Jesus encouraged us to become “like a child” to understand and enter the very Kingdom of God. We are on a journey to revisit the parables of Jesus across all our age groups in hopes of starting a family discussion around the meaning behind these amazing stories. Jesus’ parable of the ten talents, found in the book of Matthew, emphasizes the importance of good stewardship. In this story, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of talents, symbolizing God’s gifts and resources. The servants who invest and multiply their talents are praised, while the one who buries his talent is rebuked. This parable teaches us the significance of using our God-given gifts to love people and make Earth more like Heaven. This parallels the story of the woman who broke the Alabaster jar to anoint Jesus with costly oil, representing a life poured out for Him. Just as the servants in the parable used the king's money to expand his kingdom, this woman extravagantly poured out her precious possession as an act of worship and devotion to the King of kings, Jesus. Both stories highlight the concept of wholehearted commitment and stewardship in our relationship with God, emphasizing the value of investing our talents, resources, and love to wake others up to the treasure within them. Join us for Like a Child this Saturday!

Jesus encouraged us to become “like a child” to understand and enter the very Kingdom of God. We are on a journey to revisit the parables of Jesus across all our age groups in hopes of starting a family discussion around the meaning behind these amazing stories. In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin, illustrating the boundless love of God. Just as a diligent woman searches for her lost coin, God's love relentlessly seeks out every lost soul who, like the coin, never loses its value. No matter how far you may feel from grace, rest assured that God's love will always find you, illuminating your path and celebrating your return with joy beyond measure. Join us for Like a Child this Saturday!

Kings are notorious for fighting battles, securing territory, rescuing damsels, and ruling with an iron fist. They command armies of loyal servants willing to give their lives for the king’s agenda. But our King is different. Our King came to serve us. His plan started small and vulnerable. It started with a baby who would grow up to be the great Servant King. Jesus set the standard for what real royalty looks like. By following His example we serve God’s agenda to establish His Kingdom and rescue the distressed. No striving necessary! Sons and daughters of the King walk in the freedom to serve from a motive of love.

“I'm forgiven because you were forsaken / I'm accepted, you were condemned / I'm alive and well / Your spirit is within me / Because you died and rose again / Amazing love how can it be / That you, my king would die for me” Chris Tomlin

We’ve all been given free will. The ability to decide what to think and how to act belongs to us. But many times the choices of others can impact us negatively. When events and the actions of others are thrust upon us we can feel helpless and hopeless. Like we have no choice. Like a victim. When tragedy and trauma strike, remembering that you still have a choice as to how you respond is empowering. Nobody chooses to be victimized but we build a prison for ourselves when we choose to remain a victim. Choosing the good in the face of evil is something Jesus did well. He knows what it’s like to be victimized but to walk away in freedom. As his followers, we have been given the grace to forgive wrongs, love our enemies, and destroy evil by choosing the good. “Walking in Freedom - Victim or Victor” continues this Saturday night.

Stress is killing us. Anxiety and worry are the basic cause of 60% of all human illnesses. The AP recently reported that nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Stress has become so commonplace that we shrug it off as a joke and something we just need to manage better. But God wants you to experience freedom from stress. Jesus, no doubt, experienced anxiety. But through intimacy with the Father—Knowing he was never alone—anxiety had to give way to peace. It’s the same for you! The ever-present God of love has peace that can help you sleep through any storm. The apostle Paul wrote some powerful words from prison that can keep you calm and rise above the stress. Learn how to be anxious for nothing this Saturday.

We are all constantly telling ourselves stories. Our brain is wired for stories and will often gravitate towards the negative, which can give way to shame. Shame is an unreliable narrative. Shame tells us that there is something inherently wrong with us at our core. Many of us who grew up in the church think that voice telling us how wrong we are is the Holy Spirit. This Saturday, Sarah will be talking about ways to walk in freedom from the shackles of shame so we can embrace a life of grace and self-compassion.

Often we become our own worst enemy. We deal in the language of condemnation that tries to keep us stuck in our past. It feels like a prison of self-sabotage and a cycle of bondage. Jesus came to free you from this dilemma and delusion by destroying the power of sin and paving the way for you to experience true freedom. When you accept the amazing grace Jesus provides your life will shift from behavior modification to real transformation. Pastor Derek continues our new series “Walking in Freedom” this Saturday night.

Often, we can’t see the path ahead. The twists and turns prevent us from spying the destination. Our view is limited to the momentary, and choices must be made. On one side, we feel fenced in, claustrophobic, and stuck in the moment. The other view offers an inviting horizon full of opportunities for new adventures. If only we had the necessary vehicle to leave the path and traverse the waters!

Pause… Breathe… Relax. You’re not alone.

Here we stand at the closing of a chapter in the story of River Church. We’ve gathered at this location since 2015. Although we called this place home it truly is not our Home. We know that home is where the heart is and our hearts are firmly and comfortably abiding in the Father's love as revealed by Jesus. But it is here, geographically, where we have grown confident in His Love. So, while we are thankful for this shelter where we have gathered for eight years, we now joyfully anticipate the move to Saturday nights at Lake Forest Church. It is there that our hearts will develop a deeper trust and we will experience the faithfulness of Love.

In the symphony of creation, the concept of harmony unveils a mesmerizing metaphor for the triune nature of God. Just as a symphony requires three distinct but intertwined elements – melody, harmony, and rhythm – to produce a beautiful masterpiece, so does the divine Trinity comprise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in perfect unity. Together, they resonate in an eternal dance, creating a seamless composition of love, grace, and purpose that echoes through the cosmos, touching the hearts of all who listen. This Sunday, Pastor Derek continues our Alignment series with: In Tune with the Triune.