Ministries of RPC
Everyone is welcome to our Christmas Celebration this Sunday!
5:00 pm Family Service Projects // making blessing bags
6:00 pm Christmas Dinner in Kissling Hall // please make your reservation ASAP at bit.ly/rpcdec18dinner
7:00 pm Lessons and Carols Service in the Sanctuary with Brass, Choir, and Organ
// also available via livestream at www.rpcjax.org/live
#rpcjax #jaxchurch #pcusa #lessonsandcarols
Join us 9:00 - 10:30 am for a Church-Wide Advent Celebration on Sunday, November 27 in Bittinger Hall.
Make Advent wreaths, sip coffee, assemble Christmas countdown calendars, make Christmas cards and more. Fun for all ages and everyone is invited to join in.
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #pcusa #jaxchurch #advent
November 13 is Matthew 25 Sunday at Riverside
This is a Sunday where we explore our commitment as a Matthew 25 congregation to build congregational vitality, dismantle structural racism, and eradicate systemic poverty. We share this commitment with over 1000 other PC(USA) churches around the country. Jessica Means will preach.
Mathew 25 congregations are based on the scripture found in Matthew 25:31-46.
Matthew 25:43-45- says " I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’"
#matthew25 #rpcjax #pcusa
This Sunday, November 6, the Choristers (Grades 2-6) will help lead us in worship alongside the Chancel Choir. In recognition of All Saints' Day, we will remember all those we have loved who have gone to be with the Lord.
Thank you to our Choristers for leading and participating in worship!
#rpcjax #riversidechoristers #pcusa #choristers
The Riverside Presbyterian Church Basketball League has Registration OPEN for just a few more days!
Register at www.rpcbasketball.org by October 16.
This league exists to provide a Christian environment for boys and girls in the Greater Jacksonville Area to learn individual and team basketball skills, and to provide a competitive basketball experience which develops self-esteem and confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #rpcbasketball
Don't forget to bring your pledge card to worship on October 9! We will return to the long-held tradition of bringing pledge cards forward during worship. If you’ve pledged online, there will be cards in the pews that say “I pledged online” that you can bring forward during the offertory. Pledge online at rpcjax.org/give
#rpcjax #jaxchurch
ONE RIVERSIDE: United in Christ, Together in Purpose
Recently, Josh Bryan shared about this year's theme "One Riverside: United in Christ, Together in Purpose," why he calls Riverside "home" and reminded everyone to bring your pledge card to worship on October 9. Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/756612779
Pledge online: https://bit.ly/rpc2023
Join a Seasonal Small Group now!
These 5-week groups will tackle "Big Church Words." What do we mean when we use terms like “reconciliation” and “discernment”? Rich with meaning, unpacking these deep concepts will equip us to better understand the faith we confess.
Sign up for a small group at rpcjax.org/adults
Small groups begin the week of October 9!
#rpcjax #jaxchurch #pcusa
RPC Youth spent a weekend at @camp_montgomery with Presbyterian Youth from 9 different churches around our presbytery. The Rev. Cece Armstrong and Eric Nanz led the retreat as they focused on the theme “When did we see you again?”, based on the text in Matthew 25: 31-46.
#rpcyouthjax #rpcjax #campmontgomery
This past weekend, Pastor Lauren and RPC Youth, Davis, attended the 2023 Montreat Youth Conference Planning Meeting. During this time, they met other planning team members for next summer’s youth conferences, learned more about how the conference works from behind-the-scenes, and worked with all of the planning team members to choose a theme (which will be released in just a few weeks!). They planned, dreamed, and imagined (and they will continue to do so until next summer is here!).
Lauren is serving as a co-director by leading those involved with small group and recreation for “Alpha”, the first two weeks of the youth conference. She will be the point person between volunteer planning team members, stage leadership, and Montreat staff.
Davis is serving as the youth who is planning the keynote portion of the conference during “Omega”, the last two weeks of the summer. He will work with a variety of teams and people to create a morning experience that is engaging, captivating, and energizing.
Lauren and Davis are both so grateful for this opportunity and are also so excited to be with RPC youth in the middle of the summer, during week 3 (one of the “Theta” weeks) of the youth conference.
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #myc23
Riverside Presbyterian Church is offering a program of free music education for children in grades 2-6.
Led by RPC’s Director of Music Ministries and Organist, Mr. Joshua Stafford, our program is modeled on English cathedral choirs, which have been enriching the lives of children for hundreds of years. This program is open and welcoming to children of any or no religious background.
Rehearsals occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm and include a break time with snack. Choristers will build skills in singing, musicianship, music theory, teamwork, and leadership.
Rehearsals begin September 13 so don’t delay in signing up at www.rpcjax.org/music
#rpcjax #riversidechoristers #choristers #5pointsjax #riversidejax
Rally Day was a blast! Sunday School teachers wore flamingo headbands to help identify them more easily. Children were able to go see their classrooms while adults heard more about the specific classes RPC is offering for the fall. We also recognized and honored Regina Boone (Meals on Wheels Coordinator), Mary Elizabeth Ballentine (Interim Youth Director), and Emily Coll (Youth Ministry Intern) for their service at RPC. Thank you to Windy for making some delicious grits casseroles which were enjoyed by all.
Pastor Lauren Scott peached for the first time (at Riverside) later that morning.
We hope to see you this fall for a small group, Sunday School class, worship or perhaps all three!
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #pcusa #jaxchurch
Everyone is welcome at Rally Day this Sunday, August 21! Come enjoy breakfast (9:00 am) and explore faith development opportunities for the fall. There will be activities for children and youth, and adults can learn more about Sunday School, small groups, and other ways to re-engage with Riverside this year.
During the breakfast, we will also celebrate the time and talents given to RPC by Regina Boone with the Meals on Wheels program and Mary Elizabeth Ballentine and Emily Coll with the Youth Ministry program. We look forward to seeing you! RSVP for breakfast: bit.ly/rallydayrpc
Worship will be in person and online at 10:30 am.
17 Riversiders arrived at Chautauqua Institution this
past Saturday. Between the lectures, worship services, theater performances, ballet / symphony recitals and more there has still been time to eat and drink together and to spend time with Josh! Our group has loved hearing Josh share about his work here as well as the more of the history of Chautauqua.
#rpcjax #chq2022
Blessing of the Backpacks
God, as we start a new school year, we may have lots of thoughts, emotions and feelings. We may be excited, nervous, happy, uncertain, or some combination of all these things. Help us, we pray, to have peace in our minds and in our hearts as we start this new year. Help us be compassionate toward ourselves, fellow students, teachers and friends. God, bless these students, teachers and administrators and the backpacks and bags they carry.
🎒 🏫
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #pcusa
Come Be a Lunch Buddy at West Riverside Elementary School!
You will be matched up with a student to meet with once a week during lunchtime.
You won’t be tutoring, you will be developing a friendship...by playing games, doing crafts, reading books, or just talking.
The principal chooses students who could use some positive attention from an adult. There is an online volunteer application that you will need to fill out. We will be starting back the week of September 19, 2022.
RPC has about 20 Lunch Buddies right now. But there is waiting list of students hoping to have a Lunch Buddy this school year!
For more information, please email Bud Para or Jean Grant-Dooley.
ParaBud@gmail.com jeangrantdooley@gmail.com
Flat Brian Challenge 10!
Pastor Brian comes from Colorado, a state with no beaches. Show Flat Brian how great the beach is.
As always, document your travels with Flat Brian. Whether you go to Paris, Publix, or anywhere in between, send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #flatbrian #pcusa
Flat Brian Challenge 9
Summer is a great time for picnics. Take Flat Brian on a picnic (even if it's just in your yard - or in your living room!).
As always, document your travels with Flat Brian. Whether you go to Paris, Publix, or anywhere in between, send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #flatbrian #pcusa
Summer Book Club - It's a wrap!
A story of racial transformation brought together nearly 20 adults over the course of three weeks to participate in Riverside's Summer Book Club. This year's title, "Cousins: Connected through slavery, a Black woman and a White woman discover their past and each other" allowed readers to personally experience the different journeys taken by Phoebe Kilby and Betty Kilby Baldwin to ultimately reach a place of "common grace." Through their authentic storytelling, the participants learned more about generational trauma and the importance of supporting personal healing as part of addressing broad-scale racial injustice. Special thanks to our neighbors at Riverside Park Methodist Church for joining the weekly discussions!
First photo: During the Book Club's opening night, members of both Riverside and Park Methodist were excited to welcome their respective traveling pastors (Flat Brian and Portable Pastor Emily) to the group.
#rpcjax #pcusa #flatbrian
Flat Brian had an active week of travel! In line with this past week's challenge related to camping, Flat Brian spent some time with RPC children at Montgomery Center as well as camp-like activities like hiking, eating, swimming and more! Thanks for sharing your photos of Flat Brian out in the world.
As always, document your travels with Flat Brian. Whether you go to Paris, Publix or anywhere in between, send your photos to communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #flatbrian #pcusa
Flat Brian Challenge #5
Some RPC kids are at Camp Montgomery this week. Take a photo of Flat Brian doing something you do at camp - like making s’mores, telling ghost stories, swimming in the lake, or doing arts and crafts.
Send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #flatbrian #pcusa
Flat Brian Challenge #4 was to take a photo of Flat Brian with your dad, or someone who is like a dad to you. Thanks to all who sent in photos this past week. And, as always, regardless of the challenge, take photos of Flat Brian wherever you go!
ps- Check out the last photo to meet Portable Pastor Emily, the pastor at our neighbor church, Riverside Park United Methodist!
Challenge #5 will be posted Monday morning. Send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #flatbrian #pcusa
There's something for everyone at Riverside's Summer Sizzler! Kids and families can enjoy an inflatable water slide and watermelon seed spitting contest on the sports field from 4:00 to 6:00. Our traditional Patriotic Concert, featuring the Bold City Brass, will begin at 5:00. We'll all gather in Kissling Hall for a fried chicken dinner at 6:00, and then the youth will meet in the Youth House for a pre-Montreat icebreaker.
4:00 - 6:00 Rice Sports Field
Inflatable Water Slide, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest
5:00 Sanctuary
Patriotic Concert
5:00 Youth House
Pre Montreat Trip Icebreaker
6:00 Kissling Auditorium
Fried Chicken Dinner
#rpcjax
Many Riversiders attended the "Race Cards" hosted by Riverside Park United Methodist Church (next door) a few weeks ago. Race Cards goal? "...to facilitate honest, authentic discussion around race in a way that is accessible to everyone."
Learn more about the Race Cards at 904ward.org/racecards/
#rpcjax @904wardjax
Today is Juneteenth (Freedom Day), the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday in 2021. In observance of this important holiday, our office will be closed today. We will reopen on Tuesday, June 21 at 8:30 am.
#rpcjax #pcusa #juneteenth
This past week's Flat Brian Challenge was to show us your favorite way to stay cool with Flat Brian.
Flat Brian had a busy week with plenty of travel as well as time staying cool with ice cream and pool time.
Reminder, this week's challenge is to take a photo of Flat Brian with your dad or someone who is like a dad to you. Send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #flatbrian
Well that isn't something you see every day... ☠️
This week, our sanctuary is being fumigated to remove our unwelcomed termite guests from the building. Don't worry, the sanctuary will be ready to go before Sunday! This week, Flat Brian had some new outfits made for him and then to round it out, here's a few photos we didn't have room to post last week. Flat Brian visited DESC with our Summer in the City group, a great covered bridge in Indiana and even visited the Session meeting at church last night.
❗️There's just a few more days to get your photos in for this week's challenge: Pastor Brian stays cool by drinking iced coffee. Show us your favorite way to stay cool with Flat Brian. 🧊 ☀️ 🕶
Send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #flatbrian
Flat Brian's second week took him all over.
Flat Brian...
- cooked dinner at Sulzbacher
- served with Summer in the City
- met new people including people our Riversiders love
- attended music class during VBS
- watched the jubilee
- went to Boone Park with some tiny Riversiders
- ate breakfast in Amsterdam
- hung out with Michael on RPC's campus
- was dropped off at the airport for another adventure
Flat Brian Challenge #3 will be posted on social media on Monday! Challenges will also be in the bulletin each Sunday and in the weekly email each Wednesday.
As always, document your travels with Flat Brian. Whether you go to Paris, Publix or anywhere in between, send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax #rpcyouthjax #flatbrian
Flat Brian had a great first week out in the world!
He experienced all kinds of leisurely breakfasts (Challenge #1) as well as Memorial Day celebrations, study sessions, hikes and even a central Indiana farm.
Keep an eye out for our next post which will have Challenge #2 and, as always, document your travels with Flat Brian. Whether you go to Paris, Publix or anywhere in between, send your photos to (904) 274-3470 or communication@rpcjax.org
#rpcjax
Flat Brian, Challenge #1
School-age kids long to sleep in during the first week of summer. Take a photo of Flat Brian enjoying a leisurely breakfast.
Text photos to (904) 274-3470 or email to communication@rpcjax.org
Remember, you can always pick up a Flat Brian in the narthex or in the church office.
Summer can be a tough time to stay connected to our church family. School is out, the sun is hot, and the Jaguars season seems a million years away. If only there was a way to take a little piece of church with you…..
Now there is!
Introducing Flat Brian, your personal pocket pastor. You can pick up a Flat Brian in the narthex on Sunday mornings or in the church office. You can take Flat Brian on all your summer adventures, whether you’re headed to Paris or Publix. Each week over the summer, we’ll provide a Flat Brian photo challenge for members to complete. Text your snaps to (904) 274-3470 or email them to communication@rpcjax.org and be featured on the church’s social media accounts.
Thank you to all who planned or attended the special weekend with our Haitian visitors from @fonkoze. The reception on Saturday, May 21 and the special Sunday School class on May 22 were a great success! Marie-Claire Dorcely and Rachel Pierre-Champagne were welcomed so graciously by Riverside. Thank you!
#rpcjax #fonkoze
Join us this Sunday (10:30 am) as we celebrate and promote our Choristers. These Choristers became “Probationers” in the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022. After months of hard work and weekly rehearsals they will be come “Novices.”
We hope you will join us as we recognize them during the service.
#rpcjax #riversidechoristers
See you there?
Riversiders is back! Join the Community Life Committee at Riversiders on May 15! All adults are invited to come to this adult potluck on Sunday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m in the Ortega area (hosted by Judy Fackler, address details below). Bring a dish to share and enjoy this time of fellowship!
>Nursery for young children will be provided at the church, register here: https://bit.ly/nurserymay15
>Click on this link for the address: https://bit.ly/riversiders
See you there?
Riversiders is back! Join Windy and Jason at Riversiders on May 15! All adults are invited to come to this adult potluck on Sunday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m in the Ortega area (address details below). Bring a dish to share and enjoy this time of fellowship!
>Nursery for young children will be provided at the church, register here: https://bit.ly/nurserymay15
>Click on this link for the address: https://bit.ly/riversiders
A few weeks ago, Riversiders were given the opportunity to write a note of prayer, encouragement and support to Ukrainians. These will be given to Ukrainian refugees through a contact the church has through RPDS.
Many of you have asked how you can financially help. If you would like to provide financial support for those affected by the war in Ukraine,
there are two ways to give:
Donate to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund. Add a comment to indicate you would like your donations to go to Ukraine. Go to: pma.pcusa.org/donate/make-a-gift/gift-info/DR000156/
Give directly to Ukrainian refugees through a contact the church has through
RPDS. This money will go to refugees as they cross the border into Romania to
help with basic needs, like clothing, gas, food etc. Go to: onrealm.org/rpcjax/-/form/give/now and change "Fund" to "Ukraine Relief Fund."
#ukrainerelief #rpcjax #pcusa #pda #presbyteriandisasterassistance
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