WELCOME. People who follow Jesus should be the most joyful people on the planet, No matter what happens, we know that our future is good because:

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2 WELCOME People who follow Jesus should be the most joyful people on the planet, No matter what happens, we know that our future is good because: A. God is always in control and He s good. B. He s always with us through the good and the bad. C. Our future is one without pain or suffering and everything is beautiful in the end. So our lives, especially our life in the church, should look like a party where we celebrate the one who is worthy of always being celebrated. It also means that we want to invite others to be a part of the party. For the next few months we want to think about the party we re a part of. Are we celebrating? Do we have joy? When people walk in our doors, do they feel like they are part of a festive gathering? Let s learn together how to party as followers of Jesus and celebrate the one who hosts us, prepares a table, and says, Let s celebrate!. FOR MORE INFO, MAPS AND DIRECTIONS, VISIT

3 Our Mission: We exist to make disciples who put God s love on display to our world. Our Vision is to see a people inspired by God s love and faithfully sharing that love with the world. Our Values: Every member of The River is daily and communally engaged in a deeper relationship with Jesus through We welcome people into our lives appreciating our differences and similarities. We will grow by following the Holy Spirit s work in and around us. We will give generously of our time, talents and finances to see God s kingdom grow. We will go where God calls us to go. We will serve intentionally using and growing the gifts God has given us.

4 CarePortal is an agency that brings the needs of children and families in our community to the attention of churches. Child welfare workers uncover the needs and CarePortal makes local churches aware, giving them real-time opportunity to respond. YouthHope is a local organization that provides a warm and caring environment for homeless, runaway, and underserved youth, ages At the onset, they offer hot, nutritious meals for the youth and access to a food pantry and clothing closet. Case management services are also available as well as access to programs and services such as continued education, job training, housing, medical services, and counseling services. When youth are ready, YouthHope case managers and volunteers walk them through various program options and opportunities. Their ultimate mission is to be a support system for homeless and underserved youth so they may grow up to be healthy, successful adults that exit street life. They are a certified non-profit organization providing services in the City of Redlands and the surrounding areas of the Inland Empire. The people of The River believe in investing in outreach activities. One of the ways that we do this is by supporting both financially and prayerfully a number of different organizations, ministries and Christian groups. There will be two offerings each Sunday. The first one is for The River Life Fund. The schedule for the second offering is as follows: July 1: Benevolence July 8: CEF July 15: Missions July 22: CarePortal July 29: Youth Hope August 5: Benevolence August 12: CEF August 19: Missions August 26: Young Life September 2: Benevolence September 9: CEF THE RIVER REUSES The earth is a gift from God the Creator. Please help us be good stewards. On your way out, please drop your weekly shell in the bins by the exits to be used again the following week.

5 Welcome to The river UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS July 15 THE CHURCH IS INVITED TO A HYMN HOEDOWN & BBQ at 6:00 on Sunday night, August 5. Meat will be provided but we are asking that those with the last name letters A-L bring a side dish and M- Z bring a dessert. Please sign up if you are coming and how many you will be bringing. It will be a great night of fellowship and praising God through some gospel hymns. ALL CHURCH TWILIGHT FISHING TRIP Sign up for an evening of fishing out of Dana Wharf on Friday, August 3rd from 5:30-9:30 pm (plan to arrive 1 hour prior to departure time). $30 per person. Spots are limited. Contact Jack Nydam to sign up at ALL LADIES ARE INVITED TO A BABY SHOWER for Rachel Peters and her son, Bryant, on Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Rachel is registered at Amazon and could use clothes size 6m and larger. ARE YOU A PERSON WHO LIKES TO DO CRAFTS? If so, we are looking for someone (or maybe you and a friend) to lead the Legacy Nights Craft ministry this fall. It starts in Sept and ends in December, 6 sessions. If interested please call or Debbie in the church office.

6 Welcome to The River DEVOTIONAL WRITERS WANTED- The Discipleship Leadership Development Team is looking for individuals within the River Church community to write daily devotionals. If you are interested in writing devotionals for a week (total of 5 devotionals), please Jodi Datema (jodidatema@gmail. com). We would love to get a variety of people involved. If you would like to sign up to receive the daily devotional s, sign up at RIVER NEWSLETTER- Every Tuesday and Friday the River Newsletter is ed out with information about events, announcements, and happenings around The River. This is a great way to be involved and learn more. To sign up visit the church website under Calendar and Information. SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. NEXT SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS Nursery: Patti Winslow, Mike Winslow, Carol Kreuter, Henriette Nydam, Alex Hix Cookie Time: Lynda Hofman, Marcia Van Mouwerik, Margery Day, Marilyn Reagan

7 Welcome to the Party Acts 9:1-19 A Good Party Can Change Your Life James was zealous about the wrong car 1-2: Saul was passionate and driven, but in the wrong direction Saul was breathing out murderous threats against the Lord s disciples. vs : Saul meets Jesus and his direction changes Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. vs. 5 Pivotal life moments take some time to work through 10-16: Ananias became part of the story Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. vs : Christ changes everything for Saul and he s a new man Something like scales fell from Saul s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. vs. 18 How has the party changed your life? Does the change continue?