January 12, 2026

Age 4 thru Grade 5

New Ministry

Under Way


Wednesdays

6:15 p.m.

Children's Wing

Preaching the Word

To hear a Riverbend sermon, click on the title

Riverbend's Sunday (10:30 a.m.) and Wednesday (6:15 p.m.) worship services are live-streamed through the church website (click here) and YouTube (click here).

Menu for January 14


  • Chicken pot pie
  • Vegetable soup
  • Dinner roll
  • Desserts
  • Cold drinks
  • Coffee & hot chocolate


Costs: Adults: $10 ... Ages 4-7: $12 ... Family max, $30 ... Under 4 & 90-up, free


Note: You may order a week ahead at register—chef salad or chicken dinner salad: $10

A Capsule Report

From Former Riverbender Patti Parks


Happy New Year! and thank you, Riverbend, for your support over the ten years I have been serving in Ireland.


In terms of my personal life, I was discontent and depressed at the beginning of 2025. I sought counsel and encouragement from close friends, and the Lord gave that to me. Things aren’t always great on the mission field. It’s encouraging to see that the Psalmist felt discontent and depressed at times, and he poured his heart out to the Lord.  I know the Lord is always good, and He is faithful. His goodness has been my anchor.


But I do want to share some highlights from 2025:


One-on-One: A lady I have been counseling and mentoring for several years has finally turned the corner and become a faithful ministry partner. Her story is a good reminder that sanctification is sometimes a slow process.


Answered Prayer: One of my women's Bible studies focused on unanswered prayer. Lots of experiences were shared by the ladies present, but one that brought many tears was from a lady, married ten years, who could not get pregnant. We all pledged prayer support for her, and just recently we had a baby shower for her child that is due any day now. Praise the Lord!


School Outreach: For the last five years, we have been able to teach religion classes in local schools, focusing on the gospel. This year we went into five schools, including some Catholic schools. The reception was great. Our participating Youth Club of students has grown from 6-12 students to 20-30.


Church Planting: We hope to offer worship services every Sunday in 2026 in a church we started in 2020. Please pray for additional preaching and pastoring support as we seek a steady schedulet.


Soccer: I served for awhile as assistant coach for the Under-16s and later for the Under-12s, This has led to many open doors in the community ... I've been coaching for four years with the Cavan Shamrocks.


Prayer Requests:

  • More opportunities to point people to Jesus.
  • Greater involvement for me in children's work, including soccer.
  • Wisdom and growth in sanctification.
  • Salvation of a lady who has suffered bitter abuse and has lots of questions.
  • For my monthly support (the value of the US dollar to the Euro has dropped considerably).

At Lake Aurora


All high school and middle school students

who have registered for this event are reminded about the 3:30 p.m departure from the church on Friday, Feb. 13.


The Retreat, held at Lake Aurora Camp, is planned Friday, Feb. 13 - Sunday, Feb. 15 (approximately 5 p.m. return at church)


Info: Student Director Nathaniel Karr (click here or call 386-672-1821).

Sundays at 9 a.m. ... There's One for You

Children (Infants thru 5th Grade)

Kids Wing (Rooms 500-521)

Led by Pastor Aaron Johnsen


Youth (Middle School & High School)

Youth Center (Room 600)

Led by Nathaniel Karr


Faith-Full (Special Education Adults)

Room 707

Led by Anand Ramsaran


New Life (Young Adults - 40s)

Room 705

Led by Andrew Mills

Gospel Life (40s-50s)

Fellowship Hall (Room 300)

Led by Pastors Jason Karr & Brian Giaquinto


Spirited Saints (60-up)

Room 706

Led by Gary Giovanni


Grace Abounding (60-up)

Room 804

Led by Dan Wishnietsky


Sojourners (60 & up)

Room 704

Led by Pastor Jerry Schaeffer

TITHES & OFFERINGS —

  • 2025 Individual Offering Statements should be emailed this week.
  • 2026 offering envelopes now available ... Please check with the church office.


JOY SENIOR LADIES —

  • Luncheon is this Tuesday, January 13, at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.


SARAH'S CIRCLE —

  • Soup-and-salad supper is Tuesday, January 20, in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. Guest speaker: Marcy Lightcap.


HANDS of GRACE —

  • Senior ladies meet for important discussion: Tuesday, January 27, Fellowship Hall, 11:30 a.m.
Ahead

Sundays

9:00 a.m. — Bible Fellowship Groups

10:30 a.m. — Morning Worship


Wednesdays

4:30-6 p.m. — Wednesday Night Supper

6:15 p.m. — Mid-Week Worship



Other Regular Weekly Activities

Sunday — Praise Team warm-up, Stage, 8 am

Sunday — Nursery (age 4-under), Children's Wing, 8:45 am

Monday — Men's Basketball, Worship Center, 6:30 pm

Wednesday — Student Bible Study, Youth Center, 5:30 pm

Wednesday — Nursery opens (birth to pre-K), Children's Wing, 6 pm

Wednesday — Praise Team Rehearsal, Stage, 7:30 pm

Thursday — Morning Worship at Avanté Skilled Nursing Center, 10 am


JANUARY

13 (Tue) — Joy Senior Ladies Lunch, Fellowship Hall, 11:30 am

15 (Thu) — Senior Adult Bible Study #2, Fellowship Hall, 10 am

16 (Fri) — Riverbend Homeschool Co-op, Fellowship Hall, 10 am

18 (Sun) — 'Sanctity of Human Life' Day (throughout nation)

20 (Tue) — Sarah's Circle, Fellowship Hall, 5:30 pm

22 (Thu) — Senior Adult Bible Study #3, Fellowship Hall, 10 am

27 (Tue) — Hands of Grace Luncheon, Fellowship Hall, 11:30 am

Connect with Riverbend

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YouTube

Academy

Facebook

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OFFICE

The church office is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (closed Nov. 24-27)


PHONES

Church Office: (386) 672-1821

Riverbend Academy (PreK-12): (386) 615-0986