JAVA Happenings

Thursday, August 25: The last playground fellowship of the summer.  Bring a lunch and fellowship with us at 10am under the pavilion.  This has been such a wonderful time to get to know each other better.

Thursday, September 1:  The first JAVA meeting for our new book study of James (led by Jen Guthrie and Jana Verstraete.)  Childcare is provided.  Meet at the parsonage at 9:30am.  If you haven't received your study guide yet, please see Laura Léger or Jen Guthrie.  Books are $6.00.

Tuesday, September 13:  JAVA Decaf, the alternate evening study, will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays.  This is an excellent opportunity for those who aren't available during the day -- or can't make it to a meeting of JAVA.  The same subject matter will be studied, and we will be meeting at 7pm in the church parlor.  See Meg Morrison for details or sign up in the welcome center.

Any prayer requests?  Contact Heather Viets, who keeps track of all requests.  She sends them out periodically via email.  If we don't have your email address, let Heather know so we can add you on to the list!

We need babysitters for JAVA!  If you know of any, please let Jennifer Green or Jen Guthrie know.  There is a small remuneration and/or Christian Service credit available.  It is strongly preferred that they are regularly attending RGBC.

Make a point to be involved in the ladies' ministry at RGBC!  You will be blessed, and become better equipped to bless and serve those around you!

JAVA Brunch

Please join us for our JAVA Brunch tomorrow from 9:30 - 11:30 am as we kick off our year.  We'll be meeting in the parsonage.  Be sure to pick up your book from Jen or Laura for the James study, if you have not yet (the cost of the book is $6).

Bring a dish to share.  Childcare is provided.

And yes, there will be scones involved.

James Study

Our next JAVA Bible study begins in the fall, with James as our focus.  We will be meeting twice per month, with JAVA meeting on Thursday mornings and JAVA Decaf meeting on Tuesday evenings.  See Jen Guthrie or Laura Leger for a book.  More details on this in the coming weeks.  Hope to see you there!

The Strength of Gentleness



"Imagine being able to watch the apostle Paul in action. How did he treat people, especially those who often failed? In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul gives us a glimpse of how he treated others: "We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children."

Gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch. It is a tender, compassionate approach toward others' weaknesses and limitations. A gentle person still speaks truth, sometimes even painful truth, but in doing so guards his tone so the truth can be well received.

Puritan leader Jonathan Edwards called gentleness "the Christian spirit." Edwards said, "All who are truly godly and are real disciples of Christ have a gentle spirit in them."" 

- Gary Thomas (Reaad more here.)

Thanks, Jen Guthrie, for sharing this convicting and timely artcle!



The Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives Towards Each Other

"Selfish ungodly persons everywhere enter into all kinds of relationships with a

desire of serving their own selves, and gratifying their own flesh without knowing

or caring what is required of them. Their desire is for the honour, profit, or

pleasure their relationship will provide them but not for what God and man

requires or expects from them. [Gen 2:18, Prov 18:22] Their mind is concerned

only with what they shall have and not for what they shall be and do.

1

They know what they want others to do for them, but do not care what their duty

is to do for others. This is the way it is with too many husbands and wives.

We should be very concerned to know what the duties of our relationships are.

And how we can please God in our relationships. Study and do your part, and God

will certainly do his."

Read more here.

(Thanks to Laura Leger for sharing this timely Richard Baxter sermon with us today.)

Welcome!

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Welcome to the new JAVA blog!  Join us here to stay updated on upcoming events and Bible study information.  Our hope is to encourage you as we strive together to "jointly abide in the vine of the Almighty"!