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A Declaration of Freedom: Happy Independence Day!Dear Friends, As the vibrant colors of fireworks graced our skies and the scent of barbecues continues to fill the air, we gather once again to celebrate Independence Day. This Fourth of July weekend, as we reflect on the freedoms and liberties we cherish in this nation, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the vision and sacrifice of those who paved the way. It's a time to remember that true freedom, in its deepest sense, is a gift from above. As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." This verse reminds us that beyond political independence, there is a spiritual liberty offered to all who seek it. We also recall the wisdom of Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." May we, as citizens, continue to strive for righteousness and justice, contributing to a nation that reflects God's principles and blessings. On this special weekend, let us not only celebrate our national heritage but also recommit ourselves to the values that truly make us free. May God continue to bless our nation and guide us in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Happy Independence Day! In His Grace, River of Life |
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What's HappeningIf you miss a Sunday, you can watch the sermon online. Sermon's are uploaded to our YouTube Channel the week after a sermon is preached. The sermon is available during the week through our Facebook Page for 30 days. We've had a very eventful past few weeks. I wish we would have taken more pictures to share with you all, but we will include several pictures following this section of our newsletter. We had an incredible Community Family Night at River of Life. We had parents and children from our communty attend. It was amazing to see how they enjoyed their time with us. We love doing things, which engage our community. We had a plumber fix the sewage issue underneath the parsonage, which has been dumping sewage underneith the house. The plumber had to remove the old sewage plumbing and install new sewage plumbing. Special thanks to Paula for calling around to find a plumber, and for her diligence in staying on top of this issue. The Fellowhip Hall had to be disconnected for a short time, but the plumber will be reconnecting the sewage plumbing after the holiday. Like I said last time, "we are praying the cost is not high for this fix , but no matter the cost, we are already thanking God, because we know God will provide the means." We also had our first Sudent Night, and we had a great time meeting a few teenagers from our community, and speaking with them about our plans to start a student ministry here at River of Life, and were able to play some family games with them as well. Vacation Bible school (VBS) was amazing! Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who made this event possible! Not only did the kids in our church enjoy the Under the Sea theme'd event where we discussed Jonah, and God's desire to offer a second chance, but so did many kids from our community. This event was followed by a special kids service, which the children participated in leading worship, and helping their parents learn the Under the Sea lesson about Jonah. We had students raise their hands, and who said the sinners prayer, and we had parents and children who stated they would pray for and reach their community with the mesage of forgiveness. My parent's Steve and Chris came to visit, bringing my Uncle Phil with them. We had planned to go to see fireworks at the Washington Monument in D.C., but we decided to stay home to light some fireorks, and to work on things around the parsonage, fellowship hall, and the church. This weekend was filled with several different projects, I'm going to list a few below: - We dug new trenches, and graded the property in front of the fellowship hall and the parsonage to prevent the current water issue, and to remove potentil long-term issues from developing. - Installed a new thermostat in the parsonage. - Filled in the decaying tree stumed. - Pressure washed some of the buildings, and we'll finish this project up over the next few weeks. - Bult a new, larger portch for the parsonag, as the other had some decay. - Removed a redundant CGFI outlet, and installed a CGFI in a needed location. - Reattached some railing that was falling off the fellowship hall deck and the back exit in the sanctuary. At the time of this Newsleteter we still have a few additional items we will be taking care of in the next few days: - Removing and reinstalling the laundry room floor in the parsonage, which is decaying - Moving the hot water heater, so we can access the HVAC intake to change the filter and to promote better airflow. - Moving the direction/location of the washer/dryer, so the doors will open completely. - Installing a power outlet (CGFI) in the master bedroom bathroom, we items can be plugged in. - A fun one: creating a leveled space for the above ground pool. As you can see a lot has been happening with events and repairs around River of Life. We could not do these events or repairs without your support. We are grateful for your continued prayer and support. We are also grateful for the time and the expense of the repairs my parents and uncle helped with, as they donated all time and materials to see these projects completed. Please keep praying for our members of our congregation who are not able to make it to church for health reasons, or because they are shut in. God is able to heal them. Please also continue to call, text, and pray for one another. If you need prayer, please contact Pastor Justin, or Pastor Beckah. We love to pray with you, and to be there to support you! We look forward to seeing you Sunday! Check out the events below. |
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Sunday WorshipJoin us at River of Life Ministries for our weekly Worship Service. You do not want to miss out on meeting the wonderful people within our congregation who love to worship the Lord, hear God's Word, and are dedicated to reaching their community with the message of Jesus Christ. |
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Community Worship NightCome enjoy an evening of worshiping the Lord together. |
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How Can I Help?Dear Beloved River of Life Family, Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! As we continue our journey together as a vibrant community of faith, we are constantly in awe of God's faithfulness and the incredible work He is doing through our church. From impactful outreach programs to enriching worship experiences and vital ministries, your partnership makes it all possible. As we look ahead to the exciting opportunities God is placing before us, we are reminded of the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, and the joy of generous giving. The Bible teaches us that cheerful giving is a blessing, not only to the recipient but also to the giver, as it reflects our trust in God's provision and our desire to advance His kingdom. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Your financial contributions are the lifeblood of River of Life. They enable us to maintain our facilities, support our dedicated staff, fund our children's and youth ministries, extend our reach through missions, and continue to be a beacon of hope and love in our community and beyond. Every gift, no matter the size, is a significant investment in eternal purposes. "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." – Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) We are currently seeking financial contributions to help us continue and expand the vital work God has called us to do. Your generosity allows us to:
We invite you to prayerfully consider how you can contribute to the ongoing ministry of River of Life. Whether it's a one-time gift or a recurring contribution, your partnership is deeply valued and makes a tangible difference. "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." – Malachi 3:10 (NIV) How You Can Give:
Thank you for your faithfulness, your prayers, and your generous spirit. Together, we are building God's kingdom, one life at a time. May God bless you abundantly as you continue to seek His will and honor Him with your resources. In His Grace, The Leadership Team of River of Life "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) |
