Worship and Wonder services occur on the first Sunday of each month. These services follow a similar order of worship to what we often do on Sunday mornings and involve more movement and creative activities. While this service has a particular appeal to children and families, it is relevant to worshipers of all ages. Communion will be served.
On December 1 we will explore Advent, a season of anticipation and preparation, through singing songs, reading scripture, and engaging with faith stations. Faith stations are a unique aspect of Worship and Wonder! These stations provide hands-on experiences for all ages and support each individual wherever they are in their spiritual journey. Join us for Worship and Wonder at 8:30 am on the first Sunday of the month. December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6.
From Your Pastor
Brian Lays
Dear Riversiders:
As Advent begins this year, I will be away from you all on my parental leave. I am so grateful for the time I will be able to spend with my family as we welcome our second child into the world. Thank you for your support and encouragement during this joyous season of my family’s life!
Even as I step away for a little while, I am excited about the opening of the long awaited Mary Lou Davis Family Life Center as this year draws to a close! Before my first Sunday at Riverside over four years ago, I was already on some calls about an upcoming capital campaign that would eventually become the Cornerstone Campaign.
The campaign set out to raise $7 million, and as of this time of writing, it has raised $7.6 million. As the cost of the building spiraled upward due to post-COVID market forces beyond our control, our campus planning committee adapted to one challenge after another, meticulously shrinking the footprint of the building and finding ways to eliminate costs. Meanwhile, the steering committee has persisted in its fundraising efforts, working much longer and harder than they ever thought they would, in order to find ways to broaden our sources of giving. Though we still need to raise some money to cover the cost of the building, we are confident that we can close that gap as our fundraising efforts continue. The new director of development at RPDS, Mary Waldroff, is doing a remarkable job keeping us on track. Despite all the challenges we’ve faced along the way, the energy and commitment from our volunteers remains remarkably strong and focused.
As a church, our vision for the Family Life Center remains the same. We intend to leverage the gym to be a meaningful asset for our community. We want our neighbors to feel like they belong there, too, just as we do. Certain church programs will use the space, of course. But we are especially focused on how we can open our doors to outside groups to provide a space for after school and summer programs. Riverside has a rich history of offering sports-oriented programs for children, ministries like the basketball league and RBI. With the Family Life Center, and the new, 80-yard outdoor field in the Rice Sports Zone, we will be able to offer even more. The Joint Committee has been carefully considering everything that needs to be in place to leverage the new facilities to their maximum transformative potential.
We set out to build a facility that would illuminate our corner of Park and Post on nights and weekends with something positive for our church, school, and community. And we are finally on the brink of making those dreams a reality. I look forward to celebrating that campaign with you in the year ahead!
Again, thank you for your support and care as I step away, and I hope you all have a blessed Advent and Christmas season!
-Brian
December 1, 8, and 22 - Advent Sunday School Class: The Weary World Rejoices by Kate Bowler
Facilitators: Randy Parks and Bud Para. Join this 3-week class facilitated by Randy Parks and Bud Para and explore, through the writings of Kate Bowler, the promises of Advent. “It’s a promise that is coming, as surely and steadily as light traveling from a distant star. It is the promise of a return—a restoration of all things to their true being, a goodness which was conceived from the beginning of time, a realized hope we’ve been longing for.”
December 2-7, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm daily - Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army at Riverside Publix
RPC volunteers have been ringing the Salvation Army bell for over 10 years. Hour-long shifts available daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Contact Arden Brugger at arbroz1113@gmail.com or (904) 362-1347, or sign up at www.bit.ly/RPCbells.
December 4, 5:30 pm - Dinner Church and Caroling on the Corner (Please RSVP)
Please RSVP at rpcjax.org/worship so we can prepare a meal for you! Suggested donation of $10/adult to cover the cost of your meal. After dinner, we’ll get the chance to share our enthusiastic singing tradition with our Five Points neighbors as we carol outdoors on the corner of Park and Post.
December 6, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Caring Tree Drive Thru Drop Off
Caring Tree gift drive thru drop off in the upper lot. Alternatively, call the church office, 904-355-4585 for a gift pick up. See full Caring Tree Details in December 8 information.
December 6, 6:00 - 9:00 pm - Christmas Riversiders at Beau Rivage
Join us for food, fellowship, and caroling at Christmas Riversiders! Bring a dish and drink to share and enjoy time together! Christmas Riversiders will be held at the Beau Rivage.
December 8, Caring Tree Sunday
The Caring Tree has been a program of Riverside Presbyterian Church for over 25 years. These gift choices have been selected by students from one of the local elementary schools we support. Take a Caring Tree ornament off of the tree at RPC or select one online www.bit.ly/CaringTree2024. Make sure you write the assigned number on the wrapped package, for example 401.1 or 103.3. Return wrapped gifts to the Sanctuary by 11:30 am.
December 14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Greening of the Sanctuary with Carols On the Hour
Join us for a festive morning as we hang greenery in the sanctuary, accompanied by carol singing! At the top of each hour (9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am and 12:00 pm), we’ll sing a few of our favorite Christmas carols. In between singing, we’ll decorate the Sanctuary with live greenery in preparation for our annual Lessons and Carols service. Holiday snacks and hot beverages provided. Come and go as you please.
Dedicate Christmas Flowers and Greenery
Dedicate in memory of, or thanksgiving for, or choose a ministry you wish to honor at Christmastime. Look for the Christmas Flowers and Greenery envelopes in the pews on Sundays or go online: www.bit.ly/christmasflowersRPC
December 15
9:00 am - Christmas Breakfast
Join us for a festive Christmas Breakfast before Lessons & Carols! We’ll gather in Bittinger to prepare our hearts, minds, and stomachs for a beautiful worship service. RSVP in Friendship Pad or via the emailed Evite. If you’re willing to donate a breakfast casserole (sweet OR savory), please contact Windy Taylor windy.taylor@rpcjax.org
10:30 am - A Service of Lessons and Carols (one service only)
Join us for one of the most beloved services of the year, featuring the Riverside Choir accompanied by a string orchestra and the Riverside Handbells. Inspired by the world-famous Festival of Lessons and Carols at Kings College Cambridge, the service will feature anthems and our favorite carols interspersed with the Biblical narrative of the anticipation and birth of Jesus Christ. You won’t want to miss this musical highlight of the season! Be with us in the sanctuary or online at rpcjax.org/live.
December 18, 7:00 pm - Longest Night Service of Healing and Wholeness
A service of healing and wholeness for those navigating a season of grief.
December 24, Christmas Eve
4:00 pm - Family Candlelight Service
Children can come dressed as one of the characters from the Christmas story or children can choose one of the costumes available in the narthex. Children will be invited to participate as the Christmas story is told. Join us for this very fun and meaningful candlelight service. Nursery available.
7:00 pm Festival Candlelight Service with Brass, Choir, and Extended Prelude
Join us for this festival candlelight service with brass and choir. An additional set of music will commence the service. Holy Communion will be served. The Rev. Lauren Scott preaches. Be with us in the sanctuary or online at rpcjax.org/live. Nursery available.
11:00 pm Contemplative Candlelight Service
Join us for this 11:00 pm candlelight service featuring contemplative music. Holy Communion will be served. The Rev. Lauren Scott preaches.
December 29, 10:30 am - Carols and Cocoa Worship Service (one service only)
Join us for carols and Cocoa at 10:30 AM for the last worship service of the year! Wear cozy pajamas, drink hot cocoa, coffee, or tea (provided) as we sing carols and reflect on their meaning for our lives. Nursery available.
Church Office Hours
December 24 - 25 Closed
December 31 - January 1 Closed
Regular office hours resume Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Host With the Most Need Not Apply
Windy Taylor
I am looking for a few good Riversiders.
As we draw near to the close of 2024, we turn our focus to 2025. Some will make resolutions, some will set intentions, some will tackle a Dry January, bless thembut most of us look to the new year as a way to do something novel.
Selfishly, I am going to ask you to consider volunteering your time or space to our church family. Here are three areas in which we need your help to continue providing opportunities for connection and fellowship:
Help Out with a Memorial Service Reception. As I said at the State of the Communion, this is a great way to witness a miracle. Every time we gather to feed and comfort grieving families, it is a miracle. Despite my constant anxiety, there is always enough food. These services are typically on Saturdays, making it a good option for working people, and if you prefer to simply drop off food, you’re welcome to do so. The families we serve are always so grateful for this gesture, and the volunteers have a great time catching up over tea sandwiches and Arden Brugger’s Famous Pecan Bars™ .
Host Riversiders. My dad, David Booher, served for many years on the Fellowship Committee and was emphatic about encouraging anyone and everyone to host gatherings. “No house too small!” was his motto. This quarterly fellowship gathering is typically held in February, May, October, and December, and we are looking for hosts for 2025 (and beyond). Hosting Riversiders is an easy gig. My committee will arrive early with all the supplies - plates and cups, napkins and nametags, coolers and chicken tenders. All we need from you is a table for food. Opening your home is a very personal act of generosity, and we try to make it as easy as possible.
Make Communion Bread. Our communion bread is made right here at the church, but I would love to see it made by the church as well. The next Communion Bread Workshop is scheduled for January 26 after worship. We’ll gather to make several batches of the communion bread for use at worship services here at Riverside, as well as other Presbytery events, such as Jessica Means’ ordination.
Let’s Look Back 100 Years
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women at Riverside Presbyterian Church has been a valuable part of the Riverside family for over 100 years. The following timeline takes a look back of some of the highlights of the organization beginning in 1910. If you are interested in learning more, email Dorothy Marsh at jrmarsh80@aol.com.
1910 - ‘Ladies Aid Society’ formed
1911 - ‘Ladies Missionary Society’ organized
1914 - Ladies Aid and Missionary Society consolidated to become ‘The Women’s Auxiliary’
1920 - The ‘circle’ plan is adopted: Every Monday is church day. 1st Monday – Business meeting of the Auxiliary 2nd Monday – Circles; 3rd Monday – Inspiration (Bible Study); 4th Monday – sewing (sewed and mended garments for the Boy’s Home and the Children’s Home)
1923 - There are 12 circles including a business circle and a shut-in circle. The pledge quota for each circle was $175 per month. Sent clothing to Thornwell Home and the mountain children in Kentucky.
1942 - A resolution was passed by the Women's Auxiliary calling for "The immediate purchase of a stained-glass window in Riverside Presbyterian Church, not to exceed $3,000.00." The Passion window in the chancel of the church was paid for by the Women's Auxiliary.
1943 - On January 17, 1943, the first stained-glass window in Riverside Presbyterian Church, The Passion Window, was dedicated.
1943 - Women assisted the USO, the war housing office, helping to find rooms for service men and women; rolling bandages for the White Cross; making aprons for the Red Cross, and having Sunday afternoon teas for service men and women at the church
1944 - 2242 garments packed and sent to Europe. 400 pounds of magazines sent to War convalescents in Daytona. Due to gas shortage, one circle met in Ortega and 2 circles met on the Southside. A church hostess was hired to look after church property and supervise suppers. Clothing was collected and sent to devastated areas in Europe and magazines were sent to the Hospital for Convalescents in Daytona Beach.
1948 - The Ladies Auxiliary's name changed to 'Women of the Church' 1950 - 20 circles, 1133 on roll.
1962 - Held a reception to celebrate Dr. Kissling’s 30th anniversary. Supported migrant workers, Friendship House, and Magnolia Mission.
1969 - Learn To Read, a United Way Agency, was started by the Women
1974 - Women began the 'Meals on Wheels' ministry and volunteered at the Riverside Presbyterian House desk.
2010 - Invited all women to an 'Old Fashioned Tea' to celebrate the centennial of Riverside. Men were invited to the annual Birthday meeting and installation of officers.
This is an abridged timeline.
If you would like to read the full timeline, please scan the QR code or go to bit.ly/pwrpc100
Let’s Talk Trash
RPC Neighboring Collaborative
Styrofoam cups. Cigarette butts. Broken glass. Empty pizza boxes. Used food wrappers. They seem to be everywhere these days. But, more than anything, no one wants to see them thrown to the ground for someone else to pick up. While many parts of Jacksonville have a litter problem, we’ve all encountered trash in our own Five Points commercial district, as well as in the nearby parks and even in our parking lots. As a result, some of us at Riverside, along with many of our neighbors in Five Points, decided that we needed to do something about all of the trash in our community, as well as to advocate for better litter policies and to educate the community on the importance of litter control.
Approximately one year ago, the Neighboring Collaborative Committee started a “Trash Pick-up” initiative with several goals. First, the church began hosting monthly meetings of the Five Points Association to talk about the needs of the community, with the cleanup of trash being high on its list of things to do. In addition, on the third Sunday of each month, from 7:45-8:30 am, members of RPC fan out with gloves, buckets, trash bags and “grabbers” to clean the sidewalks and streets of the Five Points business district.
Next, we’ve led efforts within the Five Points Association to advocate for smarter litter control initiatives. As an example, Riverside Presbyterian has assisted with efforts to successfully petition the City to install bigger and better trash cans around the community. We are also grateful that RAP and other organizations and volunteers have led their own trash pick-up days, and that the City now offers “community hours” to people willing to remove litter from the surrounding area. If you’re interested in helping with these efforts, please feel free to join our committee. We meet once a month after church. Also, anyone is welcome to come out on the 3rd Sunday of the month and put on some gloves to clean up. Every little bit helps. For more information: Jim Riley [jriley@rtlaw.com] or Kathy Para [parakathy@gmail.com]
Presbytery Youth Retreat Reflection
In early October, Riverside youth gathered with 85+ other youth from around the Presbytery at Camp Montgomery for the Presbytery Youth Retreat. We worshiped, ate lots of snacks, swam, fished, played lots of games, ate s'mores, hit the bullseye during archery, made new friends, got to know one another in our own youth group better too!
Caroling in the Advent and Christmastide
Matt Bickett
The Advent and Christmas seasons are some of the most special weeks of the year at Riverside! This December, we’re especially excited to gather at least once each week in Advent and Christmastide to sing some of our favorite carols of the season.
1. Beginning with Caroling on the Corner on Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 pm, we’ll get the chance to share our enthusiastic singing tradition with our Five Points neighbors as we carol outdoors on the corner of Park and Post.
2. Just a few days later (Friday, December 6), at our quarterly Riverside potluck gathering, we’ll gather at the Beau Rivage to sing carols with our own community.
3. One week later, on December 14th, we’ll have our very first Carols on the Hour during the Greening of the Sanctuary. At the top of each hour (9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am and 12:00 pm), we’ll sing some of our favorite Christmas carols. In between singing, we’ll decorate the Sanctuary with live greenery in preparation for our annual Lessons and Carols service. You won’t want to miss this exciting new addition to our caroling traditions!
4. The next day (Sunday, December 15), our beloved Service of Lessons and Carols will feature our community carol singing in the context of worship.
5. Of course, at Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24), we’ll ring in the Christmas season with one of the most special services of the year.
6. Our final chance for caroling together comes on Sunday, December 29th, with our Carols and Cocoa service. This informal Sunday morning service allows us the chance to gather for singing and reflection.
Through these six opportunities for caroling, we’ll gather to share the joy of the season through all of the carols of our tradition—favorite carols both old and new!
Earth Care Tips
1. Insulate your home. Cavity wall insulation can cut heat loss through the wall by up to 60%.
2. Buy from companies with eco-friendly policies; boycott those without.
Sign up to Serve...
Looking to sign up?
• Sunday Morning Usher
• Call to Worship liturgist
• Flower Delivery Team
• Deliver a MealTrain
• Drive Meals on Wheels
• College Secret Pal
• Serve in the Kitchen
• Serve / Cook dinner at Sulzbacher
• and more!
Books to Share
RPC has a “Free Little Library” outside the sanctuary on Post Street. We are looking for books to put in it.
The church installed this free service over a year ago. Our neighbors love using it and our books continue to disappear. So if you are cleaning out your bookshelves or you want to “declutter” your life, drop your books off in the church office. Your books will find a new home for one of our neighbors.
