Announcements – September 2, 2026
For Your Information — Lobby Couch:
Robert and I would like to replace the couch in the lobby because of wear and tear that is no longer appropriate for the lobby. It is a nice, comfortable couch and we have enjoyed it, but in addition to tears I have already sewn, there are now new tears in the back of the couch.
If anyone would like the couch for their home—for example, a basement recreation room—you are welcome to have it. You will be responsible for arranging pickup and transportation.
The couch is available from now through September 11.
As soon as you are certain that you want it and can make your own arrangements for pickup and delivery, please let me, Rosemary, know. The first person to contact me may have it.
If you cannot tell me in person, please email me so that the date and time of your request are clearly recorded:
Rbarnesrol@aol.com.
If no one wants the couch, we will put it at the curb as soon as possible after September 11 for anyone passing by who would like to take it.
August 30: We begin studying 1 Samuel and 1 Timothy.
Upcoming Birthday Offerings for Leaders — please note the changes from previous announcements:
September 5: Minister Sherry Slawson
September 12: Pastor Rosemary Barnes
September 19: Pastor Karen Roark
October 3: Pastor Annie Baker
October 24: Minister Hannah Schneider
October 31: Pastor Karen Cook
November 7: Deaconess Tracy Menninga
September 16: Clean-up night following the usual activities we do before the sermon.
Saturday, September 26 — Feast of Tabernacles: We will celebrate the Feast during both Sabbath services.
We will have a continental breakfast between the services and a potblessing after the second service.
Wednesday, September 30 — Roll Call of Nations: This year’s Roll Call will take place after the main Feast service.
Roll Call of Nations:
Everyone is encouraged to prepare a testimony concerning the Lord’s work through one of the many ministries serving throughout the world.
Find a ministry somewhere in the world—perhaps through an internet search—that you can discern is sincerely Christian and genuinely working to build God’s Kingdom.
On the evening of the Roll Call, you may tell us what that ministry is doing and where it is located.
You may also share some information about the country in which the ministry serves, especially if that information helps us understand and empathize with the challenges the ministry faces while carrying out its work.
Please pray for the ministry you choose.
Each presentation should be no longer than three minutes.
Feast of Tabernacles Theme:
This year’s theme will be taken from the song “Who Am I to Be a Part of Your People?” and focuses on the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
Galatians 3:8–9 (KJV): And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
One day we will surely be part of a great assembly of believers from all nations who will go every year to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast together after Jesus establishes His Kingdom in Jerusalem.
Beautiful times of rejoicing are ahead of us!
Theme Song: Baruch Hashem Adonai — Maranatha! Music
Who am I to be part of Your people? The ones that are called by Your name
Could I be chosen as one of Your own? Could it be that our blood is the same?
How can a stranger, a remnant of nations, belong to the Royal line?
You showed Your grace when the branches were broken, and I grafted into the vine
Chorus:
Baruch Hashem Adonai; Baruch Hashem Adonai
Blessed be the name of the Lord; Baruch Hashem Adonai
How could You show me such bountiful mercy by taking the life of the Lamb?
Your love is greater than I can imagine; I bless You with all that I am
Praise to You Jesus, the veil has been parted and what once was secret is known
Now I can cry to You, Abba! My Father! And praise You as one of Your own!
October 7:
After the usual activities before the sermon, we will begin preparing for the October 10 anniversary celebration.
Richard will oversee the auditorium, including the setup of tables and chairs, because we will eat in the auditorium on October 10.
Decorating, cleaning, and other preparations may also be completed that evening.
October 8: Pastors Robert and Rosemary’s 50th wedding anniversary.
October 10 — Robert and Rosemary’s 50th Anniversary Celebration:
After the service, River of Life will gather to celebrate Robert and Rosemary’s milestone 50th wedding anniversary.
We expect the celebration to begin at approximately 1:30 PM. Robert and Rosemary will begin with a greeting and prayer for the meal.
Robert and Rosemary may also invite some family members and friends to join us.
The main dish will be provided. Everyone else is encouraged to bring side dishes such as salads, vegetables, rolls, and desserts.
Robert has asked Dylan Schneider and Alexandra Vander Vliet to oversee the main dish or dishes.
During dinner, the pulpit will be opened for presentations. These may include testimonies or insights concerning marriage, personal words for Robert and Rosemary, songs, poems, or other appropriate presentations.
If you plan to use recorded background music for your presentation, please give it to the sound team ahead of time.
Shortly before October 10, please send song and instrumental lyrics to the overhead team so everyone in the room can follow along:
riveroverhead@gmail.com.
For this celebration, please do not choose a recorded song that everyone simply sits and listens to. We are looking for ROL members to personally share their words and talents.
Our normal guideline for presentations is three to five minutes or less.
Because of the special dinner, we will have only a continental breakfast between the Sabbath services.
October 19: ROLLWMS work assigned on August 29 is due.
October 24: ROLLWMS.
October 25: We begin studying 2 Timothy and Daniel.
November 21: ROLLWMS.
November 30: ROLLWMS work assigned on October 24 is due.
December: There will be no ROLLWMS meeting in December.
Important: As always, unforeseen circumstances may occasionally require changes to scheduled events or arrangements. Please keep this possibility in mind when making your plans.
Each Saturday Night Through Labor Day, September 7 — Light Force:
River of Life conducts street ministry in downtown Grand Rapids. We meet at 7:30 PM by Kilwins near Rosa Parks Circle, kitty-corner from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
We begin by praying together. After prayer, we go out and minister to people.
At approximately 8:30 PM, we return to our starting location, share highlights from our ministry encounters, and close together in prayer.
We trust the Lord to lead us to whomever He wants us to reach that evening. We do not have particular “targets” in mind. Over the years, we have prayed for active Christians, backsliders, and unbelievers, and we have ministered to people from many different walks of life.
Please be extremely cautious about giving money directly to people during our official hour of ministry.
Grand Rapids is blessed with several organizations that serve people in need. River of Life regularly supports programs and ministries including the Salvation Army, Guiding Light, and Mel Trotter Ministries.
If the temperature is 68 degrees or below, or if it is raining, we will not conduct the official Light Force ministry that evening. Please check the weather at 7:00 PM and plan accordingly.
These guidelines apply to our official Light Force ministry time. We also encourage everyone to follow the Lord’s leading and minister independently—downtown or elsewhere—at other times.
In-Service Prayer Time:
We have a rotation of prayer leaders for Sabbath at 9:30 AM and Wednesday at 6:30 PM.
Our prayer leaders are Robert, Annie, Edie, Dylan, Karen C., Hannah, Karen V., Karen R., and Cliff.
Hannah oversees the prayer rotation schedule. If you are unable to take your scheduled turn, please let her know:
Hannah.Menninga@gmail.com.
Wednesday Night Service Speakers:
Pastor Cliff Baker schedules the Wednesday night speakers. He will send notices to speakers asking them to indicate when they are available to speak.
If you cannot keep a scheduled speaking time, please contact Cliff:
cliffanniebaker@comcast.net.
Cliff will arrange for someone else to speak in your place. Please do not make your own replacement arrangements.
If a last-minute situation arises—for example, the day before or the day of your scheduled speaking time—please also let Rosemary know. She is willing to fill in when necessary.
The Wednesday night speakers are Cliff and Annie Baker, Karen Roark, Karen Cook, Karen Vander Vliet, and Hannah Schneider.
Richard Menninga serves as a backup speaker.
To the speakers: On the rare occasion that Robert and Rosemary make other plans for a Wednesday evening when you were scheduled to speak, your sermon may simply be given another time. Please let Cliff know that you need to be rescheduled.
First Sabbath of Each Month — Senior Singles:
Unless otherwise announced, this group for singles age 55 and older meets in the Fellowship Hall after the second service.