The MessengerDecember 2, 2018VOLUME 24 ISSUE 49

Page 3Global Outreach \ & Peacemaking

College & Youth

Page 5 & 6Advent

Page 7Community

Outreach

Pages 8-9 This Month’s

Birthdays & Calendar

Page 2Music & More

Christian Education

December 2018

Page 4Community

Life

a movement for reconciliation

RIVERSIDEPresbyterian Church

Worship Greeting “Greet all brothers and sisters with a holy kiss”...............................1 Thessalonians 5:26

Saint Paul was eager to have the early Church show grace-filled hospitality and welcoming. Your Worship Council is asking each of you to greet our members and visitors before worship begins. As you are able, step outside in front of the sanctuary for a few moments of greeting. Extend this to those

entering worship on Sundays. If we all made ourselves available occasionally, with greetings, we would truly be “living joyfully, following Christ”.

Dear Riversiders,

The following bullet points are for you to know what’s going on around here:

• I am planning on June 9, Pentecost, to be my last sermon. My effective leaving date will be June 31. The Transition Committee is working hard on as smooth a process as possible.

• So far, the Stewardship Season “Reaching More” is going well but there are many commitment cards still to be sent in or made on-line. In order for us to begin budgeting for 2019, we need everyone to step up before the end of the year if possible in order to know what to budget for.

• As we come to the end of 2018, like every end of the year, our income is a bit less than we budgeted. We have so far balanced this by keeping our expenses less as well but it might mean less outreach giving or property maintenance if we don’t catch up. Please step up if you can to meet our needs.

• We are moving ahead on putting video screens and projectors on the two far side walls in the transepts. While you will not see the projectors from where you sit, and the screens (or reflecting paint) will blend in, you will be able to see and hear video presentations from any seat in the sanctuary. These videos will be used by the school and in worship to enhance communications and preaching. Later we may video the whole service so that people in the back of the church can look at the screen for a closer view and so we can simulcast on line. After viewing the video the Stewardship Committee created, you can see how helpful this form of communication can be.

As I approach my last Christmas season with you, I do so with a heavy heart. It is hard to express how wonderful and amazing this church is and how much it does for our city and world. The reason is you. Your beautiful care for Riverside, your giving of yourselves in the world, and your taking seriously our “movement for reconciliation,” will serve whatever the future brings in lovely ways.

Gratefully,

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Music MinistryMusic in December

Sunday December 2 at 5:00 pm ........................................................ Christmas Concert and Dinner• Choirs and Handbells of Riverside Presbyterian Church with solos by Geoff Gartner and David Scheininger • Mandarin Middle School Chorus• The Bells of Angelwood

Wednesday December 5 at 12:00 pm ......................... Christmas Improvisations by Andrew Clarke

Sunday December 16 at 11:00 am Worship .......................................... Selections from the Messiah• Riverside Presbyterian Choirs and Soloists • The Florida Chamber Music Project

Monday December 24 at 8:00 pm ......................................................... Christmas Music Meditation(Music before the 8:30 pm Christmas Eve Service)

Christian Education Daily Advent Prayer Emails

If you are on our general email list, you should be receiving daily prayers during the season of Advent. These prayers follow the theme of the Advent Calendar and are a way to join with your Riverside Presbyterian family daily as we anticipate the birth of Christ. If you are not receiving the emails or have questions, contact Emily Heeg at the church office.

Advent Resource for Families with ChildrenRiverside Presbyterian families should receive this wonderful Advent resource that will help your family experience the Advent season together. It includes family devotions, coloring pages, an Advent calendar for children and ornaments that you can color and hang on your tree. All of these resources are incredibly simple and easy to work into the life of your family. If you have not received this resource, please contact Emily Heeg at the church office.

Connect with Our NeighborhoodRiverside Presbyterian and Riverside Park United Methodist Churches

Caroling through 5 PointsWednesday • December 5 • Beginning at 5:30 pm

Riverside Presbyterian Church will be joining with Riverside Park United Methodist Church for an evening of dinner, games and caroling. Dinner will begin at Riverside Park UMC at 5:30 pm. We will then move to Riverside Presbyterian where we will have hot chocolate and play games. We will head out to carol in 5 Points around 6:45 pm.

Our last stop will be Riverside House and we will return to the church around 7:30 pm.

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Global Outreach & Peace Making“Caring for Our Fragile Planet”

It’s a small thing we can do, but no one can do it for us. Recycle. Paper and plastic. We have just purchased two new sets of recycling containers. One set is in the “Holy Grounds” area by the Bittinger kitchen. The other is in the hallway just outside the church office. We hope you will get in the habit of using them. While reusable is even better, at least recycling can reduce the harm and express our faith in God who gives us stewardship of Creation.

RPC Youth

▶ 830 women have been trained to open a community health store (Boutik Sante), serving over 500,000 households

▶ 28,744 children have been screened for malnutrition▶ 5,547 women have received prenatal vitamins▶ 132,000 graduated from adult education classes▶ 6,671 families have participated in the 18-month

program for the ultra-poor since 2007, with a 97% graduation rate in 2017

▶ 70,000 active loan clients▶ 444% average increase in savings among clients in the

Solidarity micro-finance program

Among the ultra-poor clients, there was an 82% drop in the number of families who were food insecure, a 23% increase of those with a dry, well-constructed house, and a 99% success rate in teaching an income-generating activity.

“A Snapshot from our Mission Partner in Haiti:

Facts and Figures from Fonkoze in 2017”

Middle School White Elephant PartySunday • December 9 • 5:00-7:00 pm

Calling all 6th-8th graders! We are having a white elephant Christmas party. Wear your best Christmas outfit / sweater and bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (don’t spend more than $5). After we eat and do the white elephant gifts, we will carol around the neighborhood. Hosted at the Walker’s house, 4127 Marquette Ave.

High School Service +

White Elephant Sunday • December 9 • 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Calling all 9th-12th graders! Come help sort Caring Tree gifts in the Sanctuary right after the 11:00 am Worship service. After sorting gifts, we will go eat lunch in Bittinger Hall and exchange white elephant gifts. Please bring a WRAPPED white elephant gift (don’t spend more than $5).

Youth Group in December▶ Sunday December 2 - No Youth Group

•Christmas Concert 5 pm and Dinner 6 pm)

▶ Sunday December 9 •12-2 pm: High School Service Project + White

Elephant Gift Exchange•5-7 pm: Middle School White Elephant Party at the

Walker’s House

▶ Sunday December 16 •5-7 pm: Youth Group

▶ Sunday December 23•Luminaria - see December calendar for details

Youth Fundraiser: Brownies in a JarSupport RPC Youth. Need a gift for a teacher, neighbor or friend? These make great gifts, with the instructions on the tag and the jar already decorated with a bow. All you need to do is write the gift tag! Jars are $8 each or $35/5 jars and all money raised goes toward lowering costs of RPC youth summer trips. Pay and pickup at the table in the breezeway on Sundays or by emailing breanna.sooter@rpcjax.org

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Community Life

MISSION OF THE MONTH: Caring TreeCaring Tree Sunday is

December 9! This is the 24th year of Caring Tree at Riverside. This is an opportunity to let the local children of Jacksonville know they are loved by Riverside Presbyterian. Take

a Gift tag from the Caring Tree found in the Sanctuary and by the Church office. Listed on the tags are ideas for clothing and toy gifts that were suggested by that child. The gifts that you purchase then need to be returned to the Church by Sunday December 9, wrapped and with the tag or tag number attached. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with those in our neighborhood who are in need! Questions: Jo Pratt-Dannals, 356-9224, jo.prattdannals@gmail.com.

Holy Grounds is in need of

Sponsors & Workers! Start off the new year with

Hospitality!We need YOUR HELP by being a

COFFEE ANGEL or SPONSOR! 1. 2019 Dates available2. Contribute $25 and we will purchase the treats. Or,

you can bring them!3. If you are able, be available on that Sunday to work

the shift from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. It will be fun! Training and help are available.

4. Contact Jan Nicholas at jan.nicholas@rpcjax.org, 355-4585 x25, or come down to Bittinger Hall on Sunday mornings for more information!

Mark your calendars for the festive

Christmas RiversidersSunday December 9 6:00-8:00 pm

Beau Rivage 2970 St. Johns Avenue This covered dish potluck dinner is a great opportunity to informally gather and meet in a beautifully Christmas decorated setting, complete with Christmas Carols by Andy Clarke! Please contact Emily Heeg at 355-4585 if child care is needed.

Deck the Halls (Or Window Bays) With Christmas Fantasies

Join us as we Deck the Bays of Bittinger Hall with your Holiday Christmas Creations! Decorating can be done during the week of November 26–30. “Christmas Fantasies” will officially open from December 2 through January 6.

A few spaces still remain for theDECEMBER Lunch & Learn

A History Tour of THE RITZ THEATRE & MUSEUM

AND Lunch at Clara’s at the Cathedral Friday December 7 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

$15 includes lunch! The Ritz Theatre and Museum is located in the LaVilla neighborhood of Downtown, considered “the mecca for African American culture and heritage” in Florida. The Theater was once a movie house for black families. It now houses a museum for Jacksonville’s African American History. We will then head to “Clara’s at the Cathedral”, an outgrowth of Clara White’s Culinary Arts Program. This training café features an upscale menu, providing students with extensive hands-on training in production, presentation and front of the house restaurant service. Operated through a collaboration with St. John’s Cathedral Church, the Café offers a relaxed dining experience within the Cathedral’s historic Taliaferro Hall.

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Christmas Concert, Dinner and PlaySunday December 2 Concert, 5:00 pm in the SanctuaryJoin us for the Christmas Concert, a festival of Advent and Christmas music featuring the Choirs, Hand Bells and Soloists of RPC, Mandarin Middle School Chorus and Bells of Angelwood.Dinner and Children's Christmas Play, 6:00 pm in Kissling HallPurchase tickets at the church or at www.rpcjax.org/advent $25 Family; $10 Adults; $5 Children (11 and younger). The Children's Christmas Play will begin immediately after dinner.

Women's Ornament ExchangeTuesday December 4, 6:00-8:30 pmBring an ornament to exchange and an appetizer to share. Great fun with great friends. Join us at the Raynor's house, 4211 Oro Place.

Caroling in 5 PointsWednesday December 5 beginning at 5:30 pmRPC will be joining with Riverside Park United Methodist Church for an evening of dinner, games and caroling. Dinner begins at Riverside Park UMC at 5:30 pm. We will then move to Riverside Presbyterian for hot chocolate and games. Caroling begins at 6:45pm.

Caring TreeSunday December 9Please take one or more tags from the Caring Trees on campus to buy a gift for a neighborhood child. Follow the instructions on the tag and bring wrapped gifts to the church on or before Sunday December 9.

Music at NoonWednesday December 5 at NoonFree Community Concert: Christmas Piano and Organ Improvisations featuring Andrew Clarke.

PREPARING THE WAYPREPARING THE WAY

For completely up to date information, please go to

www.rpcjax.org/advent

Riversiders Adult Potluck DinnerSunday December 9, 6:00 pmNothing beats the fantastic food that is shared at this quarterly event. This month celebrates Christmas carols at Beau Rivage - 2970 St John's Avenue. Please bring a covered dish to share.

Blue Christmas Servicewith Riverside Park United Methodist ChurchWednesday December 19 at Riverside Park UMC, 819 Park Street

Join us for a service of healing and wholeness. For many of us the Christmas season is a difficult time. In the joy of the Christmas season our grief, sorrow and lament can be overwhelming. Through litanies, prayer and the singing of Christmas carols, we will offer our feelings of loss and brokenness to the loving presence of Emmanuel, God with Us.

Counter to the culture of hurried distraction and spending on that which does not satisfy, the season of Advent is the church's gift of time to prepare: four weeks to reflect upon the ever-coming Christ. The Promised One comes anewand those who take time to notice will not be the same. Join us as we take this journey together through Advent.

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Do You Have a Philanthropic Heart? •2018 CONTRIBUTIONS: To receive tax credit in 2018, your contributions must be received by the church’s financial

office, or be postmarked, on or before Monday, December 31. The financial office will remain open until 3:00 pm that day. You may also contribute electronically on the website.

•2019 “PLEDGE”: If you have not yet submitted your 2019 “Estimate of Giving” card (aka Pledge), please do so. You may submit the card by mail or in person to the church office, or on the website.

•Some suggestions related to 2018 Tax Reform: 1. You may donate some appreciated stock directly to a charitable cause. You avoid paying tax on the gain, but in

most cases retain the full charitable deduction of the fair market value on your tax return.2. If you are over 70½, you may make your contribution directly from your IRA to your intended charity. This

Qualified Charitable Distribution will qualify toward your annual Required Minimum Distribution, which avoids an increase in your Adjusted Gross Income, and is not limited by the higher threshold for Itemized DEDUCTION FOR 2018.

3. If you want to make a charitable gift or need an extra deduction this year, yet haven’t decided how to allocate it, consider transferring that appreciated asset or set aside those dedicated funds into a Charitable Gift Fund with a large asset manager.

4. You may make arrangements for future charitable giving from your estate through your will, trust, or designation of beneficiary, from your life insurance, pension, or IRA.

Sunday December 30 - 10:00 am One service only, No Sunday School or Youth

5:00 pm Family Candlelight Service (In this service, children can dress up as a character in the Christmas story and participate

in the service. You can bring your own costume or the church can provide one)8:00 pm Prelude of Christmas music

8:30 pm Candlelight Service with Communion

Christmas Eve, Monday December 24

PREPARING THE WAYPREPARING THE WAY

For completely up to date information, please go to

www.rpcjax.org/advent

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Community Outreach

RPC Basketball Tips Off

December 1With over 500 youth playing, Riverside’s community basketball program launches another season of excitement and wild hoops action! The games are at Southside Baptist, Hendricks Avenue Baptist, Lakewood Methodist, Ortega Methodist, Woodlawn Presbyterian and Episcopal High School. The kids will be playing in great facilities, wearing sharp new uniforms, and with trained officials overseeing the games. Our new league Director is Chip Stroud, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Episcopal School. At the heart of our league are the dedicated, caring coaches (usually parents) who teach and encourage children to play the game while learning about teamwork, sportsmanship and character. Come out to a game, feel the energy and joy, cheer with the families, thank the many volunteers!

Give gifts that bring meaning to the Christmas season! You have a shopping list; we have a way for you to make a significant gift, not only to those on your list, but countless of others’ lives as well. The Alternative Giving catalog shares many ways you can make a difference. Whether it’s $10 for cleaning supplies, or $80 to feed someone for a month. Not only will the chosen mission be blessed, so will your friends and family who receive the gift! The charities you choose receive 100% of your gift. And your family and friends receive the knowledge something good is being done.

Thank You to all the volunteers who have served and cooked during 2018 at

The Sulzbacher Center!Riverside is known as a church with a heart for mission. Nowhere is this more vividly displayed than the second Thursday of each month when Riverside provides a meal for the 400 or so guests at The Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. For over 20 YEARS, Riverside has provided a monthly meal for guests at the Center! Thank you to over 125 of you who have cooked, served, coordinated and participated in this gratifying mission!

This mission opportunity was led for many years by Betty Rosenbloom, and since her passing we have felt her absence! As we gear up for another year of mission by scheduling volunteers for the 2019 year, we are particularly looking for someone to coordinate the Monthly Coordinators who schedule the volunteers. If you would like to join in this mission work, please contact staff liaison Jan Nicholas at jan.nicholas@rpcjax.org, or call the church office at 355-4585.

"...Repairers of Creation"Over a year ago, Hurricane Irma severely damaged portions of the Riverwalk along Riverside Avenue. A year later, members of our church joined with other concerned neighbors and the St. John's Riverkeeper to re-landscape an area called Gelfen Park (near Forest Street). Hundreds of plants were lovingly placed in the ground by these hard workers:

Frank Shuke, Lisa Williams, Joshua Dryden, Marilyn Noon, Jon and Letha Mann, Lisa Taylor, Margret Day Julián, Wesley Milton, Carter Nelson, and Heather Shuke-Nelson

If you walk or jog along the Northbank, you'll enjoy the beauty of this area for years to come!

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December 2018 Birthdays

December 1Roberts, RonSchoenberger, Neil

December 2Adams, KateAnderson, AnnBallowe, ShirleyCharnley, Anne CraigHampton, WadeIsrael, LeighMcGeorge, AmyRoberts, JessicaStewart, CindyThomas, Emily

December 3Carson, DaleDajani, JennaMeehan, SharonSchilling, Susan

December 4Rattigan, LukeSharp, Susan

December 5Davis, MarcRyan, Mike

December 6Bell, PalmerClark III, JoeRosdol, SamuelScheu, PeggyVerlander, Mac

December 7Howard, NancySapora, JohnTrinder, Brenda

December 8Althuis, MargotCoggins, GingerGoodwin, CaseyStevenson, Matthew

December 9Birch, RobertaCotchaleovitch, IanHawkins, Anne-ReidThomas, Mary Beth

December 10Grove, EmilyHarrell, AnnHazard, JackMaszy, AngelPardue, SusanSontag, Susan

December 11Johnson, ChrisRice, Courtland

December 12Hobbs, B.J.

December 13Glasheen, Russell

December 14Alafoginis, KathleenDavidson, JudyStiefel, Matt

December 15Helwig, PatriciaJoudi, JosephStewart, LaurelWoodall, Keely

December 16Ashley, WilliamTaylor, Kristin

December 17Drought, NancyFallucco, AlexHarrell, CarolinePaul, LucySullivan LisaTutwiler, Paige

December 18Boyd, ReidyLambert, GracieNewton, PowellTelenga, Andrea

December 19Bowen, NoelleGremp, BobRoberts, PamStout, RosemaryTousey, Clay

December 20Gurney, LoisSchwalbe, DianeSmall, ArtTouchton, Reggie

December 21Doherty, SusannahGillam, BraxtonJackson, CourtneyJackson, LillyKibili, MarcieMcNeil, RebeccaSziarto, Rosalie

December 22Todd, Bo

December 23Hoener, JamieHumes, SusanKing, Claire

December 24NONE

December 25Goedke, TinaOverton, Connie

December 26McEachin, Joel

December 27Huntsinger, SherardSplane, HadleyTran, Jasper

December 28Farnell, NormaRoss, KatieWard, Amy

December 29Erath, FaithEyrick, MollyLeuthold, Sam

December 30Bartholomew, JohnBluett, JulieClough, SaylorGraham, LuettaMeux, ElizabethPadgett, Sandy

December 31Andrews, LyndaDrewes, BonnieMcLintock, DannaSchallen, Chase

LEGEND

BH: Bittinger HallEB: Education BuildingTP: Thompson Parlor (EB 200)LIB: Library (EB 203)KH: Kissling HallSB: Sanctuary BasementCR: Choir Room (SB)S: SanctuaryUG: Park Street Underground (SB)YB: Youth Building (YB 729 Post St)

SUNDAYS

8:30 am9:00 am9:30 am10:30 am10:30 am11:00 am

4:00-5:00 pm 5:00-6:00 pm 6:00-6:30 pm 6:30-7:30 pm

Worship w/Communion (S)Children’s Choir Rehearsal (UG)Sunday School (EB)Chancel Choir Rehearsal (CR)Holy Grounds (BH)Worship (S)

Sunday Youth

Children/Youth Choir (UG) Middle Schoolers (YB) Dinner All (YB) High Schoolers (YB)

MONDAYS8:00 pm AA Study Group (BH)

TUESDAYS7:00 am6:00 pm

Men’s Sm Grp Bible Study (BH)ACOA (YB)

WEDNESDAYS4:30 pm6:30 pm

Instrumental Ensemble (BH)Hand Bell Rehearsal (S)

THURSDAYS10:00 am6:15 pm7:30 pm

Friendship Bridge (BH)Celebration Choir (UG)Chancel Choir Rehearsal (CR)

FRIDAYS7:00 am6:00 pm

Men’s Sm Grp Bible Study (BH)ACOA (YB)

SATURDAYS - NONE

RecurringEvents / Meetings

December 2018

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What’s HappeningDuring the Month of December17

The calendar is always changing. Please check our website www.rpcjax.org/Resources/Calendar for the most up-to-date information.

DAY & DATE TIME EVENT MEETING LOCATIONSunday Dec 2 8:00 AM

5:00 PM6:00 PM

Deck the Bays with Christmas FantasiesAnnual Christmas ConcertAnnual Christmas Dinner & Play

Bittinger Hall WindowsillsSanctuaryKissling Hall

Monday Dec 3 10:00 AM10:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 AM1:00 PM

PW Circle 3PW Circle 4PW Circle 5BIBLE STUDY WITH EMILYPW Circle 1

Bittinger Hall/Kitchen SideThompson ParlorLibraryBITTINGER HALLLibrary

Tuesday Dec 4 7:00 AM6:00 PM

Men’s Monthly BreakfastWomen’s Ornament Exchange

Bittinger Hall/Kitchen SideOFFSITE

Wednesday Dec 5 11:30 AM12:00 PM5:00 PM5:30 PM

Mothers’ LunchMusic at Noon - Andrew Clarke ImprovsP&M MeetingCaroling in 5 Points

OFFSITESanctuaryThompson ParlorRPUMC, RPC and 5 Points

Friday Dec 7 11:00 AM Lunch & Learn: Ritz Theater Museum OFFSITESunday Dec 9 12:00 PM

5:00 PM6:00 PM

Caring Tree Sunday (bring your wrapped gifts)

MS White Elephant Christmas PartyChristmas Riversiders

SanctuaryOFFSITEOFFSITE

Monday Dec 10 5:30 PM7:30 PM

Coordinating CouncilYoung Adult Women’s Small Group

Thompson ParlorOFFSITE

Tuesday Dec 11 11:30 AM5:00 PM

Volunteer Christmas Appreciation LunchA&F Committee Meeting

Bittinger HallThompson Parlor

Wednesday Dec 12 4:30 PM5:30 PM6:00 PM7:30 PM

Community Outreach CommitteeGlobal Committee MeetingPW Circle 2SESSION - NEW DATE

EB RM 304Thompson ParlorOFFSITELibrary

Sunday Dec 16 12:15 PM Informational meeting for Iona Trip 2019 LibraryMonday Dec 17 1:30 PM

5:30 PMMemory Caregivers GroupHR Committee Meeting

Thompson ParlorThompson Parlor

Wednesday Dec 19 6:00 PM Blue Christmas Svc at RPUMC OFFSITEMonday Dec 24 12:00 PM

5:00 PM8:00 PM8:30 PM

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSES AT NOONFamily Christmas Eve ServiceChristmas Music for MeditationChristmas Eve Service with Communion

SanctuarySanctuarySanctuary

Tuesday Dec 25 ALL DAY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSEDSunday Dec 30 10:00 AM One Worship Service Sanctuary

Periodical Postage Paid

RIVERSIDE MESSENGER (USPS 466-960) is published weekly by the Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, Jax. FL 32204-3394 (904) 355-4585 Periodicals Postage Paid at Southside Blvd. Business Mail Entry Unit. Jax. FL 32216-9651 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to RIVERSIDE MESSENGER 849 Park Street; Jax., FL 32204-3394

Address Service Requested

849 Park StreetJacksonville, FL 32204-3394

a movement for reconciliation

RIVERSIDEPresbyterian Church

Earth Care Tip for the Month: Riverside Presbyterian Church is an

Earth Care Congregation

BIRD FRIENDLY. Certified by scientists from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, this coffee is organic and meets strict requirements for both the amount of shade and the type of forest in which the coffee is grown. Bird Friendly coffee farms are unique places where forest canopy and working farm merge into a single habitat. By paying a little extra and insisting on Bird Friendly coffee, you can help farmers hold out against economic pressures and continue preserving these valuable lands.

(i.e. Birds and Beans Organic Fairly Traded Smithsonian Coffee)