The River Church Community

November 19, 2009
 
“The church must regard waiting as the most creative of activities, since she apprehends fullness of being only in the coming Kingdom.” Robert Jenson
 
Dear River friends,
 
Yesterday morning, I received notice that a friend’s car was stolen.  My first instinct was to email a word of encouragement.  My second instinct, as I was driving to the office, was to pray for the recovery of the car.  I hate to admit it, but there is always a part of me that feels funny praying those sorts of prayers.  A host of rational questions arise in my heart:  Would God stop a robber?  And if he would, why wouldn’t he have done it sooner?  Nevertheless, I prayed for the recovery of the car.  And more than that, I felt stirred to pray for my own soul . . . that my natural posture of little-faith would become a Spirit-inspired posture of great-faith.

This past Sunday, we examined the prayer that transformed Nehemiah’s soul.  I’d like to follow up the message with a word of challenge to each of us to let God stretch us to be a people who embrace the greatness and faithfulness of God in every circumstance of our lives.

If you need help establishing a daily prayer routine, there are innumerable resources that are helpful.  Amongst them, I recommend:

• The Celtic Book of Prayer
  
• The Book of Common Prayer
  
• A daily Bible-reading plan
  

By the way, the stolen car was returned later that same day.  Was it due to my prayer?  These are the things we never know for certain.  But, I do know that I feel drawn to cry out for things that are bigger than me.  I hope you will, too.
 
Peace,

Brad Wong, Lead Pastor

Hello River!

An update on our efforts to address the shelter bed reduction is now posted on the River home page.  Check it out to find out more about what is going on!

Congratulations to Gil and Sue Garlitos married November 1!

Announcements from Sunday November 15, 2009

Travel Guide

We have published the Travel Guide, The River's list of events and opportunities, for January – April 2010.   You can find the Travel Guide online here.  Please take some time to read over them and mark your calendars appropriately.

Exploring Mission at The River

Next Sunday (11/22) after service in the Music room.  Contact for more information.

Krista-Dawn Goodbye Party - Sunday December 13

Our beloved Worship Director Krista-Dawn Kimsey and her family will be leaving San Jose at the end of December. On Sunday, December 13 right after service in the ballroom, you are all invited to a party we are throwing to celebrate her and honor her years of ministry and leadership here at The River. In true Krista-Dawn fashion, the party will include fun food and drinks, games, and a time of sharing.

We plan to create a memory book with photos and words of encouragement for Krista-Dawn. If you have a photo of yourself (without or without a member of the Kimsey family) and a memory, affirmation, or blessing you would like to share, please send it to if you can attend the party so we can plan for enough food. Also, if you would like to make a financial contribution towards a group gift we are planning for the family, please let Angela know. Let’s show the Kimseys how much we love, appreciate, and support them as they continue the work of God all over the world.

Welcome Lunch

If you have recently starting attending The River or are looking for ways to connect deeper into the life of our church, we invite you to a Welcome Lunch after service right here at SJSU on November 29th. We will provide a brief history of The River, explain our values as a church, offer ways for you to get involved, and answer any questions you may have. But mostly, we just want to get to know you over an informal lunch.

Please let us know if you can make the event. Email or call 408.252.5500 x106.

New Board members

The River welcomed three new members to our Governing Board:  Myrna Hill, Julie Priest, and Mike Valentine.  Click here to read more about them.

River Invitation Cards from Sunday November 15, 2009

Kids' Community Bake Sale - Next Sunday, November 22

The grade school kids of The River are doing a book drive this Thanksgiving season to benefit the Pine Ridge Reservation.  They will be selling baked goods to cover the cost of shipping the books.  Cash donations also accepted.  Contact for more information.

Good-bye Party for the Kimseys

See announcements above

Welcome Lunch

See announcements above

Travel Guide

See announcements above