Donating to Haiti

Here is a link to the website for Haiti!

The Continuing Journey of Confirmation

This Sunday, we will be confirming 18 of our youth! I've spent the last week and a half reading their faith statements and talking with youth and their families about what this step in the journey means to them. It is one of those times that reminds me why I love being a pastor so much.
At the same time, I find myself reading these faith statements and reflecting about my own journey. Where have I grown? Where have I been confirming my faith in the places and opportunities for growth that God has put before me?
We tell the Confirmation class that confirmation is a repeatable rite. It is something that happens over and over again in our lives.
How do you see that? How does God continue to give us experiences to confirm our faith? What has helped you be most open to those experiences?

What I Wish I'd Said

Often the day after I preach a message I think of something I wish I had said. Yesterday in worship we talked about practicing the virtuous life, sometimes known as the holiness movement. One of the things that is at the heart of a life of holiness are God's commandments, and I talked about how important it was to keep the commandments. I wish I'd added that the goal in keeping the commandments is so that you can meet the Maker of the commandments! We keep the commandments in order to fellowship with the Commander! 

This week (5/3) we are going to explore the Word-Centered Life or the Evangelical Tradition which focuses us on scripture and what it means to share God's Word with others. But once again I think we must always remember that our goal is to let the written word lead us to the Living Word, Jesus Christ (John 1). Any thoughts?

Practicing the Prayer-Filled Life

This week in worship we talked about prayer. A copy of the sermon is posted on the website along with some additional prayer exercises to try. We hope you will use this blog to share some of the ways you are praying this week and some of your experiences or insights. Some of us were talking about prayer last night and one of the things we talked about is what happens when you pray on your knees or prostrate (lying face down) or standing with your arms raised (the traditional Jewish way of prayer that Jesus would have been familiar with)? Does what we do with our body make a difference in how we pray? 

Footwashing?!?

This Sunday evening, our Confirmation class met for our Small Group discussion on John chapter 13. This story, unique to the Gospel of John, gives us a special window into the heart of God. It is also a story that confronts us in interesting ways - often calling us out of our comfort zone.

The confirmands loved the story and started asking some great questions about humility and service. One of them asked, "Why don't we wash people's feet in church today? Jesus says that we should!" We talked about all the ways that washing someone's feet and having your feet washed makes us uncomfortable, vulnerable, and nervous. We also talked about the ways that this act also could remind us of our equality before God, teach us about being a servant, and build humility. One youth asked,"What would happen if we set up a booth outside one day and offered to wash people's feets?" Some exciting discussion ensued!

This Thursday is Maundy Thursday - a celebration of the night in which Jesus Christ instituted the Lord's Supper on the night before his death. However, the footwashing episode occurred just before this sacred meal.

So, as we journey through Holy Week - at this Thursday's service, we are going to give people an option to take the bread and the juice AND to participate in footwashing... either to wash the feet of another, or have your feet washed. The confirmation class will be on hand to assist with the process! So timely! :)

What emotions and thoughts does the act of footwashing bring up for you? Would you be able to participate? Why or why not?

Riverside's New Blog!

As we launch our new website, we are excited to venture into some unchartered territory as a church... a blog!

Blogs are great places to have interactive conversations about a variety of issues.  This works best if people check the blog and post comments...

So, what kinds of things would you like to see us discuss with this blog?  Sermon topics?  Worship?  Mission?  Theology?  

Please share your thoughts!