Riverdale Baptist Church

RBC Newsletter

RBC Newsletter

Empowering Believers to Impact the World
We are called to
Preach the word of God.
Reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Teach believers to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

QUICK LINKS

PASTOR’S
POINT

KEVIN’S
NOTES

DWIGHT
SAYS

YOUTH
MINISTRY

YOUTH
MUSIC MINISTRY

RIVERDALE
FAITH SEEKERS

JAPANESE
FAMILY MINISTRY

WOMAN’S
MINISTRIES

THE LEAST
OF THESE

RA/GA MISSION
FRIENDS MINISTRY

Welcome New Members!

Dalton Garland
Dan and Vicky Watts
Susan Redwine
Madison Dobson
Wes Wyrick & Heather Ellard
Kevin Isbell
John Ward & Amy Dunagan
 

See our new members page to meet the latest additions to our church family!

PASTOR’S POINT
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I feel this is a must read for everyone. Please enjoy. Bro. Curt. Anyway Love To love anyway is to love like God and to learn about God's love for us. by Gary Thomas Note: Names have been changed. On Valentine's Day, Meg* went all out, giving her husband, Peter,* his favorite candy and tickets to a hockey game. Later that night, she wrapped herself in a special outfit purchased just for the occasion. Peter got her a card, at the grocery store, which he purchased on the way home from work. He didn't add anything to it, either. He just signed it, "Peter." A couple of days later, Meg tried to explain that she felt a little taken for granted. Apparently, Peter misunderstood her intent because two months later, when they celebrated their anniversary, Peter didn't get Meg anything. "How could you not get me anything for our anniversary?" she asked Peter the next day. "Especially after our conversation about Valentine's Day?" "Well, I thought about getting you something, but it didn't work out," he replied. "And then I knew not to get you a card because you said you didn't like that last time." "It's not that I didn't like the card. It's that the card alone seemed a little sparse. But even that is better than nothing ..." Several months later, Meg had a birthday. This time, Peter got her a present a kitchen tool set. Several weeks before, Meg had asked to borrow Peter's tape measure and screwdriver. Peter figured that Meg should have her own small set of kitchen tools so she didn't have to borrow his. Meg recounted all this and then explained how she had tried to get her husband to read several how-to books on loving your spouse. He would read the first few pages, lose interest and never pick the book up again. "I've realized this is never going to change," she confessed. "But I love him anyway." Because... That last statement of Meg's, "but I love him anyway," is one of the most profound theological statements on marriage I've ever heard. Most of us base love on because, not on anyway. I love you because you're good to me. I love you because you're kind, because you're considerate, because you keep the romance alive. But in Luke 6:32-36, Jesus says we shouldn't love because. We should love anyway. If we love someone because that person is good to us, or gives back to us, or is kind to us, we're acting no better than anyone else. In essence, Jesus is saying you don't need the Holy Spirit to love a man who remembers every anniversary not just the anniversary of your marriage, but the anniversary of your first date and your first kiss. Any woman could love a man like that. Or if you love a wife who lavishes you with sports gifts, who goes out of her way to make you comfortable when you get home from work and who wants sex anytime you do well, you're doing what any man would do. There's no special credit in that! But if you love a spouse who disappoints you, who can be a little self-absorbed now you're loving anyway. In doing that, you're following the model of the heavenly Father, who loves the ungrateful and the wicked....Or Anyway Will you love only because? Or are you willing to love anyway? Will you love a man or woman who doesn't appreciate your sacrifice? Will you love a husband or wife who takes you for granted? Will you love a spouse who isn't nearly as kind to you as you are to him or her? Just about every faithless marriage is based on because love. Christians are called to anyway love. That's what makes us different. That's what gives glory to God. That's what helps us appreciate God's love for us, because God loves us anyway. He gives and gives and gives and we take Him for granted. He is eager to meet with us, and we get too busy to notice Him. He is good to us, and we accuse Him mercilessly when something doesn't go just the way we planned it. But God loves us anyway. To love anyway is to love like God and to learn about God's love for us. That's love, the way God intended it.

Brother Curt

KEVEN'S’S NOTES
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Dear Riverdale family, The past few weeks here at our church have been awesome! I have felt the presence of the Spirit in each service. Standing before you from week to week is a true encouragement as I look out and see the love of Christ on each of your faces. We have celebrated in the new life and baptism of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and God has allowed our family to grow. If you are looking for a place to serve within our church, there is no better fellowship than that of our choir. Yes, we work hard, but to use our talents to the glorification of Christ is truly a privilege. I hope you will come visit us for rehearsals on Sunday afternoons at 5 P.M. Whether your place is in the pew or the choir loft, I foremost encourage you to worship freely. God is at work in Riverdale Baptist Church! What role will you play in this movement? I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. --Psalm 104:33-34 In Christ Alone, Bro. Kevin

Kevin

DWIGHT SAYS
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Education Director, Dwight Faircloth
Thanks to all who have been working in the various areas of our church. I am sure you are receiving more than you are giving. It is great to see the Holy Spirit moving in our church. Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday nights are wonderful. Getting refilled on Wednesday night at prayer meeting is better than going to the gas station since it lasts longer. The praises, prayer requests, and Bible study, along with the meal are a pleasure. Remember the request in the bulletin for volunteers. I am hopeful you have prayed about it and have filled or will soon fill out this request for service at Riverdale. The nominating committee is now meeting and prayerfully considering those who will work next church year. Please fill those out as soon as possible and turn them in to the church or put them in the offering plate. Better yet, hand them in to one of the staff members. God will bless you more than you can imagine.
YOUTH
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KOINONIA ...Constant Fellowship with God and One Another...
A Word from Papa
Well, say goodbye to yet another school year and HELLOOOOOOOOO SUMMER!!! Put away those calculators, and get out the sun screen, cause its time to party! Parents, together we have successfully got them through another year, and even managed to graduate off severalbut College is just gonna have to wait, because I still have them for a couple more months! With so many moving up to the soon-to-be-formed College group, our youth group will be soon going through some major changes. Like any family, thats going to be somewhat hard on all of us, so we intend to make the next few months count. This summer is going to be all about FUN!!! OK, thats enough about the gradsfor the rest of us; we still have a lot of work to do! It is now time for us to take the reigns and continue to move in the direction that God wants this youth group to go. However, like I said, were about to have a great summer of fun packed activities. Of course, July will bring our two favorite things to doImpact Camp and VBS!!! The end of summer promises to bring some excitement as well, but I cant let the cat out of the bag just yetIts a surprise! With that being said, we do still have a lot of money to raise for camp. We only have two more fundraising activities to go before then, so we plan on trying to liven it up as much as we can by making them the most fun ones yet. On Saturday, June 12th, we will have our second annual Iron Chef RBC cooking challenge @ 6:30pm. Remember that this event is NOT just for the youth. I encourage everyone to put on their chef hats, pull out their favorite recipes, and cook, cook, cook. More details to come soon, so keep an eye out for a poster in the foyer. Saturday, June 26th, will be a youth car wash and yard sale, and we are asking for your help on this one. If you have some stuff tucked away in your attics or closets that you can afford to part with, we ask that you would please donate these items to be used in the yard sale. All items not sold will then be donated to Goodwill. Always keep an eye on the bulletin for more information on upcoming events. On behalf of all of the youth and youth leaders, thank you all so much for all of your love, prayers, and support! Matt Downey Youth Director

Thank You & God Bless, Matt Downey a.k.a. “Papa Smurf”

RIVERDALE FAITH SEEKERS
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On May 7, 2010, we went to the Smyrna Town Center for lunch. The lunch was delicious, especially the catfish. We had 15 in attendance. We also had some good fellowship. It is good when we can get together. Several of you have suggested to me that you would like to go back and we will. On May 17, 2010, was our Associational Senior Meeting. We met at New Vision Baptist Church. Riverdale had 18 present. Those present were: Bro. Curt, Polly Adams, Ralph and Regina Coley, Dwight Faircloth, Tommy and Nancy Green, Jean Jakes, Cuba Miller, Terry Pearce, Harold and Annie Jean Ray, Anna Smith, Ruth Todd, Barbara Turner, Dan and Vickie Watts and Brenda Sledge. Stones River Baptist Church got the 1st place banner but since they had a tie between Mt. Hermon and Riverdale, Mr. Jim asked Stones River if they would let Mt. Hermon and Riverdale get the banners. So Mt. Hermon got 1st place and Riverdale got 2nd place. One of these days, Riverdale will get that 1st place banner. We had some good singing and the program was on Tennessee Baptist Children Homes. Good and informative information. We support this through our Co-operative Money and Mothers Day Offering. Thanks to all who came to New Vision. On June 14, 2010, Riverdale Faith Seekers will go to Barfield Park for our meeting this month at 11:00. I dont know if we will have to carry a dish or not. I am trying to find out. I will let you know as soon as I can. Remember on June 21st, we will be hosting the Associational Senior Lunch. Men, I will need your help in parking cars, ushering the people inside. We will need people to welcome and ladies cook and serve. There will be a job for anyone that wants to come and help. Thanks in advance for your service.

Love to all, Mrs. Brenda

JAPANESE FAMILY MINISTRY
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Dear Church Family, The Japanese ministry had 3 events in May. We had 10 people join our Sunday Class, 6 people join our Friday class and 20 people join our cooking and English lesson. We had one new lady join our Friday class and she was happy to receive a Japanese New Testament and a Children's Bible. I appreciate the Women's Ministry at Riverdale donating Japanese New Testaments to us. They are very much needed and appreciated! In June, we will have 3 activities. We will visit the Fire Station on South Church Street on June 3rd. We will have our Bible Study Classes on June 11th and study Miriam Moses Sister and on June 13th, "Biblical Tips for Parenting". Thanks for making the Japanese community welcome at Riverdale Baptist Church. In Christ, Ava Montgomery 1 Thessalonians 2:8
WOMAN’S MINISTRIES 
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We had 18 in attendance at our May meeting including 2 first time attendees. We now have over 25 regular members. WOW! We are having a great time learning about missions, doing missions, praying for missionaries, giving to missions and growing spiritually in our Christian walk. The May meeting focused on a home missionary, Cindy Boney, currently serving on an Indian reservation in Idaho; but she also serves 16 churches with her husband covering an area approximately 350 miles by 150 miles. They travel every Sunday to a church in their specified area to assist in all areas of Christian service. Throughout their careers, they have lived and served in 6 different states while raising 5 children. If that wouldnt be stressful enough, Cindy has suffered with multiple sclerosis for many years and must use crutches, canes and a wheelchair! She says she relies on God more because of her illness and it has strengthened her as a Christian. Now let me ask you, What excuse do you have for not serving God in more ways especially missions? The womens ministry is designed to encourage women to grow in their faith, to develop and strengthen friendships with other women, and to provide opportunities to serve and reach our community for Christ. If you are a woman over 18 years of age and havent attended one of our meetings, Id like to encourage you to join us. Every meeting is different and the fellowship is great.

Barbara Faircloth Women's Ministry Facilitator

THE LEAST OF THESE
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THE LEAST OF THESE
Recently, I learned that one of the ladies, to whom I had ministered, had lost her job. I praise the Lord that her parole has already ended. I just feel compelled to ask all of you to pray for her to be able to find another job and stay out of trouble. Employment can be difficult even without a criminal history. It is so much like living our lives. You may be saved, but you still suffer the consequences of your sins before being saved. We are so blessed with my favorite scripture which is as follows: John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God forgives our sins, but there are still consequences of our past. The good news is that God has promised to provide all of our needs. The problem is that many times we want God to provide all of our wants as well. Psalm 117 " Praise the Lord,all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord." Brother Jim Threlkeld
YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY
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YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY
This is a congratulatory announcement going out to Halle G, Alexis M(Eric's daughter), and Bekkah R. These Riverdale young ladies auditioned and won spots in the Tennessee Treble Honor Choir. This choir is made up of the very best fifth and sixth singers in the state. They will be performing in April at the Nashville Convention Center for a music teachers conference. This will be a two day event and an introduction to a formal concert setting for our Riverdale girls. Let's pray for the best experience for our girls as they represent Christiana Middle School!
Your Sister in Christ, Fonda Grogan
RA'S, GA'S, AND MISSION FRIENDS
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RA'S, GA'S, AND MISSION FRIENDS
We want you to bring your child in grades k-6 each Wed. night at 7 PM to RA's, GA's & Mission Friends!!
Below are just a few of the many exciting events we have planned.
May 19: RA, GA, Mission Friends Ice Cream Banana Split Night 7 PM
June 6: Fishing Trip 5 PM
Coming in June RA Camp Out
VBS 2010 Saddle Ridge Ranch:7/18-7/22 6-8:30 PM 7/17 - VBS Kickoff 6 PM
Coming in July RA, GA, Mission Friends Car Wash
August 14 or 28: Nashville Sounds Baseball Game/& or Pool Party!!
Coming in September RA, GA, Mission Friends Racers Rally
October 15-17: RA Camp-o-ree at Linden Valley

GA's: Wanda Barnett & Suasan Wagoner - RA's: Greg Ferran & Bill Nixson