3400 North Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 Phone: 321-783-6085

riversidepres@cfl.rr.com www.riversidepres.org

Sunday School for All Ages at 10:10 AM One Room Schoolhouse – Kids’ Corner/ Fellowship Hall

(9:45AM) Kerygma: Discovering the Bible – Galilee / Knox Hall Thoughtful Christian Café: Seeing Ourselves in Those

Confronted by Jesus - Pfeiffer Rm/Fellowship Jesus, Pope Francis & a Protestant Walk into a Bar - Antioch (Calvin Hall)

Revelation - Knox Parlor Gospel Identity: Discovering Who You Really Are– Capernaum

THIS WEEK AT RIVERSIDE: Today: 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship - Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 a.m. PNC Election - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary 3:30 p.m. Concert - Sanctuary Mon: 6:00 p.m. Forever Young Ministry - Knox Parlor Tues: 9:00 a.m. Senior Fitness - Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. PNC Meeting - Knox Parlor 7:00 p.m. Deacons - Judea 7:00 p.m. Bell Choir - Sanctuary Wed: 7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study - Knox Parlor 10:00 a.m. Prayer Circle - Knox Parlor 6:00 p.m. Lenten Dinner - Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Lenten Series Classes Thurs: 9:00 a.m. Senior Fitness - Fellowship Hall 9:30 a.m. PWCT - Capernaum (Calvin Hall) 6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal - Chapel Fri: 7:00 p.m. Bible Study at the Brown’s

March 6, 2016

Welcome to Worship at Riverside, Jesus tells the story of a young man who demands his inheritance early, squanders it on fast living in the far country, and upon coming home again, receives vastly different receptions from his father and older brother. In retelling the story, pastors and Bible teachers often invite people to consider who they identify with most in the story: the father who loves lavishly, the younger son who lived lavishly, or the elder brother who lavishes on the resentment towards both. Truth be told, there are other characters in the story who some people might relate to more. People who think they are more like the son’s friends in the far country who may not have a home or a father to welcome them to it. People like the neighbors who were just as likely to be upset and confused by the father’s love and mercy as they were inspired by it. People like the servant who probably couldn’t have cared less whether the elder brother went into the party or not. Either way, the servant knew there would be a mess for him to clean up the next day. Hear the story with fresh ears today. It is for all of us. No matter who we are or where we’ve been. Welcoming you home, Pastor Melanie

Confirmation Class has started! Please keep Kaidon, Kaleb, Torrie, Anna, Cody and friends in your prayers. Pray for them as they learn and grow in faith this Spring. Games! Join us Monday evening, March 14th in Knox Parlor for a pot luck from 6-7pm and games from 7-8:30pm. Come and enjoy! Upper Room devotionals for March & April are in the Narthex for a suggested donation. Reserved and unreserved copies are available.

The sanctuary flowers are given to the Glory of God by Charlie & Nancy Ragland

in memory of Robert Hart and in honor of Joan Harts' 87th birthday

We welcome families to Riverside! For the children in worship, there are children’s bulletins, reading books, crayons and clipboards in the sanctuary near the double doors. There is also a Children’s Section nearest the band/organ/choir loft where white bins are stocked with crayons, coloring books and paper. Children at 9:00am are invited to leave after the children’s message for age-appropriate lesson and activities. Nursery is available for infants - 3 years. PNC Election: Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, March 6th at 10:30a.m. to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee. Nominated to serve: Dave Bartine, Linda Boehmer, Charlotte Coon, Mark Gordon, Bev Kasimier, Joe Marshall, George Spaeth, Lindalee Torgler. Congregational Survey: In the coming weeks, we will ask for your input in the form of an online survey to be used by the PNC for the pastor search process. Everyone is invited to participate, including our winter residents. For those without internet access, computers will be available in the church office. Senior Fitness Fall Prevention class is designed for people over 60, low-impact and can be adapted for sitting or standing participants. Come and increase your stamina, strength, energy, balance and reduce your risk for falls. Movements are Weekly on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:00am in Fellowship Hall. (Suggested donation $3) Music Camp: We welcome children to participate in “God’s Great Symphony,” our 2016 Music Camp. It will take place June 6th-10th from 9:00am - 12:15pm. The ages for the camp this year are rising 2nd graders through rising 7th graders. Please save the date. More information about the camp will be published soon. We are excited about our program and hope to see you in June! Riverside Cares - Riverside is in the Cape View Elementary district and supplies emergency food bags for CVE families who have temporary one-time needs. A shopping list was published in the March Newsletter for those who want to donate food, and they are also in need of new backpacks. Both can be delivered to the church office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORDER OF WORSHIP 9:00 a.m.

WELCOME *Everlasting God

GATHERING TO PRAISE *You Are My King

*Prodigal Son (Confession) Richard’s Song (Offering)

ALL GOD’S CHILDREN

THE WORD Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

“Welcome Home”

RESPONDING TO THE WORD Lord’s Supper

TAKING OUR FAITH INTO THE WORLD *Down By the Riverside

*Please rise in body or in spirit

ORDER OF WORSHIP 11:00 a.m.

CHIMING OF THE HOUR Bell Choir WELCOME PRELUDE *CALL TO WORSHIP L: Jesus taught the marginalized, the sinners, the broken, P: and loved them as his children. L: Even when we are proud, negligent, prodigal, P: Christ loves us as his own. ALL: Let us worship God. *HYMN “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” GTG No. 475 PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you. We take your blessing for granted and squander our inheritance. We boast of our good works and resent your great mercy to others. Forgive us, God of grace. Let us no longer be lost in our sin. Help us to find our way home to you, where you welcome us with open arms; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Silent prayers of confession) ASSURANCE OF PARDON *PASSING THE PEACE *RESPONSE Gloria Patri OFFERING OFFERTORY Here, O Our Lord, We See You

Riverside Choir

*RESPONSE Doxology *PRAYER OF DEDICATION *Please rise in body or in spirit

THE WORD FIRST READING page 197 Joshua 5:9-12 SECOND READING page 78 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 SERMON “Welcome Home” Rev. Melanie Ruta SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER HYMN OF INVITATION “Lord, We Have Come...” GTG No. 503 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and LORD’S PRAYER WORDS OF INSTITUTION COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. *HYMN “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” GTG No. 435 *BENEDICTION *POSTLUDE