 There He Goes Again!
There he goes! Talking about money again! Yes, it's that time of year. Some summers the income goes down. It has this year. We are not in serious trouble as some ministries are. Our spending has been well controlled over the past 3 years, building a small surplus in the general fund (a bit over $20,000). My preference is to keep the surplus in place this year, because I see some bigger expenses coming next year. So I am letting you know that income is just barely meeting expenses for the first 4 months of this fiscal year.
In addition to the general fund, we have a few more expenses we need to deal with. Dave has challenged us to support Dr. Rudy in Haiti. We will emphasize that offering again on August 1. Our food bank continues to grow rapidly, and we are now out of money in that account. We are currently surveying the food bank users, to get their feedback on this community service that we provide. I'll let you know how that turns out. We'll probably have enough info just before school starts. 11 families have used our food bank this week.
Claude has agreed to lead the Hymn sing on August 1, while I am out of town. Michelle Butler has agreed to play the piano. We have about 20 people who come out each month just to sing hymns. We are going to do a Sunday Evening service at Oaknoll on Benton St. at 6:30 pm on August 15. We will sing a few hymns and I will present a short message. This might be another opportunity for some people to join us in music and God's Word.
The leadership team continues to be in contact with a young pastor in another state. We would like to have him come as associate pastor of discipleship. The earliest this would happen would be next summer. We have formed a basic job description, outlining what we would like him to do. Genesis is also working on a Job description, to see if we both want the same thing, and if we could each come up with half the money. I am telling you way in advance that this will require a major budget shift next year, if we go ahead with it.
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 New Fall Study
Good News of New Beginnings
Tuesday Nights starting in September
A new class will begin in September taught by Pastor Gail on Tuesday nights. It will be a study of basic Christianity in the book of Mark. More details and sign up to come, but "Mark" your calendars now for this class.
 More Free Stuff!
Looking for something to read this summer? Pick up some free books from the library! More free items have been added. Now if you go in, there are free things immediately to the right and to the left. Bible, books, volunteer opportunities, literature, tapes and videos. There are lots of easy bible studies too. Pick up one and a couple of friends and dig in! Don't forget, the current letters from all of our missionaries are to the left, please pick up a copy and pray for them regularly.
 Want Ads
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The River custodian is looking for a room for a couple of nights a week in exchange for cleaning. Please contact the office if you can help her and would like cleaning done in your home.
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One of our food bank families needs furniture of all kinds for a family of six people. Please contact Teress Johnson @ 319-631-3280 or Darlene Nelson if you can help.
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Pat Silvia's neighbor and good friend is looking for a very inexpensive car. If you may have something she could use, let her know.
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 Wildlife Weekends
Next Date - September 18th
Macbride Nature Recreation Area
September 8th is Hawk Watch Day at Macbride and there will be live raptor programs, bird-banding, and, of course, hawk watching from a hillside overlooking the reservoir. This will be a Converge Iowa City event (Genesis Church and The River Community Church) culminating in a picnic lunch together at MNRA. More details to come!
Women's Retreat (September 24-26, 2010)
Every day we need to recharge and then there are times when a few more hours are needed. This retreat is about leaving your responsibilities for a weekend and "recharging" with a group of women. Come with a group of your friends or meet some new ones. What is important is the relationships you form are strengthened while you are at Pine Lake. God wants to communicate with us and give us what we need to live out our lives in a way that pleases Him, serves Him and all those we love and serve.
For more information click on the picture, there's a lot more about the retreat. Marge Mitchell is the contact for this event.
 Men's Retreat (September 17-19, 2010)
Who doesn't need a break? Picture yourself gathering together with other men at Pine Lake to worship, play and be renewed. That's what Men's Retreat is all about. It's designed to provide a variety of experiences to a wide range of men. Participating as you like in many recreational activities including trap shooting, golf, zip lines, canoeing and much more.The Saturday steak fry is an important part of Men's Retreat and it is always a highlight.
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Congo Refugee
Pastor Binua Matiyabo and his wife from King of Glory Church in Coralville (part of EPIC) will get to be reunited with their daughter Kasindi Matiyabo and her three children with the help of The River. The funds we donated will help Kasindi who escaped from the Congo because of war atrocities. She settled in a camp in another part of Africa and now will hopefully get to immigrate here shortly. They are in the final stages of being approved. Thank you for giving to the kingdom!
McCoskey Update
Activity has slowed down some this summer. I am taking a break from my Friday night teaching at the Chinese Christian Reformed church. Also, several of the students I was relating to have scattered for the summer.
Our youngest daughter is back for the summer from her teaching in Taiwan. On July 30 she will return to her work at Morrison Academy. Between those dates, she drives across the US visiting friends and attending weddings, stopping by here to overnight and catch her breath. We love having her around and are amazed at her energy level!
My Chinese friend and I have read the first 10 chapters of Ecclesiastes. After chapter 4, my friend concluded, "This guy (Solomon) sure is smart."
I am praying that he will feel the same way after reading Solomon's conclusion!
Because of Him,
Larry & Cheryl
AIA Update
Jim and Laurie Goodrich have been on a Colorado Swim/Summer Project this summer and just returned. They were doing staff and student training creating a strategic plan for ministry upon returning to campus this fall equipping students to lead. Please pray that God would use what they learned to futher his kingdom by reaching more student athletes on the University of Iowa Campus. Lot of pictures in their newsletter in the library.
Food Bank Needs This Week
Current needs are listed each week....a way for you to Go & Share the love of Christ! Lists are also available at church for you to carry in your wallet. Please place your items in the box in the foyer or if needed, in the fridge or freezer in the kitchen labeled for food bank. Cash donations are also welcome as we purchase additional items from HACAP for a reduced price. In addition, the Christian Culture Center whom we work with on Wade Street in Towncrest is collecting used clothing in all sizes. Please put your donations in the food pantry box in the foyer or take directly there. Please pray for those being served, that they would have relationships with Christ as Savior and continue to grow! This week we are in need of:
Canned chicken, jelly, canned fruit, chicken noodle soup, whole kernel corn, spaghetti and sauce, eggs, milk, hot dogs and hamburger, frozen pizza.
*More information about these and other updates is available in the Resource Center. Pick up a letter and pray! See how God works! Local opportunities are listed next to the updates.
We welcome your stories of how you see the love of Christ is being shared also, just email us, we'll pass it on .
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Emmaus Bible College
Ever thought about picking up a bible class? Emmaus Bible College is offering Christian Worldview taught by David Glock at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids beginning Monday September 13th from 7-9 pm. Pick up a registration form from the resources in the library for more about it. Keep learning!
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