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Happy Big-Football-Game Week, reader,
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Whether you like sports or not, this Sunday is Super Bowl LVII featuring the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. If you are hosting a party, consider inviting the friend God put on your heart during our 21 Days of Prayer (if you haven't already).
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While our weekly email isn't nearly as "big" as the Super Bowl, hopefully it will have more meaning than a football game ever could as Erin helps us consider another "work" of Jesus - befriending.
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Jesus Befriends
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When LeAnn and I moved to Waverly in the summer of 2012, most everyone we met was kind and welcoming. Yet despite our best efforts, we noticed a year or two later that we didn't really have many friends, just lots of "nice" acquaintances.
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At first, I thought there must be something wrong with me. But over time, we learned others new to the community had a similar experience. The citizens of Waverly were nice and welcoming, yet most people living here already had their friend groups, leaving no space for new people in their lives.
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I am SO glad it isn't this way with God!
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Jesus, Friend of Sinners
Yet Jesus didn't make an excuse for this attitude, or try to protect His reputation, or even try to deflect the accusations. He admitted to it!
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Jesus flat out told His (questionable) disciples...
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"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."
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Jesus did not see His disciples as merely servants to do His bidding, nor a group of guys toward whom He could simply display Midwest niceness. He saw them as friends with whom He shared His heart, as well as people for whom He would lay down His life.
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This phenomenon of friendship with the Divine comes through the work of the cross. Jesus' death pays the penalty of sin, so your sin could be forgiven, allowing you to come into the presence of your Holy Creator God. And not just so you can simply be "welcomed" into Heaven (yet kept at a relational distance), but rather fully received into the arms of your loving Heavenly Father.
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Yet it isn't only through the cross Jesus befriends you. He is also doing it through His Spirit (John 14:15-31), the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17), through prayer (Ephesians 6:18), and through fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:42). Just like the more time you spend with a friend helps you get to know them better, time with Christ lets you know Him better.
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Don't forget: Jesus is the King of the Universe who deserves your awe, worship, and highest respect. Yet He also is your friend.
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Volunteer at Riverwood
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Have a heart to serve at Riverwood Church? Check out this list for some ideas of ways you can help us grow deeper with the mission God has given us at Riverwood. Or, shoot us an email, and we'll help you get connected!
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Food Pantry
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Serve with your "sweetie" this Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Waverly Food Pantry hosted at the City Hall. Sign up to help with the 4:15pm setup shift, or come for the 5:30pm distribution shift.
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Monthly Financial Update
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In case you missed the handout on Sunday, here are the current Riverwood financials for the month of January.
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Budgeted YTD Needs: $15,599.00 Actual YTD Giving: $11,198.28
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Just For Fun
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To get in the football mode, you might benefit from a "behind the scenes" look at the NFL with this bad lip reading clip.
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