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THE VIEWPOINT The Monthly Newsletter of Riverside Community Church

The United Church of Christ March 2016

 

March 27 Easter Sunday

Join us for a joy-filled Easter celebration at 10:30 am with special music by the Riverside Chancel Choir.

All are invited to bring flowers for the "flowering of the cross." There will be an Easter egg hunt for children after the service.

All you who are thirsty, come to the water! Isaiah 55:1 Have you been to the Grand Canyon? If so, you may have seen signs emblazoned with this message: “Stop! Drink Water. You are Thirsty Whether You Realize it or Not” They are scattered along the myriad of trails that go into and out of the canyon. Why? Because the dry desert air and low humidity fool people into thinking that they don’t need water. And every year, hundreds of people must be rescued—some even die—either because they don’t carry sufficient water, or don’t drink the water they have. And what about us? The Holy One offers all who are thirsty the cool waters of compassion, connection and forgiveness. We need not toil or push others aside—for all are welcome—without cost. Yet are we drinking? Or are we too busy to hear the cries of our parched bodies and souls…too distracted by other things that promise to fill us, yet leave us longing for more and more and more? “Stop! Drink Water. You are Thirsty Whether You Realize it or Not” In these holy days of Lent, I pray that we might pause long enough to recognize our thirst, and then drink deeply of God’s life giving waters. May it be so. Blessings of Lent, Pastor Vicky

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RIVERSIDE BULLETIN BOARD

Worship time 10:30 am. First Sunday of the month is Communion Sunday. Children grades K-5th are invited to Sunday School in the Fireside Room after the Children’s Time. Younger children may remain in worship or in the nursery with Mirian Castillo and Kianna Semmes. Chancel Choir rehearsals at 7 pm on Wednesdays and 9:15 am on Sunday mornings. Gospel Ensemble rehearses at 9:15 am on March 6 and sings during worship.

Reflection and Connection on Tuesdays On Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a group of Riverside members and friends gather for a time of reflection, connection, and prayer. Most gatherings take place at Down Manor, where several participants live. We continue a focus on "An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor. All are welcome! World Day of Prayer March 4. World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. Each year a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service. The host country for WDP 2016 is Cuba. The women of Cuba call us to explore the depths of God’s love and accept the invitation to receive the realm of God as a little child (Mk. 10:13–16). Join in the Rhythm and Spirit at RCC! All are invited to play with the African drumming group at Riverside. The group will participate in worship on February 14 and gather to practice at 10 a.m. on February 13 No experience is necessary and drums are provided. For questions or to RSVP, please talk with Diana Beterbide (386-7872) or Vic Pavlenko (386-2115). Pockets of Plenty Offering will be March 13. Proceeds will help support United Church of Christ special mission offering “One Great Hour of Sharing”, which provides support for health, education, refugee, agricultural and emergency relief in 138 countries by working with local, national, and global partners.

Council meets after worship on March 20.

For the Month of March

Darlene Kemper March 2 Jacquelyn Light March 3 Corinda Elliott March 11 Gail Lyon March 12 Patrick Humann March 14 Samantha Kaiser March 15 Jim Purdon March 18 Audrey Mallon March 19 Bill Sheppard March 30

Have we missed your birthday? Please let the church office know

at rcc@gorge.net.

It is a blessing to have others praying for us. It is also a blessing when we pray for others. Let us bring our prayers to God. Brett Requa, Royal Ewing’s sister, Ann Harris’s brother and friend and all those in need of healing…Liz Paulson and her daughter Nikki, both facing health challenges…Jo Herring and Marty McGee recovering from recent surgery…for the first class of Fresh Start Culinary Arts students and staff as classes begin…for the guests and volunteers at the Warming Shelter as the season ends…

God In Your Grace, Hear Our Prayers

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1

Down Manor Bible Study 10:30 am

2 Meditation 8 am

Fresh Start Mtg 8:30 am Choir 7 pm

3 Lenten House Church 5:30 Pm

4 World Day of Prayer

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6 4th Sunday in Lent Gospel Ensemble Communion

Teens 5:30 pm

7 Meditation 8 am

8 Down Manor Bible Study 10:30 am

9 Meditation 8 am Choir 7 pm

10 Lenten House Church 5:30 Pm

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Friendship Guild 1 pm Fresh Start Dinner

12 Drumming 3:30

13 5th Sunday in Lent Chancel choir 9:15 am

Guest Preacher Maggie Sebastian Rcc Drummers

14 Meditation 8 am

15 Down Manor Bible Study 10:30 am

16 Meditation 8 am Cheers 10 am

Choir 7 pm

17 Lenten House Church 5:30 Pm

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20 Palm Sunday

Chancel choir 9:15 am Council Mtg

`21 Meditation 8 am

22 Down Manor Bible Study 10:30 am

23 Meditation 8 am Choir 7 pm

24 Maundy Thursday Service 6 pm

25 Good Friday Service @ Bethel UCC 7 pm

26 Holy Saturday Vigil 9 am

27 Easter Chancel choir 9:15 am

28 Meditation 8 am

29 1ST GROUP OF FRESH START STUDENTS BEGIN

30 Meditation 8 am

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Palm Sunday, March 20 Worship at 10:30 am. Palm Procession.

Maundy Thursday, March 24 6 pm Please join us as we remember Jesus’ final meal with his friends. We will gather at Riverside in the Pioneer Room for a candle lit “Agape” meal of soup & bread, then move into the sanctuary for a reflective time of worship, remembrance and foot washing.

Good Friday, March 25 7 pm On this sacred night, we will gather with our sisters and brothers at Bethel Congregational Church, in White Salmon as we journey with Jesus to the cross. Music will be provided by Tim Mayer and a Riverside-Bethel Gospel Ensemble. If you would like to participate, please contact Tim at 503-799-8100 or jazmaventm@gmail.com.

Holy Saturday Vigil, March 26 9-11 am On this holy day, as we stand between the grief of Good Friday and the joy of Easter morning, you are invited to come by the sanctuary for a time of prayer, meditation and silent reflection. At 10:30 a.m., we will prayerfully remove the prayers from the Lenten cross.

Easter Sunday, March 27 Worship at 10:30 am. Flowering of the Cross. Easter Egg Hunt After Worship.

Christian Nurture News Friday, March 4, 4:30-7pm Middlers at Bethel Friday, March 11-Sunday, March 13 Middler Retreat at Camp Adams Easter Lilies in honor of loved ones are available for purchase through the Youth Group. $20 per lily, which will be available to take home on Easter Sunday, March 27th Easter Egg Hunt after church on Easter Sunday for children through 5th grade. Middlers and teens can meet before church on Easter Sunday to fill and hide eggs!

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Tap that tasty ol'

FANDANGO

for the benefit of the new

When: 6 p.m. March 11

What: A three-course Oaxacan menu prepared by 3 chefs formerly at Nora's Table

with beer from Double Mountain, etc. etc. Where: Riverside Community Church

317 State St.

How: Reservations and tickets @ $50 per person Go to: freshstartculinaryarts.org or call 541-399-6929

Place of Refuge Lenten Meditation continues every Monday and Wednesday from 8-9 am in the Ruth Wells Room. Come in silence, to pray, to hear the voice of God, to be, to gather. Let the silence be your teacher. Cushions and chairs will be provided. Erika Rench, 541-399-3831, is the coordinator.

EXTRA QUART FRUIT JARS? The Leo’s club that distributes food on the 2nd Saturday at the Tucker Road FISH site, often does a community service project when they are working at FISH. They have been putting together a soup mix that is put in a jar. Then the jars are put on the shelf for the clients to pick. This is the third time they are doing this project and we have used all the fruit jars we had. So they are looking for fruit jars they can use for this project. Do you have quart fruit jars that you are no longer using and would like to get out of your house? The jars need to be clean (preferable put through the dishwasher) and we would need them before for the March 12 distribution.  QUESTIONS?  Billie Stevens  FISH Food Bank  541-490-5109

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2016 Spring Fling May 14 At Springhouse Cellar Silent and Live Auctions Famous Dessert Auction This year’s theme is……. Let’s Go To The Hop!

February 2016 Special Offering Total

Pockets of Plenty $227.35 Helping Hands Against Violence

Thank you for your Generosity!

RCC Council Takes Action

At the council meeting on February 21, 2016 council members voted to officially name the downstairs room (the former preschool/nursery space) as the

RAINS ROOM

thus honoring Riverside member Gean Rains for her dedication to the kitchen remodel and Fresh Start projects, which are among the many endeavors at Riverside where Gean shares her skills and efforts. With Gratitude!

FRIENDSHIP GUILD gathers March 11 at 1 pm in the Ruth Wells Room

for a dessert meeting. Hostess is Susan Bell.

All Riverside

Women Are Welcome and

Invited!

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Westside Community Park Focus Group The Hood River Valley Residents Committee and Parks District has proposed a new community park at the corner of Fairview and Belmont Dr. Focus group meeting for those 60 years or older or who provide personal care for 60 years or older on March 4 from 3-5 pm at Providence Hospital Board Room. Please RSVP to anna.wiliams3@providence.org or by calling 541-387-6404. Boys Alive! Seminar. March 5 2-3:30 pm at Riverside. Discover how boys & girls think differently. Register at boysalive.com. Sponsored by Kidsense. Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association presents VOCI Choir & The Hood River String Quartet “The Romantic Century” Friday, March 11 at 7 pm and Sunday, March 13 at 2 pm at the Wy’East Middle School Performing Arts Center. $10 suggested donation. Life Line Screening March 14 at Riverside. Flyers with more information available in the Pioneer Room and church office. Pregistration required. Hood River Warming Shelter Volunteer Appreciation March 15, 6 pm at Riverside. Hearts of Gold Caregivers looking for caregivers. No prior experience or licensing required – training provided. Contact 877-404-4731 for more information and training dates.

The Viewpoint

is published monthly by Riverside Community Church, 317 State St., P.O. Box 656, Hood River, OR 97031, 541-386-1412.

email address: rcc@gorge.net. All errors, typos and omissions are sincerely regretted.

Visit our website at: www.riversideucc.com Also visit: ucc.org and cpc.org

For more information on The United Church of Christ

Riverside Community Church United Church of Christ P.O. BOX 656 Hood River, OR 97031 Pastor Vicky A. Stifter

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