God's Blessings            Pastor Gail Mitchell

As we approach the end of the year, we need to look again at our finances.  God has blessed us financially.  We have received $8,700 more than we have spent during this fiscal year.  The amount that we have received is still slightly below the budget, but our expenses are well below the budget.  Here are some of the details:

Ø      In the building upgrade we have now used up the "Extreme Steps" money and most of the "Building and Major Repairs" fund (We have $1500 left).  On November 22 we voted to increase our budget by $10,000 to cover more building expenses.  We have not yet used any of that money.  We were trying to get new sidewalk and handrail at the West side entrance before the snow came, but we were too late (or the weather was too early).  The sidewalk will probably have to wait until spring.  We can continue our inside work this winter. 

Ø      We have changed the company that plows our snow.  We can save almost $200 every time it snows.  The new company didn't know our needs very well when we had the big blizzard.  It took them a few days to learn what to do.  I am confident that they will do well as they learn our lot/driveways/sidewalks. 

Ø      Because we have a positive balance in the checkbook we were able to purchase a new copier when our lease expired on the old one.  The initial outlay was high, but we will show lower costs every month.  With the new copier the quality has gone up and the price per copy has gone down.  The machine is smaller, more simple, and about the same speed.  

Ø      Last night the leadership team spent a few minutes thinking about our next budget.  We talked about possibly increasing missions or helping to start a new international church.  We don't know if/when these things could happen.  These are certainly prayer concerns.  We'll keep you informed as things develop over the next few months. 

Ø      Our food bank is fairly well stocked.  The continuing need is for canned and frozen meats, and paper products.  We have had to purchase these supplies, since they come in slower and go out faster.  We received 60 bags of turkey left from our thanksgiving dinner.  We bought 40 pounds of deer meet from HACAP.  But we don't have hamburger or sausage.  We stocked a shelf full of TP, and it disappeared in less than a week.  We are able to feed homeless people, disabled people, some who work hard for very low wages.  We are helping single parent families and older people who can't work. 

Please, prayerfully consider what God wants you to give at the end of this year, and by the end of the fiscal year.  It is amazing that a church our size is able to do so much, and have such a positive impact on our community. 

Christmas Event
Join Us for the Holidays

"Looking for Hope during the holidays this year?
Join us as we seek Hope together!"

Sunday, December 20  @  9am      
Hope in the Gospels

Sunday, December 20 - 6-9 pm
Christmas Open House
at The Big White House

Come celebrate the Christmas season and the "official" occupancy of the Big White House! Enjoy music, food, and friends! Bring a plate of goodies or finger food to share, if you can; if not, come anyway! Beverages will be provided.

If your child is coming to choir rehearsal at The River from 4-5pm come straight from there to the party here!

Thursday, December 24 - 4-5 pm  
Converge Christmas Eve @ The River
- Hope Incarnate

We will celebrate a candlelight service together with our friends from Genesis and your friends and family. This is a great way to start Christmas together.

Saturday, January 23
Evening worship begins 
at The Big White House

The Big White House will begin to hold worship services on Saturday evenings on Saturdays starting in January. The messages will be the same as Sunday mornings at The River and at Genesis, but the music and experience will be slightly different. Come check it out on the 23rd! We'l let you know the time as we get closer to the date.

Office Christmas Hours

The hours at The River will be variable over the next two weeks so call ahead if you are coming in. We will be closed Dec 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1 See you next year God willing!

Other News

Baby Shower
2:00 pm, Sunday January 10th

Come celebrate with Erin Griebahn as she gets ready to deliver twins! Double the fun. Talk to Sharon Good about items or food for this event.

Weather Cancellation Notices

If we have winter weather that forces closure and cancellations of events at The River like it did last week:

2. Email notification (if possible) - Please contact us to be added to this e-mail list if you are not already on it.
3. Will be noted on phone answering machine (if possible) for callers.
4. TV: Channel 9 KCRG

New Directories

The new directories are here! Pick up one per family at the information table on Sunday. Remember you can also access information on most attendees at The River at our website just by signing in and clicking on directory. You can also contact us for more information on how to do this or to sign up for an account.

New Facebook Groups

Converge Iowa City and The River have started new Facebook Groups. It's a great place to see events happening, like the open house, Saturday services starting at the BWH, work at Reclaiming Roots sites, etc. We will send invitations to events from these sites. As a Facebook user, you can a post your ideas, pictures, and links that would be of interest to others in the group. Just look for  the Converge Iowa City or The River Community group under the search button and join us!  Don't have facebook? You will still receive invites through your email. Plus we post events on the website and in the weekly program.

New Sunday Class Offered

Are you interested in digging deeper spiritually? Want to grow closer in your relationship with God?

Starting in January 2010 Pastor Steve will be leading a class on spiritual formation. The text that will be used in the class is N.T. Wright's book Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship. http://www.amazon.com/Following-Jesus-Biblical-Reflections-Discipleship/dp/0802841325

Through this class we hope to encourage you to grow in your spiritual maturity through understanding what it means to follow Jesus as described in the New Testament writings. We will read through the books of Hebrews, Colossians, the Gospels, Revelation. Please contact Pastor Steve if you are interested in participating in the class.