Two Rivers Church

Author: Pastor

  • #LionLambFest is coming Sep. 17

    #LionLambFest is coming Sep. 17

     

    Music lineup for Lion and Lamb FestivalMusical lineup set for Lion and Lamb Festival

    A full day of free concerts has been lined up for the Lion and Lamb Festival, and there is something for everyone. Folk, Rock, Pop, spoken-word poetry, and Blues artists from around the region will converge for a day, “to inspire and be inspired by music, art, and stories of love, justice, hope, and peace.”

    This free event will take place again at Camp Milan Retreat Center in Milan. It is free to the public. The first concert will start at 11 a.m. on September 17, and will last until the headline act, Ellis Kell Band, finishes around 8:00 p.m. “At the end of his set, Ellis has promised that anyone who wants to will be invited to join him and the band for an impromptu jam,” said organizer Robb McCoy.

    There are a few groups who will be returning after back after enjoying the 2015 festival. Nick Bifano and the Innocents is a rock band from Saint Louis who cranked up the energy in 2015. They claim to be a “good-old American rock and roll band,” with driving guitars and an energetic performance, it is difficult to sit still with these guys on the stage.

    Also returning is Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, who represents the opposite end of the energy spectrum. A man of deep conviction and peace, Richard’s life work has been putting Psalms to modern music and melody. He is committed to the truth, struggle, joy, pain, and love that are found in the Psalms. He also has a large repertoire of kids’ songs, and has been known to sing about eating bugs.

    David G. Smith is a local musician who appears often in and around the Quad Cities. He is a pure American roots musician with a particular passion for Alzheimer’s awareness. His song, “In the Silence,” is heartfelt tribute to two men in his life who suffer from the debilitating disease.

    Katie and Jacob Eckeberger, the married duo that makes up My Anchor Holds “recognizes that human spirituality is one of the most ragged and yet beautiful parts of life. Honesty, love, and good music are always our priority.” Katie’s voice is as powerful as their lyrics, they are sure to bring an emotional reaction.

    Spoken-word poet Emily Joy, and singer-songwriter Sara Quah will come up from Bloomington, Illinois. Two other male rock/folk singers will fill out the lineup. Jason Ropp will be coming from Goshen, Indiana. Nate Bjorge will bring his whole band from the Chicago area.

    All of the music will take place under a covered stage outside at Camp Milan Retreat Center. This historic camp ground is full of giant okay trees, a playground, and a basketball hoop. Also outside will be a marketplace for artists and handcrafted vendors. Vendor space is still needed, and reserving a booth is free. Vendors can apply at the website lionandlambfest.com/apply

    At the same time of these great musicians, there will be speakers inside the climate-controlled retreat center. They will be speaking on a variety of topics, including immigration, domestic violence, human trafficking, Biblical justice, and interfaith peace.

    Food will be available through local food trucks. Camp Milan Retreat Center is a short jog off of US Route 67, just south of Milan. The address is 1328 127th Avenue. If heading south on US 67, turn left on 127th Ave, then a quick right on 13th Street to get to the parking entrance. For more information, go to lionandlambfest.com, or check LionAndLambFest on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

    Photos of all the artists are available upon request. Call Two Rivers United Methodist Church at 309-788-9384 to talk to Pastor Robb McCoy for more details.

  • May 22 – June 19 a series about Creation and our place in it.

    May 22 – June 19 a series about Creation and our place in it.

    ALL THINGS

     

    May 22    Earth (Creation out of dust)                Genesis 2:4-9

    In the beginning God formed a human out of dirt because there was no one to till the fertile land. This is our oldest creation story, and in it we see that our first priority as humanity is to care for all that God has entrusted to us. On this day that we bless the animals, we remember that God made all things, and created us to care for it.

     

    May 29    Water (God’s promise to Noah)         Genesis 8:15-19, 9:7-13

    God needed a reset, and so he returned Creation to its primordial state of being covered by water. From this water emerged a second chance. Along with the second chance was a promise and another mission. Our mission is to “be fertile and multiply. Populate the earth, and multiply in it.” The promise is that never again would God destroy it all. God hung up God’s bow as a sign of this promise.

     

    June 5      Wind  (Camping Ministries)

    There is no place where the wind of the Holy Spirit is more powerful than at Church camp. On this Sunday, we will hear stories of lives transformed by our conference camping ministries..

     

    June 12    Sky (Tower of Babel)                             Genesis 11:1-9                        

    The people wanted to “settle, and make a name for themselves.” The only problem: God had told them to be fruitful and fill the earth. So God helps them spread out. Diversity is not a curse – it is what God used to help us fulfill the mission. When we diversity as a curse, we are fighting against the mission God has given us to care for all things (and all people).

     

    June 19    Fire (Renewed heaven and Earth)     Revelation 8:6-13, 21:1-7     

    The imagery of Revelation includes fire and destruction, but this is a misrepresentation of what Revelation is about. God does nor promise a “new heaven and new earth” as if this present one is disposable. God’s promise is for renewal, and for an intimacy with all of Creation that we are called to live into now, not just in some unknown future that needs to be decoded.

     

     

  • Pet Blessing May 22

    Pet Blessing May 22

    Pet BlessingOn May 22, Two Rivers United Methodist Church is extending a special invitation to our four-legged, winged, furry, or scaly friends. A special Sunday celebrating God’s Creation will include a special prayer and blessing of animals as well as a gathering of pet-friendly craft vendors and animal care givers.

    All are invited to bring their animal to the Church parking lot from 2-4 p.m. At 2:30, Rev. Robb McCoy will lead those gathered in a special prayer for all animals, and will have a special blessing for every animal that is brought forward.

    After this short service, all are invited to stay to check out the vendors and volunteer groups that care for animals in and around the Quad Cities. Anyone who cares for animals is invited to be a part of the day. If you are a vendor that caters to pets and pet owners, or if you are a part of a volunteer organization that cares for animals, and would like to be a part of this special Animal Blessing Festival, call Two Rivers Church at 309-788-9384.

    The day will start at the regular worship time of 9:30 a.m., when Pastor Robb will begin a five-part series called “All Things,” which focuses on God’s Creation, and our role in it. “We have been given a special place in God’s creation,” Pastor Robb says. “That is of caregiver and steward. As people of faith, we are called to take care of what God has given us, and not to treat it as disposable.”

    The series will focus on the themes of Earth, Water, Sky, Wind, and Fire. On May 22, the theme will be Earth, of which the animals are a part. Two Rivers Church is at 1820 5th Ave. in Rock Island. The website is http://tworiversumc.org. For any questions call Pastor Robb at 815-514-3779, or the church office at 309-788-9384.

  • Square Dancing is friendship set to music.

    Square Dancing is friendship set to music.

    Country Western DaySunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m.

    Join in the fun of country western dancing. Come and boot scoot, or just kick back and watch. We’ll have professional instructors lead us through an hour of line dancing from 3-4, and an hour of square dancing from 4-5. Then, after we’ve all worked up an appetite, we’ll have a cowboy supper. Meet in Epworth Hall. Cowboy attire not required. Dance shoes not required either.
  • Two Rivers Creators’ Camp

    Two Rivers Creators’ Camp

    Creators CampCLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    This is not your father’s Vacation Bible School. This summer Two Rivers is creating a new experience based on choice. From July 11-14, the Creators’ Camp will give kids a chance to focus on two workshops. Group worship, snacks, and daily devotions will help kids see God, our Creator, in all that they do.

    The five workshops that we are going to offer are Cooking, Mission, MakerSpace (STEM robotics), Arts and Crafts, and Science. When you register, pick you top three workshop choices. You will be assigned to 2 workshops. Each day, kids will start in the sanctuary for opening worship. They will then go to their first workshop, then meet in Epworth Hall for a snack, then go to their second workshop before meeting again in the sanctuary for closing worship.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

     

  • Worship series for April (and a little of May)

    Worship series for April (and a little of May)

    BreadBased in part by the writing of Father Dominic Garramone, the Bread Monk, this series will be a perfect follow up to the Easter season. Baking bread is an artful science. There are basics to learn, but each loaf is its own creation. This is much like the Christian life. While there are certain things that go into discipleship, each life is its own artful creation. We will look at the ways that Baking Bread is like living in Christ, working toward Pentecost and we wonder, “What kind of bread will you be?”