River Church NOLA
2026 Sep 13 The River Still Flows
  • Love Came Down
  • Look What The Lord Has Done
  • I Speak Jesus
  • Trust In God
  • Intro
    Today, we celebrate ten years of River Church!
    As we look at these pictures, we see faces we love, places we remember, and moments that bring back stories. Some pictures make us smile. Some may bring tears. And a few remind us that our hairstyles have had their own journey over these ten years!
    But through all these memories, we have a reason to say together:
    Psalm 126:3 NIV84
    3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
    Today, we gather with grateful hearts to celebrate ten years of River Church.
    Ten years of worship, prayer, and opening God’s Word. Ten years of opportunities to love our neighbors, carry one another’s burdens, and share the hope of Jesus Christ to a hurting world.
    Whether you have been here from the beginning or walked through the doors for the first time today, you have a place in this celebration.
    An anniversary invites us to look in three directions: back with gratitude, around with love, and forward with faith.

    1. Look back with gratitude.

    n Joshua chapter 4, the people of Israel have crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. God tells Joshua to appoint twelve men to take stones from the riverbed and establish a memorial.
    Those stones would remain after the water began flowing again.
    Joshua 4:1–7 NLT
    1 When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’ ” 4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. 5 He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
    Why stones? Because a day would come with the children and the grand children would see the stones and ask,

    “What do those stones mean?” Remember God’s faithfulness. Tell the next generation.

    pic of the stones.
    And their parents and grand parents and aunts would have a story about the faithfulness of God to tell them. Has God been faithful in your life?
    Bill Freeman - 1 year in the hospital… didn't look like he would make it… he is here.
    Jenny - quit smoking
    These photos can help us do something similar. When they say, what do these pictures mean, We can tell them. Remember God’s Faithfulness and pass it on to the next generation.
    This is a time for us to gather our own stones of remembrance.
    Slide 5 Our Early Days
    We can say this was where began in the early days… in a rented building on Saturday nights. We gathered to worship, we learned God’s word, we fellowshipped together and we learned to serve the Lord together.
    We recognize the rooms. we remember the faces. Looking back now, we know things that we could not have known then.
    We could not see every challenge ahead. We could not imagine every person we would meet or every opportunity God would give us.
    But we could take the next step.
    That is often how faith works. God gives us enough light to obey Him today, and we trust Him with tomorrow.
    Slide 6 Our Church Home
    These pictures remind us of purchasing this building and the work involved to make it our church home. tell the story
    Behind a moment like that are decisions, responsibilities, and people willing to help. Someone has to do the work. Someone has to give the time. Someone has to keep showing up. Ad we have to pay for the building.
    Today, we thank God for everyone who helped bring River Church to this moment. Some contributions were visible. Others happened quietly. God knows them all.
    And our memories include difficult seasons.
    Look at these pictures of worship during COVID. There we were, sharing God’s Word and worship from a home, with a camera in front of us.
    Slide 7 Worship during COVID
    The way we gathered had changed. Familiar routines had disappeared. We were learning how to care for one another under circumstances we had never faced.
    Those pictures belong in our testimony too.
    God’s faithfulness sustained us through uncertainty. We could pray when we did not have answers. We could keep trusting when we could not see what came next.

    Remember what God brought you through. Let that memory become thanksgiving

    Take a moment and remember something the Lord has brought you through. share something here
    You know the prayer you prayed. You know the burden you carried.
    Today, you are here. Let that memory become thanksgiving.
    [Pause for a moment of personal thanksgiving.]
    The Lord has done great things for us.

    2. Look around with love.

    These photographs also help us see what it means to be a church family. We see people worshiping, sharing meals, and enjoying time together. We see friendships that have grown through ordinary moments. And we see love reaching into our community.
    The name River Church gives us a picture to consider. A river carries water beyond the place where it begins. Along its banks, life can flourish.
    As we receive the love of Christ, that love should reach the people around us.
    Slides - 167, 170, 171, Joy Fellowship
    Joy Fellowship is a ministry of PK that’s been going on for many years. It’s a ministry to women from women from across church denominational lines. Of course, now REAL MEN go to the Joy Fellowship too.
    Slides - 174, 175, Ladies Night Out
    Ladies gather at Ladies Night out events. These along with the Joy Fellowship are great times to invite people who will not come to church with you to see that we are sort of normal.
    Slides - 184, Men’s Breakfast -
    Every few months, we gather men together for food, fellowship and the Word.
    Slide 48 & 52 of Pic presentation VBS
    Each year we want to reach out to the Kids and their friends through VBS. They have fun and learn about a relationship with Jesus based on the Bible.
    Slide 10, 105, 109, 111 - School Supplies
    We see school supplies for children, including children of incarcerated parents. Think about the child receiving that backpack. Think about what that support means to a parent preparing a child for school. This impacted the deputies as well.
    Every act of service touches a person with a name and a story.
    slide 11 & Slide 97 & 99, 100 Food for our neighbors
    We see Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. Think about a parent… wondering how they would be able to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas without anything to eat. Now think about that same parent preparing a holiday meal with food someone helped provide because you helped to provide it.
    Behind those baskets and bags are people who gave, packed, and made time to help. Through Your service, care became something a family could receive and use.
    Slide 12, 123, 124 Willing Hands - Community Outreach
    Look at the volunteers unloading 50,000 pounds of food and supplies. That work takes willing hands and time. Love often asks us to pick something up, carry something, or stay until the job is finished.
    Slides - 94, 86, 64, 85, 90, 93 Fall Festival
    The Fall festival draws hundreds of families through our event. Families get plenty of candy, food (cotton candy & Funnel Cakes) and Christian Books. We have a prayer tent for people to pray for anyone needing prayer.
    Slides - Easter Outreach
    Slides - 179, 180, 181 - Mom’s Outreach
    Single mom’s outreach connected single moms to community resources.
    Slide 114 - Fuel the Future
    Every week kids come to school hungry from the weekend. Fuel the future helps fight that by sending kid friendly food home with 25 kids every week at William Hart School.
    Slide - 101, 102 - Christmas Angel
    Each year PK gets requests from her 1100 inmates for hundreds of kids to receive Christmas presents. The idea of Christmas Angel is to stop the pipeline of family crime and make a difference in the kids lives.
    Slide 13, 136, 156, 157, 160, Chaplain Jail Ministry Ministry
    Through chaplain ministry, there have been opportunities to serve people in jail, encourage those serving our community, and stand beside people in painful circumstances such as drug court.
    Slide 132, 135, 137, 143 - LE Chaplains
    Pastors ride with deputies, go out on crime, overdose and natural death scenes providing comfort to families, most whom do not attend a church.
    Slide - 140, 144, 146, Community Events -
    God has allowed us ro pray at Veterans Day Events, Memorial Day Events, LE support events.
    Sometimes we can help meet a practical need. Sometimes we can listen and pray. Sometimes our presence communicates something a hurting person desperately needs to hear: “You matter, and you do not have to face this moment alone.”

    Let us keep noticing people.

    Matthew 25:35–40 NLT
    35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

    Feed the Hungry. Welcome the stranger. Visit the prisoner.

    In Matthew 25, Jesus speaks about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and visiting the prisoner. He gives profound significance to the way we care for people in need.
    River Church, let us keep noticing people.
    Let us notice the person sitting alone. Let us learn the names of those who are new. Let us make time for someone whose week has been hard.

    God remembers your service. Your work and love matter.

    And to everyone who has prepared a meal, packed supplies, taught children, worked on the building, helped with worship, or stayed to clean up: thank you.
    Hebrews 6:10 NLT
    10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
    God remembers the hard work that you have put in and are putting in. He remembers the love you show others. You may never know the full effect of your faithfulness on this side of heaven. Keep serving. God sees.

    3. Look forward with faith.

    Ten years gives us much to celebrate. We have seen a lot of broken lives restored. But it also gives us a reason to renew our commitment in following the Lord.

    Come to Jesus and drink.

    John 7:37–39 NLT
    37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
    He speaks of rivers of living water flowing from those who believe in Him. John explains that Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit.
    That brings us back to our source.

    River Church needs the continuing presence and power of God. We need His Word to guide us and His Spirit to shape us.

    After ten years, we still need to pray. We still need to listen. We still need the humility to let God teach us.
    And there are people before us who need our faithful attention.
    Slide 18 Photos of Kid min the next generation -
    Look at these children. We see them singing, learning, and enjoying being together. We see opportunities to help them know Jesus.
    Ten years from now, what will they remember about us?
    Will they remember that we knew their names? That we listened to their questions? That we prayed with them? That they could see us living the faith we taught?

    One generation tells another.

    Psalm 145:4 NLT
    4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
    That responsibility belongs to us now.
    Every lesson matters. Every patient conversation matters. Every adult who models kindness, integrity, and faith gives a child something valuable to remember.
    And there are families we have yet to meet. There is someone who will need an invitation. Someone who will need a friend. Someone who will come looking for hope.
    Let us be ready to welcome them. Here is what we need to ask.

    Lord, where do you want me to serve? Volunteer. Invite a neighbor. Pray for someone who needs Jesus.

    The next chapter will include ordinary acts of obedience. It may begin with volunteering, making a phone call, inviting a neighbor, or praying consistently for someone who needs Christ. It may be helping us tear out a wall so we can fit more people in here.
    Ask the Lord, “Where do You want me to serve?” Volunteer… invite a neighbor… pray for someone you know needs Jesus in their life.
    If you have begun attending River Church recently, there is room for your gifts and your participation. If this is your first time here, there is room for your gifts and your participation. You can help shape what comes next.
    We do not know every detail of the years ahead. We know Jesus, and we can follow Him one step at a time.
    So, how do we respond? Let’s make these commitments together today.

    Our Anniversary Commitment. We will remember God’s faithfulness. We will love the people He places before us. We will follow Jesus into the years ahead.

    I want the children in these pictures grow up with stories of God’s goodness to tell.
    I want our neighbors experience His kindness through us.
    And when we gather for another anniversary, may we have fresh reasons to say, “The Lord has done great things for us.”

    Your walk with Jesus can begin today. Turn to Him. Receive His forgiveness. Begin following Him

    Before we pray, I want to speak to anyone who has never trusted Jesus.
    He is the reason this church exists. He died for our sins and rose again. Through Him, we receive forgiveness and new life.
    His invitation in John 7 is personal: come to Him.
    You can turn to Him today. You can ask and receive His forgiveness, Place your trust in Him, and begin following Him.
    As River Church celebrates ten years, today can be the beginning of your own walk with Jesus.

    Let Your Grace flow though Us.

    The hears ahead are on God’s hands.
    Pick of stones

      • Psalm 126:3NLT

      • Joshua 4:1–7NLT

      • Matthew 25:35–40NLT

      • Hebrews 6:10NLT

      • John 7:37–39NLT

      • Psalm 145:4NLT

River Church NOLA
robert@riverchurchnola.com
504-578-8317
https://riverchurchnola.com
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