Dear Riverside Family,
This past Sunday was truly inspiring as Pastor Paul shared an incredible message on Vision Sunday. It was a moment for us to reflect on our purpose as a church and as individuals, seeking clarity and direction from God about the future He’s calling us toward.
The Power of Vision
Pastor Paul opened with Proverbs 29:18 (KJV): “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision isn’t just a plan—it’s a God-given revelation that brings life, purpose, and direction. Without it, we lose focus and wander, but with it, we find the motivation to move forward with purpose. As a church, we are stepping into this new season with a clear vision: to make a difference in the world around us through love, service, and generosity.
Created for a Purpose
Drawing from Ephesians 2:10, Pastor Paul reminded us that we are God’s handiwork, created to do good works that God has prepared for us in advance. Each of us is uniquely designed by God, with specific gifts and talents meant to be used for His glory. Whether through serving others, contributing to the church, or living out our faith in our daily lives, we are fulfilling God’s plan when we use our gifts to impact the world around us.
Generosity Changes Lives
One of the core values Pastor Paul emphasized was generosity. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Generosity is not just about giving financially; it’s about living a life that refreshes others through our time, energy, and resources. Pastor Paul highlighted powerful examples of this through ministries like Celebrate Recovery, Iron Men, Upward Basketball, and even our Dream Team, showing how generosity and service change lives.
Discovering Our Gifts
In addition to giving, we were reminded of the importance of discovering and using our God-given talents. Romans 12:6 speaks of the unique gifts given to each of us by God’s grace. We are called to Discover Purpose—whether through our church’s Growth Track or in personal reflection—to better understand how God has shaped us for His work.
The Importance of Community
Pastor Paul emphasized that we are better together. Psalms 68:6 beautifully illustrates how God places the lonely in families and brings people into community. We saw testimonies and stories that celebrated the power of groups like Sisters, Pickleball, and Celebrate Recovery, which help connect people, heal brokenness, and bring them into God’s family.
Changed Lives and Baptisms
One of the highlights of Vision Sunday was the celebration of over 200 salvations, 80 baptisms, and the many lives changed over the past year. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that anyone in Christ is a new creation—the old is gone, and the new has come! Pastor Paul shared images of baptisms, including river baptisms, and encouraged us to continue leading others toward life transformation through Jesus.
Our Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Pastor Paul outlined the clear mission of our church:
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Know God through our Sunday services and personal relationships with Jesus.
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Get Connected through groups and classes that build strong spiritual communities.
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Discover Purpose by identifying and using our unique gifts through Growth Track.
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Make a Difference by serving on the Dream Team and impacting the world around us.
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Takeaway Challenge:
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Seek Vision: Reflect on how God is calling you to use your gifts and talents.
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Get Involved: Join a group or class to deepen your connections within the church.
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Make a Difference: Find a way to serve others this week, either through church ministries or in your community.
If you missed this incredible message or want to listen again, you can catch it below:
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Watch the full message here: Vision Sunday
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Download the notes here: Message Notes
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Listen to the MP3 here: Vision Sunday MP3
Let’s continue to pursue God’s vision together, stepping boldly into the purpose He has set for us.
Blessings,
Chanel Penn
Communications Director, Riverside Church