The River Church
On October 4th, Pastor Brad will be continuing his new series designed to equip each person to lead others in their next steps toward Jesus. Join us at our outdoor service at 10:30 as we study Luke 15:11-32.
Welcome! We are so glad that you are here. You can follow along with the talk here and add your own notes. Right below here you can see what is going on at The River.
Let us know if there is anything we can do to better serve you. Oh, if you haven't done so already, remember to head to your favorite social media platform to let everyone know you are here by checking in or following and liking ours!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Worship Service Registration
Please go to hittheriver.com, under the events tab, and register for the service you would like to attend. We are offering 2 service times at 9:45 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. If you would rather watch online, both services will be streaming live at facebook.com/hittheriver and on our website at HitTheRiver.com.
RiverBank Kids - 9:45 a.m. service
We have reopened children’s ministry for K-5 students during the 9:45 a.m. service (ONLY). While we would love to welcome all kids, we are working around several limitations at this time: COVID-19 concern, and limited volunteers. Please consider volunteering to serve in our children’s ministry. Things will look a bit different. Here is what to expect:
· Registration will be required, and space will be limited. Register your family each week at hittheriver.com
· Your family will check-in together for service.
· At check-in, kids will be given preprinted name tags and parent tags. Kids will also have their temperature checked.
· Kids will remain with their family until the middle of worship (music) and will be dismissed to the lobby where they will be greeted by the RiverBank Kids team.
· Kids will be required to wear a mask and will be socially distanced in the classroom. We will be using what was the toddler room until the elementary space is made available downstairs.
· Kids will enjoy a socially distanced lesson, craft, and game. If time and weather permits, we will take the kids outside (behind the building) to play (masks may be removed for outdoor play).
· We will Zoom with families at home during the teaching portion of our time together. The Zoom link will be in your weekly RBKids email. Also, curriculum links will still be emailed to families every Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., so that kids can enjoy the same lesson content that we will be offering at church.
4th Annual River Night at the Farm (Barn Bash) - 5:45 p.m., farm opens at 6:00 p.m.
The River Church will be going to the Niederman Family Farm on Thursday, October 15 for a fun evening of connecting and letting the kids play. We have two bonfire pits reserved. It will be a great way to reflect on all the good things God has done this past year.
We are selling discounted wristbands to get into the farm if you want to take your family to enjoy a hayride, bonfire, corn maze, smores, and all the other fun things the farm has to offer. The wristbands are only $5 per person and must be reserved and paid for in advance this year. We will not be handling cash at the gate. Children 2 years old and under are free. Please register and purchase your wristbands @ hittheriver.com under events.
FREE Digital Bible Study Resources
One of our goals here is to provide everyone who attends The River with discipleship resources, which is why we’re giving all of our attendees access to RightNow Media for FREE! If you have not already signed up you can easily get access by texting “RightNow HitTheRiver” to 41411.
Outdoor Service- October 18th
We are excited to have another outdoor service on 10/18 at 10:30 a.m., and want to see you there! Bring your own chairs (stadium, lawn, etc.) or blanket to sit on and spread out for social distancing. There will not be any children’s church and masks are optional if you are 6 feet apart.
Youth Outdoor Movie Night- October 18th
On Saturday, October 17th, starting at 7:00 p.m., we will be having an outdoor movie night for all families of students in 6th-12th grade. Feel free to grab your lawn chairs, snacks, and blankets and join us out back as we enjoy Frozen II together. It should be a great night together.
The River Institute:
Too Good to be False, taught by Tom Gilson
Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m., beginning October 20 via Zoom
This will be a user-friendly approach to apologetics led by the author of "Too Good to be False,” Tom Gilson.
This will be a four-week study at the character and nature of Jesus providing a new and fresh look at apologetics. Tom’s book has received resounding endorsements from Christian leaders like: Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Eric Metaxas, JP Moreland, Sean McDowell, James Robison and others.
Experience new wonder, new surprise, and new worship of Jesus in your own life as you embark on this exciting study of how unique Jesus is as fully God and fully man.
Study of Fasting, taught by Lori McAlister
Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m., beginning October 21 via zoom
Do you have questions about fasting? Do you want to do it, but don’t know where to start? Are you nervous? Are you looking for an excuse to take a deep dive into Church History? Do you wish you knew more? Do you wonder why fasting is a part of the Christian walk? Does it make you hungry just to think about fasting? Do you want to spend some time studying fasting?
Let’s spend a few Wednesday evenings together studying fasting. We’ll cover the Biblical foundation for fasting, the practice of fasting throughout church history and really practical ways you can make fasting a part of your walk with Christ. We’re not going to pressure each other into fasting, but we’re going to study together so we can support each other in deepening our understanding.
1st Annual River Church Men’s Trap and Shoot
Guys, you and your buddies and sons, are invited to join us at the Middletown Sportsmen’s club for 4 rounds of trap shooting, smoked meats, and gun stuff swap meet. We will gather at the Middletown Sportsman’s Club on October 31 at 12 p.m. Even if you do not own a shotgun, we will have one for you to borrow. If you have no experience, we will assign an experienced shooter to help you. We will shoot a round called ‘5 Stand’. This is where you have 5 shooters on the stand. Each takes 5 shots from one of 5 positions. Then you rotate to the next position after 5 shots. You will use 25 shells (one box) total for one round. This is a great opportunity for fellowship, shooting guns and eating “guy food”. We will observe CDC guidelines for social distancing and food prep. Register @ hittheriver.com under events.
Cultivating Prayer- Family
This month's prayer focus from the Intercession Prayer Team is Prayer Walking. You will be looking at two different ways to prayer walk. Try to guess what they will be, then check out the Cultivating Prayer Facebook page and see if you are right!
I Raise A Hallelujah
[Verse 1]
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
[Chorus]
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
[Verse 2]
I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!
[Bridge]
Sing a little louder (In the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (Louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (My weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (Heaven comes to fight for me)
Forever
[Verse 1]
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
[Verse 2]
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that has been reborn
His love endures forever
[Pre Chorus]
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
[Chorus]
Forever, God is faithful
Forever, God is strong
Forever, God is with us
Forever
[Verse 3]
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
And by the grace of God, we will carry on
His love endures forever
The Stand
[Verse 1]
You stood before creation
Eternity in Your Hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
[Verse 2]
You stood before my failure
And carried the cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your Shoulders
My soul now to stand
[Pre-Chorus]
So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, Oh God
Completely to You
[Verse 3]
So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your Promise
My soul now to stand
[Pre-Chorus]
So what could I say?
And what could I do?
But offer this heart, Oh God
Completely to You
[Chorus]
I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul Lord to You, surrendered
All I am is Yours
Great Are You Lord
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
Great are You Lord
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Luke 15:11-16 ESV
1. Our rebellion has separated us from intimacy with God.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 ESV
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
Luke 15:17-20 ESV
1. Our rebellion has separated us from intimacy with God.
2. Our repentence turns our heart to our true home.
Luke 15:20-24, 32 ESV
1. Our rebellion has separated us from intimacy with God.
2. Our repentence turns our heart to our true home.
3. Our relationship is restored with our true Father.