By Pastor Mark TooneSenior Pastor I will never forget this week. Exhilarating, exhausting, and profoundly humbling. Last Sunday’s worship service on August 25 was incredible. Our Sanctuary seats 1,400 people. We had 2,348 gathered in every nook and cranny throughout the building. And oh, did you sing as we were led in wonderful worship! It […]
Grateful Reflections on a Blessed Journey
By Pastor Mark TooneSenior Pastor In some ways, it seems like yesterday. In some ways, it seems like a world away. I preached my first sermon at Chapel Hill as your new Senior Pastor on September 13, 1987. But I preached my FIRST, first sermon in January of that year as a candidate. It was […]
Thanks for the Memories
I’ve been reflecting upon my 37 years here and some of the high points that stand out for me. I thought I’d share a few of those in a mini “trip down memory lane.” I wonder if YOUR favorites are in this list? I’d love to hear from you if I missed one. Here they […]
Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders
I realize I just preached a sermon on the danger of pride! And yet, I’ve been reflecting upon those things God has done in and through us these last 37 years that make me most proud. I’m in a quandary! But at the risk of falling prey to the very offense I described last Sunday […]
Save the Dates!
Well friends, it’s one month and counting. My office is pretty much cleared out. I’ve taken home all the books Cyndi is allowing me to take home! (By the way, if you are interested in any of my remaining library they are free for the asking. Call the front desk and they can schedule a […]
Retirement!
When I announced to the Session last October that I would be retiring within a year, I planned on staying through the entire summer to allow for a smooth transition. Of course, I hoped and prayed that Pastor Ellis would be selected as your new Senior Pastor. But on the chance that someone else was […]
We Found a Home!
Thirteen years ago almost exactly, Pastor Jeremy Vaccaro and I walked into Hope Church in Memphis, Tennessee to attend the General Assembly of a denomination not our own. We were in the process of leading Chapel Hill out of the PC(USA) because we were concerned about the direction it was moving theologically and socially. But […]
A Father’s Blessing
Several years ago, I taught a series of classes called Men’s Life: Authentic Manhood. Several things surprised me about that experience. First, the incredible turnout! There was a real hunger among men to understand God’s view, not the world’s view, of what a real man is supposed to be. Here’s another amazing realization: I was […]
A Church Without Kids!?!
I never planned to be a pastor. Not at first. Not even in the middle. My journey into ministry began by just going to church with my family at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yakima. Sunday School. Youth Group. (We called it “God Squad”…I know, gag!) Vacation Bible School and summer camp. A traveling high school […]
Welcome Our New Student Ministries Director!
I’m thrilled to announce a significant addition to our team that marks a new chapter in our commitment to youth formation and discipleship. We have just hired our new Student Ministries Director, Caleb Bagdanov, who brings a wealth of passion, experience, and dedication to our mission of nurturing the next generation of leaders to be […]
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