Precious Fruit or Rotted Riches 1.17.20
Weekly Scripture Reading: John 5:19-29
"Truly truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." - John 5:24
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- Precious Fruit or Rotted Riches
Farming has always played an important role in my family. Both sets of grandparents were commercial farmers. I mostly remember summertime at my grandparents and all the different fruits and vegetables that were grown:
Egg plant, tomatoes, okra, peppers, peas, watermelons, cantaloupes…
Dad’s parents farmed in Oklahoma and mom’s parents farmed in Texas, and we lived in Mississippi, so I missed out on much of the important details of farming – the turning of the soil, the planting of the seed, the waiting for the rains, the waiting for the seed to open, the waiting for sprout to peak out of the ground, the waiting for the plant to grow, the waiting for the flowering, the waiting for the pollination, the waiting for the bearing of fruit, the waiting for the maturing of the fruit.
As my parents began to grow a Summer garden, I learned more about gardening and all the work and waiting. It is no wonder that we often find farming as an illustration in the Bible for the Christian life. From burying a dead seed, to water giving it life, to the sun making it grow and bear fruit – good fruit, beautiful fruit, tasty fruit that is useful to the body and healthy for the body.
The ground had to be turned; the seed had to be planted; the farmer waited and waited for the rain and the life to be given to the seed (so seeds never came to life and some did). The young sprout had to be protected from weeds and pests as the farmer waits for growth and fruiting. Working and waiting, a beautiful picture of actively waiting and resting in the Lord and being about His kingdom work and enjoying His good fruit.
Read James 5:1-12
Working for the temporary treasures and pleasures of this world, this earthly kingdom, brings about a different attitude in the person and a different type of produce – one that rots, one that is eaten up by moths, one that corrodes, one that does not feed, but that eats up the flesh like fire. This worker must be warned of the coming miseries. The worker must be warned of his oppression of others so that he can live in luxury. The worker must be warned of his fraud and self-indulgence, and the judgment that follows.
We must all be warned to not fatten our hearts for the day of slaughter, but to establish our hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Other helpful passages:
Matthew 5:38-48 Matthew 6:19-24
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING
Pray for Stace and Shannon Cupples, Stace is our Associational Missionary.
Pray for Sandy Jaeger and her girls.
Ask God to bring the River Family to maturity in Christ and to unite us in Christ.
Pray for the elders as we seek the Lord regarding our Youth and Children's ministries.
Pray for the elders as they go on retreat later this month.
Sunday School & Life Group Options
After Service
Encouragers SS Class In Main Sanctuary contact: John Hilvert 870-405-7111
Will van der Hoeven' Class Lobby Class Room and Zoom A Study of Isaiah contact: Will van der Hoeven 512-636-3821
There will also be Sunday School for both children, and youth during the Sunday school hour. contact: Eric Smeltzer 870-421-4341
Life Groups
There are two different Life Groups that meet on Monday evenings:
contact: Russel Tucker 870-350-0809 contact: Nathan Jackson 970-301-1676
COVID Guidelines for Children's Sunday School
River Kids COVID Guidelines. January 2021.
These guidelines are for our current situation and are subject to change. As changes to these COVID guidelines take place, they will be communicated to the church body, children’s workers, and parents.
SAFETY PREPARATIONS:
All children’s rooms are to be cleaned and surfaces sanitized prior to our Sunday morning gathering. (Fulfilled by Deacon)
All children’s rooms are to be supplied with hand sanitizer, Lysol and wipes to be used during our Sunday morning gatherings. (Supplied by Deacon)
All children’s workers are to hand sanitize when entering classroom and wear a mask while in the classroom.
Children’s workers experiencing cold or flu like symptoms in the last 48 hours will stay home and call for a substitute.
FOR PARENTS - BEFORE ENTERING RIVER KIDS: • Make sure your child has not had a temperature of 100 or more and/or has not had any cold or flu like symptoms (including diarrhea or vomiting) in the last 48 hours. • Please take your child to the bathroom prior to dropping off. • Make sure your child washes his or her hands. • Children are to be dropped off and picked up at their classroom. To minimize congestion, please send one adult to drop off and pick up your child and please refrain from entering the classroom or congregating in the hallways. • It is highly recommended that children 10 years old & older wear a mask.
Children’s Workers
· Children’s workers experiencing cold or flu like symptoms (including diarrhea and/or vomiting) in the last 48 hours will need to stay home and call for substitute to replace them..
· All children’s workers are to hand sanitize when entering classroom and wear a mask while in the classroom.
· It is highly recommended that children 10 years old and older wear a mask.
· Greet each child with a fun, touch-less AIR HIGH-5, AIR HUG, HAPPY DANCE, etc.
· When in the classroom promote social distancing with chairs or carpet squares set apart during singing time, story time, etc.
· Maintain encouragement and affirmation through ENCOURAGING WORDS, AIR HIGH-5’s, AIR HUGS, and HAPPY DANCES.
· Have ample supplies for each child, to minimize the need to share during this time.
· When in class, children are allowed in the bathroom one at a time. Children will use hand sanitizer prior to leaving the bathroom.
· Each child must use hand sanitizer each time he or she enters the classroom.
Tim and Trinity Vangulick are currently serving as point people for our Sunday morning River Kid's Sunday School. They have been working hard at organizing, training, and providing a healthy (spiritually and physically) experience for our children to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. If you have questions or concerns regarding River Kid's Sunday School, they will be your first contact. Tim and Trinity will also be encouraging parents, teachers, and children to follow the guidelines provided above. Please encourage them as they serve in this capacity at The River.
Tim - 870-656-1394 Trinity - 870-321-4575
While we love and continue to encourage nursery aged children to be in service with their parents, we do understand that from time to time the nursery option is helpful to both parents and children. We will begin providing nursery during the morning worship service. Heather Kaspar is the point person for the worship hour nursery. If you have questions regarding nursery or want to learn more about serving in this capacity, please contact Heather at 870-405-1551.