GOOD NEWS

LENT 2010

Riverside United Church Newsletter

Inside this issue:

From Reverend Ann

Dear Friends in Riverside Church,

 

Jesus Christ is raised from the dead! What a difference that makes in our lives! That is news we can get excited about!

The resurrection power of the Holy Spirit that burst Jesus from the grave changed life forever! The disciples and apostles were changed! Their lives, their preaching and their mission were radically different from anything the world had ever seen. This witness remains in people still today, “Jesus turned up and changed my life!”

The Lenten season is a time for self examination, and a time for prayer and fasting. It is only as we put to death selfishness, misplaced priorities and corrupted values in our lives that resurrection, true life and true servant-hood spring forth from our Christian hearts. We are able to see with God’s eye, hear with God’s ears and understand with God’s heart the needs in the world around us.

That same transforming power of the resurrection is at work within us and within this community of faith. It is the calling of every Christian to reach out to the world with the message of the Risen Christ and bring the Presence of Christ into the world around us!

The Scripture states emphatically, "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and GREAT grace was upon them all."--Acts 4:33.

God’s grace was upon the early church. God’s favour was upon them. God, by the power of the Holy Spirit was upon them. And ordinary people with God’s help built the church, God’s church, through all generations.

For 80 years Riverside Church has opened its doors to our community and to our world transforming the lives of individuals and families, and witnessing to the love of God, in Jesus Christ. There is much more work to do!

Riverside Church must continue to raise up, support and disciple the next generations of Christians in this world. But it is only with your help that this will be accomplished.

Riverside needs your talent and your dedication and your willingness to accomplish the tasks in the days ahead. Riverside needs ‘prayers’ and ‘doers’ and ‘givers’ to fulfill the calling of this church. Ministry also costs money and sacrifice on all of our parts.

 Each year we enjoy the blessings of Almighty God, yet each year we fall short in the operating expenses of the church. Heat, hydro and operating expenses are always the mundane realities of ministry. The cost of being a witness to this community is $750.00 per day. If a few more people would take up the challenge of paying for a few more days, the budget would be met more easily and the ministry of transforming lives will continue.

 

Under the covering of snow and leaves, small bulbs like the crocus, snow drops, daffodils and tulips are making plans to burst forth from the earth and bloom. So we should be making plans to burst forth with resurrection power and fulfill the great commission.

 

So what is it that you are waiting for? God has issued the invitation. He waits for you to come closer and get into a deeper friendship with Him.

                                  What will you answer? What will you accomplish in His Name?

 

                                                   Sincerely in Christ,

                                                                    Rev. Ann Rowsell

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