Volume XXXVII January 3, 2017 No. 1

Clean

The holidays are always nice, with each year filled with its own special memories. But it sure is nice to get everything put away, normal things put back in place and have the house back to normal and clean. Wait, something doesn’t sound right about that last sentence. “Normal and clean” may not go together, at least on my part. Clean. That’s a nice word. Wouldn’t you love to be clean. Not the kind of clean that simple soap and water can take care of. I mean really clean. Clean in your heart, soul and mind. You can, you know. If you are in Christ, you already are. You just have to remember what has been given to you in Christ. David wrote about this cleansing and Paul quoted him and said the blessing of this cleansing is for all of us in Jesus.

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit

there is no deceit! (Ps. 32:1-2) Paul says this blessing is for those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Washed in His blood. Clean and whole. How blessed is that person. -Dewayne

Upcoming Events:

Adventure Club/Pre-Teen

AC/PT Family Supper:

Wednesday, January 11, 6:00 p.m. Cost $3.00 (visitors free). Menu: Chicken Fingers, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans and Banana Pudding.

Pre-Teen Devo:

Sunday, January 15, 6:00 p.m.

Teen

Teen Supper: Wednesday,

January 4, 6:00 p.m. Cost $3.00. Menu: BBQ pork and chicken, baked beans, chips and banana pudding.

Small Group Leaders Retreat:

Friday-Saturday, January 13-14 at Hargis.

Winter Retreat: Friday-Sunday,

January 27-29. Cost $65.00.

College

Volleyball: Friday, January 6,

6:00 p.m. in the gym.

Happy New Year!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV) I wish you happiness in this New year. I wish that in whatever situation you find yourself, you decide to be happy. As long as we’re in this world we are going to be exposed to illness, problems, suffering and death. I pray for you that God be gracious and that you find comfort and joy in the Lord. Put your hope in Him! Trust Him! In every situation we face this year. Trust that He is there already and He knows what you will be going through. Face this new year with courage. Have the courage to follow Him. Have the courage to follow His commands. Regardless of what may happen. Trust and be happy! - David

2 0 1 7

Happy

New Year

Who Should We Be in 2017?

Tim Yaeger

In the last Pre-Teen devo we discussed a very important fact about history when thinking about our faith. The power and love of God was shown in many ways to his people through time, but one of the most was the ability to see the future He gave the prophets to write about the coming Savior of the world. More than 1,000 years before Jesus came to the earth, prophets were speaking of all aspects of Jesus’ life from his birth, to his ministry, to His death and most powerfully to His resurrection. They spoke about him being born of a woman to crush the serpent’s head, born of a virgin, becoming the lion of Judah, being the righteous root of Jesse and a descendent of king David and that His birth would cause the pain and sorrow brought by King Herod when He was seeking to kill this new born King. All that was spoken of about Him CAME TRUE! I think about the words of Paul in his first sermon in Acts chapter 2, this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death.” So knowing this, who should we be? The answer is simple. Since Jesus showed such great love our response is to be like Jesus. He died for you, He wants you to be with Him forever. Submit to His will and allow Him to transform your life!

With this thought I introduce the theme for this year:

2017: Think, Act, Be Like Jesus!

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

240 —

667 667 268

$49,239.00 $49,239.00 $32,500.00

For the Record

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Upcoming Events

Teen Supper: Wednesday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Cost $3.00.

Volleyball: Friday, January 6, 6:00 p.m. in the gym.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast: Saturday, January 7, 8:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center.

Dear Riverchase church, Words are not able to express to you how I feel about you. I love you so much and know you have sent many prayers up for me. Thank you for the many cards and food that you have sent. Words can not express my love and thank you so much. In Christian love, Judy Ingram

Teen Supper Wednesday, January 4

6:00 p.m. In the Family Life Center

Cost: $3.00 Menu: BBQ Pork, BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Chips

and Dessert

Saturday, January 7 8:00 a.m.

In the Family Life Center

Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to Rick and Cindy Sirmon in the death of Rick ’s mother, Virginia Sirmon. The visitation will be Thursday, January 5, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral in Huntsville. There will be a graveside service on Friday, January 6, 11:00 a.m. at Maple Hill Cemetery.

Rick and Cindy Sirmon Proudly announce the birth of their grandson, Hugh Spencer Lee Mabery. He was born Tuesday, December 27. He weighed 8 lbs. and 14 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. The proud parents are Matt and Mary Virginia Mabery.

Ladies Bible Class will resume on Tuesday, January 17, 10:30 a.m. in the reception room.

17th Annual Riverchase Singing January 27, 2017 7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Congratulations College Graduates

Bethany Parker who graduated Summa Cum Laude from Faulkner University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Bethany is the daughter of Bryan & Pat Parker and the granddaughter of Jean Thigpen. Kelsey Scott who graduated Magna Cum Laude from UAB with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Kelsey is the daughter of Brenda Scott and the granddaughter of Charles & Gwynn Bates. Colin Harper who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harding University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Colin is the son of Scott & Robin Harper and the grandson of Dan & Alice Harper.

This week at Riverchase:

Wednesday, January 4 Teen Supper 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 6 Volleyball 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7 Men’s Prayer Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 10 TOTS 10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 15 Pre-Teen Devo 6:00 p.m. Please continue to remember in prayer: Noreen Anderson (Jina O’Clair’s mother), Patricia Anderson (former member), Greg Case (Penny’s husband), Tommie Cleghorn (Jay’s mother), Bonnie Daniels (Turner ’s friend), Celia Dorantes (David’s mom), Robert Garner (Paula Davis’ friend), Joan Harris (Betz’s friend), Jim Hollon (Clemmons’ friend), Richard Howe (Steve’s dad), Butch Johnson (Dana Jones’ brother), Dot Mandle (Kelley’s friend), Nancy Marlo (Tami Picantine’s sister), Ralph Martin (Kristi Sibert ’s dad), Charles Mills (Robert and Michelle’s father), Dell Moody (Jane Windam’s cousin), Thelma Moon (Diana Barnes’ mother), Maxine Mount (Darrell’s mother), Jay Odom (Kevin Arvin’s brother-in-law), Claudia Sibert (John’s mother), Matt Snow, Deb Rose (Heidi Bogg ’s mother), Kristy Tatum (Rardin’s neighbor), Roger Thomas (Fabray Turner’s uncle), Olen Vickery (Kim Ledingham’s brother-in-law), Bill Wright (Georgia Vaughn ’s father). Please pray for our active duty deployed military: Thomas Balentine ( Rejetta’s son) Jimmy Hendley (Jim & Peggy’s son)

Riverchase Family: Judy Ingram (#7) at home with health issues. Alan Jackson (#4) recovering at home from jaw surgery. Ollie Scott (#6) in room P986 in West Pavilion at UAB recovering from hip replacement surgery. Corrinne Taylor (#4) recovering from hip surgery. Jean Thigpen (#6) in Shelby Ridge for rehab. Shirley Vines (#6) will have back surgery January 4, at St. Vincent’s. CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THESE MEMBERS: FTG #1: Rejetta Balentine, Lynda Cardwell, Jean Marshall, Doug Mears, Michelle Whitaker FTG #2: Henry & Vonda Cook, Dottie Harbst, Ed & Nina Pitchford, Jo Wamack FTG #3: Ray & Martha Johnston, Shirley Bailey, Becky Carter, David Hare FTG #4: Jeff Carroll, Elaine Evans, Peggy Rogers, Norma Thomas FTG #5: Jake Cole, Shirley Wilson FTG #6: Erick Boggs, Michelle Dichiara, John Gibson, Grover Jackson, Kathleen Perkins, Ollie Scott, Sarah Wolford FTG #7: Don & Jan Haefner, Judy Ingram, Candy Parker, Georgia Vaughn ADD TO YOUR PRAYER LIST OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Alice Ball (Michael’s mother) breast cancer has returned. Danny Barber (Angela Davis ’s brother) stroke. Pat Beavers (Billy Gaines ’ cousin) cancer. Alice Bradford (Diane Snows’ mother) recovering from hip replacement. Jessica Brown (Glenda’s daughter in law) breast cancer. Becky Carr (friend of Hill’s) liver cirrhosis. Marshall Coker (Elizabeth Whiteheads nephew) cancer. Cathy Crittenden (Dee Davis’ friend) brain tumor. Wynonia Davis (Peggy Jackson ’s mother) health problems. Lee Dawkins (Jane Snider’s cousin) cancer has returned. Teresa Evans (friend of the Peters ’) breast cancer. Brenda Forehand (Joyce Bowen ’s sister) recovering from colon and knee surgery. Sam Gray (Ward’s neighbor) cancer. Karen Green (Norma Thomas’ daughter) health issues. Scott Green (Cindy Thompson’s cousin) brain tumor. Jan Hall (Helen Haskew ’s sister - in - law) health issues. Kim Harmon (friend of the Dorantes) health issues. Robert Howe (Carol Ingram’s father) chemo and radiation. Stephanie Hodge (David & Donna Jones ’ daughter) complex migraine. Robert Hughes (Emma Aycock ’s brother) in ICU in Chattanooga after a car accident. Kent Ingram (Anthony Dotson ’s uncle) colon cancer. Sharon Lawley (Brandy Tuech’s mother in law) chemotherapy. Martha Manwarring (former member) health issues. Art Mealer (Bill Mealer’s brother) abdominal aortic aneurysm. Helen Mellett (Hilary Beason ’s grandmother) illness. Wayne Miller (Snow ’s friend) cancer. Lynda Morris (Jim Hendley’s mother) recovering from surgery at Aspire. Lowell Newton (Michael’s dad) prostate cancer. Teresa Ragland (Becky Steen’s sister) cancer treatments. Teresa Richards (friend of the Hills) breast cancer. Miller Rock (Jonn Rock ’s brother) health issues. John Sehon (Helen Haskew ’s uncle) heath problems. Mary Sharp (Anthony Dotson ’s grandmother) health problems. Billy Shikle (Helen Haskew ’s brother in law) chemo. Mariella Sirmon (Sirmon’s granddaughter) health problems. Pam Snider (Bob Snider’s niece) under hospice care. Beth Spivey (Dewayne & Jane’s daughter in law) health problems. Barbara Stetler (Sims/Howe’s mother) health problems. McKaelia Sturgis (Haefner’s granddaughter) having vision problems. Nicole Valentine (Ward’s friend) cancer. Cindy Van Beck (friend of Posey’s) cancer. Carol Watson (Fred Langdon ’s sister) lymphoma. Don Watson (Fred Langdon ’s brother in law) dementia. Raymond White (Cindy Thompson ’s cousin) health problems. Craig Windle (Elaine Evans brother - in - law) spot on kidney. Ann Williams (friend of Georgia Vaughn) breast cancer. David Womack (Gina’s father) surgery for renal aneurysm.

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