Volume 38 January 16, 2018 No. 3

Upcoming Events:

College

• Devo and Game Night: Friday, January 19, 6:30 p.m. in the Reception Room.

• College Adoptive Parent Pot Luck: Sunday, January 28, after late service.

Adventure Club/Pre-Teen

• Pre-Teen Devo & Friendship Banquet: February 11th, 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. in Rec. Rm.

• Adventure Club Valentine’s

Party & Family Supper: February 14th, 6:00 p.m.

signup.riverchasechurch.org

Teen

• RCOC Annual Singing: 7:00 –9:00 p.m. • Widow’s Valentine’s Party:

February 3, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the reception room.

• Winter Retreat: February 9-11, Children’s Harbor.

Predictions

I’m writing this on Monday because a snow and ice event has been forecast for our area tomorrow. The forecasters seem rather certain, but we shall see. Sometimes they are right and sometimes they are not. A week ago I was watching the Kansas City Chiefs take a 21-3 halftime lead over the Tennessee Titans. The halftime reporters mentioned that a year previously the Titans had also been behind at halftime to the same Chiefs and the Titans had come back to win. As the halftime report was ending, one of the reporters responded, “But not this year.” Meaning that the Titans could not make a come back this year in this game. He made a prediction. You got it, the Titans came back in the second half and beat the Chiefs 22-21. Man’s predictions are just that, man’s predictions. God tries to warn us about our predictions. Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (Jas. 4:13-14) God is not like us. "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Num. 23:19) With all our technology, we simply do not know about tomorrow. God does. What He says will be exactly as He has said it will be. -Dewayne

Thoughts on Youth

Do you remember when you were young? I mean younger. The last thing on my mind was being an example for anyone else. I was worried about having fun and how I looked. I wasn’t looking for people to look like me. I was concerned about looking like someone else. In the Greek culture, you were considered a young person until the age of 40. After 40 you were venturing into adulthood. According to Irenaeus, one of the early church fathers, the first journey into youth starts from the age of 30 to 40. Also, for people to join the Armed forces they needed to be 40 or older. Regardless of age, I believe Paul wants all Christians to set an example for others to see Christ. Especially when we minister, when we serve and when we are involved in our congregation. We need to be examples in the way we talk, the way we behave, in our treatment of others, in our commitment to God and in the way we communicate. By doing all these, we won’t be a hindrance for anyone who wants to come to Jesus.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12

Direction

Scott Pruitt This past weekend, we took our Adult and Teen Small Group Leaders to Camp Tuscoba for a weekend retreat. It was geared to train and equip our leaders to understand the process of developing lessons and providing connecting points for the students. During the frigid afternoon temperatures, we had something special lined up...a paddleboat race. The issue was that one of the paddleboats was rudderless. Nobody knew that but me. :) Have you ever attempted to steer a water vessel with no rudder? Impossible. I also experienced a rudderless vessel when Luke Whitaker stole it when I wasn’t looking. Pay attention to what James says about a rudder and your tongue.

4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so

large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it

makes great boasts. Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the

parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire

by hell. (Jam 3:4-6 NIV) Do you ever feel like you are running in circles through life? Directionless? Hopeless? I certainly hope not, but know this...We are a family who cares. Help us reconnect you to a Savior that can truly redirect you to hope , love, and a fulfilled Kingdom life.

Molder of Dreams

It’s that time of year again to honor our teachers in school, bible class and homeschool! Please look for your letter with instructions and packets of invitations for your teachers in your boxes, and we’ll have some available in each classroom to take, too. If you are signed up for LTC, this counts as a service project for the service challenge. Who: Kids K - 6th Grade Date: February 24th, 6:00 p.m. Location: Reception Room Sign up: We’ll need as many parents as possible to help with setup and serving if your child is attending. Go to signup.riverchasechurch.org

Church Retreat—Save the Date

August 24-26, 2018 Open to ALL members of RCOC

LTC PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 21

1:30 p.m. – Sr. High Drama; Jr. High Drama; Pre-Teen Drama 2:15 p.m. – Pre-Teen Chorus; Teen Chorus 3:15 p.m. – Sr. High Puppets; Jr. High Puppets; Pre-Teen Puppets 4:15 p.m. – Girls & Guys Song Leading; 9th Grade Puppets; Scrapbook 5:00 p.m. – Girls & Guys Speech; Scrapbook

Bible Study Early Worship Late Worship Total Sunday Morning Sunday Night Contribution YTD Average Budget

354 190 379 569 252

$37,892.14 $40,740.08 $37,500.00

Dear Riverchase Family, I want to send an extra special “Thank You” to the Riverchase family for your many loving acts of kindness while I have been recovering from my accident. The wonderful food, thoughtful cards, calls and prayers were so appreciated. I am very blessed to be part of a church family with such caring and generous hearts. Love In Christ Carol Crawford Dear Brothers and Sisters, It’s been five months since Clark’s death. We are, from the depths of our hearts, thankful for ALL of you. You have carried us and continue to carry us through the loss of our sweet and loving son and brother, Clark. Our earthly hearts are broken beyond repair but we look forward to the day that we will be made whole again with Jesus. In the meantime, God has truly comforted us with the Holy Spirt and with EACH OF YOU. With much love and appreciation, John, Diana, Connor, Byron, Melissa and Xander Kelley and Brandon, Kristin and Deacon Copeland

For the Record

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Upcoming Events.

• College Devo/Game Night: Friday, January 19, 6:30 p.m. in the reception room.

• LIVEWIRES! Game Night: Saturday, January 20, 5:00 p.m. in the reception room.

• Bridal Tea for Kaitlyn Cromeens, Bride Elect of Jarred Smith: Sunday, January 21, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the reception room. They are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Anthropologie, Macy’s, Sur La Table, Sugarboo and West Elm.

• Riverchase Annual Singing, Friday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Riverchase Brothers and Sisters

We will be having our 18th Annual Riverchase Singing on Friday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. We have a great need for volunteers to prepare food, and help with set-up and clean-up before and after the singing. We need sandwich platters, finger foods and soups. There is a sign-up sheet in the main and west wing foyer.

LiveWires!

Game Night

Saturday, January 20,

5:00 p.m.

Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Violet Townsend in the death of her brother, Kermit Barnes. The funeral was last week in Scottsboro, Alabama. Our sympathy is extended to Fred and Carolyn Langdon in the death of their great niece, Anna Caroline Langdon, a 17 year old Senior from Gordo who was killed in a vehicle accident last Thursday night. The funeral was held Monday in Gordo. Our sympathy is extended to Jay, Kim, Carla, Jared and Jacob Cleghorn in the death of Kim’s father, Robert Knighten. The funeral was Sunday .

Family Time Fellowship Family Time Groups #2, #3 & #7 will have a fellow-ship potluck supper Sunday, January 21, after evening service in the Family Life Center.

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This week at Riverchase: Friday, January 19 • College Devo /Game Night Saturday, January 20 • Live Wires! Game Night Sunday, January 21 • Bridal Tea for Kaitlyn Cromeens • FTG 2, 3 & 7 Fellowship

Please continue to remember in prayer: Patricia Anderson (former member), Greg Case (Penny’s husband), Tommie Cleghorn (Jay’s mother), Bonnie Daniels (Turner’s friend), Wynonia Davis (Peggy Jackson’s mother), Celia Dorantes (David’s mom), Brenda Forehand (Joyce Bowen’s sister), Robert Garner (Paula Davis’ friend), Joan Harris (Betz’s friend), Jim Hollon (Clemmons’ friend), Richard Howe (Steve’s dad), Butch Johnson (Dana Jones’ brother), Martha Manwarring (former member) Nancy Marlo (Tami Picantine’s sister), Ralph Martin (Kristi Sibert’s dad), Charles Mills (Robert and Michelle’s father), Dell Moody (Jane Windam’s cousin), Jay Odom (Kevin Arvin’s brother-in-law), Claudia Sibert (John’s mother), Deb Rose (Heidi Bogg’s mother), Kristy Tatum (Rardin’s neighbor), Roger Thomas (Fabray Turner’s uncle), Olen Vickery (Kim Ledingham’s brother-in-law).

Please pray for our active duty deployed military: Jimmy Hendley (Jim & Peggy’s son) Michael Epperson (Amber Henderson brother-in-law)

Riverchase Family: Mickey Alford (#5) recovering at home from shoulder surgery. Curdell Allen (#2) recovering at home from knee surgery. Diania Clemmons (#4) pneumonia. Addie Jackson (#6) recovering at home from the flu. Roy Jernigan (#5) recovering at home from a stroke. Can now have visitors. Thelma Moon (#3) has been moved to Aspire Rehab. Jacques Thompson (#6) recovering at home from hip replacement surgery. Shirley Wilson (#5) has been moved to room 37 at Greenbrier Rehab. CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THESE MEMBERS: FTG #1: Rejetta Balentine, Lynda Cardwell, Angie Dickinson, Jean Marshall, Michelle Whitaker FTG #2: John Bearden, Victor & Glinda Boone, Henry & Vonda Cook, Cathy Hayes, Ed & Nina Pitchford, Jo Wamack FTG #3: Ray & Martha Johnston, Becky Carter, David Hare, Nona Miller, Thelma Moon, Jean Oglesby FTG #4: Jeff Carroll, Elaine Evans, Gary Evans, Alan Jackson, Martha Mann, Peggy Rogers, Norma Thomas FTG #5: Jake Cole, Shirley Wilson, Norma Nabors FTG #6: Zane Armstrong, Erick Boggs, Michelle Dichiara, Shirley Genry, John Gibson, Grover Jackson, Kathleen Perkins,Ollie Scott, Sarah Wolford FTG #7: Don & Jan Haefner, Judy Ingram, Lori Lambert, Denise Newton, Candy Parker, Vivian Parker, Georgia Vaughn ADD TO YOUR PRAYER LIST OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Kristin Adams (friend of Peggy Jackson) brain tumor. Noreen Anderson (Jina O’Clair’s mother) health issues. Andy Arvin (Kevin’s Brother) prostate cancer. Ruth Bath (Kathy Turrentine’s mother) heart related issues. Jessica Brown (Glenda’s daughter in law) breast cancer. Eleanor Callan (friend of the Mathews) recovering from heart surgery. Becky Carr (friend of Hill’s) liver cirrhosis. Cathy Crittenden (Dee Davis’ friend) brain tumor. Roger Davis (Peggy Jackson’s brother) leukemia. Lee Dawkins (Jane Snider’s cousin) cancer. Angela Dickerson (Amber Henderson cousin) health problems. Sally Dunn (Keith Dunn’s mother) recovering from a stroke. Doris Elsberry (Shirley Bailey’s sister) pneumonia and flu at St. Vincent’s. No visitors. G. Estes (friend of Pitchford’s) chemo. Teresa Evans (friend of the Peters’) breast cancer. Renee Folk (Cindy Thompson’s cousin) cancer. Sam Gray (Ward’s neighbor) cancer. Scott Green (Cindy Thompson’s cousin) brain tumor. Jan Hall (Helen Haskew’s sister - in - law) health issues. Bob Hull (Howe’s brother-in-law ) cancer. Kent Ingram (Anthony Dotson’s uncle) colon cancer. Melissa Jackson (Grover & Jo’s Daughter-in-law) recovering from colon surgery. Lewis Kryger (Handley’s friend) lymphoma, 127 Crestmont Lane, Pelham AL, 35124. Sharon Lawley (Brandy Tuech’s mother –in-law) chemo. Tonya Masoner (Judy Masoner’s daughter) radiation. Juliana May (Bill & Twyla Jones daughter) pregnancy complications. Paul Meacham (member at Panama Street) brain cancer. Wayne Miller (Snow’s friend) cancer. Lynda Morris (Jim Hendley’s mother) health problems. Vanessa Mount (Mount’s daughter in law) hashimoto disease and sero negative arthritis. Lowell Newton (Michael’s dad) prostate cancer. Lauren Nudo (Friend of the Coehoorn’s) stage 4 cancer. Teresa Ragland (Becky Steen’s sister) cancer. McKenzie Ray (friend of Amber Henderson) leukemia. Teresa Richards (friend of the Hills) breast cancer. Wally Riggins (friend of Alan Boshell) infection after surgery. Miller Rock (Jonn Rock’s brother) health issues. Glen Rogers (Neisha Dorantes father) broken collar bone. John Sehon (Helen Haskew’s uncle) heath problems. Mary Ella Sirmon (The Sirmon’s granddaughter) seizures. Jenny Slaughter (The Slaughter’s daughter-in-law) breast cancer. Matt Snow (Mark & Diane’s son) evaluating treatment options. Paul Strength (Cindy Thompson’s cousin) kidney tumor. Clay Tinney (friend of Alan Jones) recovering from a stroke. Nicole Valentine (Ward’s friend) cancer. Cindy Van Beck (friend of Posey’s) cancer. Carol Watson (Fred Langdon’s sister) lymphoma. Raymond White (Cindy Thompson’s cousin) health problems.