After talking with many of you, I came up with a new use for the Pastor’s Blog. I will be posting updates on various things that are going on in the life of Riverside that you might not be aware of. I hope this will help you to feel more informed about our work together and why we do what we do. As always, I encourage you to contact me if you ever have any questions, concerns, or simply want to share what is happening in your life.
One important piece of Riverside news that is happening this month is that Sunday, May 30th will be our final Sunday of Discovery Hour (currently at 9AM on Sundays) for this school year. You might initially think to yourself, “Hmmm . . . Riverside wants intentional spiritual growth for my family to STOP this summer . . .?!”
Nope!
We are not moving into summer without Discovery Hour because we want you to take a spiritual break. We fully expect you to keep growing in your faith this summer in other ways. We are taking a break from Discovery Hour because God demands periods of rest as a part of the created rhythm of life. God rested after creating. (Genesis 2:2) The land was to rest. (Leviticus 25:4) The people were to rest. (Exodus 16:23)
Every night we rest from wakefulness with sleep. Every week we rest from work with days off. Every year we rest from activity with holidays and vacation. Rest is and should be a part of the Christian rhythm of life. It is essential to our ability to flourish.
Riverside will use the summer months to let our Discovery Hour teachers and participants rest from their hard work. And we fully trust that when this time returns in the Fall that the rest will make Discovery Hour even more fruitful. In fact, as we rest we will likely develop new ideas and increased excitement for its return. It will come back even better.
Do not be fooled though. While Discovery Hour rests, other Riverside ministries will spur on our faith through study and fellowship. Vacation Bible School. Riverside Annual Picnic (June 27). Family Fun Events. Small Groups. Women’s Book Study. Men’s Bible Studies (Mondays @ 7pm & Thursdays @ 6:30am). Men’s Golf Outing. Riverside Block Party. And much more.
Use your summer to host a neighborhood cookout. Pray about who God specifically wants you to spend time with at your kids’ ball games throughout the summer. Be creative in making sure you acknowledge that God is with you on your vacation (experience God’s creation, pray as a family, visit a worship service, talk about what God is doing in your life during the car ride).
Make this your Discovery Summer.