There were no suggestions for changes to the FY 2024-25 Budget so you may now vote on the budget. Voting opens on June 14, and will end on June 26, 2024. Major financial expenditures like these budgets require at least 50 votes. Click here for a copy of the TBC Budget.
Click Here to vote electronically. Paper Ballots will also be available in the back of the Sanctuary.
Please remember, you need to be a member of TBC to vote and you may only vote once.
Over the course of these last two months, we’ve seen God at work specifically through: – the deepening of relationships – growing unity among leadership – the offering and receiving of caregiving in our fellowship – and the blessing of renewed hope
The list below offers a roadmap of opportunities for us to continue to gather, serve, and grow together. As it relates to your participation, we encourage you to pray for God’s guidance in your faithful “yeses” and “nos” alike. Which of these events might offer you the most joy and/or sustenance in the season ahead? Are there a handful of events God might be calling you to prioritize? Which events do you need to skip in order to be faithful to a calling God has already placed on your heart? Let’s commit to remain open to the holy nudges and assume the best in one another’s decision-making.
Every time two or more are gathered, God brings opportunity for thriving and growth in community. You are a blessing to those of us that have found a home at Tabernacle and a key part of the unfolding blessing we are called to be in the larger community. Steady on, Church……steady on!
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 21 – Community Ministry Saturday, October 28 – Leadership Retreat with Mark Tidsworth (consultant) Sunday, October 29 – Congregational Meeting with Mark Tidsworth (consultant), Sunday, October 29 – 8:00-8:30 PM – Way S’nah Htoo’s Baptism Service
NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 4 – Community Ministry Saturday, November 4 – B&G meeting with Carson Dean (consultant) Saturday, November 4 – Remember to move clock back an hour prior to going to bed (Daylight Saving Time ends) Sunday, November 5 – All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 5 – Quarterly Business Meeting (after worship), including initial report from B&G’s work with consultant. November 10-12 Youth Group to CBF Virginia Retreat at Eagle Eyrie Sunday, November 12 – Informal Fellowship on the church portico (after worship) Sunday November 12 – TBC hosting Rachel Pierce’s Ordination Service (3 p.m) Monday November 13 – Book Club Discussion on “Caste” by Isabell Wilkerson Monday, Nov. 13 – 15 – Annual BGAV General Assembly Meeting at Bon Air Baptist Church Saturday, November 18 – Community Ministry Sunday, November 19 – Church-wide breakfast in the Fellowship Hall November 20 – 24 – Mission Team to Metro Baptist Church, NY Tuesday, November 21 – Tabernacle and Pine Street Baptist Churches join FBC Richmond for a Thanksgiving Dinner and Worship Service
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 2- Community Ministry Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 10 – Children & Youth Christmas Parties Thursday, December 14- TCCC Christmas Pageant Friday, December 15 – packing of Christmas baskets Saturday, December 16 – Christmas Basket Ministry (morning) + Bruton Parish Concert in Williamsburg (evening) Sunday, December 17 – Sanctuary Choir will share their Bruton Parish Concert Music during worship. Following worship, we will celebrate with Terry Witt, as she is retiring from the staff after 25 years of service, in the Fellowship Hall Sunday, Decembber 17 – Voting for the TCCC Assistant Director closes at 2 PM. Sunday, December 17 – Annual Christmas in the Fan Concert Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Service
SUMMER 2024
June 12-15 – Older Children to Passport Kids Camp June 30 to July 5 – Youth Group to Passport Choices at Converse College
Stay Posted: Details each of these events will be shared in the upcoming weeks, via TabWeekly, the webpage, and church calendar.
A word of encouragement to those (re)building, (re)viving, (re)missioning, and (re)forming institutions
All humans long for stability. Throughout time, Societies have built structures to protect stability. Call it covid, call it chaos, there’s been a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on. Rigid structures don’t tend to fare well when the ground starts shaking. No structure is meant to last forever and yet when history circles back around we’re surprised by its arrival. Anything we carve or build out of rock, bricks, steel, or glass, eventually falls. Travel to Greece, Rome, the site of the former World Trade Center in NYC, or, (dare I say it) down a long stretch of Monument Avenue in Richmond, Va, historical structures eventually and always buckle under the pressure of the passage of time.
Most any group of people that find themselves finally tasting the “good life” naturally want to build a structure that can maintain, expand, and protect that way of life (aka stability). Think about the destructive cycles that spin chaos into the world from there. If building, maintaining, expanding, and protecting our “good life” requires the diminishing, disqualifying or destruction of the lives of others, expect chaos and prepare to choke on the dust of fallen idols, fortresses, and structures.
I believe God is refashioning us, not only out of the dust of our fallen idols, fortresses, and structures, but also out of the dust being stirred up by the beautiful feet of those walking beside “God with Us”
There’s a moment in the Bible when the disciples of Jesus find themselves awestruck by the Temple structure,“Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what a wonderful structure!” Jesus responds, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” The temple is supposed to be the most stable place on earth, the one place where God’s finger touches the world, therefore the one place chaos can’t possibly exist.
Later in the story, those that arrested Jesus justify their actions based on the audacity of Jesus bringing chaos, the equivalent of kryptonite, into the temple. He doesn’t help his case when he predicts the temple’s destruction or in claiming he will rebuild the temple in three days. To add insult to injury, he claims the new Temple won’t be confined by geography or any other lines we might draw in the sand. No-one-corner of the world will be able to claim this One as their own. This One, is meant to travel. This One is a throwback to the original design. Anyone with institutional memory might call him “Tabernacle”, but most of his followers call him Savior.
Church, I know we’re all longing for stability, it’s natural to do so, especially in our grieving. I want you to know that I join you in deep grieving. So much more, I want you to know that we worship a God that brings order out of Chaos.
YHWH didn’t fashion us out of metaphorical dust, breathe air into our lungs, and put us on our feet, only for us to create our own versions of the “good life”. Any version of life, built upon a structure that diminishes the potential for thriving in the lives of others, cannot be attributed to the goodness of God. Any version of the “good life” that leads someone into isolation, separation, or even relational annihilation is a cheap counterfeit. God is good…all of the time. The good life Christ offers is the real deal….the Way, the Truth, and The Life. Walk in the knowledge that we follow a Savior that can take all of the fallenness, brokenness, and complexities of the stories of the past and present, all of the unintentional chaos we’ve unleashed into the world, and somehow bring profound goodness through it. Know that God can, and will, make ALL things for good.
As we move out of this global pandemic, it will be critical for us to understand that it’s not our job to rebuild our temples. God already did that, three days after his son was crucified. The news gets even better. The resurrected Savior is inviting us to tabernacle with him right smack into the middle of the chaos. He’s inviting us to join the search party for those who have stumbled into, or were pushed into, lostness and loneliness. He’s inviting us to join him in the reclamation of the abandoned, to participate in the healing of the brokenhearted, and even in the resuscitation of the hearts of the presumed “righteous”.
In this very moment, I believe God is refashioning us, not only out of the dust of our fallen idols, fortresses, and structures, but also out of the dust being stirred up by the beautiful feet of those walking beside “God with Us”. It’s an invitation to breathe again. It’s an invitation to life again. It’s the invitation of a lifetime!
Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor
This is an adaptation of something first written in January 2022.
To those who gave birth this year to their first child — we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year–we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stain–we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment—we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms–we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children–we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children–we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year–we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother–we acknowledge your experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood–we are better for having you in our midst
To those who have had abortions–we remember you on this day
To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children–we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be
To those who stepparent–we walk with you on these complex paths
To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be–we grieve with you
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year–we grieve and rejoice with you
To those who placed children up for adoption–we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising–we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
Written by Amy Young
*** CONNECTION CARD:Click here to let us know you were present with us in worship, to ask a question, or share a prayer concern.
IT’S TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY! FEB 19 @ 11 AM (EST)We hope you’ll make plans to join us for this morning’s worship service. We will conclude the season of light celebrating the Transfiguration of Jesus. We will conclude the worship service in a circle of candlelight, turning our attention to the Lenten journey ahead.
FOR THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE VIRTUAL ACRE:
During the invitation hymn, those participating virtually will be encouraged to log out of the livestream AND immediately log into the zoom link below. This will allow our virtual participants, each holding candles, to be visually seen alongside those in the physical sanctuary. It only would make sense to do this if you’re comfortable turning on your zoom camera to be seen in the circle of candlelight. If you’d rather not be seen, it’s best to just stay in the livestream.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE SEEN IN THE CIRCLE OF CANDLELIGHT….
In decades past, previous generations at Tabernacle set aside time, often full weeks or weekends, to come together purposefully and expectantly. Long ago, these gatherings were called revivals and more recently spiritual renewal weekends.
Though the format of those gatherings have changed, the longings and expectations of each generation, including our generation, have not wavered. For almost 150 years our local congregation has come together, often in our most vulnerable chapters of communal life, to express our yearning for revival, to pray for inspirited vision, to petition God to give us unity in the (re)discovery of purpose and call.
The weekend of January 13-15, 2023, our generation will come together, in both the physical church building and in our virtual acre. Mark Tidsworth, our facilitator, will help us explore the challenges and opportunities standing before the Universal Church and guide our local church in prayerful discernment/dialogue.
We will introduce three questions as an invitation into discernment.
What might God do, in and through us, if we were to shift away from __________________ and move toward _________________?
member identity to disciple identity
attractional to missional church
consumer culture to sacred partnering
On Friday night, Mark will provide a format we’ll use for capturing our insights and we’ll continue to gather and glean throughout the entire weekend. This, plus the insights generated during multiple small group discussions, will be funneled to church leadership after this weekend. In turn, the leaders will determine how we can effectively continue to discern together as a congregation.
The Holy Spirit is prompting our old church to embrace a new day in this new world we’re all living in and we offer our praise to God for what we’re about to see and hear. Tabernacle, yet again, Christ is on the move, and, yet again, the revived, renewed, and re-missioned Church is called to follow.
————————————————- Retreat Schedule: Friday, January 13 6-9 pm (dinner provided) Saturday, January 14, 9-12 pm 12-12:45 (lunch provided), 12:45 – 3 pm Sunday, January 15, 9 – 10:30 am + worship
Cost: There is no registration fee. However, we do ask that each participant bring a pack of bottled waters or canned beverages + a sweet/salty snack to share.
Childcare: Whereas, we won’t be able to provide a nursery on-site, we can help offset some of the expense of baby sitting in your homes and possibly identify babysitters.
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It will be helpful to us if each participating member of your household registers separately. Please REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE.
Tonight’s Zoom Meeting, regarding Fire Protection, has been postponed.
The decision to postpone tonight’s zoom mtg. is based on updated information our lay leadership received this morning. Thanks for your flexibility and also for helping us put the word out to your classes, committees, teams, and small groups.
We’ll reschedule the meeting after we’ve explored the info we’ve just received.
“What would the church look like if everyone in the church used their God-given gifts and talents to equip the rest of the church in such a way that the entire church became more like Jesus?” For if the whole church looked and lived more like Jesus, how much more would our neighborhoods and cities look more like heaven?
– JR Woodard
The Pastoral Staff has been hard at work in preparing to equip the church in this next season of life together. Early this week, we’ll share the details of what the church can expect. This document will serve as a primer in better understanding why we’re beginning “here” and what to expect from each space we’re creating. Our goal is to prompt each one of us to take a deeper step in our walk with Christ; we make the road by walking.
DISCIPLESHIP IS THE GOAL
It’s all about equipping the people of the Church to be more like Jesus in a world that needs the love of Jesus. Christian discipleship is about calling others to join us in practicing a way of life in which we embody (flesh out) the life of Jesus in the context of the world as we journey to fulfill God’s mission together.
Discipleship is a way of life, not an intellectual assimilation of ideas or a program.*
We must deliberately practice discipleship in our daily lives, if we want to disciple others; It’s essential for us to practice what we teach.
Discipleship is about inviting people to become whole again, to become more like Jesus, overcoming destructive habits and building life-giving habits
Discipleship takes place in the street and the sanctuary, the classroom and the living room, its about being “with people” in everyday life
Discipleship happens when we are on mission together, joining God in the renewal of all things.
This report was submitted back in June from Donna and the Building and Grounds Committee. Since it was a large and costly project, we thought for those of you who may have missed it the first time around, we would bring it back to the top of the posts so you can have a chance to read it again.
It’s been an exciting month of activity around our buildings for the month of May and into early June. You may not notice unless you look hard or unless you are spending time in the choir area or Blue Room! The members of the Building & Grounds Committee thought you would like to see just how hard folks have been working for needed repairs and renovations, thanks to our partnerships with local experts. Old World Masonry Restoration, Vassars Services and Jeter Flooring all did an excellent job for us!
To read the full report which includes pictures of the project, click here.
Many thanks to Vincent, Donna and the Building & Grounds Committee.
Our quarterly business meeting will be held this Sunday, July 31 at 2:00 PM. This will be a hybrid meeting. (in person and zoom). The in-person meeting will take place in the Fellowship Hall. Click here to watch a recording of the meeting.
Click here for the Book of Reports for the 3rd Quarter.
This is the budget from the Finance Committee for everyone’s review. Click here to access the budget. There was a zoom call this past Sunday evening at 7 PM for anyone that wanted to ask questions or add input before the Finance Committee submitted the final budget today. If you missed that meeting but would like to view it, click here for the recording of the 7 PM meeting from Sunday, June 5.
The timeline for the budget will be as follows: Beginning June 8 – please review the budget. If you have any questions please reach out to Margaret Ailes, Jim Soyars, or Dan Herman our Finance Committee members.June 22– Online voting begins for the Budget – Click here to vote electronically. June 26- Paper Ballot in Worship and Vote Closes at 3 PM.
We’re anticipating a wonderful season of re-connection and welcome. Now is the time to get ready for company.
TECHIES
Reset a wifi enable deadbolt and connect to TBC wifi.Deadline – February 15
PEOPLE THAT LOVE SORTING AND MATCHING OFFICE SUPPLIES AND/OR ORGANIZING CABINETS
It’s well past time for us to pull everything out of the cabinets in our copy machine room and the supply closet just around the corner. We need 2-3 folks to tackle this. Probably would take a day of working together or two half days? Deadline – February 15
SPREADSHEET PEOPLE…..
* Enter data related to worship attendance over multiple years into a spreadsheet AND create some charts that help us track trends. * Gather some specific content from annual Book of Reports, enter said content into a spreadsheet. Deadline – FEBRUARY 28
PEOPLE THAT LOVE SANDING, PAINTING, and REFINISHING*
We’ve got a small handful of wooden tables and desks that need to get freshened up. No presumptions as to how many you’d knock out. Just let us know what you’re up for and we’ll assume others will do the same. Deadline – FEBRUARY 28
KEY MASTERS…..*
We’re looking for a curious sleuth to go through random keys, attempt to identify matching locks AND/OR label and re-organize our current keys. Deadline – MARCH 1
Interested parties…..please contact pastor@tbcrichmond.org. Sterling will connect you to the appropriate coordinator and we’ll take it from there.
Stay posted as lots of other opportunities will be posted in the week(s) ahead.
We hope you’ll make plans to join us for Dinner Church on Wednesday, January 25. Please note the second iteration of this new ministry model is slightly different from the original:
5:30 – 6 p.m. Early arrivers will help prepare the physical space
6 – 7 p.m. Break break and explore faith (older children – Senior Adult) * Preschool – 1st Grade will eat and participate in a different space.
7 p.m. Parents and children head home. Others may do the same or opt to help clean-up and enjoy unstructured fellowship.
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Those with a desire to delve deeper into the conversation are invited to gather in the Sanctuary with our pastor.
Hope you’ll make plans to join us on Wednesday, February 1. Please CLICK HERE to RSVP so we can plan for dinner. Please RSVP by 7:00 PM Monday, January 30.
***If you would like to attend and bring your own meal, please feel free to do so.***
The cost for the meal will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and youth with a maximum of $20 per family. We will accept cash, check (made payable to Tabernacle Baptist Church), scan the QR Code or Credit/Debit card.
Doug and Lea Coppage are looking for people to help with next summer’s Baseball Camp in Vác, Hungary! The camp will be Monday, June 30, through Saturday, July 5; the trip would be (approximately) Friday, June 27, until Tuesday, July 8.
These are the kind of people we’re looking for: 1. 8-12 year olds who play baseball/softball, 2. their parents 3. any age ball players 4. chaperones 5. people interested in helping in any way.
Please ask God whether you might take part in this. If you do, contact pastor@tbcrichmond.org
Date Details: Friday, June 27 at the latest: FLY to Hungary Saturday, June 28: ARRIVE in Hungary Sunday, June 29: REST, PREP for camp Monday-Saturday, June 30 – July 5, 2025: CAMP Sunday, July 6: Go to church in Budapest AND/OR Budapest tour. Monday, July 7: Budapest tour OR fly back to the States. Tuesday, July 8: fly back to the States.
We lift up the Cochrane Family and all those who loved and shared life with Jimmy. In this time of sorrow, let us find meaningful ways to be the heart and hands of Christ, bringing comfort and compassion to those who are grieving. As we honor his life, let’s also express our gratitude for the many ways Jimmy touched our lives and the life he continues to share with God. Let’s commit to pray, for comfort and thanksgiving!
James “Jimmy” H. Cochrane, Jr departed Newport, the Hokie Nation and his SCV camp unexpectedly on October 24. He was born in Richmond, spent much of his childhood and adult years in Rockville. Jim graduated from the Collegiate Schools, Virginia Tech (Architecture) and the University of Richmond (Transportation Management). He was the ultimate Tech fan, rarely missing a Hokie football or basketball game. When he was not wearing orange or maroon, he might be found in Civil War battalion attire or a Scottish kilt. He was pre-deceased by his parents J. Harwood Cochrane and Louise “Lulu” Blanks Cochrane, and his sister Suzanne Austell Martin. He is survived by his sister Judith Cochrane Hines, seven nieces and nephews, twelve great nieces and nephews and fiance’ Dale Hawthorne Harper. Jim worked at Overnite Transportation, Highway Express, then owned and operated a TourTime America motorcoach franchise.
He served on the boards of the Richmond Ski Club, the Museum & White House of the Confederacy, Huguenot Springs Cemetery and the American Frontier Culture Museum. Jim was fiercely proud of his Cochrane Scottish heritage and his brotherhood in the Kappa Alpha Order. He was well versed in American and military history. He was a long time member and Commander of the J.E.B. Stuart camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, coordinating and commanding numerous reenactments throughout Virginia and the south. He dedicated his life to civil war history and the battlefields of the Shenandoah Valley will forever be a part of his legacy. He retired to Wintergreen and subsequently Newport to be near his beloved Blacksburg.
He was larger than life and will be greatly missed by his family and friends in the Richmond Ski Club, the Knibbs Battery cannon battalion, Kappa Alpha and at Virginia Tech. There will be a memorial service at 11am Wednesday 11/6/24 at Woody Funeral Home at 1771 North Parham Rd Richmond, Va 23229. A private interment will follow. A Celebration of Life will follow a cannon salute at Huguenot Springs Cemetery on a later date.
Learning to See: Join us this Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6-8 p.m.
Just days earlier, they had witnessed Jesus’ brutal death in Jerusalem, leaving them overwhelmed with grief and uncertainty. Two of His followers, one named Cleopas and the other unnamed, now walk the road to Emmaus, their minds swirling with questions. How could this have happened?What if everything they believed was wrong?What next? Along the way, they find themselves hosting a stranger, and as they walk, they speak repeatedly of the burden of failure. As the sun begins to set, stillness—the great amplifier of anxiety—settles in. Broken hearts break bread together, and then it happens—the stillness is broken with the miraculous. Eyes are opened, the presence of the risen Christ is made known, and the presumed hosts find themselves invited yet again into a future wide open.
The Emmaus Road is long, and while you won’t see it on any map, it intersects at every corner in the city we call home. Just after the pandemic, Alcoholics Anonymous began meeting weekly in the “Blue Room” of the little church at the corner of Emmaus and Grove. There, each week, just after the sun goes down, the brokenhearted gather together and inevitably find themselves less alone than they thought they were. Stories of brokenness, despair, healing, and transformation are shared in that space. It’s on the road to Emmaus the future is resurrected, one broken heart at a time, one step at a time.
This Thursday, I’d like to invite you to the corner of Emmaus and Grove. We’ll gather together with one of the leaders of the AA meeting that takes place every Wednesday in the Blue Room. We’ll hear stories, and perhaps some of us will even feel called to share some of our own. Perhaps, in the sharing of stories and also in the stillness—the great amplifiers of God’s presence—we’ll all catch a glimpse of a resurrected future? Perhaps we, each and every one of us as guests, might leave that place more resolved to keep walking, one step at a time, toward that future together?
I hope to see you there.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Sterling W. Severns Pastor Details for Thursday, October 24, 2024:
The sermon emphasized that spiritual growth is not a one-time event but a continuous journey. Baptism represents the ongoing pattern of dying to our false selves and rising with Christ, over and over. Paul calls us into a lifelong relationship with God that demands daily surrender to grace.
Quotes:
“Grace isn’t just for our past sins, but for the ongoing process of transformation in our lives.” — From the sermon
“Spiritual growth is a journey, not a moment. It’s an ongoing invitation to trust in grace.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life do you feel called to surrender more fully to ongoing spiritual growth?
How might viewing your faith as a continuous journey change the way you approach daily challenges?
2. Baptism: A Continuous Journey, Not a One-Time Event
Baptism symbolizes more than a one-time moment of salvation. It’s an invitation to participate repeatedly in the death and resurrection of Christ. Paul teaches that we don’t leave behind sin in a single act, but we live in a daily pattern of surrender and renewal.
Quotes:
“Baptism isn’t a ritual of finality. It’s the starting point of an ongoing journey with God’s grace.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
How does your baptism (or your understanding of baptism) inform your current spiritual practices?
In what ways can you more intentionally participate in the “death and resurrection” pattern of spiritual growth in your everyday life?
3. Sin as Disconnection from God
Sin is not just a list of wrong behaviors, but an expression of our disconnection from God. It’s a failure to trust in God’s love and provision. Paul invites us to go deeper than surface-level morality and look at the spiritual root of sin—our distance from God.
Quotes:
“Sin is not about being bad; it is about being disconnected from God, and grace is the connection that heals and restores us.” — Greg Boyle
Reflection Questions:
How do you typically understand sin in your own life? Do you tend to focus more on behaviors or the deeper issues of trust and disconnection from God?
What steps can you take to reconnect with God in areas where you feel distant or mistrustful?
4. Idolatry and Fear-Based Living
The root of sin is a failure to trust in God’s sufficiency, leading us to live out of fear. We create idols—control, success, or security—when we feel uncertain. Living in fear keeps us from relying on God’s provision and invites us to hold onto false securities.
Quotes:
“The root of sin is our failure to trust in God’s sufficiency. Instead of trusting God’s provision, we rely ultimately on ourselves.” — Mark Biddle, Missing the Mark
Reflection Questions:
What idols (e.g., control, success, security) do you find yourself clinging to in times of uncertainty?
How can you shift from a fear-based way of living to a life more rooted in trust and surrender to God’s provision?
5. The Tug of Grace: A Moment-to-Moment Decision
We are continually pulled by fear, the root of all sin. The tug of grace is what gets our attention, but it’s not enough to keep us from being pulled under. It’s the invitation to decide: will we allow fear to drown our true selves, or will we let go of the rope, die to self, and let God’s grace drown our false selves?
Quotes:
“The tug of grace is God’s invitation. It’s not about resisting fear through our strength but about letting go and trusting in grace.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Can you identify moments in your life where fear has pulled you away from trust in God? How did the tug of grace invite you to respond?
What would it look like to let go of the rope and fully surrender to grace in a specific area of your life?
6. Dying to Self and Living in Christ
Paul teaches that true spiritual life comes through repeated death to self. We are called to continually surrender our false selves—our fears, pride, and need for control—and trust in God’s resurrection power. This ongoing death and resurrection is what allows us to live fully in Christ.
Quotes:
“We are called to ‘just keep drowning.’ It is in dying to our false selves that we can truly live.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
What aspects of your false self (e.g., pride, control, fear) are you being called to surrender in this season of life?
How have you experienced spiritual resurrection after moments of dying to self? What new life emerged from those experiences?
Quotes for Further Reflection
“Grace isn’t just for our past sins, but for the ongoing process of transformation in our lives.” — From the sermon
“Sin is not about being bad; it is about being disconnected from God, and grace is the connection that heals and restores us.” — Greg Boyle
“We are called to ‘just keep drowning.’ It is in dying to our false selves that we can truly live.” — From the sermon
“The root of sin is our failure to trust in God’s sufficiency. Instead of trusting God’s provision, we rely ultimately on ourselves.” — Mark Biddle, Missing the Mark
“When we live out of fear, we are essentially choosing self-reliance over grace, and in the end, that will always pull us under.” — From the sermon
TBC Richmond
Reflection Guide: Romans 6 and the Pattern of Dying to Self
We were the only two in line, strangers waiting for the pharmacy to reopen. It took her little or no time to begin to openly share her story with me. As she spoke about her journey through illness and healing, her hands told the story as much as her words.
She gently touched her head, right where the tumor had been, explaining how peace first entered her life—something she grasped intellectually after the surgery, as she processed what she had been through.
Then, she placed her hand over her heart, describing how that peace deepened, becoming something she could feel more fully.
But it was when she placed both hands on her stomach that her voice softened, and she said, “But now, I know it here.” This was peace she carried in her gut, a knowing that had grown through suffering, endurance, and the long journey now behind her. And she couldn’t keep it to herself—the peace had become too real, too profound, not to share.
Her testimony brought to life the very words of Paul in Romans 5. He speaks of suffering producing endurance, endurance shaping character, and character leading to a hope that does not disappoint. There are no platitudes here—no quick fix for pain. Paul is sharing the journey that he, and so many others, have walked: through suffering, into endurance, and into a hope that transforms us from the inside out. This is not about earning anything—it’s about receiving the grace of God, who walks with us and delivers us through every trial. God is with us every step of the way.
As we sang together at the end of last Sunday’s sermon,
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.”
The suffering we endure becomes the very path through which God leads us into hope. This journey isn’t about mere survival—it’s about discovering a peace so deep, a hope so life-altering, that we are never the same.
*Atrium Roofing Project Update Due to safety concerns voiced by the scaffolding company and our desire to avoid risk of interference with our duty as a voting precinct for the upcoming elections, the atrium roofing project is delayed. We do not have a definite start date currently. We will coordinate with Chandler Construction to also avoid any overlap with the scheduled elevator project timeline of November 7-21, 2024. Other details remain the same:
The elevator will be available during this project.Overhead protection will be in place.
When work begins, we anticipate a three-week project timeline
The atrium stairwell will be blocked off from use. Users of the facility will be asked to use another entrance if possible.
Signage will be present to help direct users to the elevator or to another entrance.
There will be a dumpster at the Meadow Street/alley corner location, protected by plywood and with signage.This will prevent interruption of alley use.
*Elevator Control Panel Replacement Project Please mark your calendars now—this project requires that our elevator is out of service for two weeks. This work is scheduled for November 7-November 21, waiting until after the Presidential election to be sure that there is no interference for that commitment.
The B&G Committee, pastoral staff, and Administrative Board are making every effort to communicate this information to all building users. We are researching options for how we can best serve our building community during this project time frame. More details will be provided as we get near the start of the work. Please keep reading the TAB for updates.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding as we manage these two important improvement projects.Please direct any questions you may have regarding these building initiatives, or any other suggestions regarding our facilities, to Donna Soyars at soundsidedfs@gmail.com.
1. Facing Resistance: Reflecting on Our Discomfort
The pastor acknowledged his initial resistance to Paul’s teachings, especially the perception of Paul’s arrogance. This resistance is something we often experience when faced with uncomfortable truths that reveal our own vulnerabilities. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans, challenge us to embrace grace over pride, and to let go of the need to control or judge. It is in releasing our resistance that we find transformation.
Quotes:
“God’s grace is not a gift we can earn by being strong; it is a gift we receive by admitting our weakness.” — From the sermon
“The arrogance that pushes back against grace is the same arrogance that resists transformation. The sooner we surrender it, the sooner God can work in us.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
When have you resisted a difficult truth in your spiritual journey, and what did that resistance reveal about your own need for control or comfort?
How does embracing the reality of God’s grace change your view of Paul’s teachings and how you relate to others?
2. Suffering as a Path to Growth
Paul teaches that suffering is not a curse but a pathway to growth and transformation. As Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4, “suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” This chain reaction is how God shapes us through hardship. Instead of seeing suffering as something to avoid, Paul invites us to see it as an opportunity to grow deeper in our faith and trust in God’s love.
Quotes:
“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” — The Message paraphrase of Romans 5:3-4
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” — William Barclay
Reflection Questions:
How do you typically respond to suffering—do you avoid it or embrace it as part of the journey?
Can you think of a time when suffering produced growth or deepened your hope in God?
3. God’s Presence in Suffering
One of the key themes of the sermon is that God is not distant or uninvolved in our suffering but walks alongside us through it. Paul understood this deeply, having endured great personal suffering. His message is that God doesn’t cause suffering, but God is present within it. This reframes how we view hardship—not as something to escape but as a place where we can encounter God’s love most powerfully.
Quotes:
“God is most present in our suffering, not to fix it, but to walk with us through it. It’s in those moments that we find the deepest sense of God’s grace.” — From the sermon
“Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 5:5, NRSV
Reflection Questions:
How has your understanding of God’s presence during suffering changed over time?
When have you felt God’s closeness during a difficult season in your life?
4. Justification: Being Grounded in God’s Grace
Justification, as explained in the sermon, is about God “putting us in our place”—not to humiliate or punish, but to ground us in grace. Whether we find ourselves feeling superior or inferior, justification reminds us that we all stand equal before God, with our feet firmly planted on the same ground of grace. Paul’s message is clear: we are all recipients of God’s love, and that levels the playing field.
Quotes:
“Justification is God putting us in our place—firmly on the ground, not hovering above others or sinking below. We all stand equal in God’s grace.” — From the sermon
“It’s not about what we do; it’s about what God has done for us.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Where do you feel ungrounded or out of balance in your life? How might God be calling you to find your footing in grace?
How does seeing yourself and others through the lens of God’s grace change your interactions with others?
5. Endurance Leading to Hope
The sermon emphasizes that endurance isn’t just about getting through hardship, but about being transformed by it. Paul teaches that through endurance, our character is refined, and that character leads to a hope that will not disappoint us. This hope is rooted in God’s love—a love that doesn’t falter in the face of suffering, but is strengthened by it. Endurance, then, becomes a spiritual practice, not just a survival tactic.
Quotes:
“Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us.” — Romans 5:3-5, NRSV
“Hope is not a feeling; it is a decision to trust in God’s love, even when we cannot see the way forward.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life do you need to cultivate more patience and endurance? How can you lean into the process of growth even when it feels slow?
How has God shaped your character through the challenges you’ve faced? How does that give you hope?
6. Peace Beyond Understanding
The peace Paul speaks of in Romans 5:1 isn’t just the absence of conflict—it’s a profound sense of reconciliation with God, a peace that permeates our entire being. This peace, described in the Greek word eirene, points to a state of wholeness and restoration that goes beyond what we can intellectually understand. It’s the kind of peace that, as the woman in the pastor’s story described, resides “in the gut” and transforms our outlook on life.
Quotes:
“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us.” — Romans 5:1-2, The Message
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God in the midst of chaos.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
How have you experienced a deep, lasting peace in your life, one that goes beyond mere calm or absence of stress?
What steps can you take to seek a deeper peace in your relationship with God and others?
7. The Pharmacy Story: A Journey from the Head to the Gut
In the pharmacy, the woman’s story reflects a powerful journey of healing—one that moves from the intellectual understanding of suffering to a deeper, more embodied peace. She begins by touching her head, the site of her tumor, acknowledging where her suffering began. Then she speaks of the peace she felt in her heart—a peace that came after surgery and recovery. But months later, her description of peace had moved even deeper, down to her gut. This profound shift symbolizes more than just healing from illness—it reflects a deep, embodied understanding of God’s peace, beyond emotion, rooted in lived experience.
This story beautifully parallels the movement of faith from intellectual belief to heartfelt trust and finally to an embodied knowing that transcends mere feeling. The woman’s peace in her gut, as the pastor describes, is akin to the peace that Paul speaks of in Romans 5:1-5, a peace that results from enduring suffering and growing in hope.
Quotes:
“I had this understanding in my life of what it meant to have the good life and kind of this peace. It was right here in my heart. But now I’m discovering this peace that is here, in my gut.” — From the sermon
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27, NIV
This deeper, gut-level peace is not just an emotional state; it is a knowing that transcends intellectual understanding and reaches the core of our being. It is the kind of peace that comes after we have walked through suffering and emerged with a renewed sense of God’s presence.
Reflection Questions:
The woman’s journey from head to heart to gut represents a deepening of her understanding of peace. How does this progression resonate with your own experience of peace?
Have you ever moved from understanding something intellectually to knowing it deep within your being? How did that shift change your outlook or your faith?
What does it mean to you to have peace in your “gut”—a peace that goes beyond mere feelings or thoughts and becomes something you embody in your daily life?
Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that we don’t “set things right” by our actions—God does it for us through grace. In the sermon, you mentioned how “God isn’t waiting for us to get things right. He already took care of that on the cross.”
Question: How does it feel to know that God’s grace comes as a gift and isn’t something we have to earn? Can you think of times when you’ve tried to earn God’s love, only to realize it was already yours?
2. Walking at a Human Pace
You talked about how Jesus walked at a human pace—about 2-3 miles per hour. Not in a rush, but always moving forward in grace. You said, “Discipleship happens one step at a time. We’re walking with Jesus, not running a race.”
Question: Are there moments in your life when you’ve felt the need to slow down and walk more closely with Jesus? How might walking at “God’s pace” change how we approach our faith?
3. Temptation to Climb Higher Ground
In the sermon, you mentioned how easy it is to think we’ve made it to higher ground spiritually. You said, “We think we’re walking with God, but sometimes all we’re doing is climbing up to a pedestal.” This can lead to a sense of superiority or separation from others.
Question: Have you ever found yourself feeling spiritually “above” others, even unintentionally? How can we guard against slipping into self-righteousness in our daily walk with God?
4. Feet on the Ground, Not on a Pedestal
You shared that God wants us to have our feet on the ground—not up on a pedestal, but also not buried in the dirt of shame. “God is always putting us back in our place—not to knock us down, but to walk with us back home.”
Question: What does it mean to have our “feet on the ground” spiritually? How can this help us stay humble while also accepting God’s love and grace?
5. We’re All Walking Each Other Home
You referenced the phrase, “We’re all just walking each other home,” showing how, in the Christian life, we’re not on this journey alone. We’re meant to walk with others in grace.
Question: How can we support each other as we walk this journey of faith together? Can you share an example of a time someone walked with you through a difficult season in life?
6. Justification: God Aligns Us with His Love
You described justification like aligning a Word document—God takes what’s out of place in our lives and brings it back into line with His love. “It’s God saying, ‘We’re good’—not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is.”
Question: In what areas of your life do you need God to bring you back into alignment with His love? How does knowing that God has already made things right change how you live day to day?
Closing Reflection: In what ways does understanding God’s grace more deeply affect your relationships—with God, with others, and with yourself?
Quotes for Reflection
“Grace is not a thing. It is not a substance that can be measured or counted. It is the personal presence of the living God.”
N.T. Wright This quote emphasizes that grace is the dynamic, personal presence of God in our lives, not something we earn or quantify. How does this reshape your understanding of grace?
“The greatest mystery of the gospel is not our sin, but God’s unrelenting love, which embraces us in our imperfection and calls us beloved.”
Richard Rohr Rohr reminds us that it’s God’s love, not our failures, that defines us. Reflect on how this truth impacts your sense of worth and relationship with the Divine.
“Justification by faith is about God putting the world back to rights, beginning with us. It’s about reordering our lives in alignment with the Creator’s love.”
James Dunn Dunn’s insight invites us to see justification as more than personal salvation—it’s the beginning of a wider restoration. How might this understanding impact how you interact with others and the world?
“The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. It is a call to downward mobility, to humility, to solidarity with those who are least in the eyes of the world.”
Henri Nouwen Nouwen’s words remind us that following Jesus involves walking the path of humility. How does this challenge you in your relationships and lifestyle?
“To believe in justification by grace is to accept that we are constantly being forgiven, renewed, and invited to start again—this is the journey of faith.”
Rowan Williams Williams highlights that grace is an ongoing process of renewal. How does the idea of continual forgiveness and renewal change how you approach your daily spiritual walk?
Join us for “Taste and See: Around the Table”, a monthly intergenerational gathering held in the sanctuary, where we share a meal, build connections, and explore the life Jesus is offering us.
Through fun, purposeful activities like storytelling, drawing, and shared discussions, we’ll experience faith and community in fresh ways.Each month offers something unique, fostering meaningful relationships and laying the groundwork for future discipleship in our church. Whether you come with family, friends, or on your own, “Taste and See” promises an evening of laughter, reflection, and growth. Come ready to share, eat, and be surprised by how God is moving in our lives and in our community.
We invite you to take some time to reflect on key themes from our recent sermon on Romans 3. Paul’s message in this chapter challenges us to look honestly at our own imperfections and embrace the transformative grace of God. Whether you choose to reflect on one or all of the themes, this guide is here to support your personal or group study. The goal isn’t perfection but to create space for spiritual reflection and growth.
Sermon can be found at marker 42:56
Sermon Summary
1. The Reality of Sin (Romans 3:10-12) Paul reminds us that “there is no one righteous, not even one.” This statement isn’t about condemning us, but about leveling the playing field—no one can claim perfection. All of us are in need of God’s grace. This realization sets the stage for transformation, which begins when we acknowledge our own brokenness.
2. Judgment and Projection (Romans 3:9-10) Paul critiques the human tendency to judge others while ignoring our own failures. Judgment often stems from insecurity, as we try to shift the focus away from our own shortcomings. Paul calls for humility—an honest self-assessment instead of focusing on others’ mistakes.
3. Grace as the Foundation for Transformation (Romans 3:20-24) Paul emphasizes that the law was not given for us to boast about following it perfectly. Instead, it reveals how far we fall short, making room for grace. True transformation begins when we stop relying on our own righteousness and embrace God’s grace as the foundation for change.
4. God’s Faithfulness (Romans 3:3-4) Even when humans are unfaithful, God remains faithful. This promise reassures us that our failures do not diminish God’s love or commitment to us. Knowing this allows us to confront our brokenness with honesty, knowing God’s grace will always meet us.
5. The Treasure in Clay Jars (2 Corinthians 4:7) Paul’s metaphor of “treasure in clay jars” reminds us that we are fragile and imperfect, yet we carry something precious—God’s love and grace. Rather than disqualifying us, our flaws become opportunities for God’s power to shine through us.
6. Transformation Starts with Honesty Paul teaches that true transformation starts with transparency. We don’t need to pretend we have it all together. Instead, when we admit our need for God’s grace, that’s when real healing and change begin.
Reflection Questions
These questions are designed to help you think more deeply about the themes from the sermon. Whether you reflect on them individually or with a group, allow them to spark meaningful conversation.
Facing the Truth: In the sermon, we heard the famous line from A Few Good Men: “You can’t handle the truth.” When faced with difficult truths about yourself, how do you typically respond? Do you tend to confront those truths or avoid them? Why do you think that is?
Judging Others vs. Judging Ourselves: Paul talks about our tendency to judge others while ignoring our own faults. How often do you catch yourself being critical of others instead of reflecting on your own struggles? How might shifting your focus to self-reflection change your relationships?
Paul’s Indictment and Our Hearing: Paul’s words might sound harsh or judgmental at first, but he’s speaking from a place of humility, acknowledging his own brokenness. How do you think your personal experiences or insecurities shape the way you hear challenging messages, whether from Scripture or others? How might it change your perspective to hear those words as coming from someone who is “in the mix” with you, rather than judging you from above?
The Nature of Sin: The sermon described sin as “missing the mark” and how it puts us out of sync with God. In what areas of your life do you feel out of sync with God? What would it look like for you to realign your heart and actions with God’s purposes?
God’s Faithfulness: Paul reassures us that even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. Where in your life are you struggling to trust in God’s faithfulness? How does this promise challenge or encourage you as you face uncertainty or failure?
Breaking the Cycle of Judgmentalism: We learned that judgmentalism often comes from a place of insecurity or self-loathing. How have you seen this cycle play out in your own life? What steps can you take to break free from judgmental thinking and move toward grace?
Sin and Projection: The sermon explored how we sometimes project our own discomfort by focusing on others’ faults. In what ways have you seen this dynamic in your own relationships? How might embracing vulnerability instead of judgment deepen your connections with others?
Transformation and Honesty: Transformation begins with an honest appraisal of our limitations and failures. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been avoiding the truth about yourself? What would it take for you to bring that into the light and experience God’s grace for healing?
Carrying God’s Treasure: Paul’s metaphor of “treasure in clay jars” was highlighted in the sermon. How do you see God’s grace shining through your own imperfections and weaknesses? What might it look like to embrace your vulnerability as a strength?
The Weight of Sin and the Law: We heard that the law reveals our need for grace rather than giving us a means to boast about our righteousness. How has your understanding of the balance between law and grace evolved? How does this shift in understanding impact how you live out your faith day to day?
Receiving Grace in Community: The sermon emphasized that none of us are exempt from the human condition of sin. How does recognizing your shared brokenness with others affect the way you engage with your community? How might it change the way you receive or extend grace?
Quotes for Reflection
Here are a few quotes to ponder as you reflect on the sermon’s themes. Use them as conversation starters or points of meditation.
“There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10)
“Judgmentalism is often rooted in our own insecurities. When we judge others, we are projecting our discomfort with our own sins.” — Richard Rohr
“Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful.” (Romans 3:3-4)
“Transformation begins with honesty—admitting our brokenness is the first step to experiencing God’s healing.” — N.T. Wright
“The principle of Transformation reminds us that nothing, no one, no situation is immune from the transforming love of God.” – Desmond Tutu
“The law shows us our flaws, but grace enables us to grow beyond them.” — Charles Talbert
“We carry this treasure in fragile clay jars, but it is in our weakness that God’s power shines through.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
We hope this guide prompts meaningful reflection as you explore Romans 3 in your personal journey or with others in your community. Let this be a reminder that God’s grace meets us where we are and leads us toward transformation, not through perfection, but through honesty and love.
Additional Reflection Guides for Children & Youth: