By Paul Hargraves My parents consistently encouraged me to develop a stronger sense of independence throughout my upbringing. Over time, I realized that, according to the Bible, we are not meant to navigate life in solitude but should foster connections. We are created to maintain relationships both with God and with other people. This focus […]
What a Blast We Had at VBS!
Vacation Bible School (VBS) has been an important part of Chapel Hill for years. It is part of our DNA to mobilize the next generation to be on mission for Christ. Each year, our Summer Blast VBS really helps the next generation understand what it means to follow Jesus and realize his mission for our […]
Becoming Faith Builders
I grew up in a loving “churchgoing” family. Our family’s Christian faith was primarily based on how regularly we attended church and how often we recited a memorized prayer before meals during my formative years. Looking back, I recognize that God was someone I learned about instead of someone that I could know and have […]
Clean
One thing that we became more aware of after COVID-19 is cleanliness. Think of the things we enjoy more if they are “clean”? Maybe we think of doorknobs, bathrooms, kitchen counters, floors, drawers, garages, cell phones, computer screens or keyboards, microwave ovens, refrigerators, our clothes, our hands, teeth, sheets, pillowcases, windows, car windshields. The list […]
Created for wonder: how to recapture wonder in your life
Sunday’s Coming! “Judas.” The name is synonymous with betrayal. Brutus, Fawkes, Arnold, Quisling…all world-class traitors in their own right, must bow before the height of treachery perpetrated by a disciple whom Jesus called “friend.” We are told “Satan entered Judas.” Did that mean he was possessed? Did he have any choice? How could one who spent three years […]
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The role of grandparents in our lives
My wife and I are very proud grandparents of six grandchildren and one on the way that is due in November. We have noticed that our fellow grandparents seem to say that once you have grandchildren, it’s time to take it easy and enjoy spoiling them. We both have recognized, however, that this is not […]
Reflecting on a “Stellar” Vacation Bible School
Chapel Hill Church has a great tradition each summer to gather children and elementary kids for five days in what we now call Summer Blast VBS (formerly known as Day Camp). This past week, from 9:00 am to noon, we had about 130 volunteers serving together to shine the light of Jesus’ love to 160 […]
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Any anxious thoughts today?
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand […]
How to build living faith in the next generation
In a sermon a couple of weeks ago, Pastor Mark challenged us to think about what it would take for us as a congregation to see that the next generation of kids and teenagers would become authentic followers of Jesus by the time they graduated from high school. I believe we all can agree that […]
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