Current happenings at River's Edge

On the Edge News
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“And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while Jesus talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32

April 24, 2008

eing in the presence of Jesus brings new perspectives on life. Two disciples walking down the road to Emmaus never dreamed they would encounter the Risen Savior as they traveled. Often, I don’t believe Christians expect to experience the presence of Jesus in worship, service or in every day life, yet He is here! He is working in His creation and in our lives if we will slow down long enough to recognize Him. When we refocus our attention upon the Savior, our hearts “burn within us,” as we discover the truth about life and how important it is to experience each day in the joy of Christ. It is so easy to become distracted with the busyness of our world and families that we miss the joy of seeing the “big picture.” We are created for eternity and not just for today. Don’t worry about all the small things that have no impact on your eternity or the eternity of others. Slow down just a little. Take some time to pray and ponder the things of God. Let His Spirit minister to yours. Feel your heart burning and know it’s not from the taco you had the night before, but it’s because you know God has everything under control and He is not surprised by anything that happens. He is ready to lead you in His best. He knows just what you need! In this busy season of graduations, year end shows, accomplishments, sports championships and nearing summer schedules, please take time to walk in the presence of the Savior!

We’ve been so blessed at River’s Edge in this new year. We have enjoyed terrific worship times and have seen the Lord work in people’s lives. New families are joining us and we are moving forward with some great open doors to ministry. I’m going to share just a few with you.

Brian Fransisco and Ashanti Davis are getting married! This Saturday, April 26th at 5:00 pm we will celebrate with Brian and Ashanti as they make vows to God and one another. We are helping with their reception by bringing dishes for a Fellowship Meal. Come and be a part of this wedding blessing!
Our Answers Academy continues this Sunday night, April 27th at 6:00 pm. We had a wonderful response two weeks ago during the first session.
The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 1st. We will gather with churches from the Suwanee area to worship and unite together in prayer on this day at the Suwanee Town Center at 6:30 pm. Come out and support this effort next Thursday!
Remember that Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11th. We will celebrate the blessing of our moms and the ladies of the church family on this Sunday.
Graduate Recognition Sunday will be on May 18th. We look forward to surrounding our High School and College graduates with prayer and celebrating their accomplishments.
A Wedding Shower for Lauren Baylor and Phillip Dean will take place on May 18th at 2 pm. Make your plans to support Phillip and Lauren!
Awana Awards Night will be Wednesday, May 28th at 6:00 pm. We have had an outstanding Awana year. Don’t miss this time!

Our new Guatemala Mission Team has begun meeting to prepare for the next trip on October 18-25, 2008. This team will be ministering in several ways to the local children and to the AMG missionaries. One of our primary goals will be to build a ten foot security wall on the back of the 4th of February Child Care Project. This will be quite an undertaking and we need your help! The wall materials have already been paid for, but we are taking 12 team members who will have to supply $1000 per person to go on this trip. There are several support projects under way to sponsor our mission team. One important support project is the first ever River’s Edge Cook Book. You can supply recipes for this project by contacting Wendy Davis, Tammy Clark or Julie Wood. Also, River’s Edge has given faithfully to all missions endeavors since our beginnings and we will continue to do this through our Cooperative Program giving which is 10% of all our undesignated offerings, to the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association which is 3%, and now to our Guatemala Missions Teams which will be 1% of all undesignated offerings. I believe the Lord blesses the church that is faithful in mission giving. Thank you for giving faithfully and sacrificially to the Lord’s work through missions at home and internationally!

The Wednesday Night Schedule will change for summer beginning June 4th. We will be meeting for Bible Study and Prayer at 6:30 pm and the Summer series will feature a DVD driven study by Ray Vander Laan called, “Walk As Jesus Walked.” This is one terrific study and you will enjoy the entire series. We will have a separate DVD series for the kids featuring lessons from the Veggie Tales. Make plans now to join us during the summer as we learn and grow in the faith.

What will God do and where will we meet Him next? Expect the Lord to do great things among us! Get ready for a great summer!

I love you all!

Pastor Stephen

PS: Don’t forget that we are planning for Vacation Bible School at the Countryside Village on Friendship Road. This year VBS will be July 21-25, 2008. Contact Margie Linnell if you would like to help!