Category: Events
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Lenten Concert Series
The 26th Annual Lenten Concert Series at Two Rivers United Methodist Church will feature a variety of musical genres from around the Quad Cities. Each concert is free and starts shortly after noon at 12:15 on Wednesdays between March 8 and April 12. The schedule includes chamber singers, harp, jazz, blues, and classical music. It also includes long-time guests of the concert series and new performers.
Edgar Crockett and David Holcomb have been getting people’s toes tapping at the concert series for many years. Their jazz duo is more than just entertaining, but also usually includes some story telling and education. Bret Dale is the successor to the late, great, Ellis Kell at the River Music Experience in Davenport. Dale and a group from RME are making their second appearance at the Two Rivers Concert Series.
Hannah Holman is the principal cellist for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Benjamin Loeb is an accomplished pianist and the executive direcetor of the QCSO. Their duet is sure to be a highlight of the series.
The full schedule includes:
March 8 – Rock Island High School Chamber Singers
March 15 – Tina Barber, harp.
March 22 – Edgar Crockett and David Holcomb, jazz duo.
March 29 – Bret Dale and Friends of the River Music Experience
April 5 – Hannah Holman and Benjamin Loeb, principal cello and piano from the Quad City Symphony
April 12 – Stephen Steely, Organist
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Poetry Slam Apr 2
On April 2, guest artist Emily Joy will be at Two Rivers United Methodist Church for worship at 9:30, and will be the featured guest at a Poetry Slam at 5 p.m. that evening. Emily Joy is a spoken word poet and Midwest native currently residing in Nashville, TN. She cut her teeth on the Chicago slam poetry scene while getting a degree in theology from Moody Bible Institute, then spent a brief hiatus in the Arizona desert, where she met her husband. She now makes her living as a freelance writer, traveling poet and full-time cat mom to a tiny ball of fur named Clive Staples Lewis. Emily is passionate about challenging the status quo of the universe through art and empowering people, especially women, to pursue justice, speak their truths and ask hard questions.
She will be a perfect fit within the Lenten preaching series “Forsaken.” She was a featured performer at the 2016 Lion and Lamb Festival at Camp Milan, where she made a huge impact on those gathered. She will be the featured performer at the poetry slam, but an open mic portion will allow others to tell their stories as well.
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Blue Christmas
Christmas is a season of good cheer, but for some it can mean a time of sharpened pain. Christmas can bring anxiety, stress, and deeper sense of loss. The Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. is a chance a time to speak this truth about Christmas. It is okay to be hurting at Christmas. This doesn’t mean you are less faithful. It doesn’t meant that there is something wrong with you. It doesn’t mean that you are a “Scrooge.” It just means that you are human.
The Blue Christmas service will be a short time of quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation. There will be a song of lamentation – or complaint. There will be a time of quiet prayer. There will be a chance to speak publicly to the pain of the season – but this is certainly not required. There will also be a short ritual of transformation and an invitation to Christ’s table. Click below to see Pastor Robb on Paula Sands Live.
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Merry Christmas
The Blue Christmas Service is Wednesday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. This is a special time set aside for those who are hurting at Christmas. Learn more here.
The Christmas Eve worship will be at 6:30 in the evening. This traditional service will feature traditional Christmas songs, the lighting of candles, and the sharing of Communion. The service will retell the story of Christmas through songs and reading. Remember, all are invited to the Communion table. All are welcome, regardless of age, race, political leaning, class, nationality, gender, native language, or orientation. The message of Christmas is that all the barriers between humanity and God are removed. Indeed, Tiny Tim had it right when he declared, “God bless us, every one!.” For the last few weeks we have been looking at how the Redemption of Scrooge can matter to our Christmas today. This will be the final part of that story.
On Christmas Morning we will share a special interactive service designed especially for kids to help out. There is no need for rehearsal or costumes, and people of all ages are sure to enjoy this special re-telling of the “ABCs of Christmas.” In addition, people are invited to bring their gifts for the Holy Family. We have been reminded this year that Jesus and his family were refugees. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that the family had to flee from King Herod, who wanted Jesus dead. We know that Jesus survived, despite being a refugee in Egypt because someone there must have welcomed them. This Christmas, how can we do anything less? In response, we are creating a “Good Neighbor Kit,” to give to World Relief Moline. These Good Neighbor Kits include household items that will help a refugee family get settled in the area. If you don’t have a gift for the new family, you may still be able to select a gift and bring it at your earliest convenience.
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Hanging of the Greens
The Hanging of the Greens is a wonderful day in the life of Two Rivers Church. All are invited to come at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20 to help transform the church for Advent. There trees to assemble, ornaments, wreaths, and greens to be hung, and candles to set out. It is a joyful day with work divided by many friendly hands. After all the work is done, we will go to Epworth Hall for a pot-luck dinner.
