The Village Chapel of Bald Head Island

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Spiritual Happenings

National Day of Prayer

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The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 2.

“PRAY FOR AMERICA”

This year’s theme, “Pray for America”, is based on Matthew 12:21 which reminds us that “In His name the nations will put their hope.”  About the National Day of Prayer

Billy Graham's Prayer:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveess and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good, but that is exactly what we have done.  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our vlaues.  We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.  We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.  We have killed our unborn and called it choice.  We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.  We have neglected to disiplline our children and called it building self esteem.  We have abused power and called it politics.  We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.  We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.  Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from sin and set us free.  Amen!"

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer.  In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

Last Year's Requests Included: World Peace, family concerns: illness, death, divorce, addictions, for jobs, for strength of character;  for someone's Pastor, that God will bless America.  Thankfulness: for husband, God's Blessings, for America - my country, for surviving cancer

 

 

“Living in a Post-9/11 World”

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September 11, 2011

As we reflect on the happenings in our world, we are encouraged by the reminder that there is hope for our country and our island. This morning during the Chapel’s worship service, we reflected on America’s wonderful history as the Cardinal Singers, led by Elizabeth Beam, inspired our hearts as they sang “America the Beautiful.”

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

(Words by Katharine Lee Bates; melody by Samuel Ward)


Cardinal Singers
The Cardinal Singers were part of Rev. Robert Lewis’ thought-provoking worship service.
Bob and Jan Lewis
Bob and Jan Lewis

 

What is our response to living through a dramatic event such as September 11, 2001? The words and feelings we considered were: being under attack, sobering, chastened, sad and determined. We were reminded that the evening of the attack, President George W. Bush read The Twenty-Third Psalm during his Oval Office address to the nation. He emphasized that we “fear no evil” because there is good news in the face of tragedy. The “good news” is GOD IS WITH US. In all trials, as we call on God, we know that His light will vanquish the darkness.

Rev. Lewis reminded us that life is a precious gift, citing these two examples. The services held in churches across the country after the attacks focused on the symbols of the eagle and the cross. First, the eagle is the only bird that can rise above a storm. Our country rose above the storm of the attack of September 11, and we were encouraged to do the same in our own lives. Second, the cross tells us that Christ endured the worst and was victorious. This is also true for all of us. Why? Because God’s love is stronger than the evil or hate that exists in the world. We are called upon to walk in His love. How can we anchor in this? Psalms 139:7-12 tells us that there is no place we can go where God is not present. In Romans 8:35-39, we are reminded that there is NOTHING that can ever separate us from that love.

Rev. Lewis presented a challenge to each of us in the story of the 1911 theft of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” from the Louvre. It was documented that during the two years the painting was missing, more people came to stare at the blank space on the wall than had come to see the masterpiece in the prior twelve years that it had been on exhibit. In other words, we can have beauty in front of us and not realize it until it is gone. Then we stare at the blank walls of our life, amazed that something we took for granted is gone. Rev. Lewis ended his sermon by giving us thoughts to ponder: What are we taking for granted? Are we celebrating the blessings, the freedom, and the faith that is in front of us? Are we anchoring in the fact that God’s presence and love is “hanging before us”? Perhaps we can do much more to enjoy “His work.”

Deep Peace of Christ to You!

 

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 14:43
 

Thankful for our Island

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The Worship Service on August 28, 2011, after a week of watching Hurricane Irene, was a joyful experience. Rev. Garrett Albertson blessed us by proclaiming the power of Love from I Corinthians 13 and the choir, led by Cindy Sellers, created joyfulness by singing about the Peace God brings in Storms. Thirty One persons were in attendance and the Usher came for the cancelled 10:00 Service. We were all so happy to be able to be in Chapel and missed all of our friends.

The Village Chapel after Hurricane Irene
The Village Chapel after Hurricane Irene
Ready to Worship
Ready to Worship
Brenda and Dana Quanstrom
Brenda and Dana Quanstrom
Lee and Thad Wester
Lee and Thad Wester
Fran and Win Stevens
Fran and Win Stevens
Carol and Roy Johnert
Carol and Roy Johnert
Pat and Larry Lammert
Pat and Larry Lammert
Pat and Ken Miller
Pat and Ken Miller
Jane and Brian Johnson
Jane and Brian Johnson
Bill and Rene Zarnoch & Friend
Bill and Rene Zarnoch & Friend


Love is the Most Excellent Way to Live Life!

I Only Love When I am Christ Like.

Love is the Best Therapy and I Don’t Have To Agree With Someone to Love Them.

 

Pat and Dick Johnston
Pat and Dick Johnston
Property Owner
Property Owner
Klaus Bachmann
Klaus Bachmann
Barbara McQuaide
Barbara McQuaide


Stanley Burton:  If people were Absorbed by Love, People Wouldn’t Need Psychiatrists.

Hatred Exerts A High Price.

When You tell a Person to Go to Hell, They take a Piece of You With Them.

Karl Menninger capped the term TLC (Tender Loving Care) and had it written on the charts of each patient.

Chapel Choir:  Jane Johnston, Brenda Quanstrom, Bob Porter, Scott Starks, Cindy Sellers & Garrett Albertson
Chapel Choir: Jane Johnston, Brenda Quanstrom
Bob Porter, Scott Starks, Cindy Sellers & Garrett Albertson
Organist:  Cindy Sellers
Organist: Cindy Sellers


We are all Inadequate at Perfect Love, but God is calling Us to Be  Healed and to Be a Healer.

Minister:  Rev. Garrett Albertson
Minister: Rev. Garrett Albertson
Gaelic Blessing with Storm Debris
Gaelic Blessing with Storm Debris


Lovelessness is the Greatest Sin             If You Would Be Loved – Love.

                                        And the Greatest of These is LOVE!

Unidentified Congregants
Unidentified Congregants
Alan Purdie – Ready to Usher 10:00 Service
Alan Purdie – Ready to Usher 10:00 Service


** Notes in Purple are from the Sermon

By:  Pat Miller

 

Last Updated on Sunday, 11 September 2011 20:31
 

Planning a New Year

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Planning A New Year Bald Head Island Chapel God Encounter

As the New Year gets under way, I reminisce about all the God-related activity going on in our Chapel.  Even though we come from different Judeo-Christian backgrounds, we are growing as a Faith Family.  We are learning to find beauty and meaning in sharing with each other our beliefs, knowledge and traditions.  For me, I am learning to make the message of I Corinthians 13 more relevant in my own life.  To quote the words of The Message - somewhat paraphrased:  “Speaking with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy, speaking God’s Word with power, even revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, having faith to move mountains – even to the point of saying ‘Mountain, jump in the Ocean’ – and glory be, it happening -  or giving everything we own to the poor or even being burned at the stake as a martyr, can be good, BUT that isn’t what it is all about.  Without LOVE all of this amounts to ‘creaking rusty gates; being nothing; and going nowhere!’  Bottom line, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I am bankrupt without love.”

What impact do these words have on my life?  I am thankful for the people of Bald Head Island, thankful for the ministries of the Chapel and thankful for the privilege of being here.   Most of all, though, I am focused on being a “lover,” so God will say:  "Yes, now you’re up to something BIG."   The refrain of a familiar song plays over and over in my mind:  “. . . And they’ll know we are Christians by our Love, by our Love.  Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our LOVE.”

I am focused now on having more God Encounters on Bald Head Island.  How?  By LOVING people first and then letting the disciplines of my faith follow.

Last Updated on Sunday, 08 January 2012 08:04
 


Newsflash

The Men's Bible Study led by Rev. Dr. Garrett Albertson meets two times a month at the Bald Head Association first floor conference room. Our next meeting is on June 7 from 8:00-9:00 a.m..  All men are welcome.

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