Calendar of Events

2010

• January 7 (Thursday) — Wills seminar ... Fellowship Hall ... 5-6 p.m ... led by attorney Craig Cameron, a Riverbender.
• January 16 (Saturday) — Movie Matinee ... 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:15) ... Fellowship Hall ... Movie: Luther.
• February 6 (Satuday) — Bus trip to Lakeland for the Gaither Homecoming concert ... leave at noon; return by 10:30 p.m.
• February 12 (Friday) — Valentine Banquet ... 6 p.m. at the church.
• February 19-26 (Friday-Friday) — Mission Trip to Honduras.
• March 13 (Saturday) —Movie Matinee ...  2 p.m. (doors open at 1:30) ... Fellowship Hall ... Movie: No Greater Love.
• April 19-23 (Monday-Friday) — Pastors Conference in Honduras ... led by Pastor Kenny St.John & Joe Torres.
• May 18 (Tuesday) —Bagel Breakfast ... Fellowship Hall ... 9-11 a.m.
• June 8 (Tuesday) — E-mail/Internet "How to" Seminar ... Fellowship Hall ... 6 p.m. ... led by John Nero, a Riverbender
• June 28-30 (Monday-Wednesday) — Decorate church for Celebrate America!
• August 7 (Saturday) — Movie Matinee ... 1 p.m. (doors open at 12:15 p.m.) ... Fellowship Hall ... Movie: Sergeant York.
• September 23 (Thursday) — Hospice Seminar ... Fellowship Hall ...  led by Florida Memorial Hospital.
• October 8 (Friday) — Bluegrass Music Festival in Palatka ... 10 a.m.-9 p.m. ... bus trip ... $43 cost for bus & admission.
• October 24 (Sunday) — Pig Roast & Sing-Spiration ... 4:30 p.m. ... at the church.
• November 18-19 (Thursday-Friday) — Basket Blessings ... package and deliver Riverbend's Thanksgiving .
• December 2 (Thursday) — Christmas Party ... Worship Center ...  5 p.m.
  

Other Possible Future Events

Day Trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando

Day Trip to Strawberry Festival in Plant City

Trip to Creation Museum at Petersburg, Ky.

Persevering Saints is the official name of Riverbend’s 55-up Ministry. The name was actually chosen by Dr. R.A. Hargrave, Senior Pastor, after he viewed a list of prospective names that had been submitted by the Leadership Team. “Persevering Saints is a description,” he said, “of what Riverbend is and of what senior adults are supposed to be.”

Purpose

The purpose of Persevering Saints is to glorify God by providing an avenue of fellowship and outreach, participating in activities that foster spiritual growth and health, and helping senior adults live, learn and serve through the vitality of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Theme

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. —James 1:25 (ESV)

NOTE: Persevering Saints is an “action ministry” that seeks to involve senior adults (ages 55-up) in persistently and consistently practicing the principles of Scripture in ministering to each other, to others in the church, to those outside the church.

Logo

The publicity symbol for this ministry is pictured atop the previous page.  It is a compilation of work done by the leadership team. The project coordinator was Dennis Belz.

Leadership

Many Riverbenders are involved in the planning and development of Persevering Saints activities and ministries. However, the core of the coordination is conducted by the Leadership Team. Members of that team include Dr. R.A. Hargrave (Senior Pastor), Jerry Schaeffer (Pastor of Senior Adults), Kay Moody (Administrative Director), Sandy Leisner (Secretary), Dennis Belz, Linda Belz, Barbara Cook, Ferne Cox, Marcia Delaney, Louis Donath, Ruth Donath, Maurice McKinney, Mary McKinney, Bill Pletcher, Kathy Pletcher, Sam Race and Pat Schaeffer.

Focus

1.  FELLOWSHIP

Getting to know others ... enjoying the company of fellow Christians ... Examples: gatherings for food & fellowship, ice cream socials, hymn-sing events, Valentine banquets, game days/nights (horse- shoes, cards, ping pong, board games, etc.), picnics, movie matinees in Worship Center, etc.

2.  MINISTRY

Helping others with their various needs ... reaching out to people in the community, especially spiritually ... Examples: providing transportation to-and-from church, mission trips to Central America, HarvestFest booth, Thanksgiving baskets for those in need, senior seminars (wills, estate-planning, finances, firearm safety, etc.), honoring veterans, connecting with younger groups (young marrieds, etc.), “adopting grandkids” on Grandparents Day ... visiting homebound members ...participating in the church’s Above & Beyond mission ventures ...

3.  TRAVEL

Day trips that promote fellowship/ministry ... extended trips for group enjoyment (worship/vacation/recreation) ... Examples: Wycliffe Bible Translators Headquarters (Orlando), Bluegrass Festival (Palatka), Gaither Homecoming (Orlando), Holy Land Experience (Orlando), a Christmas program in the area, Cypress Gardens (Winter Haven), Space Center (Cape Canaveral), Straw- berry Festival (Plant City), St. Augustine, Answers in Genesis Museum (Kentucky), Branson (Missouri), Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge (Tennessee), Bible cruise to Caribbean, Charleston (S.C.), Epcot, Savannah (Ga.), New York, Alaska, etc.