Riverside's
Journey Through Advent
This year, our church is following "The Weary World Rejoices" Daily Advent Devotionals by Kate Bowler. Pick up a copy in the church office or if you would like to receive a weekly email (Sundays) with the daily readings for that week, please email communication@rpcjax.org or visit: www.bit.ly/adventdevo2025
Advent Sunday School Class
November 30, December 7, and 21
Advent, Scripture, and the Visual Arts: Short-Term Series Taught by Claudia Calhoun
Join us this Advent season for a three-week journey to the birth of Christ through scripture and the visual arts. We will reflect on the rich passages of Advent and deepen our understanding of their meaning by engaging with various images of paintings, sculpture and photography. Together, we will discover how scripture and visual images can open our hearts in new ways as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
Claudia Calhoun
Claudia’s background is in teaching and practicing art, nonprofit consulting, and community volunteering. She received a Master's degree in Christian Education in 2017 from Union Presbyterian Seminary. There she began to connect how art can play a role in illuminating scripture and shaping how we see the world around us. Claudia and her husband, Jack, became members of Riverside after moving to Jacksonville from Lively, VA in 2020.
Worship and Wonder
Sunday, December 7, 8:30 am
Worship and Wonder follows a similar order of worship to traditional Sunday mornings, with increased opportunities for experiential learning, including relevant and engaging faith stations. The welcoming atmosphere supports meaningful connections between worshippers of all ages, especially in the singing of joyful hymns and the sharing of the bread and cup at the communion table where all levels of energy are welcome. (*)
Faith stations are one component of the service and seek to foster a sense of wonder about matters of faith. Activities are intentionally designed for a wide variety of learning styles and ages, and can be a solo or shared endeavor. (You don’t have to do all of them.) Go at your own pace! Spend as little or as long a time as you’d like at each one.
Join us for muffins, coffee, and juice after the service (and prior to Sunday School) in Bittinger Hall.
Connections deepened | Curiosity encouraged | Communion shared
(*) Nursery is also available
Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army
December 1–6, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm daily
at Riverside Publix
RPC volunteers have been ringing the Salvation Army bell for over 10 years. Hour-long shifts available daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Contact Arden Brugger at arbroz1113@gmail.com or (904) 362-1347, or sign up at www.bit.ly/bellringing2025
Christmas Riversiders
Sunday, December 7, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
at the home of the Goff Family. Address shared internally week-of.
Come enjoy one of RPC’s most festive holiday traditions: an evening of food, fellowship, and caroling! Bring a dish and beverage to share as we celebrate the season together.
Childcare:
Children's ministry staff will provide on-site childcare. If your children will be attending, please email Emily at
emily.heeg@rpcjax.org so we can plan accordingly.
Greening of the Sanctuary with Carols On the Hour
Saturday, December 13, 12:00–3:00 pm
Join us for the Greening of the Sanctuary! We'll enjoy a festive afternoon as we decorate the Sanctuary with live greenery and sing our favorite Carols in preparation for Christmas! It’s a wonderful way to start the season and share some Christmas cheer.
Everyone is welcome — bring your friends and family!
Holiday snacks and hot beverages provided. Come and go as you please.
Dedicate Christmas Flowers and Greenery
Dedicate in memory of, or thanksgiving for, or choose a ministry you wish to honor at Christmastime. Look for the Christmas Flowers and Greenery envelopes in the pews on Sundays or go online: bit.ly/christmasflowersRPC
Your dedication will be printed on a bulletin insert for the Lessons and
Carols service on December 14 and all Christmas Eve service bulletins.
Dedication deadline to appear in
Lessons and Carols bulletin: December 8, 9:00 am
Dedication deadline to appear in
Christmas Eve bulletins: December 17, 9:00 am
Christmas Breakfast
Sunday, December 14, 9:00 am in Kissling Hall
Join us for a festive Christmas Breakfast before Lessons & Carols! We’ll gather in Bittinger to prepare our hearts, minds, and stomachs for a beautiful worship service. RSVP in Friendship Pad or via the emailed Evite (coming soon)
If you’re willing to donate a breakfast casserole (sweet OR savory), please contact email
Jaimie.
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 14, 10:30 am (one service only)
Join us for one of the most beloved services of the year, featuring the Riverside Choir accompanied by a string orchestra. Inspired by the world-famous Festival of Lessons and Carols at Kings College Cambridge, the service will feature anthems and our favorite carols interspersed with the Biblical narrative of the anticipation and birth of Jesus Christ. You won’t want to miss this musical highlight of the season! Be with us in the sanctuary or online at
rpcjax.org/live.
Caring Tree Sunday
Sunday, December 14, 11:30 am
Choose an ornament from the tree at RPC (or
sign up for gifts
online) and bring your wrapped gifts with the numbered tags to the church by Sunday, December 14th - Caring Tree Sunday by 11:30 am.
For your convenience, you may drop your gifts off on Friday, December 12 from 10am-2pm in the RPC upper parking lot. Alternatively, call the church office, 904-355-4585 for a gift pick up.
After the 10:30 service on December 14, if you can stay for 30 minutes, we could use your help sorting gifts.
Questions? Contact
jo.prattdannals@gmail.com
Blue Christmas Service, The Longest Night
Wednesday, December 17, 6:30 pm
RPC and RPUMC co-hosting this Longest Night service at Riverside Park United Methodist Church
A service of healing and wholeness for those navigating a season of grief. All are welcome.
Gingerbread Extravaganza Experience and Cookie Decorating
Saturday, December 20, 11:00 am
Join us for a joyful, intergenerational holiday outing to the 23rd Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza Experience.
Meet at 11:00 am at The Jacksonville History Center, 318 Palmetto Street
We’ll enjoy the exhibit together (must purchase a ticket), and afterward, we’ll head to the church for light refreshments and gingerbread cookie decorating (no cost) in Bittinger Hall.
Ticket prices: Adult $12, youth $5, Seniors $7. Children under 3, Military, and First Responders are free.
Purchase tickets
Help us get a headcount for cookie decorating by RSVP’ing on the Evite or by contacting
jaimie.smith@rpcjax.org or call 904-591-5258.
Luminiara Setup and Lunch
Sunday, December 21, after 10:30 am worship
In December, the Neighboring Collaborative is offering something a little different on the third Sunday. December 21st is the annual RAP Luminaria Night. Again this year we will light up the church grounds with luminaria bags and candles. So, for the third Sunday in December our "Friends in Five Points" opportunities will look a little different:
After 10:30 am worship, enjoy lunch at the Five Points restaurant of your choice OR have lunch in Bittinger Hall and help assemble luminaria bags to light up the church for the annual RAP Luminaria Night. Lunch will be provided from a Five Points restaurant for our team of volunteers. If you'd like to have lunch in Bittinger Hall and help assemble luminaria bags, sign up here so we have an accurate head count for lunch.
Carols and Cocoa Worship Service Sunday, December 28, 10:30 am (one service only)
Join us for carols and Cocoa at 10:30 am for the last worship service of the year! Wear cozy pajamas, drink hot cocoa, coffee, or tea (provided) as we sing carols and reflect on their meaning for our lives. Nursery available.
Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday, December 24
Services at 4:00, 7:00, and 11:00 pm. Holy Communion is served at all services.
4:00 pm–Family Candlelight Service
Join us for this family-friendly service where all ages are invited to worship, participate with interactive elements from their pew, and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Children can come dressed as one of the characters from the Christmas story or can choose one of the costumes available in the narthex. Join us for this very fun and meaningful candlelight service. Nursery available.
7:00 pm–Festival Candlelight Service with Brass, Choir, and Extended Prelude
Join us for this festival candlelight service with brass and choir. An additional set of music will commence the service. The Rev. Dr. Brian Lays preaches. Be with us in the sanctuary or online at www.rpcjax.org/live. Nursery available.
11:00 pm–Contemplative Candlelight Service
Join us for this 11:00 pm candlelight service featuring contemplative music and a harpist. The Rev. Dr. Brian Lays preaches.
Church Office Hours
December 24 - 25 Closed
December 31 - January 2 Closed
Regular office hours resume Monday, January 5, 2026
