Summer is almost here! Schools are letting out, vacation season is starting, and graduates are entering the world of higher education and/or the work force. I always encourage people to take vacations because it relaxes us and makes us easier to live with (lol). Kathy and I look forward to the summer and all the kids who love to hang out at our house, along with the $5 pizza’s from Little Caesar’s. We certainly are proud of and   excited for our graduates that are taking the next step in their destiny! I want to encourage you all to include church in your summer plans. There are many things you don’t want to miss. VBS is coming in June. The Cruise-In is coming on Father’s Day Weekend. The build-out in Lebanon is soon to start. And church services throughout the Summer are going to be Amazing. On Wedneday nights, we have declared, “The Summer of The Spirit”. We will be studying the benefits and workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our mission. On Sunday mornings we have a new Sermon Series called, “REALITY SERIES” that you don’t want to miss. It’s a series based on the most popular Reality TV shows on the air. You’ll hear about “Pawn Stars”, “Storage Wars”, “Overhaulin”, “The Moment” with Kurt Warner, “Man Vs. Wild”, and the ever popular, “Duck Dynasty”. There is a life lesson in each of these that will draw people to accept Christ, and enable those who already have to draw closer in their relationship with Christ. So take a week or two and vacate, relax, rest, or whatever you enjoy. But, remember to “Spend Your Summer At The River” and enjoy the opportunities to Experience, Connect, Grow, and Serve!

Pastor Barry

NEWSLETTER 6.13

Enter the epic adventure that empowers kids to stand strong. Here, God’s victorious power isn’t a fairy tale―it changes kids forever. Join this royally-rockin’ realm―register to be a part of this Kingdom Rock VBS!

Dates: June 24, 2013 – June 28, 2013

Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: 224 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville

Registration Deadline: June 24, 2013

Blessings,                                                                                                                                                                                   Pastor Barry

NEWSLETTER 5.13

Spring has finally sprung and we see new life all around us. Speaking of Life, this month we are focusing on connecting every person possible with a Life Group Connection. Every Pastor will be leading and/or participating in at least one or more. April 7th, in the AM services you will have opportunity to sign up for Life (Life Group that is). We are continuing to discover that the Christian Faith is tied to essential relationships that we all need to experience. If you want the most out of your Life with God, relationships with other people who are walking the same journey are essential to the process.  We are so excited that you are part of our church family and we want to provide you with every opportunity to get the most out of your Christian Experience. Get on “The Path”:  Experience, Connect, Grow, Serve!

Blessings,

Pastor B.

 April Newsletter

We are entering the holiest of seasons in the church calendar. Easter 2013 is March 31st and the opportunity for  evangelism is greater than ever.  We are in the middle of Focus40 and we are praying and believing God for a powerful Resurrection Encounter during Holy Week. Don’t miss a single Sunday between now and Easter.  We are going to be      preparing to see lives changed by the power of the Gospel. We are going to gear up to show God’s love and share God’s message of hope and grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  As you pray to draw closer to God personally, also pray for those who will be our guests Easter week. From Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday we will celebrate Jesus and rejoice with the angels as we see lives eternally changed.  Get ready for the greatest Easter Season in history (since the first one).

Blessings,

Pastor Barry & The Pastoral Team

NEWSLETTER 3.13

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa on the 15th in the old Roman calendar. This year it’s also the beginning of our Lent observance.  Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) or to Easter Eve. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial.  While we do not   embrace the idea of making payment for our sins, as Christ made the payment in full, we do embrace the idea of 40 days of focus on our relationship with God. The elements include: Prayer, Fasting, and Sacrificial Giving. In order to grow in deeper intimacy with Christ, we will begin Ash Wednesday, February 13, at days end, and observe this period till Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). When you pray, look at it as a spring-cleaning in your heart. With a repentant    spirit, ask God to remove anything that doesn’t belong.  There are many ways you can observe a fast. You can omit certain delicacies from your diet, observe a Daniel type fast, observe a full fast (for a shorter period), or do without certain        luxuries in the practice of self-denial. The important thing is that you let the Holy Spirit guide the process. Lent is also a time when you can begin the ongoing practice of giving by tithing and giving through the church, and also giving to others who are in need. We will bring you more information about Prayer plans, types of fasts, and ways to give as we approach Ash Wednesday. The bottom line to it all is that we all want to focus on our relationship with Christ and draw closer to Him in our hearts. Let’s make this pilgrimage together as we focus on the journey toward the Easter season.

Blessings,

Pastor Barry

       2.13

Isaiah 40:31closeIsaiah 40:31 31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (ESV) tells us that those who serve the Lord will mount up with wings like eagles. That’s right, we have been re-born to fly! If that’s the case, you wonder why so many Christians struggle to get off the ground. January 2013 we are going to learn how to fly. Each of us are made for more! God has great things in mind and in store for us. I’ve heard it said that an Eagle who is afraid of heights is no better off than a    chicken. Well, we are not chickens, we are Eagles and with the power of the knowledge of God’s Word and the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, we are going to set our flight plans for the year and rise to the place where God intends for us to be.  Get ready to FLY, January 2013!

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

Since their debut in September ’94, their intense musical focus has captivated audiences worldwide.  From Lee University in Cleveland, TN and directed by Danny Murray, this fourteen-member group is characterized by their unique variety of lush vocal harmonies.  The Voices of Lee have appeared on “Good Morning America” as well as Christmas at the White House. They have toured Europe with concerts at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and recorded some (8) CD’s of various themes.   Most recently, they have appeared on NBC’s Sing-Off competition for a cappella groups.  Out of thousands of auditions, Voices of Lee was selected as one of eight groups to compete and appear on four prime time NBC network episodes.  After nationwide voting, the Voices of Lee finished as second runner up in the Sing-Off.  Following their time on the Sing-Off, Voices of Lee were voted winners in one of the Favorite group categories of the Contemporary Acapella Society of America.

Flood Zone Virtual Tour

The Tot Spot Virtual Tour

]]> http://www.therivernashville.com/tot-spot/feed/ 0 http://www.therivernashville.com/the-new-flood-zone/ http://www.therivernashville.com/the-new-flood-zone/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:55:40 +0000 Administrator http://www.therivernashville.com/?p=4818 Read more

1.  PRAY – Begin to pray for all aspects of this Vision.  Pray that God will guide and provide as we exercise the faith to follow.

2.  SERVE – Right now we need your energies in our Nursery Ministry.  You can sign up for duty at the Connection Point and here’s what you can expect:

-  A training session to get you acquainted with policies and procedures of service
-  A brief form to fill out in order to run the required background check so that our children are always protected.
-  Serving 1 service (that’s right one service) per month.  If just a fraction of our congregation were to respond, just one service per month is all you would need to serve.
-  This commitment is for 1 year and then you may re-enlist or look to another arm for ministry for service.

3.  GIVE – No amount is too large nor too small, and 100% of what you give goes directly to this Vision.

-  The Children are saving their coins
-  The Kroger Card rebates are a great way to help.
-  Most of all, respond as the Spirit moves you and give accordingly.

We are full steam ahead to raise a total of $100,000.00 to invest directly in Generation Changers.  Very soon you will begin to see our facilities transform into a place that connects with the youth of our city.  The good news is, by prayer, service, and giving, we all can play a part in the miracle of changing a generation with the Gospel of Christ.

]]> http://www.therivernashville.com/generation-changers/feed/ 0 http://www.therivernashville.com/senior-pastor-jerry-p-smith/ http://www.therivernashville.com/senior-pastor-jerry-p-smith/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:32:42 +0000 Administrator http://www.therivernashville.com/?p=495 Read more

Called of God to proclaim the gospel at the age of 16, Pastor Smith committed his all to follow Christ. From full time evangelistic ministry, he entered into pastoral responsibilities at the age of twenty-one. He spent the next twenty-six years in pastoral ministry in South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio. During the decade of the nineties and up until July 2003, he served as State Overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy in Illinois/Wisconsin and also in Kentucky.

Pastor Smith says: “I have known since the spring of ’96 that it was God’s will for Joyce and me to minister in Nashville. Our desire was to accept the pastorate at The River as a divine appointment on September 1, 2003. The mandate from the Almighty was to build a house of grace and mercy that God could flood with healing waters. It is to be a Spirit filled house balanced with the authority of His Word and to provide pastoral care to the spiritual homeless of the greater Nashville area.

While some would look for security of assignment that leads to retirement, Joyce and I have embarked on the greatest adventure of faith of our entire ministry.”

The driving passion of Pastor Smith’s heart is to see the lost experience salvation and revival return to the church community. Brother Smith says, “I am convinced that this day is God’s gift to us, what we do with it is our gift to Him.”

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Blake Belford is the grandson of a Pastor and grew up in church where he was involved with music as a child.  It was there that he developed a love for music and a heart for worship.  As he matured spiritually and musically, his heart for God and love for music increased immensely.  Over the years he became a self-taught musician playing a variety of instruments including drums, guitar, and piano.  After high school he set out to prepare himself for his life’s calling and in 2010 he graduated from Belmont University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music.  Today he is an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter with a mission to share the message of Christ through the medium of music.

Blake joined the River Ministry Team in 2010.  He is known for creating an energy filled environment that makes for a unique worship experience for everyone.  He is committed to the call of Christ and is being used to reach today’s audience with a melody straight from God’s heart.  He is presently married to a wonderful young lady who shares his heart for God and his call to ministry.  He loves hanging out with his wife and of course making music with his friends.  There’s one thing for sure; He is gifted and anointed to lead people into an amazing worship experience every time he steps on stage and always gives God all of the Glory.

We’ve talked about Jesus ‘taking care of business’ in our lives. Now it’s on to the mission that He has for us in the earth.

Next week we will begin talking about the Holy Spirit and then, just before Pentecost Sunday, we will look at the subject, “Between the Lighting and the Thunder”.

Don’t miss this empowering series on the subjects taught by Jesus His last 40 days on earth.