IT  IS  ONLY about five weeks before we gather as a church (and hopefully as a community) for some special strategic training that we all need embedded in our hearts.  

It has to do with the future. It has to do with investing our lives into the lives of our young people. It has to do with seeing that these young people are enlightened about what lies ahead for them. It has to do with encouraging parents and grandparents to be diligent in continually providing biblical direction for the challenges these youth will face in adulthood.

That’s why we have planned the Family Foundations Conference for March 16-17.  Plan to attend; your family will be blessed.

FEBRUARY  5  is “Super Sunday” at Riverbend. It has nothing to do with the Super Bowl that evening, except that we borrowed part of that name to emphasize that we are hoping for a super attendance that day in both Bible Fellowship Groups and worship.  

We are encouraging all members to be here but really to do more than that. To have a super attendance, we should all follow the mandate in Scripture and bring at least one guest to the House of the Lord.

As the master said to the servant in one of Jesus’ parables (Luke 14:23): “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

Let’s do it!

CHRISTMAS came and went quickly, didn’t it? The New Year is now in full swing, and our staff has been working diligently toward making 2012 a great year of service to our Lord through ministry. 

May we all be resolved as a congregation, as the hymn says, “no longer to linger.” May we seek the  Lord like never before. May we dig deeper for both spiritual and physical energy to combat the wiles of our arch enemy. May we become  more embedded in the Scripture. May our lives reflect the rich doctrinal truths of God’s Word.  May we all become greater prayer soldiers.

And may it all be to the glory of our great God!

CHRISTMAS is always one of the most joyous times of the year. It's a time for family togetherness, great memories, tasty food, festive music, enjoying colorful decorations, exchanging gifts, doing for others and especially worshipping our glorious Savior. 

That final phrase is the one Marki and I want to emphasize to all Riverbend members. It would be easy to get caught up in all the excitement and forget the real reason for it all.  As believers, and particularly Riverbend believers, let's remember the reason for the Christ-mas season ... and help others to remember it, as well.

IT DOESN’T seem like it has been 11 years since Marki and I sat on the front row in the Worship Center one Sunday and watched for the first time the people of Riverbend drop their offerings into the wooden chest in front of the pulpit.

We can remember tears of joy, excitement and gratitude that flowed from our eyes. But what really was special were the tears we saw flowing from so many of our members.

As a church, we had made a real commitment to missions, and the Chest of Joash march that day seemed to seal it.

We have taken almost those same seats every year since, and there’s still an heartfelt emotional joy to it.

May it continue on Dec. 4.