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You are here: Home / Pastor's Blog / This Sunday Morning… New Experimental Format.

This Sunday Morning… New Experimental Format.

June 4, 2020 by Pastor David Rathel

WOW!

It’s been an amazing experience reopening our worship center and reconnecting with those in attendance. I just came out of a meeting today with our team and I want to tell you all about an experiment we want to do this Sunday morning to connect better with all our members, regular attenders and visitors. The truth is that we have no idea if this will work or if we will change our format again in the coming weeks.  We want to keep growing and adapting to the times we are facing.

Speaking of that, my message this Sunday Morning is: “How To Thrive In Uncertain Times.”

I want to provide different experiences to cater to the needs of those who are able to worship with us in person and those who are enjoying our livestream from home. I sent out a survey this week and the resounding response was that you all want to try it. I don’t want those who are still at home to feel like they are simply watching the worship service through the window of their phone or computer.  Also, I want to give those who are able to come in person the “personal” experience they are looking for.  

9 am – NEW “Table Talk with Pastor David.”  This is for our facebook and youtube stream only.  I’ll be sitting with you, and a cup of coffee, at our new welcome table. It will be sort of a prequel to the message and will be more interactive and intimate than our normal stream of the sermon. It’s kind of early in the morning, but I wanted to have enough time to do it live instead of filming it and streaming it as a recording. I hope you’ll join me at 9am or a little later and catch up with us then.  

10 am – Jen and the band will kick-off worship online and in-person. This will include a children’s message during the service as well as the full video of “Pastor C’s Neighborhood” afterward.  All of the safety measures I’ve outlined before are still in effect. The only change is that our bathrooms are no longer operating only for emergencies. The facilities will be fully open for all those who feel comfortable being in a smaller space. We will, however, be cleaning throughout the morning. A special feature this week is the vocals of Graycn Lavalley. She is going into the 9th grade next year and has more anointed power and spunk in her voice than you could possibly imagine.  

10:30am – Student ministry on Sunday morning is back by popular demand. The students will transition to the youth center after Jen and the band leads us into God’s presence. Pastor Mat’s message to the middle and high-schoolers is always a hit.  

10:30am – Connection discussion, intimate prayer, and message for our in-person worshipers.  I will close out the live stream and focus completely on the needs of those who are able to be there in person.  We will be offering pre-packaged communion bread and juice in a time of celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  

The world is changing and I’m so glad to be part of this team of leaders who embrace change and want top impact the world.  

I love you Church, 

Pastor David Rathel.

P.S. – Please feel free to call or txt me with any questions or concerns or if you want a boat ride. 706.366.7717

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About Pastor David Rathel

My wife, Melanie, and I moved back to Columbus with our two week old little girl, Hannah, after finishing Graduate School in Fort Worth, Texas in 2001. RiverTown Church was born in a movie theater on September 9th that same year with a vision to be “a church for people who don’t go to church” here in our hometown. God has blessed us since then with a great location on Schomburg Rd. near my old neighborhood and High School. New people are coming to RiverTown all the time and discovering that God can “transform their lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ” through a church family where you can Believe, Belong, and Become!

From our first prayer meetings in a living room in nearby Phenix City, to our preview services and grand opening the Hollywood Connection movie theater, and finally to our current property and buildings on Schomburg Rd. God has led us all the way.

My wife and I both grew up here, so we know the people and love it here. Melanie keeps me going! We’ve been through all the good, the bad, and the ugly of life and have found that everything is sweeter together. You’ll never find us at a church event on a Friday night. We’ve had date night on Fridays since my first day as a Pastor. We met while working together in a Franklin Graham evangelistic crusade here in Columbus in 1996. Our second child is named Graham for that very reason! Our first child, Hannah, was born in Forth Worth just before we finished Seminary in 2001. Two weeks after she was born in Fort Worth, we were on the road back to Columbus to knock on doors and start RiverTown. She and the church will always be the same age!

On this blog, you'll be the first to know what God is teaching me and teaching through me to our church family. We'll laugh together and sometimes cry together. Most of all, you'll be challenged to take your next step in following Jesus Christ.

Recent Messages

  • He Died for Us
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Online Giving

You Want To Be Generous. At RiverTown Church,We Make It Easy! Click HERE for our secure online giving site. We are a 501(c)3 organization, and all contributions are … More

Pastor David Rathel

RiverTown Church was born in a movie theater on September 9th, 2001 with a vision to be "a church for people who don't go to church" here in our hometown. Read More…

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You Want To Be Generous. At RiverTown Church,We Make It Easy! Click HERE for our secure online giving site. We are a 501(c)3 organization, and all contributions are … Click to Give Online

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We would love for you to join us on Sunday mornings! We have ONE SERVICE Sunday mornings at 10 AM. We are located at 6953 Schomburg Road, Columbus GA 31909. Reach us at (706) 221-0777

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