Power Night Prayer Meeting this Friday 7 PM

Good Evening Riverbank,

This Friday evening's prayer meeting is a significant part of following the Spirit of God and His plan for reaching this community. We don't want to make our plans we want His plans and strategies. As you prepare for Friday ask yourself the following questions. I would even take the time to journal or talk to a friend about what God is speaking to you.
How has God uniquely created me (what are my spiritual gifts, abilities, resources, passions, interests, skills, etc.) to fulfill His mission to share the good news of Jesus and set people free right here in Nelson Co.?
Where and with whom has God given me influence?
What are the practical ways that we as the church can meet people right where they are at, rather than expecting them to come to us?
We will take time to share what God has been speaking this week about these questions and pray together Friday evening.

Remember, this is for everyone who is a part of Riverbank grade 6 and up, and there will be childcare for the children under that age.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Brian

Kids Sunday

Good Morning Riverbank,

In case you haven't already heard. Come prepared for a little different worship service this Sunday as we have a our first "Kids Sunday" There will be lots of fun, and excitement for "kids" young and old. I can't tell you what will happen or that will take the surprise out of it, but trust me you will enjoy it and there will be a lot of "energy" in the house. Pass the word and invite your friends.

Also, on Saturday June 11th at 6:30 we will be having our first Vision Connection dinner at the Opry. Cornerstone of Augusta has so graciously agreed to provide the meal for us that evening. Do everything you can to be able to attend. You will not want to miss this evening as we have a lot of fun and I share Vision, direction, and strategy for the the next stage of planting this church in Nelson Co. I am also excited to let you know that Pastor Greg, from the Augusta congregation, and Pastor Gerald, the founding pastor of Cornerstone, will be able to join us. If you know others who may want to be a part of this mission, this would be a great time to invite them.

Have a Great Day,

Pastor Brian

Exciting Week at Riverbank

Good Evening Riverbank,

I am very excited about this week for two reasons... First, our two adult life groups are kicking off this week. Victoria and I will be leading a group that will meet on Thursday evening at the Church. We will work out future schedule from there, but it will be Thursdays. John and Susie Shimp's group will meet on Wed. at their house. Both groups will meet at 7PM. Bring the whole family and we will have a great time.

So what is a Life Group? Simply put, it is a spiritual family. In today's mobile society maybe your physical family does not live close together or maybe you do not relate on a spiritual level. This is where a Life group comes in. This is the place to make friends, have fun, encourage one another, and grow in your relationship with God with a group of people who desire the same thing.

Feel free to visit whichever group you want to. An e-mail or phone call in advance would be helpful as we plan. John and Susie's info is as follows and mine is below. (jshimp533@gmail.com or 434-277-5099)

The second reason that I am excited is that we are going to have our first child dedication here at Riverbank during this Sunday's service on Mother's day. This is a time for parents to dedicate there children to the Lord and themselves to raise those children a Godly manner. I you have never done this (no matter what the age of your children) I really encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Please email me and let me know if you would like to participate so that we can plan.

Have a great week,

Pastor Brian

Friday Update

Good Evening Riverbank,

Due to the fact that the weather is not looking very promising for tomorrow evening. We will are canceling the door to door inviting in Lovingston. We will reschedule for another time. However, we will not be easily deterred from fulfilling the mission that Jesus has given us make a difference in Nelson County. Use whatever means you can (talk to your co-workers, Facebook, Email, or the old fashioned telephone) to pass the word that Easter Sunday will be awesome at the Riverbank. I am praying a believing for the resurrection power of Jesus to meet us and make a practical, real difference in our lives.

Take Care,

Pastor Brian

Easter Sunday

Good Evening Rivierbank,

This upcoming Sunday is Easter. I am so excited to celebrate our first Easter Sunday as a body of believers. This Sunday will be a special time of sharing and rejoicing in what Jesus did for us on the cross. I am looking for a few people who are willing to share in about 5 minutes how the fact that Jesus rose from the dead has made a real difference in their life. If you are willing to share please reply to this email and let me know so we can talk further about it.

Also, like we talked about on Sunday... this Friday evening we are going to fan out in the neighborhoods around the Lovingston Opry and introduce ourselves to our neighbors and invite them to worship with us Sunday morning. This will be very low key and easy and we will go in small groups (couples, families, youth, etc.) We will meet at the church at 6PM to get ready and will plan to be done about 7:30-8. I look forward to "casting a net" with all the Riverbank team.

Be Blessed,
Pastor Brian

Sin is a Heart Issue

Do you have a sin "list?" We all make these lists in our our minds and with our words. We create lists of sins that our easy for us to see and judge. Things like... smoking, drinking, cussing, cheating, stealing, etc. Does God have a list? In this passage we see one of God's lists. However, there is something significantly different about God's list and the one I usually make. His list is all about he heart! God knows that if our heart is transformed to be like Christ's our actions will change. I want my desires and my heart to be the same as His.

Building God's Kingdom is like Farming

Good Evening Riverbank,

I am a little tired this evening after working in the garden and setting fence posts today. However, I was reminded that building the kingdom of God is a lot like farming. It takes work to prepare the soil, the land, etc. Then we sow the seeds, water and wait while God does what only He can do. Building God's kingdom is very much the same way. It takes work and patience, but when the harvest comes there is nothing else like it.

Also, don't forget to move your clocks forward and hour tonight. If you don't you will be a little late for church. :)

Pastor Brian

Moving into the Lovingston Opry this week

Good Morning Riverbank,

This is an exciting week. We are moving into the Lovingston Opry which puts us right in the center of the area that God has called us to reach and minister to. Please keep this Sunday in prayer as I believe God is going to do something special and that there will be people there that have not been connected to a church family in a long time if ever.

Here's the information you need to know.

Saturday Mar. 5th - Set-up beginning at 9. Bring cleaning supplies, and a packed lunch. I believe we will be done early afternoon.

Sunday Mar. 6th. - Welcome time begins at 9:30. Plan to arrive by then to welcome our guests. We will celebrate what the God is doing. The children will stay in the service so plan accordingly. We will have a balcony room set up with some toys for parents and children to use if necessary. And, finally when after the service we will eat! Bring enough food for your family plus some so that we have plenty of food for everyone. Drink and table service will be provided.

Keep passing the word and we look forward to seeing you there.

Pastor Brian

Important Update

Good Morning Riverbank,

Well I preached on the Journey of Abraham on Sunday and our journey as Riverbank has gotten a little more interesting.   Due to the need for additional time to prepare the Lovingston Opry for our arrival,  we will not be able to move in until the beginning of March.  Please help pass the word.  I will get a new "Poster" out this evening so that you can re-post them.  I will also be updating the Facebook event.  

Riverbank Moves to the Lovingston Opry Facebook Event

Encourage those you have been inviting to join us at Shipman in February.  Also, we will not have the work day this Saturday.  That will be on hold until we have some more details.

I am sure that God has a purpose in us staying in Shipman for another month.  It is our job to seek what the purpose is and fulfill it.  

Here is the link to the video for this past Sunday's service if you were unable to attend.

Enjoy the Journey today,

Pastor Brian

Riverbank Moves to the Lovingston Opry

We are excited to announce that beginning in February 2011 Riverbank is moving to the Lovingston Opry.  We are looking forward to being a blessing to our community by using this facility to meet the physical, social, and spiritual needs of Nelson County.

12 Characteristics of a God Sized Dream

Twelve Characteristics of a God Sized Dream

1. Builds on what was done by those who went before us Gen 11:31
2. Requires sacrifice Gen 12:1-3
3. Causes us to worship Gen 12:7-8
4. Bigger than we can accomplish ourselves Gen 13:14-17
5. Requires faith Gen 15:4-6
6. Requires us to know who God is Gen 15:7-8
7. God repeats it Gen 15:17-21
8. Requires us to grow and change Gen 17:3-6
9. Requires those close to us to grow and change Gen 17:15-16
10. Must be done God’s way Gen 17:19-21
11. Must be laid down in faith Gen 22:16-18
12. Is confirmed by other people Gen 24:60

Creating Good Family Conversation

One of the challenges that all of our families face is having quality conversation in the midst of a busy life.  We have four children and it can get hectic and crazy, both with schedules and with the noise.  

Here are somethings that we have found helpful.  We try to sit down and eat a meal together.  This doesn't always work, don't get legalistic about it, but if you put in the effort I believe it is possible.  It may even be a "bedtime" snack at 9:30. Sometimes not everyone is there, but we do it anyway.  

During our "meal time" we always go around the table and have everyone answer a question.  This gives everyone an opportunity to share and be heard.  While someone is speaking everyone else has to listen (At least that is the rule, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't :).  

These are some of the questions that we use;

• What was the "High" and the "Low" of your day?
• How did you help someone today?
• How did somebody help you today?
• Share something you learned in your Bible?
• How did you encourage someone today?
• How did you show Jesus love to someone today?
• What do you feel like expressing to the family?

As you can see this questions not only spark good conversation, but encourage us to do the important things each and every day.  I usually do not announce in advance what question we are going to talk about.  Make your own questions.  "High & Low" is our favorite.  

God is Preparing the Way

Good Morning Riverbank,

I am home this morning on a cloudy day wondering if it is going to snow or not.  The kids are out of school so I am with them, but it doesn't look like we are going to get much snow out of this system.  Probably just enough snow to disrupt the school schedules.

 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon.

Acts 10:9

This morning I was reading the story in Acts about the Roman soldier Cornelius who sent for Peter to come and share with his family about a relationship with God.  Something struck me in this story.  God, through the Holy Spirit was stirring in in Cornelius and causing him to seek God.  Meanwhile, Peter was spending time with God and growing in his relationship with God.  Then God put things together.  He told Cornelius to send for Peter and He told Peter that someone was coming for him.  

Remember, if we are truly seeking God and making ourselves available to be used by Him, He is preparing the way for us to make a difference and be a blessing.  We need to seek Him, be available, and listen.  Then He will do miracles beyond anything we could dream.  

Also, I have included the information on the Healing Wounded Hearts Workshop at Cornerstone of Albemarle below.

Have a great "Almost snow day."

Pastor Brian

Greater Things Are Yet To Come

Good Morning Riverbank,

Here is the information on the parenting seminar that I promised you on Sunday.  This is a great opportunity if you are able to take advantage of it.  

I pray that you are encouraged and growing in your relationship with God this week.  We had a wonderful time on Sunday looking back at what God has done in our fellowship and looking forward to what He is going to do in this new year.  If you weren't able to make it I will be getting the videos posted soon.  

"For Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.  There is no one like our God."  

I am excited to participate in the greater things that God is doing.  Like I shared on Sunday as I read through the Bible this past year it was obvious to me that God does greater and greater things as time goes on.  That is part of who He is.  

Have a blessed day,

Pastor Brian

• • • We want to invite you to join us for a parenting seminar coming to your area. Also, please pass this email on to friends who might be interested in strengthening their parenting. Also, if you're a church leader and want more information about the National Center for Biblical Parenting, click here. Cooperation, Consequences, and Keeping Your Sanity Presented by Rick Martin Saturday, January 15 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Cornerstone Church of Augusta 1156 Tinkling Spring Road Staunton, VA 24401 The cost is $20 per adult. Sign up online at biblicalparenting.org or call (540) 324-0705. You will learn practical ways to move from a behavior modification approach to a heart-based approach to parenting. It's amazing how children change the way they live when parents adjust the way they work with them. This seminar is provided by the National Center for Biblical Parenting and is a practical, biblical approach to parenting. You'll be so grateful you attended because you'll be able to use the material right away. Learn More