To my Grove Family,

Weekend Message

This week we will be studying one of the great stories of the Bible, the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. I am asking you to study Genesis 21-22 before you come this weekend. My message is called “The Long Journey of Faith Toward Maturity.” I think it might be interesting in your study time to see or count the times Abraham failed before he made a total commitment of his life to God in obedience on Mt. Moriah. Can you tell me the difference between God’s testing and Satan’s temptations? Isaac was very fortunate to be able to see the faith and obedience of his father; it helped prepare him for his life before God. As your children view your life do they see a life of faithful obedience? Could they tell their friends of specific times when they saw their parents remain obedient and faithful to God in difficult situations? If you have not been living a life of total obedience it is never too late; for heaven’s sake, Abraham was 120 years old when he finally got it!

First Steps

If you haven’t already done so, now would be a good time to ask the friend you gave Pastor Mike Barnes’ First Step book to about how they liked it. God will do the rest and He will open up ways for you to talk with the friend you have been praying for. I would love to hear your stories, I have been praying for you.

Rummage Sale

Thanks to all of our great volunteers who have worked so hard this week preparing for our big weekend Rummage Sale. Thanks to Jennifer Reed and her great crew who have been working tirelessly to make this happen. If you have a truck and can help us haul things away that weren’t taken on Saturday afternoon please give Jennifer Reed a call at 951-686-7323 and she can give you the details. Thanks!

Preschool Registration

This is the last week The Grove Preschool will be taking priority registrations for the children of our church family for the next school year. They will open up registration to the public for the 2010/2011 School Year beginning March 8, 2010. Registration packets will be available online soon. You may pick up a registration packet in the preschool office at this time. Please note: a copy of your child's immunization card must be turned in with registration.

Answers in Genesis

Dr. Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis will be speaking at Harvest Christian Fellowship on Wednesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. He is a young earth creation science speaker. I hear he is an excellent speaker. Please let me know if you attend and if Dr. Ham offers information that would be valuable for The Grove to hear at a later date.

New Home

We have finally gotten through our second move and it is great to have it all behind us! Here is our new address and phone number so that you can update your phone books: 8284 Laurel Ridge Road, Riverside, CA  92508, 951-697-7770.

Job Opportunities

·        Full-time position for a management position in Best Buy in Chino. Four-year degree or equivalent management experience required. Please contact Greg Ramirez who is a Job Placement Technician for RCC at 951-222-8480 for more information.

·        Hilton of Anaheim is hiring for various positions. They are taking applications this week thru March 4, 2010. For more information you can visit their web site at www.hiltonfamily.jobs or call their job hotline at 714-740-4319.

·        Corona Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Career Fair March 18, 2010 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. located at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona. For more information you can contact Haley Ebbink at 951-231-5946 or Monique Anderson at 310-903-1462.

·        RCCD Moreno Valley Campus Student Services Department and Goodwill Southern California are having their Annual Career/Job Fair on Thursday, March 11, 2010, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Moreno Valley Campus, 16130 Lasselle St., Moreno Valley, CA 92551. For more information you can contact Michael Arellano at 951-571-6252 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

·        Full and part-time positions available with financial services firm. Sales and sales management. Commissions and bonuses paid. Willing to train, no experience required. Send resume to the attention of Kenny Hughes via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to 951-689-1084.

See you this weekend,

Dear Grove Family,

Pastor Tom and Carol are moving into their new house this week. You can pray for their strength and health as they go through this exhausting process for the second time in the last few weeks. Strength, health and survival is probably more accurate. In the meantime I will update you with all that is happening at The Grove.

Recovery Conference

We just finished hosting the national Recovery Conference 2010 the past two days and it was a great success. There were over 300 people from across the country that attended to learn more about setting people free from the power of addictions and the pain of loss or abuse. Special thanks to Pastor Roy Ronveaux, Sue Young and the rest of our Grove staff and volunteers who made this a great experience for everyone. I know that as the attendees return to their home churches needs will be met and lives changed because of our investment this week.

Weekend Message

This weekend Pastor Joe Hobbs will be bringing God’s Word to The Grove. He is going to tackle Genesis chapters 13-17. The message is titled, “Abraham: Bringing Hope…Changing Lives.” In addition to reading the chapters in Genesis, take a look at Romans 4:18-21 before you come this weekend as the writer reflects on the life of Abraham. Remember the phrase, “In hope against hope he believed…” Come prepared as Joe will encourage you to have hope in the midst of difficult times. Joe is looking forward to the challenge of bringing this weekend’s message to all of us. 

Rummage Sale Volunteers

As most of you know the Annual Rummage Sale is just around the corner. Next week, beginning Monday, we will be going through the process of sorting items to have everything ready for the Rummage Sale on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6. Jennifer Reed, who is coordinating the rummage sale, is in desperate need of volunteer drivers to help with the pick up requests from those who have items too large or heavy to transport themselves. If you are available or know someone who would be willing to help out with this please contact Jennifer at 686-7323 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you for your help and support!

Voting This Weekend

This weekend is also the weekend we vote to ratify two new Grove board members and our church treasurer. If you are a Grove member, we really need you to vote. The voting tables will be set up in the information hallway with all of the details and people to help answer your questions. I guarantee it will not take you longer than two minutes to cast your ballot. Also, our Annual Business Meeting will be held Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in Room C-200. This is the time we announce the results of the voting, provide details of Grove ministry results from 2009 and a financial overview as well. All are welcome. You don’t need to be a member to attend the Annual Business Meeting.

Make a Friend

Here is an opportunity to do something simple that you might really enjoy. Over 30 RCC students from all over the world have recently requested American Friendship Partners to help them adjust to their new lives in Riverside. Under the leadership and guidance of The Grove’s International Student Ministry, you can be matched with one of these Moroccan, Albanian, German, or Chinese students to show them the love of Jesus in very easy, practical, and non-time-consuming ways. If you are interested in more information contact Mike Cain at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 951-789-1354.

Helping at the Bookstore

We are looking for a few good people to get involved in the Bookstore Ministry for a couple hours each month before and after our services. If you like books and you love people we can use your help. To find out more you can contact Shari Barnes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 951-571-9090 Ext. 2116.

Thank you for being part of The Grove family. I hope you have experienced and recognized God’s presence in your life this week. I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we worship Him together.

Bob Ellis
Executive Pastor

To my Grove family,

Another beautiful day in Riverside, isn’t it? When you look around the country at all the crazy weather everyone is having we are certainly blessed to live in Southern California; and in my opinion we are especially blessed to live in Riverside. I love Riverside, I think if I wasn’t the pastor of The Grove I might want to run the Chamber of Commerce for this city. I’m a big fan.

Weekend Message

This week we begin a very special section of Genesis as we head into chapter 12. The first verses are certainly three of the most important verses in the Bible and part of God’s strategic plan for mankind. I am calling this message, “Can You Live by Faith?” and would ask you to carefully study chapter 12 of Genesis before you come. Do you know how God wants you to live? Do you think He has always had a plan for our lifestyle that would point all people toward Him? Have you ever felt God calling you to follow Him by faith, but it would mean saying goodbye to family, friends, comfort, and the things that are familiar? Have you ever failed God because of fear? Do you see the tension between faith and fear at times? What were Sarah’s beauty secrets anyway? All this and more we will discuss this weekend. Hope to see each and every one of you at the service.

All Church Prayer Night

After the Saturday night service at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel we will be having our monthly prayer meeting. This month Pastor Roy and Gail Ronveaux will be leading us in a time of prayer around the theme of marriage. Please plan on being here and joining us in prayer. At this time each month we also take time to pray for and anoint people with oil for healing (James 5:13-15).

H1N1 Vaccinations

Doctor Tom Davis will be here this weekend and will be giving H1N1 (Swine flu) shots to anyone who wants to get one and he is giving them free. He will be in the Bridal Room after each service if you would like to take advantage of this nice opportunity. He will be here on Saturday and Sunday after each service.

Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting will be held next Sunday, February 28, at 5 p.m. in C-200. We will be voting on both Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28, to ratify the following board members: Jim Cashman and Kevin O’Neill for four-year terms, as well as ratifying treasurer Kevin O’Neill  for a one-year term. Absentee ballots may be picked up at the north Welcome Counter this weekend.

Rummage Sale

The Women’s Annual Rummage Sale is just around the corner and your donations and help are needed. The bins have arrived (located in the north parking lot) where your donated items can be dropped off. We are asking that no large items be dropped off until the week of March 1. If you need to schedule a pick up for a large item, please call and leave a message at 951-571-9090 Ext. 2429. We also appreciate any volunteers who would like to help the week of March 1 through March 6. Please just drop by the gym and we’ll put you to work. We’ll be working 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that entire week. You can call our front office at 951-571-9090 for more information. The Rummage Sale is on Friday, March 5, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 6, from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Recovery Conference

Last week we gave you an incorrect e-mail address for the Recovery Conference we are hosting here at The Grove. The correct link is www.recoveryconference2010.com.

Haiti

We still have plans to go to Haiti and help in any way we can, not just one time, but several times in this coming year. I am so thankful for our medical team that did everything humanly possible to go but could not because of unsafe runways in Haiti. We hope to send that team out very soon and follow that trip up with others taking care of the needs of the people of Haiti. For all of you who donated items and gave money we will make sure all of that gets to Haiti within the next week or two. We are working out those details and will let you know when and how it all gets there. We are working with Mission of Hope and World Vision to make this happen. Special thanks to Pastor Mike Barnes who has worked countless hours trying to schedule and get everything in order. For those on our medical team who at the last minute were told you could not go, again I want to say thanks for all you did to get ready. It is what the people of The Grove do when there is a need. Special thanks to Vicki Schlone, Theresa Dodd, Mike Rodriquez, Mike Lance, Joe Giron, Chris Galletta, Dan Lamy and Pastor Mike Barnes. We hope to be sending you to Haiti real soon.

Looking forward to seeing each of you this weekend,

To my Grove family,

What a beautiful day after all the rain. I hear the next week is going to be sunny and beautiful; what a great time to take a walk alone or with your family and just praise God for the beauty of His creation, and the fact that you live in beautiful Riverside.

First Steps Book

This weekend we will be passing out (free) Pastor Mike Barnes’ book called “First Steps” that explains how to accept Christ and begin a new lifestyle as a follower of Christ. For the past five weeks I have asked you to be praying for one of your friends who at this time does not have a personal relationship with Christ. God honors our faithful prayers especially for those who don’t know Him. After praying for this past month, now we would like you to take one of these books and give it to the person you have been praying for and simply ask if you can call in a week or two and see how they liked it. Then in a week or two we want you to call and just see how God opens up the door for you to talk to your friend about Christ. Remember God uses us to spread His love to people and this would be a perfect opportunity for you to do that. Make sure to pick up a book this weekend after service. Remember, it’s free. If you would like to buy additional copies they are $5.00 apiece and you can purchase them at our Upper Campus Bookstore.

Medical Team to Haiti

The first of several teams from The Grove will be heading out to Haiti on Saturday evening. We will be praying for this medical team in the Saturday night service before they depart. Make sure to keep them in your prayers that God will keep them safe and use them in a powerful way as they go to share God’s love to these people in great need. I am so proud of each of them as they have sacrificed their vacation time and their own money to go to serve and love the Haitian people. We will send out many more teams this year and if this is something you would like to consider please e-mail Pastor Mike Barnes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let him know. We will be taking all types of teams so let Mike know your area of expertise and we will make you aware of the future trips.

Recovery Conference

We are very excited to host the National Recovery Conference at The Grove on February 22-23, featuring Steve Arterburn, John Townsend, Johnny Baker, Bill Thrall, and Dale Ryan. This conference is for anyone interested in the Recovery ministry. Go to www.recoveryconference.com for more information and to register. Grove people get an $80 discount ($99.00 vs. $179.00) and we also need volunteers to help those days. Contact Sue Young at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to volunteer. This will be a great opportunity to volunteer and serve people from other churches and folks from our city who will be here at the conference.

Job Opportunities

·        Full and part-time positions available with financial services firm. Sales and sales management. Commissions and bonuses paid. Willing to train, no experience required. Send resume to the attention of Kenny Hughes via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to 951-689-1084.

·        Wednesday in the Press Enterprise (A-3) there is a list of many great job opportunities you may want to check out. 

·        California Baptist University has two openings in their Facilities department. One is for an Assistant Manager of Energy and Controls and the other is for a General Maintenance Technician. In order to apply for the job, you can go to http://www.calbaptist.edu/staffjobs/. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Beresford at 951-343-4360, Department Secretary - Facilities & Planning.

·        www.capsbc.org has several openings with benefits and incentives along with full-time and part-time positions. Hourly salaries are $11.82 to $23.49.

Valentine’s Day

I don’t think I need to remind any of you but just in case let me say this Sunday is Valentine’s Day. It is a great time to tell the person you love how much you appreciate and love them. We need to be doing that every day but this is a fun holiday time when we can do something fun and special. Maybe you would like to give your husband a well trained three year old Labrador retriever for Valentine’s Day? After all, isn’t he worth it? 

Weekend Message

See you all this week as we study together Chapter 11 of Genesis, the Tower of Babel. Don’t forget to read ahead and come prepared.

Have I told you lately what a great church you are? When I am in prayer and thanking God for you and this church, I just can’t keep from smiling. You are indeed a blessing not only to me but to Riverside and the Kingdom of God around the world. See you this weekend.

To my Grove Family,

Weekend Message

This weekend I am calling my message “Covenant God” and would ask you to read in preparation for this weekend Genesis 8 and 9. I love it when you come to church already prepared for the message; it allows the Holy Spirit to teach all of us in so many wonderful ways.

First Steps and Telling Your Story

In my personal devotions I am going through the book of Acts and this morning I read chapters 13 and 14. I love how the Bible is so clear that God’s love is for everyone. What struck me this morning was the clear testimony the disciples shared each time they had an opportunity. When asked, they freely shared how God had changed their lives (telling their stories) and clearly spoke of the person of Jesus. Do you feel like you can easily share what Christ has done in your life? One of the truly great four-week classes we have here at The Grove is a class we call First Steps. This class is not just for those who are exploring Christianity or have just accepted Christ but a class I feel everyone at The Grove should attend. It will give you a real clear understanding of what it means to be a believer and follower of Christ and will also teach you how to share your testimony clearly and with boldness. Pastor Mike Barnes teaches this four-week class that runs throughout the year and you can join at any time. The class meets in Room D-5 at 9 a.m. and again it is a class I know you will enjoy and will allow you to have a confidence in your salvation and teach you to share your testimony clearly. Also at 10:45 a.m. this Sunday and next Sunday, Mike will be teaching the Telling Your Story class; this is where Mike will teach you the framework to actually build your testimony.  Both classes are terrific and I hope you’ll give either or both of them a try!

Online Giving and Registration

Your faithfulness and generosity continues to be very much appreciated especially in these hard financial times. In an effort to make your giving as simple as possible we’ve added an option for you to give your tithes and offerings online. You can choose to set up automatic monthly giving or make a one-time gift. Your giving may be charged to a debit/credit card or deducted from your checking/savings account. Also, online giving will allow you the opportunity to register and pay for upcoming events for various ministries. If you’re interested in setting up automatic online giving just go to www.thegrove.cc and click on Online Giving in the top right corner.

Valentine’s Day

Men, we have 10 days until Valentine’s Day. Let’s put some thought into this day and let our wonderful wives know how much we love and appreciate them. I might buy Carol a house, does that count as romantic and special?

See you this weekend.

To my Grove family,

Weekend Message

This week we continue on with our series in Genesis which we are calling “In the Beginning.” This week’s message is, “Shape Up to Ship Out.” In fact, Pastor Mike Barnes will be helping me preach this message as he will be sharing the last point in each of the services. Will you please read Genesis chapters 6 and 7 before you come this weekend?

Alexander Family

This weekend we should also have five “new” Alexanders with us in service as Kermit and Tami Alexander have arrived back from Haiti with all five of their children. Praise the Lord for their safety and health. Their names and ages are as follows: Manoucheka is 16, Jameson is 14, Clifton is 12, Zachary is 10, and Semfia is 9. Let’s welcome them “home.”

Formula and Cereal for Babies in Haiti

A medical team led by Pastor Mike Barnes will be leaving for Haiti on February 13. Our contacts have shared they are in desperate need of baby formula and rice cereal for the babies. Would you consider donating powdered baby formula (Enfamil A.R. and Enfamil lacto-free) and Gerber rice baby cereal so the medical team can deliver them to Haiti? Please bring your donations by February 7 to the Outreach Bins before and after the weekend services or to the church office during the week.

Upcoming Events

Baby dedication is this Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Chapel where we will be dedicating eight babies to the Lord and we are very excited about that. Even a little Lance baby is being dedicated so that makes me especially glad. Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts class is this Friday, February 6, from 7-9 p.m. continuing to Saturday, February 7, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in D-4. Workbooks for $10 are available for purchase in the class. We will define what makes a spiritual gift, how those gifts are to be used and then we’ll take three simple evaluations/tests to determine our passions, spiritual gifts and personal style. There will be one-on-one consultations following the class to help suggest ministries that are especially fit for the way God created us.

Grove Summer Treks

Grove Summer Treks are coming! The Grove will be going to Tibet, Uganda, and Haiti this summer and we want YOU to be part of one of these ‘Change [D] Opportunities.’ Applications are currently available for our Uganda Teams and will be due February 15. To receive an application or for more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 951-571-9090 Ext. 2176. If you are interested in being part of our Haiti teams, please attend the informational meeting this Sunday at 12:15 p.m. in D-4.

Job Opportunities

·        There is an opening for a position in Irvine for a staff member of an EDI Health Group Production Support department. The pay scale is from $12 to $17 per hour. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tch/1538552049.html

·        U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities. Interested applicants can gather additional information at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs 

·        Full and part-time positions available with financial services firm for sales and sales management. Commissions and bonuses paid. Willing to train, no experience required. Send resume to the attention of Kenny Hughes via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to 951-689-1084.

Hope to see each and every one of you this weekend. How did Noah get all those animals on the ark? How did he ever build such a huge ship/boat? Did people in the city help? Think about this. When the rains came the door on the ark was shut and there was no more chance for anyone on earth. How could that relate to us today?

To my Grove family,

Family Night

I hope you are all as dry as possible and safe. We are not going to cancel Family Night this evening as we are not sure when and how hard the storm will hit. You are all very smart people so all I say is use your best judgment about coming. We want everyone to stay safe and we are not sure of road conditions all over Riverside. We plan to be here tonight and hope you can be with us if it is safe to travel. I’m sure there have been a few of you who, like me, in the last few days were up on your roof with the blue tarp to keep the rain from coming into your home. Yes, I am now an official member of the infamous “blue tarp” club.

Haiti

With all the weather we’re experiencing here, we need to remember to pray for the situation in Haiti. Mike Barnes is working on assembling a group of medical personnel who would be interested in traveling to Haiti to help. You will need a valid U.S. Passport. Please contact Mike if you’re interested at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling the church at 571-9090 Ext. 2125. Also, a huge praise is that Tami and Kermit Alexander, who have been trying to adopt five children from Haiti, will be traveling tomorrow to finally bring their children home. They would like to take a duffle bag full of medical supplies when they fly out. If you have soft casts, splinting or bandaging material, Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain medications, we will be collecting these items tonight at Women’s and Men’s Bible Studies. Thank you for your help as we reach out to this small country that has been so devastated by an earthquake.

Weekend Message

This week my message is entitled “The Heart of the Offering” and we will be covering Genesis chapter 4. As you read this chapter count how many chances God gave Cain to ask forgiveness and get back in step with Him. Do you see a little self pity in the life of Cain? Look at the two offerings the brothers brought and think through why God was pleased by one and not the other. This is another chapter packed with information on God and how we are supposed to live our lives. I look forward to sharing some of those thoughts with you this weekend. Is this a weekend to invite a friend? Has it been a long time since you have done so? I am sure each of you have friends who don’t have what we have – Jesus. Please pray about taking this step and then simply respond as God directs.

Unsaved Friends

Three weeks ago I asked everyone in service to begin praying every day through the month of January for an unsaved friend. In February we are going to give to everyone who has been praying one of Mike Barnes books on the First Steps of the Christian Life. We would like you to give this book to the friend you have been praying for and ask them if you can check back in a week or two and see how they liked it. That’s all we want you to do and let’s see what God will do with that commitment. Here is what we are asking. Each day this month pray for your unsaved friend. In February, pick up the book (free) and give it to your friend. Call them in a week or so and ask them how they liked the book. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Creation Class

If you enjoyed Carol’s message a couple of weekends ago called “Could God Really Have Created Everything?” then you will enjoy our Creation class which will be taught by Chuck Marler this Sunday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Room D-2. This class will be an opportunity to dig even deeper into God’s amazing creation. We may add another session of this class the following weekend if we get a big response.

Bowling League

We are starting our next bowling league on Monday Nights at 6:30 p.m. at the AMF Riverside Lanes from February 1 through May 17. There will be four-person teams, bowling three games per week using handicaps, at a cost of $10 per person per week which includes shoe rental. Sign up with Pastor Kendall Brown at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ext. 2145. Carol and I have bowled the last three years and it has been great fun and a wonderful way to get to know folks at The Grove. You can bring your own team of four or you can be put on one of the great teams that still need a player or two.

Looking forward to seeing all of you this weekend.

Stay warm, stay safe and stay close to the Lord.

That’s all I have today,

To my Grove family,

Weekend Message

I pray that today finds you safe and sensing the hand of God leading you as you live your life for Him. I loved Carol’s message last week on creation as it was so clear that God has always had a plan for His creation. As part of God’s creation I pray you know you are deeply loved and important to Him. This week my message will come from Genesis chapter three. Will you please read that chapter before coming to church this weekend? I am calling this series “In the Beginning” and this week’s message is “The First Cover Up.” Isn’t it amazing that even when God had provided Adam and Eve with everything they could possibly need or desire they longed for the one thing they couldn’t have, which God knew would not be good for them. Is that the way it is with us at times? You see in Genesis 3 they thought they could hide their sin from God. Ever since Eden mankind has tried to hide and cover up sin only to slip further and further from God. God has a desire for us when we sin and that desire is to confess and not hide. Have you been hiding sin through 2009? Is it time to stop and live differently in 2010?

Temporary Missionary Housing

We have one of our young missionary couples (Gus and Karissa Guevera) planning to stay in Riverside from February 2-17 and we’ve been unsuccessful in finding them housing so far. Now we’re getting down to the wire! They have a two-year-old son and she is seven months pregnant so they’d love to have two rooms or even a separate guest area. Would any of you be willing to share your home with this young couple for two weeks? If so, please contact Sarah Bourns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Financial Peace University Class

We have had to stop sign ups for the Financial Peace University classes that begin next week on January 24. We had a great response to the preview class and we will offer this class again in the near future. I am excited that so many from The Grove are being proactive about this issue and want to know what God’s Word says on this important topic. Many have told me recently they want to be more supportive of The Grove financially in 2010 as 2009 was a year when their giving was sporadic. This is also very exciting to hear. We have a relatively new method to help us give more regularly through automated giving. It is easy to do and you can find out how it works on our website. Just go to www.thegrove.cc and click on the “Online Giving” button in the top left corner. With automated giving you will be assured you’re giving what you prayerfully determined before God and you will be doing it consistently throughout the year. 

Church Finances and All Church Prayer

Along that line let me fill you in on how we finished the last quarter of 2009 and how we have started 2010. We ended the last quarter of 2009 a total of 12% behind last year’s giving. In 2010 we are currently 19% behind our 2009 giving. This is not a good trend for us and one we need to change soon. It has put us in a place where we need to see God do something that only He can do through our finances. I ask you to come to our All Church Prayer time this Saturday after the service (6:15 p.m.) and join our hearts to pray about this as well as praying for Haiti, the ministries of The Grove, and the new beginnings in our personal lives. In the midst of all this financial confusion and uncertainty and the destruction in Haiti, I believe we are going to see His power, might and supernatural provision. Please be praying for these situations in your personal prayer time and small groups as well. There is not a problem that cannot be solved through prayer.

God bless you all and I look forward to seeing you this weekend as I speak on Genesis 3 and “The First Cover-Up.”

To my Grove family,

Weekend Message

Could the last week in Riverside have been any more beautiful? This week we are talking about creation (Genesis 1-2) during the weekend service. How anyone can look around the beauty of the Inland Empire and say it all just happened baffles me. We are calling the message this weekend “Could God Really Have Created Everything?” This is a weekend you just don’t want to miss. I think it is also a critical week to have your youth or college child with you in service. (They shouldn’t miss their own service but this is one with information that will help them make a stand and feel equipped in school.) Remember to read the first two chapters of Genesis before you come this week.

Meet the Staff

The staff would love to meet you if you have the time this Saturday, January 9. We are meeting in Room D-4 from 10-11 a.m. to share some coffee and donuts and just get to know each other. Hope you can be there!

2010

Here are some important dates to remember as we begin 2010:

• Wednesday, January 6 – Family Night Resumes
• Saturday, January 9 – Meet the Staff (D-4)
• Saturday, January 16 – All Church Prayer Time
• Saturday, January 23 – New Member’s Class
• Saturday, January 30 – Baby Dedication 

Financial Peace University

This week you can get a preview of the new financial class we are offering beginning January 24 called Financial Peace University. This preview class will be Sunday at 10:45 a.m. in Room D-2. If you are serious about getting control of your finances then this is the class for you. Our executive pastor Bob Ellis will give direction to this class that will use the DVD teaching of Dave Ramsey. We think this is the best class we could offer The Grove and our prayer is many will find financial freedom with this.

Little Church Sign Ups

Have you signed up for a Little Church yet? There are eight sessions remaining for 2010 and we have wonderful Little Churches for you to join. Contact Linda Cella, Joe Hobbs, Andy Gibeault or Burton Villaverde and they will direct you to the perfect Little Church– they promise!

Website

If you go to our website this week and look at the section called sermons you will notice a new feature. For years now some local pastors have asked if they could have transcripts of my sermons. In the past it has been too difficult to get this done in a timely manner. I have been in contact with a person who will have the sermon transcribed and back to us by Wednesday each week and we will post it on the website by Thursday. This isn’t something we felt many at The Grove would take advantage of as you are here and listen to the sermon, but hopefully it can help some fellow pastors and other people in our area. There is a cost to do this and Carol and I will be covering the cost. Hopefully we can make that cost up by those who would like to use this feature. All of that to say there is something new on the website and if you have not visited our website recently you have missed the incredible work of our new web guru Josh Cloud. Please visit our website each week and keep up with all that is going on.

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend as we begin our journey through Genesis together.

To my Grove family,

Christmas is upon us and it is my prayer that you will not be too rushed or frazzled to enjoy the season. It is a great time to sit and reflect and allow God to speak to your heart all the thoughts of this season.

Weekend Message

My message this weekend is called “God’s Plans for Christmas.” The text is from Luke 2:1-20 which would be a great section of scripture for you to read and reflect on before the weekend.

“Evening of Christmas”

Join us this Friday, December 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Worship Center for an “Evening of Christmas,” our annual Christmas concert presented by the musicians of The Grove. Our talented band and soloists will perform a selection of traditional and contemporary Christmas music that’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! Admission is free.

See you this weekend --- we have homemade sugar cookies for each one of you as you leave the service this weekend.