Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

I hope your Monday has started off well and that you are really enjoying this amazing weather.  We had a great day of worship with one of my best friends, Mark Pendergrass, giving us the sermon entitled "Some Scripture Surprises".  Please check it out on our YouTube Channel - The Church By The Sea.  

I would like to share some news regarding our youth ministry.  As a lot of you know, Jon Gardner and Nicholl Brabham, have been leading our youth ministry for over 3 years now and have done an excellent job.  They have grown this youth ministry from basically nothing to the youth ministry it is today.  After much prayer and many conversations we feel it is ready for someone to be full-time. Someone who this as their only "job/ministry".  I want to thank from the bottom of my heart Jon and Nicholl for pouring their hearts and lives into our teenagers.  They are not leaving our church just transitioning to new and amazing things.  As you know, Jon had his first child, Alexander recently so that is wonderful!  When you see Jon or Nicholl please give them a big thank you for their service.  We will put together a search committee consisting of current elders, parents, and teenagers.  We will actively begin to look for a new youth pastor in January.  Please be in prayer for Jon and Nicholl and our search committee.   

*****Christmas Eve Services - Reservations will be taken for each service - please reserve your seat(s) by using our website, our App, or calling the church office.  All reserved seats will be released by 5:50pm and 8:20pm - we will have overflow areas for those who do not make a reservation (in case it is needed). 

         6pm - This will not have our annual children's Christmas Pageant - Live Streamed Service 
         8:30pm - The exact same service as 6pm!  
 

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Friday evening or in Sunday worship. .

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

Mark Pendergrass gave us the sermon last Sunday. The sermon title was "Some Scriptural Surprises" and the scripture was Romans 8:1-2. The Law said one thing but Jesus said another! Jesus fulfilled the Law's requirement. There is no condemnation...

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

Today is December 7th.  For me, when this day comes around I always remember and take a moment to pray.  I remember what happened on this day in 1941.  I pray for all those people who lost their lives and that ugly, horrible war that needed to happen.  I hope we all will remember and pray but I also hope we all pursue God and His love and then love our neighbor.  We are called to be His hands and feet in this world.  

This past Friday, we had our 33rd annual Christmas Gala at the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club.  A big thank you goes to Marilyn Conroy and Cheri Evans-Schmidt for chairing this event and pouring their heart and soul into making this years Gala amazing.  I would also like to thank Ray and Suzie Williams for making every auction and raffle item just beautiful and to our Corporate Board for all their effort.  I would like to thank Debbie Stokes, Alice and John Meiners, David and Nicole Finneran, and Holly Sargent for their love and support.  A special thank you to Alan Ruf and the Rosemary Duffy Larson Trust for underwriting the Gala so that every ticket sold will go to the support of our church.  It was a great time and I look forward to letting you all know how much was raised in the near future.  
 

*****Christmas Eve Services - Reservations will be taken - Not required, but taken - we will have overflow areas for those who do not make a reservation (in case it is needed).  More information to come!

         6pm - This will not have our annual children's Christmas Pageant - Live Streamed Service 
         8:30pm - The exact same service as 6pm!  
 

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Friday evening or in Sunday worship. .

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

The scripture was 2 Timothy 4:9-18,21 and Matthew 11:28-30 and sermon title was "Don't Delay". The Apostle Paul is nearing the end of his life and wants to have Timothy with him. He tells him to "come before winter". Paul is asking his closest friend to not delay. His time is short. Are there things you shouldn't delay in doing? DO THEM!!

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

Let me begin by saying thank you to Randy Starr for all he does. I called him Saturday with my concerns of being exposed to someone who was diagnosed positive for Covid. I went and took both tests - the rapid and 2-4 day one - both came back negative. I am feeling fine and moving forward. So, thank you Randy for delivering a wonderful message and for being YOU!!!

Marilyn Conroy and Cheri Evans-Schmidt are the chairs for our Christmas Gala. Here is a note from them.
Dear Church, we are excited to be celebrating the 33rd annual Church By The Sea Christmas Gala on this upcoming Friday December 4th being held at the newly renovated Lauderdale Yacht Club. We are currently just a few guests shy of our targeted attendance. I hope you will consider attending this event which is the only fund-raiser for the Corporation. The event has been underwritten, therefore the cost of the ticket $125 per person is now completely tax deductible.

Some of you have expressed concern about the health protocols being adhered to by the Yacht Club. The LYC insists that all service staff wear masks and gloves, that each employee has their temperature checked daily. For those employees who did have positive Covid results, last month, they had to quarantine and were not allowed back to work until they received negative results. Every guest will have their temperature taken upon arrival for the evening.

The dining arrangements are tables for 6 guests unless a family specifically requested a table for 8. These are tables that would normally accommodate ten people, therefore the diners will be well spaced apart, as well as the tables themselves within the banquet area. The cocktails, weather permitting will be held outdoors with high-top tables for those who want to sit.

This party really kicks off the festivities of the season with great food, wine, fellowship and dancing – not to mention prizes galore. I do hope you will be able to join us for this wonderful annual event. Please contact the church if you would like to attend or support this event.

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Friday evening or in Sunday worship. .

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

The scripture was Mark 1:1-8 and sermon title was "Hope is on the Way". John The Baptist prepared the way for the coming of hope in Jesus Christ. The shepherds had their sights on the horizon and they found HOPE in the birth of the savior Jesus Christ. We have that same Hope even in this broken world of today in the promise from God the gift that keeps on giving in His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

It was great to have worship without it raining. We had a wonderful morning of worship and special thanks to our music ministry. It is wonderful to have some of the choir available to help lead us. Judy, Don, Vince, and Melissa do just an amazing job! Bravo!!!! I want to assure you that we do an excellent job of keeping the sanctuary clean and safe. I look forward to seeing you in worship or you seeing us online.

Thank you to all those have pledged to our 2021 budget. We are proposing a budget of $560,000. Below is a link showing where we are at this point. If you are a member or call CBTS home please call the office or send in your pledge card. Let's all "pull" together because together we can accomplish much. These are very trying times for everyone, yet I want to challenge you to pray and to ask God about how you can support the work and ministry of Church By The Sea.
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Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday, God bless.

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "Overwhelmed By Grace" and the scripture was Luke 7:36-50. When we receive grace/forgiveness it is amazing how it returns in all areas of life! Simon didn't show any kindness or grace to Jesus but the "sinful" woman sure did!

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

Wow! Did Eta bring a lot of rain to our area? It was amazing how much rain actually fell! I hope you all were safe and didn't have any damage from the storm. I was also amazed how many actually attended worship yesterday. Thank you to all those who attended and those who watched or will watch online. God is moving in our church and our land - that I am sure of!!

Thank you to Marilyn Conroy for sharing in worship about our upcoming Christmas Gala on December 4th at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. It is going to be a wonderful evening to be with each other and raise funds for our Corporate Board. I hope you all are praying about your involvement. This is the only fundraiser for the Board so please help if you are able.

As our Stewardship campaign winds down we are asking everyone to send in their pledge card by this Sunday, November 15th. We are proposing a budget for 2021 of $560,000. These are very trying times for everyone, yet I want to challenge you to pray and to ask God about how you can support the work and ministry of Church By The Sea.

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday, God bless.

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "The love you had at first" and the scripture was Matthew 22:33-40 and Revelation 2:2-5. What is the heart of Christianity? To me, it is love. Love for God and love for our neighbor. It is so easy to get caught up in things that we forget our first love.

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

Well, the 2020 Boat Show has come and gone and even though the show was scaled back from years past the Men's Ministry still netted about $3,000 from opening our parking lot. A big thank you goes to Bruce Barclay and Craige Ayscough-Clarke for organizing this weekend. The crew of guys that came and helped were Ray Williams, David Finneran, Barry Harbour, Ray Milligan, Randy Starr, Jim Stoycheff, and John Riser! Thank you all for braving the heat and rain from Thursday - Sunday!

We had another great day of worship. Our sanctuary is feeling a little more full as we still try to have the best worship possible with keeping the a safe environment for all those attending! Last Sunday we had a little over 70 people in worship with another 30 in children's ministry! As we begin to grow we need to always keep in mind the `idea of being safe!

By now, I hope you all have received our stewardship letter for our proposed budget for 2021. We are asking for $560,000 for the year 2021. These are very trying times for everyone, yet I want to challenge you to pray and to ask God about how you can support the work and ministry of CBTS.

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday, God bless.

In His Grip,
Chris

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "And I will do this as well" and the scripture was Genesis 24:10-27. Rebekah was asked for a simple drink of water, but she offered to do way more. I believe God is asking us to be generous with our heart, our time, and our resources. Don't do only what is expected, but go the extra mile!!

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

For such a rainy and I mean rainy Sunday morning, worship was a bright ray of sunshine.  It felt like God was really moving and speaking to us as a family.  A big thank you to our mini-choir and Chris Kane for leading us in our worship.  As we make progress in returning to worship the way we have been accustomed let us all remember to pray and continue to be safe.  

Last Sunday began our time of stewardship here at church.  Celeste Koster, our Clerk of Session, shared about our budget which we are asking for $560,000 for the year 2021.  You should be receiving in the mail this week a letter with a pledge card.  We are asking you to pray about your financial support of Church By The Sea.  These are very trying times for everyone, but I want to challenge you to pray and to ask God about how you can support the work and ministry of CBTS.  

Have an amazing week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday,  God bless.

In His Grip,
   Chris 

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "Content" and the scripture was I Timothy 6:6-10.  Are you content?  Are you at peace?  Or are you always wanting more?  How do we stop the "More Train"?  Always wanting more is a problem in our world and God is asking us to pray for His peace, to pray for His grace and love and to be content!  Easier said than done, but you can pray.  

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

What a yucky Monday!  It is raining and windy.  I hope your day has started better than the weather here in Fort Lauderdale.  Yesterday, we had a great day of worship.  Thank you to Don, Melissa, and Judy for sharing their gift of song with us in worship. 

This Sunday begins our time of stewardship here at church.  Celeste Koster, our Clerk of Session, has put together a wonderful letter and is asking you to pray about your financial support of Church By The Sea.  This letter will be mailed out on October 26th.  These are very trying times for everyone and I will never use guilt, or pressure for anything, but I will challenge you to pray and to ask God about how you can support the work and ministry of CBTS.  I understand these are extremely difficult times during this pandemic, so please pray.

Have an amazing week!  God bless.

In His Grip,
   Chris 

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "Yes" and the scripture was Acts 9:1-9.  I believe Jesus wants our heart.  He wants a relationship based on love, but it begins with a yes!  Have you said, "Yes"? 

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,

This is our 3rd week of having worship and it is so amazing to be back together!  To see us worship as a family together is so...fulfilling!  We need to continue to be safe and pray for all people to be safe as well.  We together and thru Christ can do "all things".  

With now taping the service at 10am we are finding it is harder and harder to get the service out in a timely fashion.  We are considering a couple of different options.  If this sort of thing is your "wheelhouse" please call the church we would love to talk and see how we can make things a little more seamless! 

I hope you all have a wonderful 2 weeks.  My family and I are traveling with our travel trailer to Savannah, GA, Asheville, NC, and VA!  Randy Starr is preaching July 19th and Brian Checchio is on July 26th.  Have an amazing week!  

In His Grip,
   Chris 

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "Let's Keep Splashing"  The scripture was John 3:1-16.  Jesus splashes people with God's love - He didn't condemn or put people on the spot He loved them and showed them grace and then allowed the Spirit to draw people to Him.  We need to be more like Jesus and splash people with God's love.

Pastor's Weekly Email

Dear Friends,
      We did have worship yesterday and it was intimate and different.  We had bulletins spread out and not handed out.  We did not have children's time, an offering during worship, passing of the Friendship Pad or Patio Time after worship.  A lot of us are in a serious holding pattern to "ride this out" and that is a good thing.  I want to strongly encourage you to keep doing the basics: wash your hands frequently, to avoid touching your face, and to be mindful of keeping a little distance.  As we face these difficult times - we will face them together and with grace.  Please know...this will pass and I pray that we are a stronger nation and world because through Christ we can do all things! Peace, Love, and Grace.

Sermon Recap

The sermon title was "Without Wax" and the scripture was Luke 11:37-41 and Matthew 5:8.  We are called to be "pure in heart"!  We are called to be who we say we are!  To be real and genuine.