Volunteers for this week:

Community Night Activities

For Adults at 6:30 p.m.

Friendship: A class for adults with cognitive impairments which includes music, Bible stories, prayer, crafts and fellowship to strengthen the faith of tutors and friendship students.  Renee Leonard is the Corrdinator.

Quality Living: This weekly budgeting program utilizes group support, Biblical teaching, individual budget counseling, and a safety net of resources provided by the Christian Services network of churches to help families learn God's plan to financial freedom.  If you are interested in becoming a budget counselor or know of someone who would benefit from this program, contact Mary Ann Harkema at (517) 349-2849.

Choir: Join the River Terrace Choir.  Rehearsals are in the choir loft of the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening after Community night dinners.  Laurie Harkema is the director and can be contacted atr (517) 347-1291 or laurieharkemaj@comcast.net.

Worship Ensemble: If you are a musician interested in helping to lead the Sunday 11:15 a.m. worship service please contact Derek Polischuck, worship leader at polischu@msu.edu.  The ensemble meets every Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. and at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to prepare for the coming worship service.

WEDNESDAY IS COMMUNITY NIGHT

5:30 - 7:45 PM

Wednesday night is a great time to refresh ourselves in community with others.  Join  us for dinner and find a spot for you and your family in one of the fun activities, classes, or ministries.

The night begins with a buffet style dinner which includes  different entrees each week, a huge salad bar, as well as vegetable, rolls, and dessert.  The suggested donation is  $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children from 5 -10, and children under five are free. Dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm,  and activities begin at 6:30 p.m. You are welcome to come just for dinner or just for the activities!

For Children and Youth at 6:30 pm

Kingdom Kids: Children who are four, five or in kindergarten are welcome to join in the fun with exciting hands-on activities, lively lessons, and play time in the gym.

Cadets: Boys in first through sixth grade learn life skills and self discipline and do works of service as they build a close relationship with Jesus.

GEMS: Girls in first through sixth grade develop skills, make crafts, strenghthen friendships, and build a close relationship with Jesus.

Reign Coffee House: A low-key space to spend time with other high school students with opportunities for service projects.

For Adults at 6:30 pm

Beth Moore Bible Study: A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart of God Through a Study of David.   In this examination of the "man after God's own heart," David will delight and disappoint you.  You'l  want to be just like him at times and nothing like him at others.  If you've ever experienced doubts, temptations. losses, family problems, or personal inconsistencies, this study is for you!  Men and women are welcome to participate. The study lasts ten weeks; each class night consists of watching a DVD followed with discussion in class.  Contact Lis Weston at etweston@yahoo.com

Discipleship Class:   Using John Ortberg's book entitled The Life You've Always Wanted, we will learn and practice living the transformed life that Jesus modeled for us.  Ortberg's book is addressed to people who live busy lives in a world of busy schedules, academic ambitions, job issues, pop culture, video games, and the onslaught of media.  In other words, it meets all of us who live in 2012.  Learn how scripture focuses our minds and hearts in transformation.  Books are available.  For questions or to register, contact delianne@riverterrace.org.

Pastoral Care Ministry

At River Terrace, we administer pastoral care through the pastors and caregivers called Shepherding Elders.  Shepherding Elders serve by caring for the people in their "flock" in our community.  Shepherds know their flock by name, care for their physical and spiritual needs, and show compassion to them.  They pray diligently for each one under their care and reach out to anyone who gets lost.  They tend their flock by giving good counsel and lead them to nourishing spiritual food.  They share the joys of celebration and comfort people in their struggles and pain.  They extend hospitality, reaching out to newcomers and helping them be connected to our church community.

The pastoral care program is comprised of four geographic regions headed by regional coordinators, with an assigned elder and deacon for each region.  Shepherding Elders are assigned to districts within the regions to provide pastoral care to a group of households within their district.

Goals of Pastoral Care

Know the flock ~ each person at RTC will know and be known by his/her Pastoral Care Giver and by the church leadership.

Pray for the flock ~ each person at RTC will be prayed for.

Bring the flock together ~ each person at RTC will belong to a group in which he/she will find welcome, friendship, support, encouragement, spiritual nurture, and opportunities for service.

Strengthen the flock ~ each person at RTC will receive care and counsel during difficult times in their lives.

Bind up the wounded ~ each person at RTC will receive loving care and support in time of crisis.

Search for the lost and bring back the strays ~ no person will leave the fellowship of RTC without being noticed, contacted, and if appropriate, encouraged to return.

Pastoral Care Regional Elders & Deacons

Northeast Region Coordinator:  Diane Newman; Elder:  Dave Geers; Deacon:  Kees Beukema

Northwest Region Coordinator:  Mary Farrand; Elder:  Wendy Hofman, Deacon: Kristi Thomas

Southwest Region Coordinator:  Henry Hofstra; Elder:  Grace Kreulen; Deacon:  Jennifer Maat

Southeast Region Coordinator:  Dave VanDyk; Elder: Fluff Lamberts;  Deacon: Paul Kennon

9:00 AM Traditional Worship

Using both organ and piano and occasionally other instruments, the earlier service on Sunday morning incorporates well-loved hymns, choir anthems, and songs from the broad tradition of the church into a more traditional worship liturgy.

11:15 AM Contemporary Worship

With piano, guitars, drums, and occasionally other instruments, the Worship Ensemble leads the later service using contemporary songs and innovative settings of familiar hymns in a free-flowing service ranging from exuberant praise to serene moments of prayerful worship.

The Welcome Center near the church office has brochures about the church ministries. These ministries offer ways for each of us to worship, connect, grow, and serve so that our lives will flourish in Christ. You are invited into this jouorney where life expands.

Promiseland Nursery on the lower level provides loving care for little ones during worship and Sunday School. Little Church inside the Promiseland Nursery welcomes three year olds through early fives at 9:00 and 11:15 am. Praise Packs for children to use during the worship service are available at the back of the sanctuary. Children's Worship on the lower level welcomes four and five year olds and children in kindergarten to experience their own worship during the 11:15 am service.

In the summer, when Children's Worship does not meet, children can participate in King's Kids, a walk-out time for four, five, and six year year old children during the latter half of the worship service.

Barrier free seating is available in three locations in the sanctuary. Hearing assistance devices with small ear phones can be checked out at the sound booth. Large print hymnals and Bibles are available in the book rack just inside the sanctuary entrance. Ushers are pleased to assist with any of these.

CD recordings of the worship services are available upon request for $2.00 each. The messages can also be heard on the web. See the link on the home page.

Inquirers/New Members Class

If you are new to River Terrace Church and would like to find out more about us, we offer New Members/Inquirers Classes twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the Winter.

The New Members/Inquirers class is for new people who just want to find out more about who we are as a congregation.

• It is for people who have been attending River Terrace Church for a while and would like to talk more about issues of faith and theology.

• It is for anyone who is thinking about membership and would like to find out what membership means at River Terrace.

• It is for the curious and those with inquiring minds about faith issues. Maybe the Christian faith is new to you and you are not quite sure what to make of it. We invite you to come and find out more.

Next class begins on October 16.

To register, call the church office at 351-9059 or click here.