http://www.riversidepeoria.com Weekly Sermon Audio from Riverside Community Church in Peoria, Illinois tim.schrader@riversidepeoria.com (Tim Schrader) misc@bitsculptor.com (Eric Schlange) Mon, 1 Mar 2010 10:08:47 CDT Bitsculptor RSS OAF v1.0 http://www.riversidepeoria.com/img/logo-rss.gif http://www.riversidepeoria.com http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=332 Pastor John originally asked for Miracle Stories months ago, but the stories of God at work in our lives keep coming in! We've received so many stories that we've kept a record of all of them and add a few each week. Have you read them lately? Stories will be updated as often as possible, so keep checking! Click to read the miracle stories... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=330 Andy King (Dream Center Peoria Executive Director) was honored recently at the 40 Leaders Under 40 banquet. Read more at the Dream Center Peoria blog.... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=329 A huge thank-you to everyone who helped make Fear Factors a success this year! We raised over 1000 pounds of candy resulting in worm pies for Pastor John, Pastor Aaron, Pastor Aubrey, Nick and the childrens ministry staff. Both gyms were packed with kids having fun playing games, going through an obstacle course, jumping in an inflatable, getting balloon animals made and of course getting lots or ... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=328 What an honor for Riverside to host the second City Wide Election Eve Prayer service! Prepared and promoted by two of Riversides most faithful workers workers, Barb LaHood and Martha Dakin, it was an exciting night of unity and commitment to Jesus. It was also a unique time of praying for the election and a number of Candidates who came along. The Pastors who prayed did so with great anointing... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=327 Peoria Journal Star recently featured an article on the current renovations at the Dream Center. Read the article here.... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=326 If you did not join us for the Fall Fest at Apple Blossom Farm, you truly missed out on a delightful day! Fall is my absolute favorite season; observing Gods colorful handiwork, I always find myself in awe of His love for us, which He shows through even the smallest of ways. Oftentimes we get so busy in our lives; and we are so wrapped up with everything going on in the world. The day at Apple Blo... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=325 Happy Halloween? This time of year the question always comes up, Should I just ignore the fact that the pagan festival Halloween is fast approaching, or should I address it and risk the fact that some of you will not like me so much after this? I decided that I cannot ignore such a blatant satanic invasion of the minds of Christians that has many Christians saying WHATS WRONG WITH THIS HARMLES... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=324 Many Peoria families breathed a little easier this weekend as Dream Center Peoria handed out roughly 2500 backpacks (across four locations) loaded with back-to-school essentials. Backpack Peoria provides a much needed financial break for many families, as school supplies add up quickly. This year's event attracted local news coverage from the Peoria Journal Star and WHOI. Read the Journal Star's c... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=323 This is a letter from A4 Peoria Director Dave Jane about his experiences with Mission Peoria 2008. If you haven't been a part of Mission Peoria in past years, maybe this will inspire you to come out for one of the evening sessions, or join in next year! Also, the Peoria Journal Star printed an article about Mission Peoria (link at the bottom of the page). I am writing to you all on Day 3 of Miss... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=322 Be sure to catch Mission Peoria and DCP on the news at 5:00,6:00 and 10:00PM tonight on channel 25 (WEEK) and 31 (WMBD). Mission Peoria has grown significantly (in the number of churches and students involved) this year. Spread the word about this news coverage and about all the great things happening with Mission Peoria and DCP.... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=321 Peoria Journal Star featured this story, written by Phil Luciano after his trip with Riverside Global Missions to Tanzania.NDULI, Tanzania -- Fredy Mgoba was heading down a dark path.The teen had begun hanging around with troublemakers. He had started talking back and otherwise disobeying his parents. He had picked up smoking and other bad habits.The slide had been going on for years. His parents ... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=320 The guiding force behind Ebenezer Seminary found his calling in a cave.Pastor Barnabas Mtokambali, the assistant superintendent for Tanzania Assembly of God, grew up in the Anglican Church, in which his dad was a pastor. In his teens, Mtokambali attended Forrest Hill High School in Morogoro, Tanzania.One day I felt the urge to pray, says Mtokambali, 46. I tried to get others to go with me.But no o... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=319 Hey everyone, don't forget that our Wednesday night schedule is different in July! No Wednesday night meals No Reaction Kids services No United Youth services TC's Summer Flavors replace regular Wednesday night services (4 classes available; read more about the topics here) If you're a midweek volunteer, enjoy the month off!... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=318 We never could have expected the overwhelming response to Sunday's service about sacrifice. This letter, from one of our attendees, tells the story:This morning, God decided to shake my world up a bit, as He sometimes tends to do.The sermon this morning was about Sacrifice. I was challenged as I listened to the contrasting stories of Abraham- as he was willing to give up his only son as an offe... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=317 As you recall, we received too many questions to answer in our live QA session about debt. We've compiled the rest of the common questions (some were combined or generalized) into a PDF you can download HERE. Enjoy!... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=313 For the past two years, the congregations of Riverside Community Church and St. Paul Baptist Church have come together to celebrate Easter at the Peoria Civic Center. Individuals from all walks of life have been blessed by the Easter in the City celebration. Riverside Community Church and St. Paul Baptist Church are currently focusing on having a long term impact in the City of Peoria; therefore,... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=311 Your spiritual growth is the most important thing to us a church. We want to know all about your spiritual life so that we can develop programs and plan services and events tailored to help you grow spiritually.REVEAL Now asked us to participate in a survey along with hundreds of other churches--a survey that will help show us how we can best suit our ministries to your needs. The survey will also... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=310 Over 2000 people came to Riverside this weekend to celebrate Christmas with this year's production: Imagine Christmas. Attendees raved that this year's program was the best they've seen at Riverside. Imagine was not a typical Christmas program, in that it used the arts equally with drama. Scenes usually included music, dance, and special effects unlike anything we've done in past Christmas program... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=309 Christmas is a great time to give to your church and local charities. In case you haven't heard, the time to give is NOW! If you give in person, the money must be received on or before December 31.If you give by mail, the money must be postmarked on or before December 31.Also, the check needs to be dated as 2007 to be applied to this year.That's the simple version. Here are some more detailed tips... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=308 If you missed the Ladies' Christmas Tea this year...what were you thinking?! The Ladies' Christmas Tea is arguably the best ladies event at Riverside each year! If you didn't know that, don't blame yourself--just come next year!Ardith Lanning (our kitchen crew's head chef) and her team made the best meal in Riverside history (at least in my recent memory), assisted by the men of our church. The me... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=305 Saturday, Metamora's football team took home the 5A high school state championship. The game ended with a 26-yard field goal kick from freshman Brennen VanMieghem. Metamora won 17-14 in their first state championship win since 1975. The team has gone to the state championship many times over the last decade or so, making victory this year even sweeter.The remarkable thing about the team this year ... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=306 Riverside hosted a stop on Peoria's Yule Like Peoria downtown tour again this year. Over a thousand people dropped by to enjoy a combination of great food and great entertainment--all provided by Riverside volunteers (and staff). Visitors enjoyed scenes from our upcoming Christmas show Imagine: Christmas and dined on some wonderful treats prepared by Ardith Lanning and her kitchen crew! A thousand... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=303 The baptismal was literally (and figuratively) overflowing this weekend when our pastors baptized more than 75 people! We haven't collected all the information cards, but conservative estimates say that at least 75 people went through the tank!Pastor John talked about the reality of hell, offered the hope of God's offer to rescue us (if we'd just ask). Then, he invited the crowd to accept God's of... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=302 Local news crews buzzed around our sanctuary today, as local pastors and religious leaders met to talk about how prayer can help turn our city around. Mayor Ardis called the meeting in hopes that pastors will catch a vision for regular prayer meetings. The group established a steering committee today that will organize regular prayer with a focus on issues like crime, violence, and unity among chu... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=301 Last night, the Watoto Children's Choir (from Uganda) warmed our hearts with music and joy!Watoto rescues orphans from victims of AIDS and war in Uganda. Watoto raises them into leaders that will change their world.Look in the eyes of a Watoto child and you will see hope. You will see a soul transformed by God's faithfulness and provision. You will see a life rescued from a bleak future, changed i... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=300 Trick-or-Treating just doesn't compare to Fear Factors!! Why? Because what child wants to eat Snickers when they can eat live worms!...Come to think of it, I guess it's watching other kids eat worms that really gets them excited. Either way, if you didn't come to Fear Factors this year, you missed out! You could've seen close to 1000 people competing in gross-out competitions (like bobbing for gum... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=299 This time of year the question always comes up, should I just ignore the fact that the pagan festival Halloween is fast approaching or should I address it and risk the fact that some of you will not like me so much after this . . . I decided that I cannot ignore such a blatant Satanic invasion of the minds of Christians that has many Christians saying WHATS WRONG WITH THIS HARMLESS FUN TIME. Wha... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=298 Due to the wonderful publicity that the Dream Center Peoria has received over the past months the main phone line has been quite busy. It became apparent quickly that the best way to serve you was to have a new phone number issued. This will enable you to contact the church on the first try, rather than having to leave a message or get a busy signal.The new church phone number is 309.676.7700All o... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=296 Desiring Gods will over my will led me to put together a process that I follow in seeking to know the will of God for any area of my life. My first stand is to Be Righteous. By that I mean there are times when because I know the character of God. I know before I ever seek His will what He wants me to do. Being righteous means to do what is right. There are many areas where I know what God wa... http://www.riversidepeoria.com/about/news.asp?id=295 Riverside's monthly seminar, Related Leaders, is holding a special event for Worship Leaders. Following the seminar is a special concert by Revival in Belfast visionary Robin Mark.In response to this special event, WCIC as well as several other Christian Radio Stations have been buzzing with news about the event. Keep your ears open to hear the great radio coverage that we've been getting and don'...