Continuing to make Jesus' name great!

Nehemiah 3: "Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate... And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. 5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired..."

Yet another team of Gods faithful servants here to love and serve and help rebuild our church and town! They have finished the new siding on the church and decided to re-shingle the sanctuary while they were at it! Thank you Grace Community Church from Pennsylvania!

Missing Curt and Mary Jo!

Sunday we said farewell to two of our most favorite people, Curt and Mary Jo Hencye.

They have been serving here — at our church and community — since last September when the flood hit. Seven months of dedicated, back-breaking, focused work — overflowing with His love, His compassion, His heart. They came alongside and handled "everything disaster," which included organizing all the volunteer teams from all over the country who came and served here.

Our heart as a church has always been to love God, love our community, and make His name great. Curt and Mary Jo have done exactly that — they have made the name of Jesus great in Colorado. They truly were faithful to serve "anyone and everyone" in our town and proved to be His hands and feet.

With the tornadoes that have recently hit in Arkansas, Alabama and surrounding areas, God is calling them to go and help where they are needed most.

Even though their home church may be Calvary Chapel Sarasota, they are now our missionaries, too! We want to support them in every way possible. 

Please consider what you can do.

1. Pray. Please pray for His direction, protection and provision — everywhere they go.

2. Monthly Financial Support. As they head to their next assignment, their living expenses along with the costs of rebuilding will be great. We have seen the fruit of their ministry first hand. God opens hearts and doors in the midst of disasters like we have never seen before. We highly recommend giving to them — generously!

You can support Curt and Mary Jo through their links.

Website 

Facebook

Or contact us at:

The River Church

18668 N Saint Vrain Drive

Lyons Colorado 80540

303-823-6469

info@therivercolorado.org

Curt and Mary Jo, 

You have become more than just friends, you are now a big part of our family. We sincerely miss you already and will be forever grateful to you! Know our hearts are with you, everywhere you go! Hoping to see you again sooner!

Storytellers: The River Church

A special thanks to journalist Kevin Torres and 9News for featuring us in a recent story. May our gracious Father God ultimately receive all the praise and glory for all HE has done for us!

There's No Place Like Home!

We're home! Sunday was our first worship service back in our building since the flood back in September. What a great day — awesome worship, a relevant message from the Word, communion, and our brunch featuring Miss Kim's famous biscuits and gravy. 

Here are a few photos from various photographers — showing what God has done for us. We are ever so grateful to HIM! May HE receive all the glory and praise!

A full house worshiping our Lord God together...
with great joy and exuberance!

Pastor Mickey preaches the Word

Mr Bear is still here welcoming the kids!

Shared communion together

Miss Kim and her famous biscuits and gravy

Fellowship!

The Lord has surely been here for us!

Thanks for all your prayers and support and for all those who have come to Lyons to help!

We're Going Home!

Look what the Lord has done!

Just a bit over six months since the flood, we are on our way home. This Sunday — April 6 — will be our first worship service back in our building. God did this! All along the way we can see HIS Almighty Hand at work. May HE receive all the praise and glory! Amen!

Here's a look back at how it was...

Floodwaters flowed across Hwy 36 — The River is to the left

The front of the River Church building

Much of the foundation was swept away from our sanctuary

And now...

New Front Doors!

Our Dining Room! Check out the log posts!

The Youth Room!

New Office Space!

New Sanctuary Door!

Our Sanctuary

Yep! We're still a place for Faith Family & Friends!

Come join us...this Sunday...10 AM...as we celebrate what the Lord has done!

The River's Progress

It's been six months since the flood. Step-by-step, the pieces are coming together and great progress has been made on our church building. We'll allow these photos to say it all...

The Front of the River Church

Beautiful colors in our Entryway

Stairs Leading to The River Kids

Upstairs in the Sunroom

Upstairs in the Sunroom

The Hallway leading to the restrooms

The Back of the Sanctuary

Amazing Masterful Woodwork!

Pastor Mickey's New Office

A closeup of our new carpet: black with a touch of blue

The River's Backyard

The River's Backyard: the river is back where it belongs!

These photos were taken about a week ago. Just wait till you see what's been done in the sanctuary and dining room! More photos to come sooner.

Heartfelt thanks to the following ministries for their diligent and skillful service to the Lord:

Curt and Mary Jo Hencye of Calvary Relief, Sarasota FL

Christian Aid Ministries

Christian Disaster Relief

Also great thanks to the recent teams from across America:

Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside CA

Calvary Chapel Joplin MO & Calvary Chapel Clovis NM

As always, we can still use more volunteers, especially working on the many homes destroyed in our community. Please consider getting involved — and bringing teams from your church. 

Call Curt Hencye for all the details (941-915-9560). 

Thanks for your consideration!

This Is Our Story...

This is our story — as seen in a video created/produced by Delta Ministries. Since this video was created, our church building has been dismantled even more. Even though the flood may have taken place over four months ago, countless people in our community are still homeless, their homes are demolished; the rebuilding process is incredibly slow. We need your help. There are several ways to support us: 

• Prayer
• Volunteer
• Give to The River Crisis Relief Fund

In fact, Delta Ministries has graciously provided $15,000 for matching funds. Your support is greatly appreciated! To do so, please check out our website: www.TheRiverColorado.org. 

*Please share with your family, friends and churches. Together we can rebuild our church and community!

A Very Special Christmas Eve

Join us for a very special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the River!

"Come Home for Christmas" has an extra special meaning this Christmas. Many of us have been 'Displaced' in one way or another. All of our lives have been interrupted or inconvenienced at the very least. We have all been displaced from our church home.

But this is not the first Displaced Christmas, or the first time the lives of God's people have been interrupted. That very first Christmas a young couple, trusting God, found themselves displaced and in an uncomfortable situation. Giving birth to a Son on the floor of a barn, in the company of a donkey and some camels, days away from the comfort of home and family. Yet God was with them. 

And He is with us. 

Listen to the promise that God gives His people in Jeremiah;  "I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:10,11

Ultimately that home and hope is Heaven. Jesus was 'displaced' so that we could come home again. He left His home, and stepped into our mess to make a way for us to come home. That is the Christmas story.

 

This Christmas we are going to celebrate our 'Displaced Christmas' together, in a special way . Our building is much like the manger that very first Christmas, minus the animals! Some dirt floors. Some missing walls. Maybe a little uncomfortable. Maybe a little inconvenient. But He will be there. He will be with us. That is His promise. 

We can promise you a safe, warm place... and a special message for those who know what it means to be displaced.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

Being Thankful in Difficult Times

Are you having a rough time with Thanksgiving this year? You are not alone!  It's not "normal" to be thankful after a major flood has disrupted your life, displaced your family, destroyed or even taken away your home.  It's "normal" to be discouraged and angry.  Most of us have experienced a lot of "normal" emotions as we long for things to get back to "normal."  But there is nothing "normal" about Jesus!  He came to us, suffered our "normal" kinds of trials, in order to provide us much more than "normal."  His death and resurrection purchased an abnormal grace for us, complete with forgiveness and eternal life. And He calls us to walk in His footsteps.

My prayer for each of us this Thanksgiving is that we allow His Holy Spirit to lift us above "normal," to the place where we, with bewildered but genuine hearts, find thankfulness for the trials and setbacks, knowing that God is working in all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

We're not only called to be thankful 'in' difficult times, but 'for' difficult time. We all face trials. We all experience suffering. But for those who follow Jesus those trials have a purpose, and that suffering has a reward.

James says it this way;

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Paul says well also;

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies... And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. (2 Corinthians 4:7&15)

And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:17-18)

This year, by God's grace, you are in a position to know this passage, to understand it and experience it's truths.  Maybe you are having a rough time having a "happy" Thanksgiving.  May God bless you with an abnormally joyous Thanksgiving!

Serving Him with you,

Pastor Mickey

What Does Mold Have to Do With the Bible?

Have you wondered what is taking so long, why it is that some two months after the flood, we are still not quite ready  to put the church building back together? Why have we spent so much time and effort tearing it apart? The problem is invisible, at least at first. Mold grows invisibly, making people sick, and eventually showing itself when so much damage has been done.  We could have cleaned and cleaned the church building until you could eat off the floor, but until it has been thoroughly sprayed and treated for mold, it would still be in dangerous shape. Stripping away all the outside layers of drywall and decorative rock and flooring is just the first step. What we really need is spraying for mold.

Just like sin. People get the idea that we can clean up our act by self-effort. People get the dangerous idea that if we just try harder to be good, if we just keep going to church and saying the prayers, we will be good enough. But sin, like mold, grows invisibly in places our own efforts will never be able to spot it in time. By the time we can see sin in our lives, it has already begun to do its damage.  What we need is spraying – by the blood of Jesus Christ.  

But first, we have to expose the deepest layers of our soul to the Lord for His treatment.  That is done through honest, deep confession. First we strip away the external layers, the part we let others see, exposing ourselves right down to the stud walls, so to speak. Then we are forgiven and cleansed. Here's how John said it:

1 John 1:8-9 (NIV) ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

The Flood Relief University

There is a university degree you can receive for work done in flood relief and recovery. It's from JSU, the school that knows the most about disaster recovery and the one that gives the best education, too.  JSU.  Where is it? It holds classes in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Haiti… and in Lyons, Colorado. JSU.  It stands for "Just Show Up."  Interested in getting a masters in flood recovery? (You may not have a choice!)  Here's how it works:

Let's say a work day has been announced for next Saturday at 9:00 a.m. (it has) and the email you got asks you to respond "I'll be there" if you can make it. You respond: "Count me in!" and you are well on your way.  What's next? JSU.  

But, what if, because your kids are involved in a soccer match, you can't be there until 10:00? Or what if you have to be to work at 1:00, and can only serve half a day? What do you do? You could send a response by email: "I'll be there around 10:00," or "I can only stay till 1:00". And then, JSU.  Do that and you are on your way to a rewarding and satisfying advanced degree in flood recovery!  But here's how to flunk the course; here's what you DON'T want to do. Don't call and ask if it's ok to come late, or leave early. Instead, JSU!

If you can't lift things, JSU. If you aren't handy, JSU.  If you can't stay long, JSU.  If you have no idea what you could do, JSU. Jesus will use you! Jesus will work through you!

One exception to this: If you would like to help feed the folks who JSU, and we need lots of people who are willing to do that, then first contact Charity (cb.good@yahoo.com) to get your assignment. Then, when it's your turn to bring some food, pack it in your car and…. Well, you know…

Studying at JSU with you!

Pastor Mickey

Short Term Missions Trip

The Lyons community and our church building could use some tender loving care and a lot of muscle to rebuild. Consider creating a work crew for a short-term missions trip — here!

We are especially grateful for Curt & Mary Jo Hencye (from Calvary Relief - Calvary Chapel Saratoga) and Delta Ministries. They have stepped in to help us in immeasurable ways to facilitate the volunteer efforts.

CURT & MARY JO HENCYE

Curt and Mary Jo Hencye are our local volunteer coordinators. They determine which projects we work on Monday through Saturday. If you are local and would like to help, they will definitely find a place for you to work. 

For weekdays, call Curt: 941-915-9560 or Mary Jo 941-374-1609

For Saturdays, call the River Church Office: 303-823-6469

Delta Ministries will be overseeing and facilitating the teams who come from afar for week long mission trips. They will train and equip your team! Call Mark Wogaman 207-272-7391.

So they said, "Let us rise up and build." They they set their hands to this good work. (Nehemiah 2:18b)

How Does Jesus Show Up?

After the flood, it would be very easy to get the feeling we were alone, that it would be up to us to sort this all out. We could just feel left alone and overwhelmed. But that feeling would not be consistent with Jesus' promises. Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)  He said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)  

So then, how does Jesus show up?  We have had so many examples of Him showing us He is with us through the hands and feet and gifts of His Body, the Church.

• Michael Sprague came to speak with us, encourage us and pray for us.

• Curt and Mary Jo Hencye from Calvary Relief have come to live in Lyons, participate in The River, and work full time, coordinating volunteers.

• Chris McDaniel and Delta Ministries have offered to coordinate volunteer teams coming from all over the country.

• Jezreel International, a Messianic ministry from New York, and Barry Feinman sent a 53 foot truck full of building supplies. Steven Kowalski paid for the truck.

A massive 53-foot truck was filled with all these building supplies and more!

• Reach Global, the Evangelical Free Church Disaster Ministry has traveled to be with us, to encourage us and train us.

• A film producing ministry is preparing a video to assist us in getting the word out to other churches across the country.

• Churches all over country have expressed interest in sending volunteer teams.

• Many local congregations have reached out to help us and partner with us in being His hands and feet to our community.

Hard working, generous and gracious — just a few words
that describe these amazing young people who volunteer from Ellerslie

More to come! His Word is true and His promises are sure!

Take Care of YOU!

Now that some of us are moving back home, now that most of the initial work has been started on the church building and damaged homes, we are entering into the "long term" stage of flood recovery.  In running terms we have gone from an initial sprint, to a sustained marathon.  It will take months and years before we get done with the clean up and restoration.  We won't ever go back to normal, but will one day emerge into a "new normal."  But during this sustained period of recovery, we all must be aware of how common it is to experience symptoms of fatigue.  Perhaps you have already experienced some of these in yourself or in others:

Excessive blaming, Bottled up emotions. Isolation from others. Complaining about … (fill in the blank: FEMA, Leadership, the neighbors, etc.) Compulsive behaviors (such as eating, spending, gambling, drugs or alcohol). Nightmares, Chronic physical ailments, Apathy, Difficulty concentrating, Mental fatigue and more.

You should know that, while these symptoms are normally encountered in times like this, they are danger signals.  We should be aware of ourselves and others, and ready to step in with emotional support and prayer.  Be sure to get enough sleep.  Be sure to take time to rest, relax and have fun.  Remember that our enemy, Satan, seeks to pick us off, to destroy us.  Remember also that our Strength is in the Lord, not in our own self-effort.  Don't be afraid to ask for help for yourself, even if it is only a friendly ear!  We are going to need one another as we go through this tough time together.

The River Building Update

The River building is still in clean-up mode. 

Here is our sanctuary - shows how a quarter of the foundation is gone
 and all the flooring has been removed.

Drywall has been removed throughout the building
— up to 3 feet, as can be seen here in the sanctuary

The youth room was nearly condemned but work is being done to restore it

Atop all that, we are still without water, sewer and gas.

As for our church family, there are at least 15 homes that have been affected, either completely gone or heavily destroyed. Most importantly, we desire to touch our Lyons community for Jesus; so many have lost everything.

We have a lot of work to do here and in our community. We need your help financially. Please share our need with everyone you know: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, distant cousins...well, you get the picture. Make sure to tell them our Disaster Relief Fund will go right to the people who need it most, without administrative fees, overhead costs, etc. Every dime will make a big difference. We sincerely thank you for your support! You can find out how to give at http://www.therivercolorado.org 

Praising God in This Storm

I was awakened by my husband’s rapid exit from our bedroom at around 2:00 a.m. the morning of September 12. He had heard knocking on the doors of other trailers in our little park and he knew something was seriously wrong. Before I could ask him what was wrong out the door he went. I got up, put on my robe, and went to the living room where I noticed the red and blue flashing lights of two emergency vehicles parked outside. One was parked in front of our trailer and the other one just to the right, almost in the road. Sheriff’s deputies were knocking on people’s doors telling them to gather what they could and get out NOW! While we gathered a few belongings the Emergency Warning System sirens went off. I packed the few things I’d put together and got in the car. Robbie mounted his scooter and we headed for higher ground. I had no clue how drastically our lives were about to change.

We ended up at the Elementary School where the generous Lyons community rallied around the evacuees, bringing in blankets, clothing, pet food and kennels, snacks and toys for the little ones. It was truly amazing to witness the support given by those whose homes were not being threatened. One of the folks we saw during our evacuation was Pastor Mickey. Due to a really busy summer I hadn't been to church since our wedding in May and it was just so good to see him walking through the halls hugging and encouraging people, as he always does. It was the first "normal" thing to happen since we got there. Shortly after Pastor Mickey left to continue his mission of encouragement, a song popped into my head and it's  been there ever since. It is "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns. The first verse says:

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you".
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Life has gotten back on track, and we're developing a "new normal". We're back to work and will be moving into an apartment later this month. But it still feels like a storm is raging in my heart sometimes. Like when I make the trek to Lyons to see what we can possibly salvage from our former home or when I drive by The River Church property. I continue to sing this song in my head when I feel the flood waters of fear rising up in my soul.

I went out to help clean up at the church's property last Wednesday, and it broke my heart to see the condition of The River. The grassy yard where my grandfather walked me down the aisle at my wedding is gone. The massive wooden deck where we spoke our vows is gone. It was violently washed away, along with parts of the concrete foundation that used to be under the sanctuary. You can see the "new" river flowing by from inside the sanctuary where the floor is sagging. The mound of ruined items in front of the church continues to grow. We lost our church building and many of us, including Robbie and me, lost our homes.  Others incurred great damage and to their homes and property.

Life has been a little bit harder and scarier since that day. We all face a lot of uncertainty. But the flood also brought with it tremendous blessings. Through this disaster we've seen miracles of love and generosity that we would have missed out on had this tragic event not occurred. Personally, I've received enormous amounts of encouragement, love and assistance from co-workers, friends and family. We've had people all over the world praying for us, thanks to blogs, the news, email, Facebook and Twitter! That is truly miraculous!

The River's building was wrecked and people's houses have been lost and damaged. But the good news is that the building and the grounds are not the church and the houses are not the homes. The church, as Pastor Mickey has said so many times, is God's people and a house is only a home because of the people who make their lives there. We are all still here, daily praising the God who gives and takes away! It's kind of like Job in the Old Testament. Our God is bigger than this flood! He is our Strength and our Encourager. He is our Father who loves us and will make all things new and He will show us all how to move forward and how to grow stronger because of all that has happened.

"Every tear I've cried, He holds in His hand. He's never left my side. And though my heart is torn, I will praise Him in this storm."

Lynda Anderson-Clayton