tbc Building and Grounds

Building 4 Hope

Building & Grounds Update

TBC has been accepted to participate in an exceptional program to guide us in how we utilize our church facilities to further our mission to serve God in our community.  How we got accepted for this year’s grant program is a story of divine intervention.  We thank Tracy and Jay Hartman for linking us to the right people at the right time to be added to the group of churches in this cohort, when the list of churches to included had apparently already been selected.  God has once again provided more light for us and our work at the corner of Grove and Meadow. We thank God for this incredible opportunity.

About Building for Hope
Building for Hope is a two-year program for churches and their leadership, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The program guides congregations through a journey of repurposing their underutilized facilities and other physical assets – in order to advance each congregation’s mission. The program is a response to the epidemic of underutilized church facilities across the US; by reorienting these spaces, congregations and their surrounding communities are equipped to flourish.

TBC has been selected to participate in the inaugural cohort which officially begins in early 2025. The pastor and two lay leaders will make up our retreat team. That team will travel to Alexandria, VA for three cohort meetings: February 20-22, May 15-17, and October 16-18. We will be assigned a coach who will walk with our team through the two-year process. In the second year, the coach will work with TBC to help us discern how God is calling us to better utilize our facilities, and then to form and implement a plan.  Except for transportation to Alexandria, there will be no cost to TBC or our team members to participate in this program. 

We will keep everyone informed as we learn more about this exceptional program. Look for updates in the TAB, Business Meetings, and special announcements.  Please direct any questions you may have to Donna Soyars at soundsidedfs@gmail.com or to Sterling Severns.  Your ongoing support will make a difference!

tbc Church Business

Christmas Basket Ministry

This Saturday is our annual Christmas Basket Community Ministry, and you’re invited to come be part of this meaningful day! While the tradition of providing holiday meals continues, this year will look a little different as we live out our values of hospitality and dignity in new ways.

Instead of packing baskets, we’re offering neighbors the opportunity to choose the ingredients that best suit their needs—just as we normally do in the food pantry. Choice matters because it honors our neighbors’ preferences and experiences.

There are so many ways to be involved, and not every job requires heavy lifting! We need help with set-up, guiding neighbors through their selections, carrying groceries, and—just as importantly—offering a warm smile, a listening ear, and a spirit of welcome.

Come be part of this special day of connection, care, and joy. Together, we’ll share the love of Christ in the way we welcome and serve one another.

How Can I Participate? Sign Up Here

 1.   Volunteer to help prepare baskets and other Community Ministry food on Friday, December 20.  

  • The heavy lifting team will meet at 9:30am at Aldi (927 Meyer St). Strong muscles and trucks needed!
  • Join the set up team at 10am at Tabernacle. There’s a job for every ability level!
  • Stick around to help with some additional projects: Epiphany stars, organizing, etc

2.   Join us Saturday, December 21 as we welcome our neighbors for breakfast, choice pantry and Christmas Basket distribution. 7:30am to 1pm

3.   Commit to praying for our neighbors receiving baskets. Join me in praying for the invitation that will be extended around each table.  Pray that the host and participants will recognize belonging. Pray that our neighbors will see Christ as they engage with those around their table. Pray for the lonely that they will be comforted. And pray that doors will be opened through relationships.

tbc Abundant Community, Coppages, Life of the Community, Mission

Summer Mission Opportunity in Hungary

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.

tbc Church Business

Adult Reflection Guide: Romans 5:1-11

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11, Duet by Jessica C. and Clara, Sermon by Rev. Sterling W. Severns

Romans 5:1-11 (The Message)

Reflection Questions

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?
tbc Staff

A brief History of Baptist work in Liberia

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced Rev. Rancy Zarr, our Pastoral Intern from Union Presbyterian Seminary. This week, we are blessed to learn more about the church he Pastors in Liberia.

________________________________

The Baptist work in Liberia began in 1821 with the arrival of Lott Carey, a freed slave from Virginia who became a Baptist preacher. Carey was a trailblazer in spreading the Baptist faith in Liberia and played a crucial role in the education and empowerment of the local population.

Upon his arrival in Liberia, Carey, along with Teage and other Baptist missionaries, established the Providence Baptist church in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. This marked the beginning of a long and enduring relationship between the Baptist church and the people of Liberia.

 Over the years, the work of the Baptist church in Liberia expanded beyond Monrovia to the countryside, with the Southern Baptist Convention playing a key role in spreading the gospel to areas like Sinoe and Grand Gedeh counties. This helped to reach more people and bring them into the fold of the Baptist faith.

One significant milestone in the history of the Baptist church in Liberia was the laying of the cornerstone of the Grace Baptist church on August 18, 1961. The church was erected that same year and was governed by rotational pastors from the Grace Baptist Church in Greenville, Sinoe county. Founding members like Deacons Albert T White, Nehemiah Gibson, Harper S. Billy, Jack Gbagba, Wannie Wilson, and David N. Brown played an important role in leading the church and ensuring its success.

Grace Baptist Church, Greenville, Sinoe County, Liberia

In 1980, Rev. Richard Saydee took over as pastor of the church, with Rev. Peter S. Zarr serving as an assistant pastor. Rev. Zarr also served as an evangelist of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, establishing 12 churches in Lower Grand Gedeh, now River Gee County. The dedication and hard work of these two men played a crucial role in the continued growth and success of the church.

Following Rev. Saydee’s departure, the church voted in Rev. Shelton J. Seidi as pastor and Rev. Peter Zarr as assistant pastor in 1984. Together, they continued to lead the congregation through various challenges and triumphs up until the onset of the Liberian civil crisis in 1989. Despite the difficult circumstances, Rev. Shelton Seidi remained dedicated to the church and resumed his duties as pastor, and I became his assistant in 1998 when we returned from exile.

During our time serving together, Rev. Seidi and I focused on nurturing the spiritual growth of our congregation, organizing Bible studies and outreach programs, and providing support to those in need. We also organized the Grand Gedeh Baptist Association which currently has 11 churches as its members. We worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals felt valued and supported in their faith.

In addition to our primary church services, we also oversaw the operations of the R. B. Richardson Baptist High School, providing quality education to young minds in our community. The school served as an extension of our mission to educate and empower individuals to reach their full potential.

Furthermore, we constructed and managed the Grace Baptist Clinic, a healthcare facility that is providing affordable and accessible medical services to the local community. This clinic is a testament to our commitment to serving the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance.

In 2017, Rev. Seidi decided to retire from his duties as pastor, and I was humbled to take over as the new leader of our church. As the new pastor, I have strived to continue the legacy of faith, compassion, and service that Rev. Seidi had instilled in our congregation.

Throughout the years, our church has grown and flourished, thanks to the dedication and support of our members. Together, we have built a strong and vibrant community that is committed to spreading love, compassion, and bringing hope to the hopeless and  joy to all those we encounter. 

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Rancy Zarr

tbc Church Business

From The Building & Grounds Committee Vote Needed for a new Elevator Control Panel

Announcement:  Please Vote for an Elevator Control Panel Upgrade

Since the beginning of this year, the Building & Grounds Committee has continued its efforts in developing its 5-year strategic plan.  One of the priority items in that plan is what we need to do and when we need to do anything related to our elevator.  Researching turned out to be a very good idea from a planning ahead perspective.  We learned a lot of new information that has led the Administrative Board and Buildings and Grounds Committee to adjust our timeline for the Elevator Project.

Recommendation from the Building & Grounds Committee and the TBC Administrative Board:
We recommend moving forward with only the replacement of the obsolete control panel for our elevator as a proactive measure to minimize the downtime needed for this upgrade.  After consideration of three proposals, we recommend accepting the proposal from Metro Elevator, whose proposal seems to be the best in terms of price and customer service.  The quoted price for the control panel upgrade is $58,300.

Background Information
The elevator is currently operating well and has passed all inspections.  One of the vendors who evaluated our elevator indicated that a full modernization is not needed at this time, thinking we could wait several years.  That gives us time to raise money for the full upgrade.

  1. Time to Complete the Replacement of the Obsolete Control Panel Only
    We will not be able to use the elevator for the projected two weeks needed for the installation of the new control panel.  That means that we as a leadership team need to plan for being without the elevator for two weeks.  This is better than waiting for a problem with our obsolete control panel to occur and then wait for a company to be selected, plan the project, get the materials, and then get the project done, which would likely take at least 10-12 weeks from the time a control panel failure issue occurs.
  2. Limiting the Scope of Work
    If we were to fully modernize the elevator, we would likely have to meet City code for such things as fire code.  That would cost a significant amount of money and time.  We understand that we can get an emergency obsolete control panel project approved by the City without addressing code concerns.  That gives us an upgrade to elevator operations until we more fully plan for the $200,000+ expense of modernization and meeting code.
  3. Paying for the Project
    We recommend moving forward using available church funds to pay for the new control panel installation, with the understanding that we will immediately begin to raise money for this specific project as an initial step in church fundraising over the next several years.  The Administrative Board will work to realign pending projects if needed and as appropriate to manage church funds well.  The congregation will receive an update on the full scope of all facility-related projects in our next Business Meeting to keep you fully informed.

Your votes for this elevator control panel upgrade will begin on June 30th.  Immediately after your approval for this project at the end of the church vote on July 14th, the B&G Committee will begin negotiations for scheduling this work.  Our hope is to get this work completed for our fall church activities. To Vote electronically CLICK HERE.

Please do not hesitate to direct your questions to Donna Soyars at soundsidedfs@gmail.com.

tbc Church Business

Vote on The 2024-25 Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30) Budget.

Budget Vote for TBC Fiscal Year 2024-25

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.

tbc Art of Neighboring, Community Ministry, Life of the Community

Come and See

Standing in the stairway, welcoming a neighbor into the building, our conversation follows a familiar path. “How is your family? You know I’m always going to ask you that because I know your family is important,” they say. This neighbor, despite their own complex family history and solitude living situation, consistently takes the time to ask about my loved ones. There is nothing unusually deep or unique about the conversation, yet it yields empathy and compassion. It’s the moment I see the best of my neighbor.

This is when I recognize Christ in my neighbors face. It’s this moment where we are genuinely caring for each other, that I see a more complete picture of my neighbor. This pushes me towards deeper empathy and understanding.

Holy moments happen all the time. They unfold in normal conversation, with the participants leaving knowing they were on holy ground. They don’t depend on your ability to fix or assist, but rather on simply being present and authentically engaging with others.

Amidst the holy moments on Saturday mornings, we offer a hot meal, food and clothes. Food might be the “why” that brings people into the building but it should not trump getting to know our neighbors. When we look at our neighbors with love, we see the best parts of them—we see Jesus. Come and see.

-April

Saturday, May 18, 7:30 – 11:15 a.m. We would love for you to join us on Saturday morning. There is an opportunity for everyone: signing in neighbors, cooking breakfast, assisting neighbors with shopping, restocking, organizing clothes, loading cars and of course the best opportunity of all— enjoying time with neighbors around the table. 

Please sign up and let the team know you are coming! 

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf4HUJAN7dD2l…/viewform

tbc Church Business

Holy Week Schedule

March 24, 11:00 AM – Palm Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary
 
March 28, 6:00-7:30 PM – Maundy Thursday Communion Service in the
                                           Sanctuary
              
        Foot Washing 6:00-6:25 PM      Communion Service 6:30-7:30 PM

*** Because we are preparing food for Maundy Thursday, an RSVP to Judy@tbcrichmond.org would be really helpful.  If you discover you can come and have not sent an RSVP please come on anyway! ***

March 29, 7:00 PM – Good Friday Service: Stations of the Cross in the   
                                   Sanctuary
 
March 30, 5:00 PM – Easter Egg Hunt at the home of Judy and Eric Fiske
                                   Contact Judy@tbcrichmond.org for the address
                                                                     
March 31, 9:00 AM   Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall
                11:00 AM    Easter Worship in the Sanctuary,
                                    Christ is Risen Indeed!!