Two Rivers Church

Author: Pastor

  • 4:00 March 29 — Godspell

    4:00 March 29 — Godspell

    godspellwallTwo Rivers United Methodist Church and the Center For Living Arts are teaming up for a special 4:00 p.m. Palm Sunday presentation of Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell. The musical, directed by and starring Dino Hayz as Jesus, sets the gospels of Matthew and Luke to music, skits, and heartwarming fun.

    The cast of 32 is made up of longtime members of Two Rivers, some new to the Two Rivers family, and veterans of The Center for Living Arts. Tom Vaccaro, a well-known face in the Quad Cities theater community, is a leading player in the show. Pastor Robb McCoy, choir director Mark Swessinger, and children’s choir director Tammy Baugh are all a part of the cast as well.

    “You might see another show with more talent. You probably will see another show that is more polished,” said McCoy. “You will not see a show where the cast is having more fun.”

    Godspell is not a narrative in the classic sense, and cannot really be described as a passion play. It is an event. It is the coming together of a community of people, right out of the congregation of those gathered. As the community comes together, they plea for salvation with “God Save the People.” They long to see Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly in “Day by Day.” There is bitter sadness as Jesus’ most devoted follower slowly turns on him as he sings “On the Willows.” Finally, in the rocking, driving climax of the story, Jesus is crucified. After his death, silence falls over the sanctuary until it is finally broken by the lone voice proclaiming, “Love Live God.”.

    The performance has an added significance because it will be on Palm Sunday. Serving as a great way to start the holiest week of the Christian year, the performance of Godspell will end with an invitation to experience the rest of Two Rivers Church’s Holy Week services, including a service on Thursday at 6:30, a chance for self-guided reflection on Friday from 3-6 p.m., an Easter sunrise service at 6:30, and the full Easter worship service at 9:30 a.m. on April 5.

    DIno Hayz (left) stars in and directs “Godspell.” The cast includes 32 people of varying ages and experience levels. The show promises to be a wonderful way to celebrate Palm Sunday, and a powerful start to Holy Week.

    The Center for Living Arts (centerforlivingarts.org) is located at 2008 4th Avenue in Rock Island. Just a few blocks from Two Rivers, Dino and Tina Hayz produce several children and youth musicals a year. This spring they are currently working on a youth production of West Side Story and a children’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. West Side Story will show at The Center in April. Joseph will show on May 1-2 at The Center, and will be at Two Rivers on May 8-9. More is coming about this growing relationship between Two Rivers United Methodist Church and The Center for Living Arts.

  • TRY Winter Retreat

    TRY Winter Retreat

    CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK TO THIS EVENT

    Two Rivers Youth (TRY) will have an overnight retreat at Camp Milan on February 20-21. The youth will meet at Two Rivers at 7:00 p.m. to attend the Simpson College Choir Concert. After the concert, Pastor Robb and Brianna Pollock will provide rides to the youth to Camp Milan. All youth involved will need to fill out a special permission form for purpose of getting a ride, and staying overnight at Camp Milan.

    The retreat will include games, food, devotions, and time for reflection. Youth need to bring their own bedding and toiletries. Outdoor activities will be dependent on the weather. The youth will be brought back to Two Rivers on Saturday evening. The details of the weekend will be available soon.

    Volunteers are needed. We are need of one more woman adult who can stay overnight. We are also in need of help with breakfast and lunch on Saturday. If you are interested in helping out with the retreat, please contact the church office as soon as possible.

    All youth at this event must have permission release form signed by their parent/guardian. All youth must RSVP either by going to the Facebook link above or by calling the church office at 309-788-9384. We need to know how many youth are coming so that we have the proper amount of chaperones, rides, and food.

  • Happy Hearts Dance Ministry

    Happy Hearts Dance Ministry

     

    happy heartsA new ministry for all school-age children and youth is starting on January 11, at 6 p.m.

    Happy Hearts Dance Ministry will be a chance for kids to express their love of God and the world through dance. Constance King, who has much experience leading dance and fitness classes, will lead the new ministry.

    The group will make presentations in worship, and hopes in time to bring their message of love and joy beyond our church walls. The group will meet in the sanctuary on Wednesday nights. On the Sunday before their presentation in worship, they will have an extra practice during the Sunday school hour, at 10:30.

  • More than a resolution

    More than a resolution

    covenant renewalOn the first Sunday of the new year, the people of Two Rivers Church are invited to renew their covenant relationship with Christ. This service was created by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, over 200 years ago. Ever since, it has been used by Methodists to renew their relationship with God.

    At the service, all will be invited to do three things:

    1. Renew your relationship with Christ through prayer, and a take-home reminder of the agreement you made.
    2. Remember your baptism. All will be invited to come forward to receive the sign of the cross on your forward in water. If you have not been baptized, and wish to be baptized during the service, you will let Pastor Robb know, and you will be baptized at the end of this part of the service.
    3. Come to Christ’s table. All are invited to eat the bread and drink from the cup. Gluten free bread is provided, and the cup is grape juice.

    Coming on January 11: Forgiveness

  • “Forgiveness” starts January 11

    “Forgiveness” starts January 11

     

    forgiveness bookA new worship series called Forgiveness will begin on January 11. The four-part series is based on Adam Hamilton’s book Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go.

    In conjunction with the worship series, the Good News Class will be using the book along with a leaders’ guide and DVD in small group discussions. The Good News Class is open to all adults, and meets in the Asbury Parlor, which is upstairs.

     

  • Service of the Longest Night

    Service of the Longest Night

    longest night flyer

    The Advent season is a time of festivity and joy.  There are decorations and carols, gatherings and glad tidings.  Underneath the joy of the season however, is the truth that the pain of loss is often sharpened as well.  The Christmas holiday can be especially difficult for those who have lost a loved one in the last year.  For those that mourn at Christmas, it can be very difficult to sing, “Joy to the World.”

    On December 22, at 6:00 p.m., Two Rivers Church will host a Service of the Longest Night.  Also known as a “Blue Christmas Service,” this will be a holy time set aside for those that are struggling in the Advent season.  The purpose of the service is not to dwell on sadness.  Instead, it is to acknowledge that even though society tells us to “be of good cheer,” sometimes that is easier said than done.  This service will be on the night after the winter solstice. After a long season of the days getting gradually shorter, we will gather as the night slowly fades.

    The service will include a brief ritual involving blue carnations.  It will also be a time to gather at the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion.  There will be times of silence for meditation, and contemplative music.  Depending on the attendance, the service will probably last about 40 minutes.