Riverside Church

Women of the Word

2010-06-03T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Riverside Women of the Word, led by Lisa Green, recently concluded an in depth study of the book of Galatians.

The ladies enjoyed a covered-dish brunch and a time of sharing and prayer before ending their weekly meetings for the summer.

Choir Party for Sarah Strickland

2010-06-01T13:51:00.006-04:00

A surprise party for Sarah Strickland was held at the home of Tom and Becky Parrish on Saturday, May 22nd. Sarah thought she was coming to a surprise birthday party for Joyce, our pianist, and was very shocked when she realized the party was for her.

About 30 people attended the covered-dish party, including Sarah's son and wife, an added surprise for Sarah.

Sarah has been a part of the choir for many years. She has always been extremely faithful and supportive of the worship ministry. She will leave a huge hole in our worship ministry.

Life Groups Celebrate

2009-11-18T20:22:00.002-05:00

The Werley Life and Riverside Choir Life Groups recently gathered together to celebrate Dan Buzin's birthday.

Sermon Notes for Reflection::Salt and Light (10-18-09)

2009-10-21T21:25:00.003-04:00

Salt and Light (Read Matthew 5:13-16)

My life shall touch a dozen before the day is done, leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun. ~ Anonymous

No maturing Christian lives in isolation. The very heart of Christianity is the restoration of community between God and humanity and between all of humankind (Luke 10:27). We are to live out our faith in the world as witnesses to our faith in our circles of influence.

The Church of Jesus Christ needs more witnesses to their faith, rather than defenders of the faith.

According to Matthew 5:13-16, we are to be salt and light with everyone we encounter.

When Jesus tells his disciples to be salt and light in their circle of influence, He is using common things to illustrate spiritual truths.

What was the function of salt in biblical Palestine?

What assumption is made about the world? What role do Christian disciples play as "salt"?

What is the function of light? What assumption is made about the world? What role do Christian disciples have as "light"? (See Matthew 5:16)

What snares can interrupt a disciple's effectiveness as a witness? (See Matthew 5:13-15)

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual ferver, serving the Lord. ~ Romans 12:11

How do we maintain our spiritual ferver and witness?

What are the results of being salt and light?

Consider the difference between a spoken (one's words) and an active (one's service) witness. How have you witnessed to others? Is the Lord leading you to be more bold in your spoken or active witness?

In what ways can your witness be enhanced? How can you be salt and light in your circle of influence?

Sermon Notes for Reflection::Character - Greater Than Accomplishment (10-11-09)

2009-10-12T10:30:00.010-04:00

Moral Character (Read Matthew 5:1-12)

Two verbs have built two empires, the verb to have and the verb to be. The first is an empire of things, material possessions and power. The second is an empire of the Spirit, things that last. ~ St. Augustine

Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with what has become known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). They are basic traits of Christian character.

What principle truth is Jesus teaching his followers?

When Jesus begins the series of "blessed" statements, He uses the Greek verb makarios. This word declares a state of joy that is independent of circumstance. Conversely, the English word happy has its root in "hap" meaning "chance or circumstance."

What point is Jesus making about the Christian life by calling it "blessed?"

Jesus wants His disciples to know that true joy (or happiness) comes from who a person ________________ rather than what a person __________ or ____________.

Notice the promises by Christ for people who possess these traits:

Blessed are:

"the poor in spirit" - those who recognize their own personal spiritual poverty or inadequacy.
"the mourners" - those who actively regret whatever makes them spiritually poor.
"the meek" - those with a quiet, gentle spirit. "Meekness is courage grown tender."
"the hungry and thirsty" - those who passionately yearn for total righteousness, moral purity and virtue like a starving person longs for food.
"the merciful" - those who empathize with the hurting and readily forgive past sins.
"the pure in heart" - those whose hearts are clean and whose motives are unmixed or untainted.
"the peacemakers" - those who use their influence for reconciliation and unity.
"the persecuted" - those who are abused, rejected and treated with enmity because of their faith in Christ.
"the falsely accused" - those slandered with totally unsubstantiated accusations because of Christ.

Which of these character traits has the Lord manifested through your life?

Are you open to His leading to receive these characteristics and act them out in your faith walk?

The Main Point:

______________is of greater value than______________.

Baptism Sunday

2009-10-03T13:25:00.003-04:00

Riverside Church recently celebrated the baptism of twenty-seven believers in Christ...

9:00am Worship Service

10:30am Worship Service

Please click here for a slideshow from both services and the time of fellowship that followed. If you took photos of last Sunday's baptisms that you would like to contribute to this slideshow, please contact Patricia at pollywogcreekporch (at) gmail (dot) com.

See you in church this Sunday! Don't forget!

Life Group Leader's Fellowship

2009-09-29T01:00:00.001-04:00

Riverside Life Group leaders gathered recently at the lovely home of Mark and Carol Stout (thank you, Mark and Carol, for your gracious hospitality) for a delightful time of food (thank you, Todd) and fellowship. Pastor Eric shared exciting plans and opportunities for the Riverside Life Groups this fall, and leaders were given an opportunity to exchange information and ideas.

Riverside will be having a GROUP LINK this Sunday, October 4th during both morning services. During this service, every one will have an opportunity to shop for a Life Group, meet the leaders, and join the group that best suits their schedule and season of life.

Life Groups provide a safe, inviting environment to learn more about Christ, your church family and yourself. Riverside pastors and Life Group leaders look forward to seeing every one at GROUP LINK and helping them get connected and experience the blessings of community.

Waiting for Worship....

2009-09-25T16:38:00.001-04:00

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!"
~ Psalm 95:6

Waiting For Worship*
By Greg Asimakoupoulos

As I sit in silence waiting for the service to begin,
I wonder how the living Lord might speak to me again.
Will it be the hymns we sing or in the pastor's prayer?
It just might be his sermon or a witness somebody shares.
Maybe God will touch my heart through laughter or a sigh,
Or even through a story so powerful it makes me cry.
Whatever means God chooses to bend my ear His way,
I will worship Him expectantly for there is something He will say.

We are expecting God to speak to each of us this weekend as we worship together, and we hope that you will not want to miss the exciting things God is doing and speaking in the lives of His people at Riverside. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

*edited - from Pastor Charles' message to Riverside on September 6, 2009

Expeditions in Spiritual Development

2009-09-19T21:56:00.007-04:00

The Expeditions in Spiritual Development - Sunday and Weekday Fall Tour Groups began the week of Sunday, September 13th.

Greeters at the Welcome Booth in the lobby provided information for those interested in joining a tour group.

Many thanks for the talented and creative volunteers who decorated the church so beautifully with a variety of interesting props and scripture to reflect the "expedition" theme.

ENCOUNTER Miami 2009::Faith-Hope-Love

2009-09-04T08:43:00.004-04:00

On August 28th and 29th, a group from Riverside that included Pastor John King and the Riverside Youth Band traveled to Miami for the Hillsong United Conference: ENCOUNTER MIAMI 2009. The two day conference was held in a packed Bank United Center on the University of Miami campus.

Each main session began and ended with an energetic time of worship led by the Hillsong United Team and included powerful messages on faith, hope and love by Hillsong Church pastors and leaders.

Two breakout sessions on Saturday afternoon offered workshops on topics such as worship songwriting, the technical aspects of event production, and effective youth group and worship team leadership.

TOUR GROUPS::Expeditions in Spiritual Development

2009-08-27T16:45:00.003-04:00

Expeditions In Spiritual Development

Classes begin on Sunday morning, Sept. 13 and will be offered at both 9:00 and 10:30. Brochures listing class offerings are available in the church foyer. Sign up today!

Riverside Tour Groups - Sunday Expeditions
Starting Point Tour
Discipleship Training Level I
Discipleship Training Level II
Old Testament Tour
Whole Bible Tour
PrimeTime Tour
Evangelism Tour

Riverside Tour Groups - Weekday Expeditions
Life Group Tours
Discovery Tours
Ladies Fitness Tours
Ladies Bible Study Tours

In case you missed it....

2009-08-24T14:02:00.002-04:00

From the newsletter...

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES: The Children's Ministry is excited to enter a season of growth and is looking for additional helpers in both the Preschool and Elementary departments. Please contact Jody Drovdlic (Preschool) at 989-3371 or Laura Newkirk (Elementary) at 768-5675 for more information.

CONFERENCES: Tis So Sweet-Conference for Widows in Brandon FL October 2 - 3. This conference is inspirational and informative. Along with encouraging keynote speakers, there are workshops that include resources on legal and financial challenges. Pick up a flyer at the welcome center or contact Debbie K for more details at 699-6549.

Deeper Still - Orlando Conference for Ladies Sept. 18 - 19 An exciting Lifeway-sponsored Deeper Still conference featuring well-known Bible teachers Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, and Priscilla Shirer is at the Orlando Amway Arena. Cost for the conference is $75. Additional cost will include a Riverside ladies' overnight hotel stay, food, and shared transportation. Contact Connie Hildebrandt (conhil64@gmail.com or 239-989-6366) or Karen McCulley (charger733T@aol.com or 239-768-3844).

Training for Leaders: Tuesday nights, Aug. 25th. and Sept. 8th 6:30 - 8:00 Located in the Youth Worship Center. For leaders in all areas of ministry at Riverside. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call 689-9000 to give us an idea as to how many materials to prepare. Pastor Charles will teach the sessions.

Riverside Classifieds: Riverside will begin publishing a short classifieds flyer next week intended to be a tool and service to attendees to find employment, roommates, goods, services, general needs, etc., within the church body. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to contact one another directly, as the church is not intending to be a go between. Some postings may be edited at the discretion of church staff. Advertisements for businesses are not accepted, nor are personal ads. Ads will need to be removed monthly. If you receive a successful response to your ad, inform the church office so that room may be made for others. To have your posting considered for publication, put it on a communication card, send it via email to: community@riversidechurch.org or, if necessary, call Todd @ 239-689-9000. Look for the Riverside Classifieds in the foyer beginning next week!

Holy Land Experience - Photo Tour

2009-08-17T14:56:00.012-04:00

Photo Credit: Thank you - Pat McAnulty

Links: Holy Land Experience

Coming soon....

2009-08-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

RIVERSIDE TOUR GROUPS - Expeditions in Spiritual Development

September 13th - November 8th

More information coming soon

Missions::Rwanda

2009-08-08T20:41:00.000-04:00

Photos from Mitch Hutchcraft's pevious trip to Rwanda with Builders Without Borders...

Photos from August 2009...

Kigali Christian School VBS Closing

Click on photos to enlarge.

From this week's newsletter

2009-08-06T22:01:00.000-04:00

Riverside Classifieds:

Riverside will begin publishing a short classifieds flyer next week intended to be a tool and service to attendees to find employment, roommates, goods, services, general needs, etc., within the church body. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to contact one another directly, as the church is not intending to be a go between. Some postings may be edited at the discretion of church staff.

Advertisements for businesses are not accepted, nor are personal ads. Ads will need to be removed monthly. If you receive a successful response to your ad, inform the church office so that room may be made for others. To have your posting considered for publication, put it on a communication card, send it via email to: community@riversidechurch.org or, if necessary, call Todd @ 239-689-9000. Look for the Riverside Classifieds in the foyer beginning next week!

Pray Lee County: Aug. 10 - Sept. 19

August 10th we will begin joining hundreds of believers in Lee County praying for our nation, state, county and city. PLC is designed as an intensive 40-day prayer experience joining over 60 church families in Lee County in earnest prayer for spiritual awakening in our world. Join us in this mission and sign up today by calling the church office at 689-9000. For more information visit http://www.praylee.org/.

Missions::Rwanda 2009 Team

2009-08-03T16:23:00.000-04:00

Builders Without Borders/Riverside Team Rwanda 2009
Rwanda 2009: Mitch Hutchcraft's Notes and Pictures from the BWB/Riverside trip to Kigali.