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RISE #51 December 2019

RISE

UNTO A NEW LIFE

ARTICLES
Kate's Baptism
Kindness Campaign
Decorating
Nick's Win
Crafts were Incredible
The Undertoe is Pulling
Upcoming Events

Kate’s Baptism
Sometimes when you seek others’ good, you find your best. Kate came to help our evangelism team a few weeks ago. Terri Rinker has been a mother to Kate over the years and couldn’t stop inviting her to be part of RCA. “When I met Kate,” said Reverend Drew, “we were at the church gathering the evangelism team and we started talking about life, about challenges, and the hope we have in God. Before I knew it, we were praying and the power of God filled the room.” It may seem like a big step to go evangelizing the first time you come to a church, but Kate is a risk-taker. The group is accepting, and very easy to be a part of. Before the hour was up, Kate was waving, smiling and going all-in with the team.
“I really didn’t think I could get any more excited than I was excited at my own Baptism,” exclaimed Terri, “but boy I was surely wrong. My daughter’s baptism sent my excitement and happiness through the roof. I’m telling you, God is the happiness and joy and fire of and in my life forever!”
Just weeks later, Kate found herself in the icy waters of the RCA baptismal with Terri at one side and Felicia Martins next to her. Felicia is a fellow Orange Army teammate and a constant source of love. With a heartfelt confession of her faith in Jesus and a thank you to Terri, Kate took the plunge! The congregation roared with excitement as they celebrated another powerful life dedicated to following God. Before Kate was even dry, she was already declaring that she would see many of her friends come to know Jesus and follow in her footsteps. The fire is spreading!

Kindness Campaign
There is power in teamwork. We have a common vision. Combining the compassion and purity of a child’s idealism with the resources and accountability of the RCA adults, will see God move powerfully. The adults are championing the acts of the “Kindness Campaign” and the results are bearing fruit!
Ten-year-old Hector and his younger sister Heidi have been training in the Shudokan karate for several months. They often stay for the worship and the kids’ program. Last Wednesday their friend Isais was able to fulfill his wish to give them each a brand-new uniform. Isais’ buddy Josh was also on the receiving end. Smiles filled the dojo. Isais’ goal was reachable with the prayer and generosity of Carol Bennett and Kathleen Brown.
Many of the free acts of kindness are being checked off. Our kids are opening the door for others, doing extra chores, helping their friends with school work and going the extra mile. Let’s keep up the positive reinforcement. As they see we are behind them, encouraging them and holding them accountable, we will be the stakes that help these young trees grow straight.

Decorating by Frank Castle

Christmas is almost upon us. Just one step into the RCA sanctuary or fellowship hall and you will feel the spirit. Thanks to Diana Crawford and her top-level team, the church is ready for its upcoming Christmas party (on December 20^th) and its annual Christmas Eve service (Dec 24th). Better than Santa’s elves, the team worshipped while they worked. It was a labor of love.

Nick’s Win
It was worth the wait. We arrived before the first fight at 4pm, then found out that Nick, “The Italian Stallion” Angeloni, would be the last of 19 matches. But the RCA faithful were faithful indeed. Rev. Drew, Jehu, Nathan Vigil, Nikko McClean, Bradley Burket, Franky Rizzo, Jesus Fontez, Cici Wilson, Rico and Vannessa all stayed the 7 hours until Nick’s bell rang. The Toyota Center’s audience had diminished from full to just about empty, but our hearts were full.

Crafts were Incredible
“That was so fun,” Cici Wilson escribed last Sunday’s women’s craft event. “It was so refreshing to make new friends and just hang out with some of the other RCA ladies,” said another attender. Paula Dorning planned and executed the delightful event, and was a wonderful hostess. She had a vision of crafting and snacking on delicious foods provided by herself and the attendees. The ladies came together for profitable conversation and a creative project. Jeannie provided the “Jesus Never Fails” pictures that were used in the frames, which not only brought her close to us, but were a constant reminder of Jesus’ love. Each picture was as unique as its maker, and some remained in the Fellowship Hall and stand as a reminder that we are never alone. We have Jesus and we have our sisters.

The Undertoe is Pulling by Rev. Drew Brattrud

Have you been to the ocean when there is a strong riptide? The surface may look ordinary. Perhaps the waves are slightly bigger, unobservedly faster, but underneath is a powerful force about to pull. On average, the 15^th to the 25^th years of a church are the ones with the most growth. Riverside Christian Assembly is closely approaching its 15^th anniversary, coming June 19^th. I’m very excited about it, and here are a few of the reasons why:

- Last week we had the most “Rise” Newsletters opened with more than 200! With an expanding list of almost 400, we are touching more households every week.

- The ladies’ craft day after service last week was the biggest women’s event we have h
- Last month, we had more than 25 souls march with the “Orange Army” evangelism team. That is another all-time high.

But beyond the numbers and excitement we are seeing lives changed. The altar is being used and the carpet is staying wet from the baptisms!

Upcoming Events
Dec 20 – White Elephant Christmas Party Potluck
Dec 24 - Candle Light service 7pm
Jan 2 - CBU Basketball Game
Jan 31 - Prayer Mountain Retreat

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4075 Twining St. Riverside CA 92509

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Riverside Christian Assembly · 4075 Twining St. · Riverside, Ca 92509 · USA