|
|
|
|
|
It looks like school is out and Summer vacation is just around the corner! ☀️ Before you take the family to The W for a swim, join us for this week's News & Notes as Erin dives into Psalm 139!
|
|
|
He is Always with You
|
This past Sunday, 161 seniors graduated from W-SR High School. (Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2024!) With diplomas now in hand, these graduates are ready for their next adventure, whether that be college, technical training, the military, work, or something else (that is, after a much-earned summer break!).
|
While graduation is definitely one of the biggest milestones of these teenagers' lives thus far, it won't be the last. For many of them, there will be another graduation four (or five… or six!) years later. Many of them will get married. Many will become parents. Some will get doctorates. Some will win awards. A few will make monumental changes in their field. And the large majority of them will find themselves living somewhere other than our little corner of Iowa.
|
In other words, their lives, like yours, will be full of transitions. Whether it is a transition from high school to college, college to job, job to job, single to married, childless to parent, parent to grandparent, married to single, career to retirement, one city to another city, or adopting the newest technology, life (from the 30,000-foot view) is a constant rolling landscape of change. We are almost always in some sort of transition, even when life feels steady.
|
But your outside world isn’t the only thing changing. As you transition through various seasons, you are changing as well. Our bodies change as we age. Our perspectives change through experiences. Our friendships change through moves and death. As the world changes around you, the world is also changing within you.
|
These constant outward and inward changes can sometimes leave a person feeling confused, anxious, or exhausted. Thankfully, there is one thing that does not change, no matter how many transitions you might go through. And that one thing is the presence of God.
|
Psalm 139 is a poem from Israel’s famous King David, a man who weathered a lot of major transitions. He went from youngest in his family to king of a nation. He went from being a shepherd boy who fought lions, bears, and giants to a ruler who fought against armies. He spent years fleeing from a ruler intent on his destruction. After eventually receiving the throne, he united a split kingdom. And despite his greatness, David endured a coup attempt by one of his own sons.
|
|
Yet despite all the transitions he faced in life, David held on to this truth:
|
|
|
|
|
“If I ascend to heaven (O Lord), you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
|
|
|
|
David knew that no matter where he went, and no matter what might happen, God would be with him through it all. For David, that truth not only served as a comfort, but also as an anchor.
|
|
No matter what transition you might currently be facing or considering, may you know that God’s loving, consistent, and comforting presence will always be with you. And may that truth bring you peace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VBS Registration Open
|
|
It’s that time of year again! This Summer, Riverwood will partnering with two other local churches on June 17-20 from 6-8pm to offer a SCUBA-themed Vacation Bible School to incoming K-5th graders. As of yesterday, registration is now open, so please get your kiddos signed up! And if you are available to offer up your time to volunteer, that would help tremendously!
|
|
|
Riverwood Hangouts
|
|
Stay in the loop this Summer and join us for Riverwood Hangouts! Over the Summer months, we will be gathering at a few spots to spend time together over food and fun. Our youth and college groups have the first outing covered, so we'll see you for Snacks & S'mores on Monday, June 10th @ 6–7:30 pm at Cedar Bend Park!
|
|
|
|
|
Support Val Feyen
|
|
Our own Val Feyen will be interning this Summer with OneWay Ministries, using music and administration to serve others! You can read more and support Val's endeavors financially here!
|
|
|
Just For Fun
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
