Missional Community, Organic, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights Comments Off on Weekly Thursday GatheringI just love our weekly gathering. Some would call it a small group….others….a bible study….more might call it a missional community or a life group. Whatever you want to call it…I LOVE it! It started as a group of people from Commonwealth Chapel who met together for what we call Missional Community…where we did fellowship, read the Bible and prayed together. In addition…we would do things to meet the needs of our community. In this case, Southern Barton Heights.
So here we are…a couple of years later…and our group now consists of mainly our friends from the community…and just a couple of people from church. We experience real life together. We have gone through really hard things together…unemployment, drug and alcohol addictions, family “stuff”…and we have gone through the good things as well…employment! New cars! Sobriety! New people and friends! New homes! I can’t imagine life without my Thursday night gathering of friends…my Spiritual Family, who encourage me from one day to the next, who call me out when I’m not being real, who love me even when I mess up! I could go on and on!
We meet every Thursday night from 6-8pm. Or…something like 8pm. We are guilty of going til 8:30 or later…becasue we enjoy each other so much. But, people are free to scoot if they need to. If you want to come…and join us in real talk…real life….and learn about Jesus…we welcome you! We eat together (covered dish style) at 6-7p…while we also talk about what is happening in our lives. Then, we spend time talking about what God has to say to us through the Word…also known as the Bible. We close with some prayer…for our concerns, our community, and our city.
Starting the first week of January, we will be talking through the Seven Signs in John. Come and join us and bring a friend!
Update: Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Posted: Monday, December 20, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: All Souls Presbyterian, barton heights, Birthday Party, Christmas Party, Commonwealth Chapel, happy birthday, hope, joy, peace, RVA, WEAG 3 CommentsThis past Saturday, we threw our first annual Birthday Party for Jesus at All Souls Presbyterian in Barton Heights; Richmond, VA! We had a GREAT time! Jesse the Juggler wowed us all with his juggling expertise, while telling us the story of Creation and the birth of Jesus. Some of the kids got in on the juggling action as well! I think at least one of them has a future in juggling…at least we know the Isaiah has quite an arm!
The story of the Birth of Jesus was read to the kids…taken from the Bible… Luke 2:1-20.
Then, Santa showed up to celebrate Jesus’s birthday; and he even brought gifts for kids of all ages!!! After singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, we had cake, candy canes and cookies with our lemonade.
In addition, we had a chance to color…although I didn’t realize that we had been given “Multicultural” Crayons, which had no bright colors like…blue, red and green! So…after a quick run to the Family Dollar (Thanks, Lauren and Rush!!!) we were in business.
Another big hit was the guessing game! Clint was the closest (without going over!!!) with his guess of 87…when there were 89 mint patties in the jar. I hope it’s all good at home…with all that chocolate in the house! Congratulations, Clint!
We all had such a terrific time! Thanks to all who helped! You guys totally rock! Special “shout out” to All Souls Pres, Commonwealth Chapel, and WEAG. Thanks for the support! In addition…major thanks my loving and supportive hubby, Louis, and the rest of my elves…Terence, Abbie, Paul, Lauren, Rush, Bishop, Jesse, Vashti, Gloria and my sweet, sweet Mom!
Last note….
What great news to know that Jesus didn’t stay a little baby. I have peace, hope and joy in knowing that He grew up, died on the cross, rose from the dead (Easter), and will come again! THAT is the Good News of Jesus Christ! Who do you know that needs to hear that part of the story this season?
Joy to the World…and Peace on Earth.
ComChap Youth Group ROCKS!
Posted: Sunday, August 15, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, Community Clean-up, mission, missional, Missions Project, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban, Youth Group 1 Comment
This evening a group of middle and high school youth from Commonwealth Chapel took their Sunday evening to selflessly serve Southern Barton Heights by picking up trash around the community. Rondell even jumped in to help; and neighbors came out to welcome and thank them!
In John 13, Jesus says…
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
These servant youth and their leaders were being the hands and feet of Jesus and will be blessed for their servant’s heart. Louis and I appreciate their giving spirit, and we had fun getting to know them better! Thanks again, ComChap Youth Group!!!
U-Turn + Miss Marti’s Kids + Commonwealth Chapel MCs = FUN ! ! ! ! !
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, missional, missional church, Richmond, RVA, soccer, Southern Barton Heights, U-Turn, urban ministry Comments Off on U-Turn + Miss Marti’s Kids + Commonwealth Chapel MCs = FUN ! ! ! ! !
Miss Marti’s House partnered with U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel for a new weekly outreach to the kids ages ranging from 7-12 from Gilpin Court and Southern Barton Heights. On June 26th, we had the kick-off cookout which you can read about in my 6.26 post, It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House.
Today was the first official trip…with about 15 kids from Southern Barton Heights and Gilpin Court. Not only did they get to play soccer, but they also got to hear from the U-Turn President and a guy who used to play professional soccer! In addition, Rikki gave a lesson from 1 Corinthians on how each part of the body plays an important role in the serving and worshiping Jesus.
Watch for testimonies coming from the kids next week! Many of them had a busy week at VBS Arts Camp and ended the week with U-Turn!
HUGE shout out to U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel for their support!!!!
Here are a few pics from the morning….
VBS Arts Camp @ ComChap
Posted: Thursday, July 8, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Arts Camp, Bible School, Commonwealth Chapel, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Urban, VBS 4 Comments
Larry Reads About Creation in the Bible
The 2010 VBS Arts Camp “You’ve Got Talent!” at Commonwealth Chapel is taking place this week. We are so excited that a group of 8 from SBH is attending! Michelle and Keri are selflessly taking their time to drive them in the church van!!
The kids are coming home with a new interest in reading the Bible and hearing about the Lord. This morning, Larry took the initiative to run home and grab not just 1 Bible…but 2 Bibles to take with him today. He also wanted to read to me about the Creation. Many questions are being asked about different Bible stories. I could not be more thrilled.
So..now…what’s next? We are praying about ways that we can continue to spiritually feed the kids and teach them more about the love of Jesus.
On Tuesday night, we had a special time of prayer at our regular Tuesday Night Prayer service. During this time, the kids helped to lead worship, Brian worked sound and ComChap’s own Savannah gave us a moving devotion! In addition, the kids took time to pray for the needs of the adults on an individual basis. I was proud that some of Miss Marti’s Kids volunteered to pray!! Then, we as the adults took time to pray for the children! What a blessed night!
On a daily basis, the kids are singing and dancing, participating in dramas and puppet shows. In addition, they are drawing, painting and having time with other arts. Please join me in praying that the words the kids sing, read, act and hear will get deep into their hearts and be life changing!
You can see the great time they are having in the pictures below….
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- Larry Reads About Creation in the Bible
It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House!!!
Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, cook-out, Embrace Richmond, kids, missional, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, sports, U-Turn, urban ministry Comments Off on It was a GREAT day @ Miss Marti’s House!!!
We had a WONDERFUL time today partnering with U-Turn and Commonwealth Chapel this afternoon to reach out to the kids of Southern Barton Heights!!! Over 20 kids signed up for the upcoming Saturday morning events. Each Saturday the kids will be scooped up to be taken to U-Turn to play sports for a couple of hours. In addition, they will be fed…both physically with a snack AND spiritually with the Word of God.
Thanks to the Commonwealth Chapel Missional Communities and to U-Turn for killer partnership!!! You guys are the BEST!!! May you be blessed for the sacrifice of your time and love!!! Louis and I look forward to partnering more in the future! Even more…I’m looking to see what the Lord will do with this time! To God be the Glory!
Miss Marti's House 
