Brothers & Sisters, 

Have you ever heard the expression: “Life is lived forward and understood backwards”?

I believe this is especially true for followers of Jesus. We live day by day, trusting God to guide and provide for our lives while not knowing everything the future holds. 

I sometimes think about the Sunday School class from First Methodist-Episcopal Church that began praying in 1902 about establishing a new church in the Glen-Iris neighborhood where most class members lived. Their prayers for God's wisdom led to them stepping out together, trusting God as they purchased land and built 11th Avenue Methodist-Episcopal Church. They celebrated their first service of worship in 1903.

I have read the historical records we have of that first campaign, and the faith of these Christian ancestors inspired me. They were deeply committed to knowing Jesus and sharing his love with their community. What a heritage!

I do not believe any of them at that time were envisioning how God would lead the congregation beyond their lifetimes, across the decades and to new locations to celebrate and share the love of God. Their lives of faith were lived forward in trust and we who look backwards at their history can see and understand how the hand of God was at work. 

Now, 120 years later, our church is practicing the same kind of faith: praying for wisdom and stepping out together in trust of God to build a new, permanent church. 

As you can read in the brochure that will arrive in your mailbox this week, our focus in 2024 echoes the mission that began 120 years ago. We want to know the transforming love of Jesus Christ, and share that together with our local community and all the way to Quito, Ecuador! 

I invite you to read through the brochure you receive and consider how God can use your unique gifts and talents to enable us to have greater ministry impact inside and outside the walls of our church. 

On Celebration Sunday, November 19th, we will ask every member to commit to the five areas of membership for the coming year.

Our obedience through the five areas of commitment outlined over the next two weeks will be the catalyst for increasing our faith and having greater ministry impact in the world.

We are living forward together, confident that God can be trusted. The year to come will become a part of the storied history of our congregation - a congregation that has proved the faithfulness of God in each generation.

With hope, 

Pastor Nathan

"I was hungry and you gave me food to eat.

I was thirsty and you gave me a drink."

- Matthew 25:35a

When Warren Austin, Director of Missions, reached out to Central Alabama Food Bank about hosting a food drive last month, he was informed that a church our size could expect to receive 300 lbs. of food.

Warren responded by explaining that our church is known for being generous and that he believed we would receive 500 lbs. This 500 lb. goal was not shared with our church family - we simply encouraged participation.

This past week, after the food was picked up and weighed, we learned we received a total of 582 lbs of food!

Sarah, representing Central Alabama Food Bank has informed us that our donations will help provide more than 485 meals to the local community.

Thank you for your generosity!

November 5th - 18th

November 19th - 25th

Pastor Nathan will be leading a 4-Session class on the Christian Practice of Forgiveness. There is no cost or workbook required for this class. Participants are encouraged to bring their Bibles and a notebook. Each class will include a short video segment in addition to studying scriptural teachings about forgiveness.

Click the Link to Sign-Up! 

Parents,

Please take note of our November schedule for Bridge Kids (above)!

Two very important dates to remember this month are November 15th (Friendship Feast, 6-7P only) and November 22nd (Thanksgiving, No BK)

Thanks,

Ms. Julie!

Bridge Students

Harvest Retreat Recap

This weekend was truly a blessing. Bridge Students went to beautiful Camp Springville and Conference Center for our Harvest Retreat. 

After arriving to the camp, students ate lunch and then separated into their age and gender based small groups. Once in these groups, students went over a passage that highlighted a portion of scripture that covered the life of King David. Once they read the story, they were told that they were going to act out that story that night! Students rehearsed the skit and then were dismissed to free time. 

During free time there were many activities to choose from! Students could play Gaga ball, nine square, volleyball, disc golf, basketball, and much more! It was an awesome moment seeing students and small group leaders able to hangout, laugh and enjoy free time together.

After dinner, students went back into small groups to rehearse their skits one more time before they performed. All the skits were hilarious, entertaining, and I believe it was a great tool for the students to learn the story of David. Ask your student about their part in the skit! After the skits, students had a moment of worship led by Steve Wingo, and a moment of prayer led by junior boy Coleman Lockhart. Once worship came to an end students heard an incredible message by Josh Power from Mountaintop Church. 

Once the worship service came to an end, students had the opportunity to play slingshot paintball. Students engaged in battle in honor of a part of David's story where he defeats the giant Goliath with only a slingshot and a few stones. After our night time activity students went to bed. 

The next day students ate breakfast and met in small groups to debrief the weekend! I want to give a special thanks to our small group leaders who came and served, as long as anyone who helped with the weekend! I am so, so pleased and thankful for a church who loves the youth like this one does. Honored to serve your students! Please enjoy the photos below, and reach me at lawson@rossbridge.church.

Upcoming Events

November 19th & 26th

No Bridge Students on the Sundays of November 19th and 26th. Due to many families traveling during the holiday season we will not meet these Sunday nights. Please be safe and have a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

We enjoyed a beautiful All Saints Day Outdoor Worship Service this past Sunday! Together, as an entire CARB Family, we remembered those Saints who have given shape to our Spiritual Formation through the years, and we presented Study Bibles to our 3rd graders, commissioning them for a lifetime of letting God's Holy Word be a light unto their path, and a lamp unto their feet!

The Amazing Grace Ladies Bible Study put together the most beautiful Gift bags for the Women of The Foundry. Amazing Grace meets Thursdays from 10a - 11:30a, and you can contact Beth Butler for more information, if you'd like to join them sometime!

Our Young Adult Life Group is meeting in the home of Bobby & Judy Bynon Tuesday, 11/7, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM! If you, or someone you care about, is somewhere in their 20s-ish, contact Ministry Intern, Elijah Newcomb, for all the deets!