This is a new series of messages from our Senior Pastor, Tim Shull. He’ll explain how you can take the hand you’ve been dealt and play it marvelously. Each message will explore a principle from the Bible that God has given to us so that we can experience excellence in our work and our relationships. The series can be heard at either of our Sunday morning services: 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. starting Sunday, January 15. Tapes will be available for any Sundays that you have to miss.

Indescribable Tour – Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Louie Giglio – Thursday, January 26, 7 p.m.

This is an event that we highly recommend for everyone. We sing many of the songs of Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman. Both are prolific song writers and amazing worship leaders. Louie Giglio is one of the best speakers you will ever hear. This will be a remarkable worship experience that you do not want to miss.

It’s at the Township Auditorium in Columbia on Thursday, January 26. Group rate tickets are $18 each. Sign up with Pastor Howard Altman by Sunday, January 15. www.wmhk.com (Ticketmaster for individual tickets.)

Church 101 Seminar

If you would like to know more about River Springs Church – what we believe, what we’re trying to do, how we’re trying to do it, how we are structured, with whom we are affiliated – then you’re invited to our Church 101 seminar on Sunday, January 22, at 5:00 p.m. In this meeting Pastor Tim answers questions about River Springs and shows you how you can join. Contact Pastor Tim at jaredhannahpop@aol.com to register or find out more.

Church 201 Seminar

Would you like to learn how to experience personal spiritual growth?

We can show you the habits essential for a growing relationship with Christ and we can help you establish these habits in your life. If you’ve been to the Church 101 seminar, you’re invited to come to our Church 201 seminar on Sunday, January 22, at 5:00 p.m. Contact Pastor Jimmy Parris at jparris1@sc.rr.com to register or find out more.

Need Mulch? – We’ve got a huge supply of mulch behind the church. It’s free and available for the taking anytime.

Youth Student Life Camp – It’s going to be earlier in the summer, May 31-June 4, 2006, at Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Space is limited, only 15 slots for middle schoolers and 15 slots for high schoolers. See Kelley or Jennifer Marsh for details.

Summer Events for Children –

July 3-7 Student Life for Kids Camp (20 slots for kids 3^rd through 5^th grade)
July 10-14 Young Musicians Camp (4^th and 5^th graders)
July 11-13 Music Mini Camp (1^st through 3^rd graders)

Pastor Howard Altman and the Children’s Ministry Team will provide the details in the coming weeks.

Souper Bowl of Caring

It’s a national and international effort. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 5^th, youth groups all over America collect money from church members to help with hunger relief. The 2005 effort was led by youth in 11,000 churches and generated four million dollars. So on February 5^th, at both morning services, River Springs students will be at the doors to the worship room collecting money for hunger relief.

Kids’ Night and Wednesday Night Childcare is from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. each Wednesday so parents can drop off their kids at 6:45 and make it to their small groups which go from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Preschool Small Groups Childcare is for preschoolers (babies through Kindergarten) whose parents attend a Wednesday night small group. The children play and sing songs and have a great time.

Kids’ Night is for children in 1^st through 5^th grades. They have a high energy time of learning and fun. The lessons go along with the curriculum that the kids have on Sunday mornings in Kidventure/All-Stars. Even if parents don’t go to a Wednesday night small group, we want school age kids to come to Kids’ Night.

Small Groups helping with Kid’s Night and Wednesday Childcare

January 4 Canceled
January 11 Parris/Ohrin
January 18 Palmer/Williams
January 25 Mooney/Schmidt
February 1 Cedar Grove
February 8 Redalen/Engelhart

Contact Pastor Howard Altman for questions or adjustments.

Youth CrossTraining is for 6^th grade and up and meets each Wednesday at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church.

Valentine’s Dinner and a Movie is an opportunity for adult couples to have a great meal and enjoy a movie in the company of other River Springs couples. The event is sponsored by our youth and is a fund-raising event to help with the costs of going to Student Life Camp. It includes a great candlelight meal, an appropriate no-kids romantic movie, and childcare on-site. It’s Saturday evening, February 11. Specific details and ticket purchasing will be available soon.

Mark Your Calendar –

January 15 – 6:00 p.m. Pastor Tim’s Verse by Verse Bible Study
January 15 – 7:00 p.m. Small Group Leaders Meeting
January 22 – 5:00 p.m. Church 101 Membership Seminar
January 22 – 5:00 p.m. Church 201 Growth Seminar
January 26 – 7:00 p.m. Indescribable Concert/Worship
January 29 – 6:00 p.m. Annual Church Conference
January 29 – 7:00 p.m. Leadership Advisory Team
February 5 – Souper Bowl of Caring
February 5 – Youth Super Bowl Party
February 11 – Valentine’s Dinner and a Movie