Revisionist History
21 years ago, I was helping out this college girl everyone called “Welker” with a music event. She sang. I played guitar and sang badly. After rehearsal, we decided to check out this musician on campus for the May Day celebration.
We wandered over and listened to Howie Day sing Collide. Less than a month later, I awkwardly asked Welker if she wanted to grab coffee. I said, “I’ll pay”—which I figured was obviously code for this is a date…but apparently, she didn’t get the memo.
Spoiler alert: Welker is Sarah.
I called that May Day adventure our “first date” just today—and she disagreed.
I also once claimed our first date was a concert with LifeHouse, Sister Hazel, and Better Than Ezra. But since I brought another girl with me…Sarah says that apparently, that one doesn’t count.
I’ve also referred to a quick grocery store run we did during a big group ski trip as our “first date.” Again—nope. Apparently getting ingredients for dessert in my fancy Ford Escort Station Wagon doesn’t qualify…I should note, I did open her door and it was actually 0 degrees.
Our whole relationship started with a lot of is this something?…me assuming she was always into me, her firmly denying it to this day. But hey—no matter.
Because here we are, over 20 years later, still together.
So many stories in life are beautiful—but we often remember them a little differently. Our memories are shaped by our own perspective: where we’re the hero…or the victim…or the comic relief. We elevate ourselves or downplay ourselves. Sometimes we romanticize it, sometimes we edit it down. Rarely do we remember stories exactly as they happened—just how they felt to us.
Just a few weeks after Easter, we’re spending time reflecting on what those early followers of Jesus experienced—what they went through, what they remembered, and what that means for us now. Because following Jesus isn’t always a smooth, easy road. There are ups and downs, joys and disappointments—but I can promise you, it’s worth it.
This past Sunday we explored how they wrestled with doubt.
This Sunday, I’m back—and we’re talking about how they wrestled with shame.
I hope you’ll join us as we look honestly at the messy, real, beautiful journey of following Jesus.
I used to say, “Jesus will ruin your life”—but it’s the best kind of ruining. I still believe that. If you’re willing to release the things you thought were most important—your plans, your expectations, even your timeline—Jesus will form something better. It might not be what you imagined, but it will be worth it.
Our actual first date was to a coffee shop. We talked about life, our families, our faith—and we just clicked. A little over a year later, that same coffee chain closed some of their locations, and we scored a couple of chairs for our first apartment as a married couple. For years, when you sat at our kitchen table, it smelled like coffee and possibility.
A few months before that coffee date, I never would’ve guessed I’d marry “Welker.” I couldn’t have imagined living in Santa Rosa Beach. And leading the congregation at The Chapel? Not even close to being on the radar.
But God has a sense of humor. And a better story for each of us than the one we’re trying to write ourselves. It may not go how you planned…but I promise, His story is better.
So I hope you’ll join us as we continue walking through that story—the story of Jesus, his followers, and the early church that was stumbling its way forward with faith and fear and everything in between. Because it turn out, their story is our story.
2,000 years ago, likely no one would’ve guessed we’d still be gathering in his name. But here we are. And this Sunday, we’ll keep going.
I’m really excited to be back, and if you’re in town, I hope you’ll join us.
We’ll share communion together at 9am in a short, reflective service—and then gather again at 10am for our regular service. We’ll have coffee and pastries between communion and our main service.
I can’t promise we’ll sing any Howie Day songs, but I can promise we’ll worship together, read and study scripture together, pray together—and if you show up early, break bread together. Because life and faith are meant to be shared. So let’s do it together this Sunday.
There’s lots of other great stuff happening at The Chapel—read on for more info!
Communion
As we noted, we share in communion the first Sunday of every month at 9am. Join us if you can for this brief and wonderful time of sharing in the sacrament of communion. We practice an open table and all are welcome to share in the bread and juice at The Chapel. After Communion we’ll have coffee and pastries from Modica Market as a time to connect with new and old friends.
Prayer
Every Tuesday we gather for noon prayer at The Chapel. We partner with our friends at 30A Prays for 60 minutes of worship, guided prayer, and reflection. I hope you will join us.
As well, if you would like anything added to our prayer list, email [email protected].
Bible Studies
We’re in the book of Numbers, and will wrap that this week and dive into Deuteronomy,continuing through the Torah. Just a few more weeks and we will complete Numbers and Deuteronomy.
- Men’s Study: Wednesday, May 8th at 8am
- Women’s Study: Wednesday, May 8th at 9:30am
- Young Adult Bible Study: Thursday, May 9th at 8am
If you haven’t been with us but you want to hear or catch up, check out our podcast, Chapel Study Notes. Available on Spotify or Apple or wherever you stream.
Egypt 2026
We’re planning a trip to Egypt in 2026!
We’ll explore classic sites, with optional visits to Jordan, the Dead Sea, and Petra.
Egypt: March 10–20, 2026
Optional Jordan Extension:
March 21–24, 2026
For more information and to officially sign-up follow this link. When you register, use the code for host ID – 60537
and host name – Andrew Beard.
This trip is open and available to anyone, so if you want to take family or friends who aren’t involved at The Chapel, they are more than welcome to join.
If you’re out of town, under the weather, or just need to worship from home, join us online:
thechapelatseaside.com
facebook.com/TheChapelAtSeaside
vimeo.com/thechapelatseaside
Let us know if you need anything.
I’m excited to continue to wrestle with the story of our faith together.
Blessings,
Andrew