Volume XXXVIV November 4, 2014 No. 44

Upcoming Events:

Teen

November 7-9: Fall Retreat ; Leaving at 5:00 p.m. SHARP;

Return Sunday at 3:00 p.m. November 11: Clothing bag

assembly for homeless, 10:00 a.m. Bring money for lunch.

November 16: Adopt A Livewire

Kickoff ; Following late worship. Meet in gym for lunch and festivities.

Adventure Club /Pre-Teen

November 12: Adventure Club / Pre-Teen Supper

November 16: Pre-Teen

Devotional

College

November 7: Volleyball , 6:00 p.m. gym.

Two Commandments

36

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37

And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38

"This is the great and foremost commandment. 39

"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40

"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Mat 22:36-40 ) The Bible is a big book. Some find it intimidating. Isn’t it amazing that as large as it is, it can be summarized in this statement from Jesus? “What is the greatest commandment?” The word used is “mega.” The greatest. Jesus answered in vs. 37 and then said that this commandment was the “greatest and first.” First - foremost, chief, most important. The second one, as important as it is, is not the first one. Jesus emphasizes that in other places when he says that if we love anything, even our own life, more than we love him we are not worthy of him. All of the other commands of God hang on these two commands. Two commands. Two primary principles of life. Love God with all of your being and love your neighbor as you love yourself. And loving God is first and greatest. -Dewayne

Stories of Jesus

David Dorantes

While working on my lesson for an upcoming sermon, I came upon an article that showed why people love stories. Our kids love to read stories. Since they were little they love mom and dad reading them stories about animals, space and other children. Most of all, they loved listening to stories about Jesus. Because of that they read Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson series, the Hunger Games series and the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I saw them get attached to those characters and sometimes their mood was a reflection of what they had read during that day. As a father and a Christian I want them to feel the same way about the Bible. The Gospels are a great narrative to get to know Jesus. When we read it through, not skipping chapters, we will see that they will get attached to the main character of this 66 book library. Jesus is at the center of everything. Encourage them to read the Bible and help them see Jesus. You will see that they will get attached to him and cheer for him and fall in love with him. But most of all, they will follow him.

That’s Not Fair!

Tony Brimingham

If you have an older brother or sister then these words probably came out of your mouth at one point or another. If you are the older brother or sister then you have probably had these words used against you many times. I think our youngest daughter came out of the womb with the phrase, “That’s not fair!”, on her lips. She repeatedly reminds us time and again how unfair life is to her. When our oldest daughter, Lauren, gets to go to the mall with her friends, Megan screams, “That’s not fair!”. When Lauren got a cell phone, Megan informed us, “That’s not fair”. When Lauren got to go to the beach with her friend’s family...you got it…Megan let out a loud, “That’s not fair!” We have decided to be exactly fair with our youngest. When Megan wants to stay up late, we tell her that Lauren did not get to stay up late so it wouldn’t be fair for us to let her. When she wanted to play on her ipad, we told her no, you can’t do that. Lauren didn’t have an ipad at your age so we are taking your ipad away. When Megan wanted to ride her bike with her friends, we told her, “No, not for another year”, because we want things to be fair with your sister. All of a sudden, Megan did not want the fairness that she thought she wanted. She is now okay with life not being fair. I am okay with life not being fair as well. Can you imagine if our Heavenly Father was fair with us. What do you deserve when the day of judgment rolls around? I pray that my Father will never be fair with me. I do not want to get what I deserve. I deserve death. I deserve darkness. I deserve to be a lost child.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us

alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5 Now this is not fair! THAT’S JUST NOT FAIR! and let me be the first to say, “I’m okay with that!”

Worship Under

the Stars

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

519 --

814 814

-- $39,654.24 $31,425.22 $30,500.00

Congratulations

Don and Joyce Bowen proudly announce the birth of their grandson,

Callan Michael Tuesday, October 28

7 lbs, 3 oz and 19” Proud parents are

Bryan and Lara Bowen

Agape Pecan Sale

The new crop of pecans will be arriving soon. The tentative date is November 16. Price is $12.00 for halves and pieces.

LiveWires!

LiveWires! Please check the bulletin board for information on upcoming events and sign up for the Adopt a LiveWire! Banquet.

Clothing Drive for the Homeless

Our teens will be delivering backpacks stuffed full of clothing for the homeless in downtown Birmingham. The items will cost $30 and include the following: a long sleeve t-shirt, gloves, hat, socks, a sweat suit, an oversized blanket and a heavy jacket. We will be ordering these items in bulk. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make the check out to Riverchase Church of Christ and indicate that it is for the clothing drive. Thank you so much for your generosity. We will continue accepting monetary donations until November 30. To date, $7,600 has been raised.

Rainbow Omega Poinsettias

The forms for Rainbow Omega Poinsettias are now in your boxes. Orders are due to the church office by Wednesday, November 12. Please make your checks payable to Rainbow Omega.

New Website

Get information on all the exciting events happening at Riverchase Church of Christ by visiting our new church website at www.riverchasechurch.org. Please register for the Members Only Section. Look for your confirmation email after registering.

Food Pantry Bags

All who are able, please meet Wednesday night in the auditorium after classes to form a human chain. We will be putting food bags in pantry for distribution throughout the year.

Shoe Drive

All shoes for the shoe drive should be turned in no later than November 19th.

For the Record

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Dear Riverchase, Thank you so much for the flowers you sent to my husband’s service. It was a great comfort to all of us, especially Thomas. Thanks, Loretta Schnau, Tolliver boys

and family

Dear Riverchase, We are so thankful for all of the prayers raised up by this church for Donnie and Sherrie Hilliard prior to his death. Your love for them and for us has been displayed in the numerous inquiries, cards, hugs and beautiful flowers. Thank you so much for your kind support throughout his illness and since Donnie’s death. In Him, David and Twila Bedgood

Upcoming Events

Grief Seminar, Tuesdays in the reception room at 6:00 p.m.

TOTS, November 11. Adopt a LiveWires! Banquet, November 16. Baby shower for Kasey Owens, November 16,

from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the reception room. She is registered at Buy Buy Baby, Target and Pottery Barn Kids.

FTG #2, 7, and 4 Fellowship, November 16 following evening service.

Pre-Teen Devotional, November 16 following evening service.

Nation’s University Shoe Drive, please place gently used shoes in provided containers. All shoes are due November 19.

This week at Riverchase: Wednesday, November 5 Teen supper, 6:00 p.m., gym Friday, November 7 Volleyball, 6:00 p.m., gym Please continue to remember in prayer: Patricia Anderson (former member), Tommie Cleghorn (Jay’s mother), Bonnie Daniels (Turner’s friend), L.D. & Mini S. Davis (D. Bronte’s parents), Celia Dorantes (David’s mom) Pat Driskell (David’s mother), Kristen Harris (Ball’s friend), Joan Harris (Betz’s friend), Jennifer Henderson (friend of Masoner’s) Richard Howe (Steve’s dad), Butch Johnson (Dana Jones’ brother), Sharon Lawley (Brandy Tuech’s mother-in-law), Dot Mandle (Kelley’s friend), Nancy Marlo, Ralph Martin (Kristi Sibert’s dad) (Tami Picantine’s sister), Charles Mills (Robert and Michelle’s father). Dell Moody (Jane Windam’s cousin), Thelma Moon (Diana Barnes’ mother), Maxine Mount (Darrell’s mother), Julie Peltier (Lillies’ friend) Kristy Tatum (Rardin’s neighbor), Margie Winter (Bob’s niece).

Please continue to remember our military in prayer : Greg Black (Steen’s son in-law) Michael Epperson (Kevin and Amber Henderson’s brother-in-law) Jim Hendley (Jim and Peggy’s son) Dewayne Hester (Bill and Jan’s son) Brantley Ingram (Billy and Carol’s son) Amy Milliron (#7) Alan Smith (Bates’ grandson) Brad Walker (Tommy’s son) Kirk Walker (Tommy’s son)

Riverchase Family: Bonnie Gant (#7) Lakeview Estates, 2634 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, 35244. Lindsay Handley (#4) waiting on test results. Alan Jackson (# 4) health issues. Grover Jackson (#6) health issues related to transplant. Bill Johnson (#5) recovering at home. Ray Johnston (#3) recovering at home. Jeremy McDowell (#7) recovering at home following a fall. Larry Owens (#6) recovering from stint. Evan Slaughter (#2) cards of encouragement: 677 West Covington Ave, Attalla, AL 35954. Matt Snow (#4) cancer. 358 Line Creek Circle, Sharpsburg, GA 30277. Shirley Wilson (#5) recovering at home. Continue to remember these members: Zane Armstong (#6), Shirley Bailey (#3), Lynda Cardwell (#1), Jake Cole (#5), Henry Cook (#2), Michelle Dichiara (#6), Elaine Evans (#4) , John Gibson (#6), Don and Jan Haefner (#7), Diane Hager (#2), Debra Jones (#2), Evelyn Kelley (#1), Steward Masoner (#4), Judy Miles (#2), Norma Nabors (#5), Ed & Nina Pitchford (#2), Peggy Rogers (#4), Jo Wamack (#2), Michelle Whitaker (#1), Kimberly White (#5),Trace Wright (#3). Add to your prayer list our friends and relatives: Robby Bentley (friend of the Tuech family) lymphoma. Bernard Bradford (Diane Snow’s father) hospice called in. Rachel Burrow (friend of Peggy Jackson’s) breast cancer: 1064 Lea Dr, Millan, TN 38358. Sherry Cardwell (Lynda Cardwell’s mother) breast cancer. Susan Chaney (Francie Savage’s sister) kidney and gall stones. Inez Clark (Helen Rardin’s cousin) cancer. Hubert Conner (Ellen Davis’ father) bladder cancer. Dewy Daniels (cousin of Wagner’s) lymphoma. Nancy Earl (friend of Brimingham’s) inoperable stomach cancer. Marie Echols (Judy Ingram’s sister) heart problems. William Fortner (Lisa Lillie’s dad ) inoperable cancer. Phyllis Fox (friend of the Crauswells) cancer treatments. Joey George (Judy Miles great nephew) serious health problems. Walburga Giguere (Karen Owen’s mother) health problems. Jan Hall (Helen Haskew’s sister-in-law) chemo. Joyce Gilmore (wife of Ralph Gilmore) cancer complications. Cards of encouragement: 28 Gracelyn Drive, Jackson, TN 38305. Ronnie Holmes (Hill’s family friend) recovering from surgery. Robert Howe (Carol Ingram’s father) chemo and radiation. Matt Hutchinson (Meredith Hutchinson’s husband) recovering from foot surgery. Kent Ingram (Anthony Dotson’s uncle) colon cancer. Addie Jackson (Grover and Ron’s mother) Room 127A Rehab/Nursing home in Columbiana Rod Jones (Shae Watkins’ father) moved to rehab. Mrs. Lona (Paula Heard’s mother) health issues. Charles and Caroline Maddox (Hendley’s neighbors) both suffering from cancer. Rebecca Martin (friend of Dana McCarver) UAB with Leukemia. Wayne Miller (Snow’s friend) cancer. Frances Moon (friend of Doris Tucker) cancer. Drew Parsons (Bearden’s grandson) awaiting test results. Bill Pittman (father of Billy) Brookdale Place: 400 University Park Drve, Suite 159, Birmingham, AL 35209. Teresa Ragland (Becky Steen’s sister) cancer treatments. John Rasmussen (Kim Ledingham’s co-worker) spots in brain, changing chemo meds. Faye Reeves (Paula Davis’ mother) multiple sclerosis. Teresa Richards ( friend of the Hills) breast cancer. Eric Ritchie (Pitchford’s friend) chemo. George Robinette (Jeremy’s father) lung cancer. Billy Shikle (Helen Haskew’s brother in law) cancer returned. Clyde Smith (Jason Smith’s dad) cancer. Cambrie Walker (friend of Rardin’s) cancer. Bruce Windham (James Windham’s brother) recovering at home. Linda Woodard (friend of Peggy Jackson's) inoperable tumor.

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