Don't forget!

JAVA Decaf begins tonight (9/13)!  We're meeting at 7pm in the Bistro room at the church.  For those of you unfamliar with the church layout: Enter through the parlor entrance (with the metal staircase above it), and there will be a sign directing you where to go.  We'll be covering the Introduction in our study guide.

JAVA is this Thursday (9/15)!  We're meeting at 9:30am in the parsonage!  Feel free to pack a lunch and eat with us afterward under the pavilion.  The weather will be delightful for this!  We'll be covering Chapter 1 in our study guide.

Mill Mountain Zoo Trip (9/19)!  Join us for a trip to the Mill Mountain Zoo!  Contact Laura Leger for details.

Introduction - A Summary from our 9/1 Meeting



Today in JAVA we began our study of James, using John MacArthur's study guide. Jen facilitated the conversation, guiding our discussion through the book's  basic background information. Using the introduction found in MacArthur's book (pages 1-2), we considered the authorship, dating, setting, and theme of James' writing.  We all agreed that by studying who James was, when and where he was writing, his audience, James' writing style, and his themes that we already feel more prepared to understand the book as a whole.  Specifically, by noting the severe persecution and trials that his audience faced, we can now understand the weight of James' encouragement to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds" (James 1:2). While the section we read in our study guide was brief, the discussion was still filled with questions and interesting observations concerning the background of James. Jen also took the opportunity to lead us through a timeline of the events surrounding the book of James, with each of the ladies taking turns reading relevant verses out loud to the group.  This was a wonderful time for discussion and fellowship! Join us on September 15 at 9:30 in the parsonage as we study James 1:1-12 using chapter 1 of the study guide.



Many thanks to Toni Kerr for posting a summary of our last meeting!

JAVA Begins!

Today was the first JAVA meeting of the year!

If you missed it, don't despair - we want you to join us in knowing the LORD deeper.

It is our JOY to serve you,

Our HONOR to know you,

and our deepest DELIGHT to exalt His name!

Our meeting times are as follows:

JAVA (with childcare) - 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30am

JAVA Decaf - 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 7:00pm-9pm

(Stay tuned for a recap of the Introduction of our study guide, from today's meeting.)

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!