Archives for September 2010
Prayer Walk 2010 Follow Up
Thanks to everyone who attended the Prayer Walk on Sunday. We had over 70 people for the fellowship luncheon. How exciting to see so many people with a heart to pray for our neighbors! We had several families with young children also participate. What a great way to “train a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Many people were blessed to participate and I know that people were blessed to receive prayers. I encourage those who participated in the walk to share your experiences with others. The prayer ministry is a great way to “get plugged in” to serving others. Remember, we have prayer at the white house during every service. We also have a Pastor’s Prayer Team and a Congregational Prayer Team. Contact Diane Kelley or the church office for more information about the opportunities to serve Riverside through prayer.
Seeing God
On Sunday we talked about the story of David and Goliath and then in the evening I had a modesty night with all the SH girls. I got the eye rolls that “I’ve heard this before” but encouraged them that even when we think we know something, there’s always more to learn. We talked about the Jewish symbolism behind the story of David, we talked about being modest in our hearts and attitudes and that would flow into clothing choices. There’s always something to see of God and to understand at a deeper level-even when we think we know it all. As the students went home on Sunday I asked them to keep an eye out for God this week. He shows up everywhere if you look for Him! I was driving to church on Tuesday and noticed just from my house to 52 that I saw over 20 species of trees that were beautiful blowing in the breeze. Then I saw him again when 2 students who rarely join us came to lunch-and smiled while they were with us. HUGE! Then I
Jesus Makes Wabash River “Shine White” Again
Last Sunday afternoon is an example of why Riverside Covenant Church exists. God’s people celebrated God’s work in God’s creation together. An absolutely beautiful day of sunshine and a perfect temperature. A gorgeous setting of trees and a river at Fort Ouiatenon. A big crowd of people (the church). And 7 men, women and boys choosing to demonstrate their faith in Jesus Christ by sharing their testimony of God’s work in their lives and being baptized in the Wabash River.
In the days leading up to the baptisms there were quite a few jokes about the brave folk that were going to be baptized in the Wabash River because of its not-so-clean condition. Ironically, while we were at Fort Ouiatenon I learned that the name “Wabash” is an English spelling of the French name for the river, “Ouabache.” French traders named the river after the Miami Indian word for the river, waapaahšiiki, meaning “it shines white”. The Miami name reflected the clarity of the river since the river bottom is limestone.
The Wabash River is a perfect symbol of an important aspect of baptism. God created us to enjoy a perfect, crystal clear relationship with Himself. Yet, our sinful nature has polluted and marred us. Our sin has dirtied our connection to God. It is only through Jesus Christ’s loving sacrifice that we again become pure. Our believing in Jesus cleanses and purifies us. Even if the Wabash River of today is dirty (polluted and marred), Christians have access to God’s living water that “shines white.” God restores what we have damaged. That is Good News! (now we just have to work on cleaning the Wabash!)
Check out the pictures from our wonderful afternoon below.
http://vimeo.com/15052691
Marinara Sauce Making Party
Ladies! Bring a friend and join us for a “Marinara Sauce Making Party” on Saturday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverside. Bring either an ingredient OR $5 and a snack to share! Sign up during Bible study on Wednesday or Thursday, or on the clipboards by the sound booth this Sunday. Questions? Contact [email protected].