WEEKLY UPDATE FOR JANUARY 19…
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DAN…
Everyone,
I hope you're staying safe and warm during this time of the deep winter. If you DO feel like venturing out, there are a couple of events coming up in the next few days to celebrate the diversity and beauty of all God's people, and the need for us to work for justice and an end to racism:
Let me know if you're interested in either of these events, and perhaps we'll get a group of folks going to either one of them.
Of course, also let me know if you ever want to talk or connect. You can reach me at 269-588-1163 or [email protected].
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Dan
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
SERMON: “THE GIFT OF DIVERSITY”
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)
NEED TO KNOW: The JANUARY newsletter is available on the BLACK CART at church, or view it on the website Friday: www.riverviewparkchristianchurch.com. The January/February Upper Room is also on the BLACK CART; one per family please.
To keep up-to-date with the latest happenings with the Disciples of Christ, visit https://disciples.org/ This site is a wealth of information for upcoming Disciples events. Would you like some Disciples of Christ swag? There is a NEW! Disciples Merchandise Store! i.e. shirts, coffee cups, outerwear, bags, totes, etc. https://disciples.org/merchandise-store/
JANUARY OUTREACH PROJECT: During the month of January we’ll be collecting COLORING BOOKS for the Readiness Center! The coloring books are available at Dollar Tree (just $1.25), Dollar General, and Family Dollar stores.
DINNER @ PAPA VINO’S to honor Shirley Sink and Cheri Hendrix for their many years of service at Treasurer/Co-Treasurer for RPCC. Please join us on Thursday, January 23 @ 5pm. We have rented one of the back rooms. The sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Area, or call the church at 260.429.0700 with your RSVP. (Dutch Treat…except, of course for our honorees!)
HOSPITALITY HOST JANUARY 19: Kathy K.
HOSPITALITY HOST JANUARY 26: Volunteer needed.
PRAYERS FOR:
-Fred W., June S.’s brother.
-Sheila and Dave’s friend, Scott, who has cancer.
-Dale's niece Melanie, who has cancer.
-Edith Luckett, who has cancer.
-Kay's sister Ann who is struggling with loss of vision.
-Kay’s friend Beth whose home still has storm damage.
-The people suffering from the fires in California.
-The firefighters and first responders in California.
-The wildlife and the pets that are caught in the fires as well.
-The people suffering from the floods and damage from Hurricane Helene and Milton.
- IN GRATITUDE for Tom’s blood pressure doing better.
- IN GRATITUDE for the acts of kindness people are doing for each other in the midst of the fires.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL from OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES
TODAY'S INSIGHTS
In showering the people with His favor, God instructed the high priest to bestow on them the blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26. “The Lord make his face shine on you” (v. 25) is rendered “the Lord smile on you” in the New Living Translation. God smiling and turning “his face toward you” (v. 26) expresses the idea that the people have God’s special attention and approval.
This benediction, pronounced by many pastors at the end of church services today, affirms that God provides for and protects His people, assuring us of His presence, pardon, and peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) is all-embracing and includes the concepts of completeness, security, health, wealth, tranquility, contentment, friendship, and peace with God and humanity.
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL
“Sometimes I just feel so . . . invisible.” The word hung in the air as Joanie talked to her friend. Her husband had left for another woman, leaving Joanie with young children still at home. “I gave him my best years,” she confided. “And now I don’t know if anyone would really see me or take the time to actually know me.”
“I’m so sorry,” her friend responded. “My dad walked out when I was six, and it was hard for us, especially Mom. But she said this thing when she tucked me in at night that I never forgot: ‘God never closes His eyes.’ When I was older, she explained she was trying to teach me that God loved me and watched over me always, even while I slept.”
The Bible presents words God gave Moses to share with His people during a challenging time, when they were wandering in Sinai’s desert: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). The blessing was to be spoken by the priests over the people.
Even in life’s wildernesses—those places where we wonder if anyone sees us or truly understands—God is faithful. God’s favor—His shining face and enduring love—is always turned toward those who love Him, even when we can’t feel Him because of our pain. No one is invisible to God.
REFLECT & PRAY
How does it comfort you to know that God truly sees you? Who can you share that comfort with today?
Thank You, Father, for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me. Please help me to turn my face to You always!
Many blessings to all of you this week!
~Sheila
A NOTE FROM PASTOR DAN…
Everyone,
I hope you're staying safe and warm during this time of the deep winter. If you DO feel like venturing out, there are a couple of events coming up in the next few days to celebrate the diversity and beauty of all God's people, and the need for us to work for justice and an end to racism:
- This Sunday, January 19, starting at 3:00-5:00 PM is a Unity Walk from the new Martin Luther King, Jr. statue in Benton Harbor to the new MLK statue in St. Joseph. You can find out more here at the event's Facebook Page.
- If you'd prefer to stay indoors, on Monday, January 20 is the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Grand Upton Hall at The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center. The event starts with a social hour at 1:00 PM, and the main program runs from 1:30-3:00 PM, with music, speakers and awards. You can see more information about it here at the event's webpage.
Let me know if you're interested in either of these events, and perhaps we'll get a group of folks going to either one of them.
Of course, also let me know if you ever want to talk or connect. You can reach me at 269-588-1163 or [email protected].
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Dan
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
SERMON: “THE GIFT OF DIVERSITY”
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)
NEED TO KNOW: The JANUARY newsletter is available on the BLACK CART at church, or view it on the website Friday: www.riverviewparkchristianchurch.com. The January/February Upper Room is also on the BLACK CART; one per family please.
To keep up-to-date with the latest happenings with the Disciples of Christ, visit https://disciples.org/ This site is a wealth of information for upcoming Disciples events. Would you like some Disciples of Christ swag? There is a NEW! Disciples Merchandise Store! i.e. shirts, coffee cups, outerwear, bags, totes, etc. https://disciples.org/merchandise-store/
JANUARY OUTREACH PROJECT: During the month of January we’ll be collecting COLORING BOOKS for the Readiness Center! The coloring books are available at Dollar Tree (just $1.25), Dollar General, and Family Dollar stores.
DINNER @ PAPA VINO’S to honor Shirley Sink and Cheri Hendrix for their many years of service at Treasurer/Co-Treasurer for RPCC. Please join us on Thursday, January 23 @ 5pm. We have rented one of the back rooms. The sign-up sheet is in the Fellowship Area, or call the church at 260.429.0700 with your RSVP. (Dutch Treat…except, of course for our honorees!)
HOSPITALITY HOST JANUARY 19: Kathy K.
HOSPITALITY HOST JANUARY 26: Volunteer needed.
PRAYERS FOR:
-Fred W., June S.’s brother.
-Sheila and Dave’s friend, Scott, who has cancer.
-Dale's niece Melanie, who has cancer.
-Edith Luckett, who has cancer.
-Kay's sister Ann who is struggling with loss of vision.
-Kay’s friend Beth whose home still has storm damage.
-The people suffering from the fires in California.
-The firefighters and first responders in California.
-The wildlife and the pets that are caught in the fires as well.
-The people suffering from the floods and damage from Hurricane Helene and Milton.
- IN GRATITUDE for Tom’s blood pressure doing better.
- IN GRATITUDE for the acts of kindness people are doing for each other in the midst of the fires.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL from OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES
TODAY'S INSIGHTS
In showering the people with His favor, God instructed the high priest to bestow on them the blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26. “The Lord make his face shine on you” (v. 25) is rendered “the Lord smile on you” in the New Living Translation. God smiling and turning “his face toward you” (v. 26) expresses the idea that the people have God’s special attention and approval.
This benediction, pronounced by many pastors at the end of church services today, affirms that God provides for and protects His people, assuring us of His presence, pardon, and peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) is all-embracing and includes the concepts of completeness, security, health, wealth, tranquility, contentment, friendship, and peace with God and humanity.
TODAY'S DEVOTIONAL
“Sometimes I just feel so . . . invisible.” The word hung in the air as Joanie talked to her friend. Her husband had left for another woman, leaving Joanie with young children still at home. “I gave him my best years,” she confided. “And now I don’t know if anyone would really see me or take the time to actually know me.”
“I’m so sorry,” her friend responded. “My dad walked out when I was six, and it was hard for us, especially Mom. But she said this thing when she tucked me in at night that I never forgot: ‘God never closes His eyes.’ When I was older, she explained she was trying to teach me that God loved me and watched over me always, even while I slept.”
The Bible presents words God gave Moses to share with His people during a challenging time, when they were wandering in Sinai’s desert: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). The blessing was to be spoken by the priests over the people.
Even in life’s wildernesses—those places where we wonder if anyone sees us or truly understands—God is faithful. God’s favor—His shining face and enduring love—is always turned toward those who love Him, even when we can’t feel Him because of our pain. No one is invisible to God.
REFLECT & PRAY
How does it comfort you to know that God truly sees you? Who can you share that comfort with today?
Thank You, Father, for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me. Please help me to turn my face to You always!
Many blessings to all of you this week!
~Sheila