March
6-8 - Men's Mission Trip
7 & 21 - Feeding the Homeless
8 - Real Life Scrapbooking
8 & 22 - Breakfast at Wheatley Courts
11 - Ladies' Bunco Night
14 - Men's Breakfast
16 - VBS Planning Session
17-21 - Youth Spring Break Activities Daily
23 - Easter Celebration & Easter Egg Hunt
29 - Men's Day at the Carpenter House

April
4 & 18 - Feeding the Homeless
7 - Hoops & Wings
12 & 26 - Breakfast at Wheatley Courts
12 - Real Life Scrapbooking
14 - Ladies' Bunco Night
18 & 19 - Team Connection Retreat
25 & 26 - 30 Hour Famine
27 - The Road

May
2 & 16 - Feeding the Homeless
10 & 24 - Breakfast at Wheatley Courts
4 - Baptism Class
11 - Baby Dedications
16 - Men's Breakfast
TBA - Chocolate & Chick Flicks

2008 is a year where RCCC is being challenged to “Change Your World.”  Although the challenge can seem somewhat daunting, the Lord has been sending me gentle reminders that we can affect our world in simple and obvious ways if we will just open our eyes, hearts, and ears to follow through and obey when He gives us an opportunity. Each day provides multiple opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life.

To list a few...

• Smile at the clerk who is extremely SLOW…because they are new.
• Pray for the person who just cut you off on the road…because they don’t have the peace of the Lord.
• Hug the little child who just spilled red Kool-aid all over you…because that child’s spirit means more than your clothes.
• Keep quiet when your co-worker just “chewed you out”…because they live in constant fear.
• Visit the family member who doesn’t get you…because they don’t understand true unconditional love.
• Listen to the neighbor who is talking way longer than you have time for…because they feel no one values them.

The Lord will often give us “Big” assignments to change our world. But we should never miss the daily call and privilege of encouraging someone’s spirit! 

Blessings,

Lauri Azzaro
Associate Minister

Small groups aren’t a ministry at River City, they are the way we DO ministry. That means that whether you serve in Children’s or youth ministry or are part of a mid-week Bible Study, you are surrounded by a group of people who know your name and are engaged in the process of growing with you.

I’ve read statistics that say that 80% of people polled said they would go to church with someone if they were asked. You may get to be a world changer simply by asking someone to come with you. If you’re in a small group or if you serve in a ministry, there’s someone out there who needs what you can offer them.

Will you take up the challenge to change your world? This month and in the months to come, will you invite someone to the only thing that’s eternal? Will you invite them to Real Life?

Coming this summer…our elementary kids and their friends and neighbors will join a once in a lifetime “Pirate” adventure. Be a part of all the swashbuckling excitement at The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything  VBS.   

This high-seas expedition will be Monday-Friday, July 7-11, 2008.  The “Pirates” will board ship at 6:30pm and walk the plank at 9:15pm each night. What we experience and discover on our voyage will help us to change our world.

Adults and students (High School and Jr. Hi) who are daring enough…can e-mail shipmate Karen Silvia at ksilvia@satx.rr.com to join the crew and help lead this awesome pirate adventure.

Our Children’s ministry recently sponsored a highly successful “Building Courage & Character Karate Clinic.” The few dozen boys and girls who attended heard solid Christian principles from the Bible as they participated. Not only did the kids have fun learning, they had a special feeling of accomplishment centered on the Christian virtues of courage and character.

The success of this clinic reinforced a vision we have to sponsor a Sport/Recreation Camp this summer for boys and girls 6-16 years old. Read more...

I can’t believe it is already March.  2008 is really flying, isn’t it?  As I sit here with Spring Break right around the corner, I am also fully aware that just beyond that lies the 3 months that all kids look forward to… Summer Break.  While it is certainly a busy time in the life of any youth pastor, I look forward to those months.  I look forward to them because I know that while the schedule is packed with camps and mission trips and activities, that the end result is your students growing closer to Christ.  Summer makes space for relationships, and relationships here model Christ’s love for us and commitment to our growth.  Summers are invaluable. Read more...

Also, for a complete event calendar and for some helpful articles on raising teenagers, follow this link to our Parent Link Newsletter.  God bless!

If you serve in a ministry here at River City in any capacity, you are invited to attend the Team Connection Retreat April 18th-19th at Genesis Ranch. The Team Connection Retreat is a time for our volunteer community to come together for vision, training, and fellowship. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend this high-impact event! Cost is $70 per person.

If you pull into the Wal-Mart down the street and the parking lot is completely full, do you

• Wait for a parking space to open up?
• Take the Handicap space?
• Head to another retailer?

Some of us would wait, thinking we will find our best deal only at Wal-Mart. Some would drive to that last handicap space and say, “I won’t be long, and it is the last space anyway” (OK, No one at River City would do that…but stick with me for the point). Statistics tell us most people would simply drive away and shop elsewhere, or come back at another time. Either way, Wal-Mart would lose that customer that day.

For the church visitor, the situation is strikingly similar. Read more...

No one understands guys like guys. So this year we're planning lots of opportunities for men to get together and be men. We'll laugh together, learn together, and we'll see God transform us and our families in the process. Put these upcoming events on your calendar now, and look for more to come!

Men's Breakfast March 14th & May 16th, 6:00-7:30 am (Redland Campus)
We'll have breakfast, fellowship, a devotional, and discussion time. A great way to start your day!

Work Day at the Carpenter House March 29th
We'll get together for some cleaning, construction, demolition, yard work, and much more!

Hoops & Wings April 7th
Join us for an evening of basketball, wings, and male bonding!

Recently, a group of 60 River City ladies attended the Women of Faith conference here in San Antonio. They shared with me that the prevailing theme for the weekend was that women are precious in the sight of the Lord, the apple of His eye. We are His Beloved. Women all over the Alamodome were reminded that God loves them and that He has a special place in His heart just for them.  What an awesome experience to be gathered with so many women and once again be reminded of the value our Savior places on us.

The Women’s Ministry of RCCC wants to make sure that all women who fellowship with us are constantly reminded of this truth: that God values and loves you. That is why we have so many opportunities for you to connect with your sisters in Christ. Through relationship with others we are encouraged, loved and then given the chance to share that same love to others. 

I Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to, “encourage one another, and build up one another.” You cannot do this by yourself! .

If you are new to River City or you just have not taken the time to get connected, please check out our Women’s Ministry web page to see our current calendar of connection opportunities. Not only do we want to encourage you; but we know that God wants you to encourage us!