The Messenger January / February 2023

From Your Pastor

Lays

Many of you have noticed a series of small changes in worship over the past couple of years, and have inquired about them. I thought it might be helpful to explore the rationale for these changes in a special Messenger column about Reformed worship as we practice it at Riverside. In each 2023 issue of the Messenger, I will seek to answer a number of frequently asked questions, such as the following:

• Why does the choir process and recess and the beginning and end of the service? Why do they carry a big gold cross?

• Why do we sing the Kyrie after the Prayer of Confession?

• How are the hymns chosen each week?

• Why do we use a variety of creeds in the affirmation of faith, and not just the Apostles’ Creed?

• Why does the liturgist lead the Prayer of Confession from the baptismal font?

Some have wondered if the changes we have made are “Presbyterian.” The short answer is “yes”, although we might rather say that the changes are not not Presbyterian! In other words, worship should be conceived of more broadly, such that while other denominations may follow a liturgy quite comparable to ours, or practice this or that element of our liturgy in the same way, that doesn’t make that moment in worship the domain of any particular denomination.

For instance, consider the question, Why does the choir chant or sing the psalm between the Old and New Testament lessons? Many denominations will chant or sing, rather than read, a psalm during worship. In our Reformed tradition, we place a heavy emphasis on “word and sacrament.” The first part of the liturgy prepares us to hear God’s word, and the last part of the liturgy helps us respond to God’s word. The central part of the service, the heart of it, is the reading of scripture and its proclamation (the sermon). So, as we’ve added a psalm each week (except when communion is served), we are simply strengthening what is already the heart of the service from a Reformed perspective. And, from a practical point of view, signing the psalm rather than reading it is a nice change of pace and sound for all of us listening to scripture. Besides, the psalms would have mostly been sung in the temple, back when they were first coming together in their original liturgical context!

I hope you’ll enjoy these explanations of our worship service, and gain a deeper understanding of why we do what we do as you participate in the liturgy each week. And, if you have other questions you’d like to see addressed in the column, please let me know! Liturgy, after all, means “work of the people,” and is meant to engage all of us not as an audience but as active participants in our worshipful encounter with the Living God!

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Brian

Brian

Dear Riversiders:

Welcome to Dana Riley

Welcome to Dana Riley

new Associate Pastor of Community Outreach

Some congregation members have known you for 30 years, while some are just meeting you for the first time. How does it feel to be known and unknown all at the same time?

I am grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with RPC people who I’ve known for many years, and just as excited to build relationships with those I’ve yet to know. I’m so glad to be back!!

You will be ordained and installed at Riverside this year. What other milestones have you marked in the RPC sanctuary?

As I reflect on milestone events I’ve experienced in the sanctuary, I would have to say that my marriage to Jim stands as the most prominent. After that, my membership into Riverside and the baptism of our four children. More recently, I remember being asked to come to the front of the sanctuary, during my last worship service before I left for seminary, to receive a blessing, for the laying on of hands. It felt significant.

Do you have pets? How many and what kind? We no longer have any pets under our roof. For nearly 30 years, dogs were a big part of our family. While Jim and I miss our labradors, Dori and Otis, and our beagle Missy, we must admit we are currently enjoying our freedom! For the time being, we now enjoy the ones nature brings into our yard!

You are coming to Riverside from Palms Presbyterian in Jacksonville Beach. Will you miss being so close to the ocean? I do miss being near the beach and feeling the seabreeze. However, I’m comforted by the fact that the river lies just a few blocks away.

Briefly describe your vision for the next year in community outreach for the church. My hope for community outreach is that we build a vision together, as a faith community, with merchants, property owners, churches, and people who call Riverside, and Five Points in particular, home. Each person’s voice and vision is important. In order to make space for the “hearing,” I look forward to hosting a time to gather and assess where we are, where we’d like to go, and how we might work toward that end.

Furthermore, I invite people to share their ideas for RPC trips, tours, and retreats that have the potential to educate, raise awareness, and expand our vision for the neighborhood and beyond. I also look forward to becoming reacquainted with the local missions RPC supports with an eye toward those that may be added.

We invite you to email Dana a note of welcome or an idea as Dana mentioned above.

dana.riley@rpcjax.org

Our

Welcome to Nancy Carlton

our new Meals on Wheels Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

You've been active in the PCUSA for a long time. Can you briefly walk us through the various roles you've taken over the years? I've been active for many years 30+ in Presbyterian Women Circles, in the coordinating team for St Augustine Presbytery. My favorite role I have had is founder and leader of a group called Little Women-it is a group started at Lakewood Presbyterian which bridged the gap between Sunday School and Youth Group but cherished and nurtured the relationships like Women's Circles. We did service projects, we went on adventures, we learned about careers, etiquette classes, and general life skills.

You're now coordinating the Meals on Wheels ministry of the church. What about this program spoke to you? What are your plans for the future of Meals on Wheels? MOW is a program that is something we can all relate to, whether it is cooking a meal, serving a meal or eating a meal. Food insecurity is a problem for our city and if I can do a little part to help I feel like I should. My plans for our MOW here at RPC is to help as many people get a meal a day as we can through our volunteers and help from our neighbors. We are currently at about 50 clients and would like that to decrease as a need but hope that we can help as many as we can going forward. We are blessed and should continue to pay it forward as we are able.

Do you have any pets? How many and what kind? I do not have any pets of my own. I pet sit for others and get many doses of animal walks and cuddles that way.

What's your go-to lunch destination near the church? My desk is the place I have eaten lunch the most. Once the weather is better I am sure I will explore the area more or bring my lunch and sit outside as much as I can.

What's your favorite spot in Jacksonville? I have lived here all my life so I have several spots from different times in my life from Regency Square mall when it was the place to be and be seen to Roosevelt Mall when they used to have dance marathons. Of course the beach is a nice getaway. I also love the zoo in the last couple of years as a nice walking place. I love our bridges or just a bench to sit a spell.

Two RPC members Named Susan Share

“The devotion on November 28, 2022 regarding Psalm 67 by Michele Ellison was the devotion that spoke loudest to me. I am called to praise God because He is God, period. He wants me to affirm His Lordship because it is good for me and God wants good things for me. He does not need my praise and thanksgiving. I need it. My praise of God is required of me and can’t be based on my feelings, blessing or circumstances. God requires my praise of Him because it keeps me close to Him. It allows God access to me as I deal with living in this world which is beautiful, but sometimes difficult and disappointing.’”

- Susan Sharp

“I signed up for the Advent devotions because I always look for something meaningful for Advent. I had another book of Advent devotions that I was also planning to use at home. As the season got busier and busier at work, I ended up dropping the devotions in the book at home because I was almost never at home. I was always able to read the Advent devotions that I received each day in my inbox, because I almost always have my phone with me. They included the scripture passages and a well written devotion all in one place, and it added peace and meaning to my crazy December.”

- Susan Pardue

These devotions, created by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, were available in the Church Office as well as via email to those who had previously indicated they would like to receive them.

their thoughts on the daily devotionals they received during Advent

Christmas Eve at Riverside

Thank you to all who joined us on Christmas Eve at 4:00, 7:00 or 11:00 pm. Thank you to those who greeted, organized costumes, assisted in worship, sang, lit candles or played instruments!

A Meal for the Choir and Staff on Christmas Eve

Attending worship on Christmas Eve is a long-held tradition that brings families and friends together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. At Riverside, we typically offer three worship services on Christmas Eve night. The earliest of these services offers an opportunity for children to dress up and participate in telling the story of Jesus’ birth. The two later services are more traditional, with candlelight and communion. Most people attend one service on Christmas Eve, but the members of the choir arrive right after the early service to rehearse and sing for the two later services, leaving church at midnight on Christmas morning. Pastors and some staff lead worship at all three services. This makes for a long (and wonderful) night, which would not be possible without some outside help. Enter Kevin and Lori Stafford, Josh Stafford’s parents.

On Christmas Eve, Kevin and Lori graciously cook a delicious meal for the choir and staff to enjoy between the two late services. It is a wonderful time to share fellowship and allows the choir and staff to relax a little during the long night. We are so grateful for their generosity in preparing and serving this meal. Thank you, Kevin and Lori, for your ministry among us!

Christmas Flowers and Greenery

Advent and Christmas are seasons filled with symbolism that aid our hearts and minds in the preparation for, and celebration of, the coming of Jesus Christ. Evergreens have long been symbolic of life and growth, and early Christians decked their sanctuaries with the boughs of evergreens as a promise of new life, and as a sign of the hope that followers of Christ will live forever.

What fun it was to bring this tradition to Riverside this holiday season with our inaugural Greening of the Sanctuary event. Members of the congregation and staff enjoyed donuts & wassail while they hung wreaths, garland, and many a handmade bow. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and added a festive natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

These beautiful symbols of Christmastide were made all the more special because they were donated by members of the congregation in memory of, or thanksgiving for, loved ones and ministries they wished to honor. Thank you!

The chancel flowers on the reredos were given by Linda and Michael Fisher, Laura Lee Corbett, Michael Medill Fisher and Charity Lee Fisher in loving memory of Leonard Lee McLucas and Margaret Cox McLucas and arranged by the Flower Committee

The flowers, wreaths, and greenery throughout the church were arranged by members of the congregation & staff and given by Heather Campbell in honor of parents Donald and Virginia Campbell and grandparents William & Blanche Campbell and Eric & Helen Hill

Mary Coxe in honor of the Cotchaleovitch Family Katie and Michael Fackler in honor of Mary Coxe

Wayne Gac in honor of RPC

Sue Haehnell in honor of RPC

Lori Wexler in honor of RPC

Carl & Barbara Zacheis in honor and memory of current, retired, and deceased church musicians

Ryan Ashley in loving memory of J. Paul & Ruth Ashley and W.G. “Buster” & Geneva Black

Julie Handley in memory of John H. Handley

Patty Knight in memory of Leonard Pavelka and Allan Knight

Maggie Means in memory of Norma Lockwood

Bud and Kathy Para in memory of John Phillip Bliss

The Ragsdale family in memory of Charlie Ragsdale Jaimie Smith in memory of Diane W. Smith

The Stafford-Duga family in memory of Donald & Katherine Lynn

Jon & Cindy Thompson in memory of Bryan David and Diane Tuttle in memory of loved ones

Dr. Warner and Sherrie Calvert Webb in memory of Shirley Cox Webb, Carolyn Kirkland Webb, Leon L. Calvert III, and Patrick James Webb

Judy Wingate in memory of Owen K. Wingate The Huber Family Paul Mahoney

Will & Crandy Wheeler

College Conference at Montreat

A quick visit to Montreat Conference Center earlier in January

Earlier this month, some of our RPC college - aged members spent some time in the mountains of Montreat at Montreat College Conference alongside RPC’s Pastor Lauren Scott and Windy Taylor. Read some of their experiences below.

Lainey Rose: I had such a great time going back to Montreat and seeing so many familiar faces. It was so great getting to reunite with my Riverside family and be in a place where God’s love is so strong. The theme of the week was “Keep Going.” I felt like this was a perfect way to summarize how a lot of us are feeling after finishing our first semester at college. Being away from our families, taking difficult classes, and adjusting to this new way of life on our own is not easy. I got to hear so many great speakers and be around people I love. It was exactly what I needed and I cannot wait to go back next year!

Sam Swiercek: This year at Montreat felt extra special to me. It was my first time attending Montreat College Conference and it was a very unique experience. I’ve always loved Montreat and this year especially, passing through the iconic Montreat gate felt like coming home. The theme of this year’s conference was “Keep Going” and it really spoke to me, as I have been going through a lot of struggles both mentally and physically in the past year and the theme and lessons of Keep Going helped me learn different ways of how to keep going even with the obstacles I may face.

Emily Coll: One of the best things about Montreat College Conference was being able to see my Church friends. During college life, gets really busy, and especially when you don’t live in the same city it’s hard to coordinate and follow through on plans. Something about being in Montreat with everyone just made the reunion that much sweeter. There’s something about Montreat that brings people together. Any awkwardness because of distance or time vanishes in Montreat. It’s truly a place of love and friendship and reconnection. I love going to the workshops, but I most enjoy just being able to spend time with my friends, hearing how their semesters went, and updating them on my life as well. It really reminds me of the importance not only of friendships, but community. In college, everyone tries appearing hyper independent, to become an adult who doesn’t need anyone else to rely on. However the truth is we all need a community. Even if communities stretch across states, I know I’ll always have a community at Riverside.

Montreat College Conference (cont.)

Julia Swiercek: One of my favorite worship moments was when Pastor Phanta recognized a friend in the audience who was soon leaving to go to Europe on a mission trip. She then asked for us all to pray over her, but before doing so Phanta asked that any college students who were also planning to study abroad or go on a mission trip come forward to be prayed over. I felt that this was such a God moment, as I had just decided a few days prior that I would go on a medical mission trip to Greece with the Samford Nursing school. It was such a special moment to go to the front of Anderson Auditorium with Lauren to have her and all the people in Anderson Auditorium pray over us as we plan to go abroad.

Being back with Riversiders was such a refreshing feeling. Getting to reconnect and just truly pick up right where we left off. Whether we were sitting in the lobby of Assembly Inn playing a competitive round of “Go Fish” or “Uno” or sitting in Lauren and Windy’s room unpacking the events of the day and discussing everything we had learned, it always felt so natural and familiar. My favorite thing about all the time we spent together was how much we laughed. Being able to find joy and laughter in so many moments with familiar friends is something that is so necessary, especially after a semester of so many new things with not much familiarity.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

from 10am-8pm December 5-10. That's 60 hours of service to our community!

Fran Aenchbacher & Gary Bowers

Bud & Kathy Para

Mattox Hair

Pat Mason

Jon Thompson

Katie, Will & Teddy Fackler

Jean Grant-Dooley

Frank & Kathy Shuke

Bill & Susan Schilling

Carol Platt

Maggie Means

Cassie Buckner

Dorothy Marsh

Barbara Bath

Elizabeth Niebrugge

Bob & Bobbie Gittings

Dan & Nancy Warner

Patsy & Rachel Gaillard

Jane Ellen Pollock

Nancy Schneider

George Armstrong Suzanne Perritt

Stuart Harbison

Betsy Miller

Stephanie Estes Rodriguez

Joan Madison

Penny & Cecilia Cunningham

Don Downing

The Huber Family

Debbie Pierson

Julia, Olivia & Holly Davis

Arden Brugger

A BIG THANK YOU to the volunteers who kept the Red Kettle bell ringing at the Riverside Publix

John & Susan Humes

Upcoming Special Events at RPC

Every Thursday - Sanctuary Open Hours 12:30 - 1:30 pm for personal prayer and contemplation

January 18 - Pastor Brian’s Bible Study at 10:30 am in Thompson Parlor, Donuts at 9:30 am

January 19 - March 2 - Walking the Mourner’s Path (full) (Every Thurs, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm)

January 25 - Caregiver’s Support Group, 1:30 - 2:30 pm in Thompson Parlor

January 27 - 29 - Rock the Universe Youth Trip

January 28 - Presbyterian Women Annual Gathering at Montgomery Conference Center

January 31 - Race Cards Community Discussion, hosted by RPC, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in Bittinger Hall

February 1 - Pastor Brian’s Bible Study at 10:30 am in Thompson Parlor, Donuts at 9:30 am

February 1 - Dinner Church, 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. RSVP at www.rpcjax.org

February 6 - Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings and Bible Study

February 11 - Rest in Preparedness (R.I.P.) Workshop 9:00 am - noon in Thompson Parlor, $10, sign up by calling the church office or at www.rpcjax.org.

February 15 - Pastor Brian’s Bible Study at 10:30 am in Thompson Parlor, Donuts at 9:30 am

February 22 - Caregiver’s Support Group, 1:30 - 2:30 pm in Thompson Parlor

February 22 - Ash Wednesday

Ashes to Go - 7:00 - 8:15 am in the upper parking lot

Ash Wednesday Services, 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Dates to remember:

April 2 - Palm Sunday

April 6 - Maundy Thursday

April 7 - Good Friday

April 9 - Easter

Go to www.rpcjax.org/calendar for more information or scan the QR code.

January Birthdays

1 Vance Walker 2 Dan Blanks Sam Boyd 3 Rob Rogers Bill Scheu Pat Setzer Mildred Taylor 4 Doris Thomas 5 Lauren Buberger Hillary Riley Julie Ryan 6 David Anderson Allison Boyd Bob Cook Geoff Gartner Julie Handley 7 JT Anderson Willa Graham 8 Wade Hampton Lindsay Helms 10 Ron Mason 11 Marshall Morgan Scott Powell 12 Brenda Dohn Joe Eberly 13 Dwight Bayley Kim Gleaton 14 Jane Ellen Pollock Paul Wrenn 15 Don Downing Jan Downing Brandon Hillard Michael Perry Julie Wells 16 Jacob Campen Chris Nuland

17 Emily Parks Jessica Stevenson 18 Phyllis Brinkley Molly Foukal Mattox Hair 19 George Carswell Robert Elrod Davis Meux Olivia Meux Harold Vandiver 20 Portia Alvarez Joe Biederman Lawton Green Jacob Huber Ron Littlepage Andy McNeil Jim Overton Christine Rosenbloom 21 Julie Baker Lee Carswell Mae Farnell Margee Michaelis Barbara Pence Dave Pierson 22 Jason Evert Michaela Fox Will Proctor Ryan Telenga 23 Mary Campbell Bill Schilling 24 Lissa Kiser 25 Ham Cooke Jesse Huber Patricia Miller Grier Wells 26 Gladys McKibbin Cory Meyers 27 Chris Creed 28 John Hartman 29 Adger Andrews Marlene Goodwin Percy Rosenbloom

30 Grif Helwig Elizabeth Jolley Paul Kramer 31 James Bryan Madeline Kerr Robert Shipp

February Birthdays 1 Mitchell Blanks Jennifer Simmons 2 Susan Smathers Frances Wickes 3 Charles Blank Charlie Brumback Marshall Faircloth Tucker Farrar Tripp Means Dayna Perkins Emma Reddaway 4 Ashton Body Cassie Buckner Frances Howey Becky Romig Kathy Shuke 5 Caroline Stratton Kristin Swiercek 6 Allen Todd 7 Alison Bok 8 Noah McDonald Debbie Pierson Sarah Sifton 9 Stephanie Ibach Ben Philips Finley Williams 10 Malcolm Ballentine Woody Woodall 11 Lila Cummings Christopher Pratt-Dannals Jay Smith John Stiefel Jonathan Wallace 12

Kay Armstrong 13 Dan Coffman Mason Doherty Debbie Early Stuart Poplin 14 Curtis Du Chanois Lemise Hill Alan Wilson 15 Evan Raynor Cheryl Sapora Dan Schwalbe Julia Swiercek 16 Minor Chamblin Margo Fitch 17 Judy Ratcliffe 18 Richard Harbison John Howard 19 Mary Lobello 20 Ashley Adams Elisabeth Day Katelyn Johnston Elizabeth Niebrugge 21 Glenda Collier Hank Coxe Christian Matson Bill McLaurine 22 Leighton Edwards 23 Dekle Day Janie Tousey 24 Emmanuella Althuis Mark Harbison Janie Jones Thaddeus Scherer Carolyn Smith 25 Natalie Rosenberg 26 Ellen Jackson Charles Trinder 27

Chase Fallucco Steve Matson Dan Mayo 28 Neena Corbin BeBe Rosenbloom 29 Knox Kerr

If we are missing your birthday, please call the Church Office (904) 355-4585 or email communication@rpcjax.org

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