tbc Blog, Devotional, Devotionals, Media, Prayer

Advent Devotion Introduction

The Christmas story is about journeys.  It is the story of a young expectant mother traveling to Bethlehem with her husband to pay taxes.  It is the story of the Magi following the stars in search of a King, and of humble shepherds taking leave of their sheep to find a Savior wrapped in cloth in a manger.

And so it is for all of us.  The birth of Christ marks the beginning of the journey to Easter and our personal journey from brokenness to wholeness.  For those who choose to listen, the Christmas story transforms each of us into a traveler on the road to reconciliation, redemption and hope.

Our personal journey has taken us to many places only God could have imagined, from the windswept plains of a North Dakota reservation to the sugar cane fields of south Florida; from a barrio in the desert Southwest to the hollows of Appalachia, and the streets of inner-city Washington, D.C.  Along the way we were blessed with a decade at Fredericksburg Baptist Church where we were nurtured, supported, challenged and uplifted.

In 2002, we were humbled to have been asked to share some stories of our journey with our fellow parishioners during Advent season.  And, this year, we are equally humbled to share these stories with our friends at Tabernacle Baptist Church. In the pages of this devotional you will hear the stories of those we have come to know as we have traveled…stories from our work with Native Americans, migrant farm workers, elderly persons and the homeless men, women and children.

Many of the people we will introduce to you in the pages ahead have led very difficult lives.  Most have overcome incredible odds and openly share their stories.  Others are more reticent, desiring to put the past behind them and grasp their new futures of hope.  In order to ensure that we did not compromise anyone’s privacy we have changed some of the details.

Additionally, to make it easier for readers (and the writers), we have chosen to refer to God as He, even though it our belief that God encompasses both masculinity and femininity.  All scripture references, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Bible in Today’s English Version, commonly know as the “Good News Bible.” 

A number of the readings make reference to Christ House, a medical recovery facility with 24–hour nursing coverage for homeless and formerly homeless men and women.  Christ House is an all-encompassing ministry with a social work department, a substance abuse recovery program, a worshipping congregation, and a staff who live in community on site.  Kairos House is a companion ministry nearby where former Christ House patients committed to recovery live in community. Christ House is located in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC, and was part of the Church of the Saviour’s family of ministries. The Church of the Saviour is now a scattered community of independent churches.

As we journey toward the destination of Christmas, we must recognize that this journey is only preparation for a longer one.  Christ invites you on a longer journey into the life of your community to tell the story of Jesus and reach out to a hurting world.

It is our prayer that through our stories you will hear the Christmas story in a different way this year, and the people we introduce to you will challenge you to invest yourselves even more in ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church and in the community.   As we begin our journey remember these words of Jean Vanier:

We are called to drink deeply from the heart of Christ, so that we, the church, can become a home for the lonely and the crushed of this earth. Christ puts into the arms of His church the suffering and the hungry of this world so that they may heal us, call us down from our pedestals of power and wealth and lead us into the wisdom of the beatitudes.

Please come with us as we travel to Christmas.

Fred and Ginny Karnas

tbc Blog

Lifting up Richard’s family in their grieving and celebrating.

RICHARD MYRON ANTHONY SR.

December 18, 1929 – November 13, 2023

Richard Myron Anthony, Sr., 93, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023.  He was born on December 18, 1929, in Patrick Springs, Virginia, to the late John Virgil Anthony, Jr. and Hallie Ethel Foster Anthony. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Cora Lee Hiatt Anthony; seven brothers, John Virgil Anthony, III, Douglas Anthony, Clarence Anthony, Charles Graves Anthony, William Penn Anthony, James Maxwell Anthony, and Thomas Anthony; and two sisters, Nancy Elizabeth Anthony and Hallie Anthony Slagle. 

Richard was a member for 40 years of the First Baptist Church of Martinsville and a member for 22 years of the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Richmond.  Richard was a business owner; he owned R.M. Anthony Construction Corporation, Brookshire Apartments, Sherwood Manor, and Fairway Apartments. He was the co-owner of Anthony Brothers Lumber Company.  Richard graduated from the University of Richmond, and while attending, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, where he was a chapter president. He served as the president of the Bassett Kiwanis. 

Richard is survived by one son, Richard M. Anthony; two daughters, Kimberly Anthony, and Lisa Anthony; one chiweenie named Larry; and one pitweenie named Lucy.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Bassett Funeral Service Chapel. The funeral service will start at 2:00 p.m. at the Bassett Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Mark Andrist officiating. A burial will follow immediately after the service at the Anthony Family Cemetery in Patrick Springs, Virgina.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by mail to 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or online at https://www.alz.org/. 

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bassettfuneralservice.com. Bassett Funeral Service is serving the Anthony family.

tbc Blog

Follow-up: TBC Building Assessment

ex·cep·tion·al

unusually good; outstanding.

What a gift it was to come together on Sunday afternoon to hear the story of what God has done over these last three months, celebrate the faithfulness of those making ministry happen, and embrace the voices of those leading us.

What a gift it was to welcome Carson Dean back into the fold, grow in awareness of his exceptional giftedness and receive the generous gift of his time and expertise.  It was truly an exceptional meeting, a much needed gathering in an exceptional moment in the life of our church.  Thank you to all of those that served on both sides of the kitchen counter and also in front of computer monitors. Thank you to our leaders, and the larger community,  for the courage to see the bigger challenges and opportunities before us.

Click Here to read the Draft Report Cover Letter received from Carson
Click Here to read Carson’s Draft Copy of his Facility Management Assessment & Usage Visioning Report

tbc Leadership Roundtable

Quarterly Business Meeting – Sunday, November 5, 2023


Join Us Sunday, November 5th After Worship—Quarterly Business Meeting
With a Special Report from Carson Dean

First, thank you to those who were able to participate after worship this past Sunday in our discussion with Mark Tidsworth. He led us in understanding the current work of the Leadership Roundtable and the signs of renewal you are already seeing around TBC.  It is so meaningful to have you engaged in our Season of Renewal, walking together on our pathway in growth as a church of Christ followers..

PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US again this coming Sunday, November 5th, after worship for another opportunity to gather around the lunch tables for our Quarterly Business Meeting.  Here are some important highlights about this time together: This is a hybrid meeting, so join us by

Zoom if you are unable to join in person. Use the Zoom link below:
LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82386158273?pwd=RzFRR0JQRlRNRi9WODRNUWJMR0FVZz09            
Meeting ID: 823 8615 8273
Passcode: 362946

The meeting will follow our usual business meeting agenda.We hope that you will review the Quarterly Report using the link provided below prior to the meeting. Only a few committee reports are planned for the meeting, such as our Finance Committee report, understanding that you have already read the committee written reports.
LINK: Quarterly Report The last 30 minutes of our upcoming meeting will be facilitated by Carson Dean, giving you highlights of his preliminary Building & Grounds Assessment report.You will have an opportunity to engage in this part of our agenda.We appreciate your interest in how we move forward in utilizing our facilities and maintaining them. We ask that you continue to pray for our church leaders and pastoral staff as we continue to grow into how we serve God as individuals and as a vibrant congregation.
tbc Bias Series, Worship

Delving Deeper: Community Bias

Last Sunday, we continued our series on biasses. 

Community Bias: It’s almost impossible to see what our community doesn’t, can’t, or won’t see.  

Here are some helpful resources to delve deeper into some root causes of this particular bias and wisdom from some fellow sojourners. We encourage you to deliberately seek out time with fellow Jesus followers as you explore and pray about this in the week ahead.

  1. Listen to Community Bias: a brief introduction.
  2. Listen to the Sermon. (John 4)
  3. Going against the flow: Listen to the Podcast or Read the transcript of the conversation.
  4. Seeing as a social act: Listen to the Podcast or Read the transcript of the conversation.
  5. To Be a Healer: Explore the devastating role of loneliness and begin to practice deeper forms of connection (including solitude with God)  Listen to the Podcast or Read the transcript of the conversation.
  6. Reflect on a quote:

“It is not physical solitude that actually separates one from others, not physical isolation, but spiritual isolation. It is not the desert island nor the stony wilderness that cuts you off from the people you love. It is the wilderness in the mind, the desert wastes in the heart through which one wanders lost and a stranger. When one is a stranger to oneself, then one is estranged from others, too.”

Anne Morrow Lindbergh Gift From the Sea

tbc Life of the Community

Bob Hutchinson Memorial Service, 10.14.23

We continue to lift up the Hutchinson family as they grieve his death and rejoice in his homecoming. We’ll gather in the church sanctuary to thank God for Bob’s life, next Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 10am.

Family will be available for visitation from 9:00am-10:00am.

Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery for family.

Robert Hutchinson Obituary

“What kind of train does bubble gum prefer?” Bob would answer, “the Choo-Choo!” Bob thought he had the most hilarious jokes. He would literally crack himself up and his laugh was infectious. 

Robert Hutchinson Jr, “Bob”, was born in Richmond VA on September 20, 1944. He attended St. Christopher’s School followed by University of Richmond. He could be described as a home body, marrying Cindy and setting up his businesses in RVA. Bob found a passion in photography, starting with Weddings by Hutchinson on Grace Street followed by the VA Photo shop on Main Street. Bob had a passion for black and white photography, and developing his own pictures. He owns a patent for a developing chemical he created in 1982. Bob also had a love of physical fitness and was a regular “gym rat” at the Franklin St. YMCA for many years. After retiring VA Photo, Bob became a certified personal trainer, helping people at the MAC and American Family Fitness gyms in Midlothian. He loved watching people take control of their lives through exercise and fitness. 

Bob had a sincere and eclectic personality. He missed his calling in meteorology as evidenced by his daily weather advice for anyone who would listen. Bob enjoyed making his own natural concoctions and Kombucha tea. There was always a vitamin to fix an ailment and a natural remedy to aid in recovery. He loved sharing these passions with his family and friends. He loved baseball, swimming, diving and musical theatre. Bob wouldn’t miss his kid’s plays, concerts, baseball games or dive meets. You could count on him eating a crunchy peanut butter sandwich for lunch every day, making rock hard fudge in family bake offs, and butt dialing one of his kids. Running a car into the ground was also a special skill of his. He had a real appreciation for theology, and you could find Bob reading his Bible late at night and preparing Sunday school lessons.

Bob died on September 21 2023 in the early morning with Cindy by his side. He had just celebrated his 79th birthday. He was preceded in death by his parents Ann (Lipford) and Robert Hutchinson Sr. He leaves his wife of 44 years Cynthia (Walker), 3 children Ashley Stigall (Wesley), Meredith Hutchinson (Korrey Allen), and Bobby Hutchinson (Lauren), 6 grandchildren Quinn, Sloane, Sullivan, Kody, Maya, Maisy, Bobby’s little one on the way, and brothers, Walter (Sharon) Hutchinson and Foster (Mindy) Hutchinson, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Ann (Lipford) and Robert Hutchinson Sr. He grew close with Cindy’s mother, Carole Walker over the last year as she stepped in to care for him when Cindy was working. He loved his family fiercely and was their number one fan through it all. Bob truly lived until the very end, he never gave up. 

Bob’s life will be remembered and celebrated at Tabernacle Baptist Church at 1925 Grove Avenue on Saturday October 14, 2023 at 10am. Family will be available for visitation from 9:00am-10:00am. Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery for family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Tabernacle Baptist Church in Bob’s memory.

If you would like to view the service by Livestream, click here.

tbc Leadership Roundtable

Leadership Roundtable in Action—Our Path in a Season of Renewal

The Leadership Roundtable is now half-way through our initial 60-days of focus to move our church forward in our Season of Renewal.  You may recall that in our meeting on August 28th, the group agreed to form three action teams, meant to focus on areas of concern you expressed in Listening Sessions with Mark Tidsworth.  Those teams are:

  1. Reconnecting and Connecting as a church – renewing and building relationships and community (including pastor-church relationship) – Leader, Erin Braford with assistance from John Gass
  2. Advancing Youth and Children’s Ministry – Leaders, Mark and Katye Snipes
  3. Advancing Hospitality Ministry – Leader Woody Jenkins, with assistance from Jerry Jones

We also launched a Mutual Ministry Team, whose purpose is to address people-pastor relationships.  Team members include Barb Satterwhite, Martin Tiller, Jerry Jones, and Sterling Severns.  Their goal is to work together to create a mutual agreement that clarifies expectations for pastor, leadership and communication among all of us.  This team will likely evolve over time, possibly with more engagement of the pastoral staff and other leaders after its initial 90-day focus period, helping to keep a pulse on relationships and trust for all of us.

In our most recent meeting, facilitated by Mark Tidsworth on September 25th, each team provided a progress report.  All teams have met in person and/or online to establish purpose, priorities, and key next steps.  Look for individual updates from these teams in the TAB in the weeks ahead.  Please know that our work is being coordinated, and we are attempting to consider our capacity for volunteer effort in all activities that we are suggesting.  And we are considering resources that may be beyond our walls to help us achieve our goals.

Mark Tidsworth will return on-site on the weekend of October 28th and 29th.  On Saturday, the Leadership Roundtable will gather again in a session facilitated by Mark for updates from each team and to add some additional strategic thinking to our next period of focus.  Mark your calendars to join us after worship on Sunday, October 29th for a session facilitated by Mark Tidsworth, leading us all in discussing next steps in TBC’s Season of Renewal. Lunch will be provided.

Please continue to pray that we listen to God and each other as we do His work and strive to be His light in our community every day.  We walk this path of renewal together, and hope that you will continue to pray for all of us for wisdom, compassion, and continued love for each other as we move forward. 

‘God simply loves us. This love is based on the identity and character of God, not on our worthiness.  God’s love is gift, pure and simple. “  Excerpt page 170, Shift, written by Mark Tidsworth