May 16, 2020
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Friday, April 3, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Christmas 2018, Dec 22-24
The Chapel of Santa Claus will be having Christmas services each evening. We will have musicians and singers at 7 PM Saturday and Sunday, and a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 6:00 PM Please join us as we celebrate the Lord's birth!
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Christmas Eve 2017: Dad's Last Sunday At The Chapel
An Article From: Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
When Dad and I dressed and drove to the Chapel for the Christmas Eve worship service, I had no idea it would be the last time that we would do it together. I knew Dad was slowly declining and struggling in a number of ways, and his health was being strained by a long-dormant hernia that suddenly began to cause him pain. During the week prior, the hernia problem led us to the hospital ER to spend several hours to identify the problem and the pain and nausea it had caused.
Dad and I arrived in Santa Claus, parked, and we walked slowly arm-in-arm together through the Chapel garden. We never leaned on each other much, but it was becoming more common. In the previous week, we leaned on each other while walking through two different stores. I kept trying my best to help him get out and about in our community, and he was willing to keep trying too. When we walked into the Chapel, we exchanged all of our usual greetings, smiles, and hugs with other Chapelers, and I walked over to speak briefly to Dad's sister-in-law (his brother's wife). I said to her: "Linda, if you and Billy want to come by the house to see Daddy and spend time with him, the time is now. Come on when you can. I'm not God, and I don't know any more than anyone else, but Dad's days are winding down." I'm glad they came to see Dad and have a long visit with him on Christmas Day. That was a good day for him in many ways.
About halfway through the worship service, my sister noticed our dad was having trouble. The hernia popped out again and was causing him pain. We decided to help him up to go home, but dad was very conscious that it wasn't "right" to just walk out. So, he sat there, even as we tried to encourage him that it was OK to go home. The Chapel is a loving, informal family of Christ-seekers, so I immediately asked everyone to stand up to see if that would help Dad to stand. When that didn't work, someone suggested that everyone walk outside. Everyone walked outside as if we were dismissing, and Dad knew it was OK to leave. My sister and I helped him up and we walked out. Lining the porch, stairs, and garden walkway were all the Chapel attendees praying and showing respect to my dad as we slowly walked through the garden to go home. It is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed.
Dad did feel better later that day after a quick trip to the ER where a doctor guided the hernia back into place, and Dad enjoyed Christmas dinner with family and the exchange of gifts, but that was our last Chapel Sunday together. The Chapel loved and respected Dad. For every handshake, hug, or smile he received, he also gave. He loved the people of the Chapel, and he knew that he was loved and respected. That's why he was never confused why we were driving out of the way from Vidalia to gather and worship with others in Santa Claus. The love of Christ can overcome any obstacle. Love is winsome. It draws us. Dad knew that. Dad received it. Dad gave it. Dad welcomed it, and I did too.
When Dad and I dressed and drove to the Chapel for the Christmas Eve worship service, I had no idea it would be the last time that we would do it together. I knew Dad was slowly declining and struggling in a number of ways, and his health was being strained by a long-dormant hernia that suddenly began to cause him pain. During the week prior, the hernia problem led us to the hospital ER to spend several hours to identify the problem and the pain and nausea it had caused.
Dad and I arrived in Santa Claus, parked, and we walked slowly arm-in-arm together through the Chapel garden. We never leaned on each other much, but it was becoming more common. In the previous week, we leaned on each other while walking through two different stores. I kept trying my best to help him get out and about in our community, and he was willing to keep trying too. When we walked into the Chapel, we exchanged all of our usual greetings, smiles, and hugs with other Chapelers, and I walked over to speak briefly to Dad's sister-in-law (his brother's wife). I said to her: "Linda, if you and Billy want to come by the house to see Daddy and spend time with him, the time is now. Come on when you can. I'm not God, and I don't know any more than anyone else, but Dad's days are winding down." I'm glad they came to see Dad and have a long visit with him on Christmas Day. That was a good day for him in many ways.
About halfway through the worship service, my sister noticed our dad was having trouble. The hernia popped out again and was causing him pain. We decided to help him up to go home, but dad was very conscious that it wasn't "right" to just walk out. So, he sat there, even as we tried to encourage him that it was OK to go home. The Chapel is a loving, informal family of Christ-seekers, so I immediately asked everyone to stand up to see if that would help Dad to stand. When that didn't work, someone suggested that everyone walk outside. Everyone walked outside as if we were dismissing, and Dad knew it was OK to leave. My sister and I helped him up and we walked out. Lining the porch, stairs, and garden walkway were all the Chapel attendees praying and showing respect to my dad as we slowly walked through the garden to go home. It is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed.
Dad did feel better later that day after a quick trip to the ER where a doctor guided the hernia back into place, and Dad enjoyed Christmas dinner with family and the exchange of gifts, but that was our last Chapel Sunday together. The Chapel loved and respected Dad. For every handshake, hug, or smile he received, he also gave. He loved the people of the Chapel, and he knew that he was loved and respected. That's why he was never confused why we were driving out of the way from Vidalia to gather and worship with others in Santa Claus. The love of Christ can overcome any obstacle. Love is winsome. It draws us. Dad knew that. Dad received it. Dad gave it. Dad welcomed it, and I did too.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Dementia Caregiver's Webpage
Greg is writing articles about his 4 year experience as a caregiver for his dad, Bobby Riner***. Greg is publishing on topics such as faith and spiritual matters, caregiver and healthcare issues, lessons learned, and unanswered questions. You can read his posts at:
Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
***Bobby was one of the original attendees when the Chapel began its weekly Sunday prayer and worship meeting a few years ago. He had a long journey through the disease of dementia. He went home to the Lord on January 8, 2018. The Chapel is happy for his victory in Christ, yet we still miss him very much.
Honoring My Father, Bobby Riner
***Bobby was one of the original attendees when the Chapel began its weekly Sunday prayer and worship meeting a few years ago. He had a long journey through the disease of dementia. He went home to the Lord on January 8, 2018. The Chapel is happy for his victory in Christ, yet we still miss him very much.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Spring 2017 Bible Study
Our four-part study series will be about the Holy Spirit. Some of the questions we will discuss include: who is He? what is His work & ministry? how do we submit to His will and fulfill His purposes? what are spiritual gifts? do I have a spiritual gift? what does it mean to baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit?
We will meet Tuesday, April 4th; Thursday, April 6th; Tuesday, April 11th; and Thursday, April 13th at 7 P.M. Please join us at the Chapel.
We will meet Tuesday, April 4th; Thursday, April 6th; Tuesday, April 11th; and Thursday, April 13th at 7 P.M. Please join us at the Chapel.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Sonrise Service, 7 AM, Sunday, April 16, 2017
We will host a 7:00 AM Easter sunrise service in the Chapel garden. Please join us as we celebrate our living Lord.
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
All Hallows' Eve 2016
A few Santa Claus Chapel-ers set up a street-side table to join the evening trick-or-treat in the town on Monday, October 31. Santa Claus was busy from 6-8 PM. We gave away over 400 bags of candy along with hundreds of good news pamphlets.
We pray everyone was safe, the kids enjoyed the candy trove, and that parents and kids take the time to read that love message from Jesus.
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!
We pray everyone was safe, the kids enjoyed the candy trove, and that parents and kids take the time to read that love message from Jesus.
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!