VOLUME 1/ISSUE 4: SPRING 2011

Connections
RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS

CONTENTS
Team Effort by Maury Robertson ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Who Wants To Be A Slave? by Matt Arden ........................................................................................................................... 5
Buildings, InC. by Dennis Green ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Winter 2010/11 Recap by Bob Comarsh ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Meet The Elders by Bob Comarsh ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Touched By An Angel by Sharon Smith................................................................................................................................. 10
FOCUS: R.V.C.O.C. by Dennis Green ................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Youth Ministry Update by Matt ARden .................................................................................................................................. 12
River Valley Kids Korner by Tara ARden .............................................................................................................................. 13
Women’s Ministry Update by Dianne Green ...................................................................................................................... 14
Easter Eggs by Maury Robertson ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
The Surprise of the Resurrection by N.T. Wright............................................................................................. 16
RVCF NEws & Notes ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
RVCF Financial Report................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Community groups/Bible Studies & Contact Information ............................................ 22

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RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS
Team Effort
Some of you have been a part of this
church for a long time. A long time.
I look out at you on Sunday
mornings and I am dumbstruck.
Only my parents and my wife have
weathered so many seasons with
me. But they’re stuck. You’re not.
You are clearly not fair weather
friends of the church. I know this for
a fact because we have weathered
some foul storms together and there
you are, still in the boat. Wow. For
those of you who have become a
part of River Valley more recently, I
want you to know how honored I
am that you are in the boat with us. I
am looking forward to growing to
know you over the years.  I never want to lose the focus on the
I thought it might be fun to look
back at some of our adventures
together. Then I want to let you
know something that is burning in
my heart for our church.
Early on in the life of the church we
were full of dreams, visions and
plans. It seemed like we cranked out
a vision a week. We loved
strategizing how we would take
steps to realize those visions,
manufacturing all kinds of writings,
graphs and organizational charts,
and sanctifying them with sermons.
You could call this season of our
history “Us for God!”
Then, somewhere along the way, we
realized we were missing
something. As we studied Romans
together, we came to understand that
the gospel is not “Us for God!” but
“God for us!” We became fascinated
with the beauty of God’s salvation.
by Maury Robertson
We put all the emphasis on the
saving goodness of God in Jesus
Christ. It was a much needed
change and has yielded all kinds of
fruit.
gospel. I never want to become a
bunch of do-gooders, running
around as if we could earn merit
badges from God. But I think there
is a place for the “Us for God!” side
of the equation. In Philippians, Paul
writes:
Work out your salvation with fear
and trembling; for it is God who is
at work in you, both to will and to
work for His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12-13)
Do you see the two parts? The
second half of the verse is “God for
us!” The first is “Us for God!”
Somehow, God works in our efforts.
One of the best illustrations of this
is Eric Liddell’s answer to his sister,
Jenny, when she asked him why he
was so obsessed with running. His
answer? “God made me fast. And
when I run, I feel His pleasure in
me.” That’s how it works. Us for
God because God is for us!
That’s where we have been. Now let
me tell you where it is on my heart
to go.
This year, I am determined to
improve the teamwork of RVCF as
we pursue God together. I am
working with the elders to take this
wonderful group of believers and
turn it into a team. Right now, I look
around the church and I am filled
with admiration. No kidding. I see
so many wonderful people, so filled
with the Spirit, so honest and
sincere in their pursuit of Christ. So
many serving. But imagine the
possibilities of coordinated effort. I
won’t lay out all the details here, but
I want you to know that the elders
are aiming to lead River Valley to be
a place where we “contend as one
man for the faith of the
gospel” (Philippians 1:28). 
What does this have to do with you?
Well, we have some superstars
sitting on the bench. You may be
one of them. You will be asked to
get in the game. So off with the
warm-up suit. And if you’re already
in the game, I think you are going to
find that your labor is much more
fun and efficient as we begin to
“contend as one man.”
And let's never forget that Jesus
Christ is captain of our team. So
let’s go!
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Who Wants To Be a Slave?
When is the last time you thought of
slavery as a good thing? In Titus
1:1-3 the apostle Paul, a slave of
God, offers us an entire sermon in
sentence.
Paul, a slave of God and an apostle
of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the
faith of God’s elect and their
knowledge of the truth, which
accords with godliness, in hope of
eternal life, which God, who never
lies, promised before the ages began
and at the proper time manifested in
his word through the preaching with
which I have been entrusted by the
command of God our Savior;
To Titus, my true child in a common
faith:
Many times the apostle Paul starts
his letters with a massive, God
saturated, hymn of worship and
purpose. Above he tells Titus his
motivation for waking up, for
writing, for living and for moving.
Paul has been called by God to be a
slave. This slavery is not harsh or
evil. It is a slavery of honor and
privilege.
How do slavery and privilege go
together? Because Paul is a slave to
God, the God who never lies. He is
a slave to a perfect God.
We have a tough time wrapping our
brains around perfect because we
have no thing or person in which to
compare perfect to other than Jesus.
We so often buck at slavery because
we forget the perfect person to whom
we are slaves. Slavery to God is also
against our human nature. We
consider independence a human
right. Many times we want freedom
from everything, even God. We are
like a stubborn blind man cursing
God and tripping through the forest
while our kind God offer us his
gentle words and loving hand.
The truth is we are all slaves to
something. We struggle to be
masters of ourselves but only prove
to be slaves of lesser things than God
and ourselves. Who can save us
from this slavery? Thanks be to
Jesus the King that there is a slavery
that comes with true freedom from
the slavery of sin.
Paul’s slavery of freedom to a perfect
God is an incredible and joyful way
to live. His slavery has a purpose.
He is to proclaim the word of God
and to bring God’s chosen people to
a faith and knowledge of this perfect
God. It is not a faith and knowledge
that is simply mental. The faith and
knowledge Paul has been
commanded to share leads to a life
that reflects God and his character, a
faith and knowledge that is full of
the hope of eternal life.
This faith and knowledge was
promised “before the ages began.”
WOW! Do you see how big this is?
Our faith and knowledge of God
by Matt Arden
isn’t something that started with us
but it was in God’s mind before we
were ever born. We have been
included in God’s larger set of plans
before we were even a spark in our
mother and father’s eye. Instead of
being a slave to our senses, we get to
be a slave of an infinite and perfect
God who loved us before we were
born!
Through various trials and blessings
God is showing me his perfection
and the heavenly slave He has made
me to be. I’m learning what Jesus
wants me to do as his slave. He
wants me to spend, joyfully spend,
my life proclaiming Him as the
resurrected King. He wants 100% of
my soul with no room for other
masters. This isn’t, however, just for
me as a pastor of River Valley but for
everyone who wants to call
themselves a child of God.
The good news is that God’s
ownership of our lives is actually in
our best interest. Our slavery to
God puts us to bed with a smile on
our face. Knowing Jesus and
sharing a meal and the love of Christ
with others really brings us joy –
lasting, real joy. On the other hand
excessive use of the internet or TV
drooling can suck the life out of us.
Unless they are done by faith they
always leave us wanting more.
This year I want to see what happens
when I consistently seek to know and
trust in God, the God who has given
his own perfect life to call us into
his. We need each other. Let’s
encourage each other be slaves of
our perfect God together! No other
master will do.
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Buildings, Etc.
As many of you know, I’ve been
involved along with others in our
congregation with the Regional
Emergency Shelter Team or REST
this winter. As a result of this
involvement I’ve had the
opportunity to work as an overnight
supervisor at various churches in the
area that provide shelter for some of
the homeless in our region. River
Valley is one of the smallest
churches that has opened its doors to
the many women and families who
otherwise would be on the streets of
our community.
I will admit that working in other
church facilities that dwarf what
RVCF has to offer gave me great
concerns that steadily mounted as
our turn drew. Specifically,
concerns about how our limited
space would handle a large influx of
guests and would they feel cramped
and uncomfortable after having
spent many nights in more spacious
and luxurious surroundings.
At it turned out, our week passed
and over 140 guests (mostly women
and children) were accommodated
in our church during that period. At
times it was a bit cramped but the
folks who came to us repeatedly
remarked that the atmosphere in our
Gathering Place seemed “homey”
and that they always felt safe and
comfortable and, most important,
very much welcomed while at River
Valley.
My concerns were clearly small
minded in the extreme and
demonstrated a most basic lack of
faith in what God can do. Instead of
by Dennis Green
focusing on what blessings our
church could provide through God, I
fell into the mental abyss of what
our limitations appeared to be and
excluded God from my solution-
minded thinking. I just didn’t have
the faith to comprehend how five
loaves of bread and two fish could
feed so many.
I wonder how many of you are like
me in that we come to these
buildings and quickly focus in on
what is not there. We take for
granted that we can come to this
place and worship our God and
Savior without fear, at any time of
our choosing in comfort and shelter
from the elements. We don’t think
how this blessing of free and
unencumbered worship was not
always there for the early church
and is certainly not present for many
hundreds of thousands of believers
today. Instead of fighting our way
to worship, we consider not
attending the moment we face some
traffic congestion that may delay us
20 or 30 minutes, or if the weather
is not quite right, or we just don’t
“feel like it” that day. To a
significant degree, we don’t take
advantage of this place that God has
provided us and utilize these
structures to attend gatherings with
our brothers and sisters in Christ
that help us better understand His
Word or allow us to share what it
means in our individual lives. Have
you ever considered the
overwhelming portion of the week
that these buildings stand dark and
vacant?
On Sundays before you start up your
vehicle and head out to enjoy the
remainder of the day, take a deep
breath and look closely at the
montage of buildings that comprises
this thing called, “River Valley
Christian Fellowship Church.” Do
not let an opportunity pass you by to
fully utilize all what God has
provided. Stop and really take note
of the men, women and children
coming out of these buildings.
Look closely at their faces and give
thanks to God for the privilege to
live at this time, in this country, in
this community, to have access to
these buildings, and be surrounded
by these Christians.
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Winter 2010/11 Recap by Bob Comarsh

issues such as getting meaning from

the scriptures, what we learn about the
earth’s age from Genesis, the different
views of the end times and how to sort
them out. Future topics will include
how Christians should approach
movies and music as well as all church
events such as holy week prayer and a
talent show/chili cook-off. Further Up,
Further in meets on the 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays of each month at 6:30pm.

February saw the RVCF Ministry to

Men host a Valentine’s Dinner on the
11th. It was a fun time of celebrating
It sure has been cold this winter, but familiar Christmas songs. love and marriage in community under
the warmth of community has been The following Saturday, December the gaze of God. Tim Sanders and his
fully present to thaw the ice of the 24th, we hosted two Christmas Eve crew prepared and served a great four-
season. Let’s take a look back at some gatherings, at 6pm and 7pm, to course dinner, music from 6 decades
of the ways our community at RVCF celebrate together our God becoming was our soundtrack for the evening and
has been gathering over the past few flesh and dwelling among us. four good natured couples participated
months. in the “Trulywed Game” while a
Our youth have also been active. They strange and crazy guy played MC.
This year, we began a partnership with embarked on their first ever winter
Hands of Hope and other churches in retreat at Woodleaf December Pastors Maury and Matt finished up
the area to be a part of R.E.S.T. 28th-30th. The theme of the retreat our series in Luke and continued on
(Regional Emergency Shelter Team) to was Prodigals as Pastor Matt and the into Acts as part two so to speak of
provide a warm place for homeless youth explored through scripture and Luke’s writings.
women and children to eat and sleep video the themes found in the story of
during the winter months. Our first the lost sons in Luke 15. And, as an February also saw the launch of River
turn hosting was December 18th-24th. added treat, a full day of sleet and Valley’s first recovery class led by
R.E.S.T. returned to River Valley snow was enjoyed during the trip! Karen Ramirez. This class was
January 29th - February 4th with one specifically for women but it is our
additional week of hosting scheduled January saw the launch of our new hope that this ministry will continue to
for early Spring. It has been wonderful website at www.rivervalleyyc.org. grow and be a resource to come along
to be a part of this ministry and to see This project was a group effort put in side of women and men who are
how many of our community have by Brad Hays, Mike Norton and coming to grips with brokenness and
been involved in the ministry in myself. We encourage the RVCF addictive behavior and to point them to
various ways. community to visit the site regularly to the Savior and his gospel. We also
stay in the loop. began a new video study/discussion
That same weekend, we hosted our group for men that same evening led
inaugural RVCF Talent Night & January also saw the return of Further by Dennis Green, Mike Cagley and
Christmas Carol sing. We had over a Up, Further In; our Tuesday gatherings Keith Goodson.
dozen adults and youth involved in where in depth topics are explored in a
singing and skits as well as all in more relaxed setting. Pastor Maury So, through God’s grace, the cold
attendance joining together for some and Pastor Matt have begun tackling winter has indeed warmed up!

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Meet The Elders by Bob Comarsh

You may or may not know this, but
River Valley happens to be an “elder
led” church. What does that mean? It
means that a group of five men, along
with our pastors serve as ones who,
under our Chief Shepherd Jesus, lead,
guide and oversee our fellowship.
Our elders are selected, by co-workers,
from among a list of co-workers.
From that list, the existing elders
prayerfully consider the men who best visibility in preaching and teaching.
meet the qualifications of being an However, many of you may not know
elder as outlined in scripture and who the elders since they often times fly
are best able to make the commitment under the radar. So, here is your
at this time in their lives. Once elected
chance to get to know your 2011 elder
and approved, elders serve three year team by name, face and a brief bio.
terms. Please pray for the elders and their
families as they make time to not only
Most of you are more familiar with our love and serve their families and work
pastor/elders Maury Robertson and their jobs but also love and serve River
Matt Arden because of their high Valley.

Name: Jerry Bozarth

Married? To Kathleen for 16 years
Children? 2 daughters & 1 son; Katy, 24, Grant, 22, Leeann 12 years
and 1 grandchild; Natalie, 7 weeks
Where Do You Work? Venoco Inc. an oil and gas company.  
What Do You Do? Operations Manager
How Long? Began in the industry in 1981 with Mobil, went to work for
Venoco when the properties in N. California were purchased from Mobil
in 1996.  I have worked on rigs, pipe fitted, mechanic and various other
jobs within the industry.
Hobbies/Interests? Traveling with Kathleen, fishing & hunting
How Long Have You Lived In Yuba/Sutter Area? Since 1984
How Long have you attended River Valley? 14 years
Thoughts on Jesus: All in all, Lord of lords, King of kings.  The Way
and The Truth and The Life.
A Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:34, Matthew 11:28

Name: Mike Cagley

Married? Widower
Children? 1 wonderful daughter; Christina, 30
Where Do You Work? Hilbers Inc.
What Do You Do? Church Building Project Development
How Long? 6 years
Hobbies/Interests? Dog frisbee and biking
How Long Have You Lived In Yuba/Sutter Area? 6 years
How Long Have You Attended River Valley? 5 years
Thoughts On Jesus: After being a Christian for 16 years, I am still
blown away that He loves me so much and would be willing to lay down
His life to save me.
A Favorite Scripture: Philippians 3:10

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Name: Robert Choate

Married? To Angela for 20 years
Children? 2 girls; Tabetha, 22 and Shayla, 19
Where do you work? Coca-Cola
What do you do? Service technician
How Long? 13 years
Hobbies/Interests? Love to fish and fellowship with other believers
How Long Have You Lived in Yuba/Sutter Area? 11 years
How Long Have You Attended River Valley? 11 years
Thoughts On Jesus: Christ is my life, my joy, my strength and my
confidence, He changed my life and made me alive
A Favorite Scripture: Eph 3:14-19 when Paul thinks of God's plan and
falls to his knees (do we fall to ours?) but then want's us to experience the
same...His love!!

Name: Bill Comarsh

Married? To Brenda for 41 years
Children? 1 son; Bob, 39
Where Do You Work? Fremont/Rideout Memorial Hospital
What Do You Do? Maintenance Engineer
How Long? 26 years
Hobbies/Interests? I enjoy fishing and building things
How Long Have You Lived In Yuba/Sutter Area? 59 years
How Long have you attended River Valley? 4 years
Thoughts on Jesus: Jesus is not only my Savior He is my rock, my king
and my friend and my faith.
A Favorite Scripture: Psalm 31

Name: Paul Shulthise

Married? To Laura
Children? 3 daughters; Ellen, 19, Aimee, 17 and Marisa 14
Where Do You Work? I am self employed
What Do You Do? I own and operate Colusa Rentals
How Long? 9 years
Hobbies/Interests? I like outdoor activities, traveling, fishing, hiking,
internet surfing
How Long Have You Lived In Yuba/Sutter Area? Since 1977
How Long have you attended River Valley? Since 1993
Thoughts on Jesus: Wow... where should I start? My thoughts are
completing the race, and strive to focus on the 1st and 2nd
commandment have been my latest thoughts if I can just come close to
fulfilling those two commandments.
A Favorite Scripture:

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Touched by an Angel By Sharon Smith

“Touched by an Angel” used to be one

of my favorite T.V. shows. The
premise of the show had several angels
sent to earth to help a family that was
hurting or in trouble. I often thought
how wonderful would be to be an
angel and be able to make a positive
change in someone’s life!

Angel Tree is a prison ministry I first

heard about here at River Valley
Christian Church. Its mission is to
provide opportunities for prisoners to
get to know God. Through this
ministry local churches get the
opportunity to help prisoners reach out
to their families in a positive way
while still incarcerated. It allows
anyone who is willing, to become an
‘angel’ and touch a family through the
love of God.

Just before Christmas time we collect

information about prisoners’ children
and set out to buy gifts for them from
their incarcerated parent. With the
help of many volunteer ‘angels’ we call
families, create gift tags, shop, wrap,
and deliver. It takes quite a
coordinated effort to pull it all together,
but God is always in control and all the
details always come together.

This year we touched the lives of over

15 families and bought over 50 gifts
for all the children who were without
their parent during the holiday. The
blessings are numerous. We embrace
each family with God’s love, extend an
invitation to worship with us, and
sometimes even make lifelong
friendships. It sure blesses your heart
when you get to know the stories of
these precious families.
I have been involved with Angel Tree
for many years now and have so many
fond memories of the people I have
worked with or met through this
ministry. No matter how busy life gets
I always make time for Angel Tree
because I know if I let go and let God
his blessings will follow! Although I
don’t always see all the blessings God
lays out through this ministry, I know I
have been privileged to be a part of
God’s plan.
I guess in a strange way God has
allowed me to be an ‘angel’ like the
ones in my favorite show. How about
you? Want to bring out your inner
‘angel’? Christmas will be here again
before you know it and it will be time
for Angel Tree once again.

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Focus: R.V.C.O.C. By Dennis Green
The River Valley Community Outreach model! Manufacturers donate
Center (RVCOC) is a Christian based overstocked material that would
non-profit organization sponsored by normally go to landfills for disposal.
RVCF that is dedicated to connecting By donating the material to a non-
overstocked building materials to profit like RVCOC, manufacturers are
under-resourced congregations, able to write-off the value of the items
families and individuals. RVCOC was and become green companies.
established in 2009 largely through the RVCOC , in turn, makes these
work and vision of our brother Mark materials available to needy churches,
Miller. It is located on 390 Virginia families and individuals who otherwise
Street in Gridley and has provided cannot afford their purchase.
much needed building supplies to
hundreds of customers in exchange for RVCOC now stocks Simonton double
donations amounting to a very small pane gas filled tinted windows and
fraction of the material value. doors, kitchen and bathroom cabinets
ceramic tile, sheetrock, cement backer
Staffed entirely by volunteers, RVCOC board, doors and door skins, Kohler
implements the perfect recycling sinks and toilets, computers and much,
“Enabling congregations, families
and individuals to work together to
restore homes, families and
communities”
much more. This is all brand new
items. RVCOC has been a partner with
several local families in providing the
means of making their home makeover
dreams come true.
Mark and his volunteer staff have
worked tirelessly to connect with
manufacturers, arrange for the delivery
and inventory of materials and keep
the center open and available to the
public each week. You can do your
part by being a part of this volunteer
effort and in spreading the word of this
wonderful resource. For more
information contact Mark at
530.701.4462, mark@rvcoc.org or visit
the website at www.rvcoc.org.
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Youth Ministry Update by Matt Arden

The winter looks to be over, but its

effects are lasting and positive. Every and had a massive and strategic point they both want the Father’s
winter produces a spring. Life is even snowball war. things but fail to see the most amazing
now bursting forth from the trees. gift of all – being a son to this
When we die in union with Christ, we The best part of the retreat was the way astounding Father.
come alive to God. We rise with Him. God spoke to us through Scripture in
We burst forth as those trees to image the parable of the prodigal son. The Through the entire week the youth
Christ and become more human than parable could be called the Two Lost really came together in worship and in
we’ve ever been. sons since it addresses both an older their understanding of Jesus. You
bitter brother and a young wasteful could see the bond they had for weeks
This winter was a time of death and one. The thing I am hopeful to never after they returned. Thanks to all who
rebirth for not only me personally but lose from looking at this passage of contributed both funds and prayer for
also for the youth. The highlight was scripture is the image of God’s love. us to go. Thanks to our many youth
the winter retreat which we called God goes out to meet both of his sons leaders who laid down their lives for
“Prodigals’ Retreat”. The retreat, – one in the midst of a complete the glory of Jesus and the love of our
located at Woodleaf, CA, included over meltdown of jealousy – the other son teens and their faith in Jesus. Thanks
30 students and leaders. The time was deserving of a large slap for his to Tim Sanders for embracing
incredible. Some of our fun included tomfoolery. God embraces and kisses exhaustion to feed our students for 3
staying up until 2 in the morning the youngest son. He pleads with the straight days. Most of all thank you
hanging out in the game room and our older self-righteous one. Both sons are God for your constant grace and mercy
cabins. We also went snow sledding on the same playing field. At some – even in the winter.

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River Valley Kids Korner By Tara Arden

CHANGE-A-LIFE Fundraiser
Find some change...give some change...change-a-life!

! ! ! ! !

We are excited about this fundraising event to benefit Jessica Namugosa, a young woman from
Uganda. Through a partnership with Compassion International, River Valley has sponsored
Jessica for over 10 years. Our monthly support allows her to go to school, have food, and learn
about God.

On March 6th, each family within River Valley Kids will receive a water bottle to collect
change. Every time the bottle gets filled up, the kids will bring it to the BIG BOTTLES at
church. Our goal is for both The Orchard & The Grove to fill two 5 gallon water bottles with
change by the end of March.

We hope that by participating in the fundraiser River Valley Kids will learn the excitement of
giving, the joy of helping, and that just a little effort can CHANGE-A-LIFE.

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women’s Ministry Update By Dianne Green

The winter season has passed although

recent weather seems to indicate the
contrary. In December, we held our
annual Christmas luncheon and it was
the best ever as we had an overflow
crowd! Sherrill Fisher did a wonderful
job as our main speaker and the food
was amazing.

Bible studies and classes!! Bible

studies have kicked off in February and
another one is starting in March.
Karen Ramirez is leading an in depth
recovery class that started on February
22nd. Gloria Adams is again hosting
women in her home for a study
covering the “Women and Friends”
teachings. Later in March, Trysha
Trotti will be starting a Beth Moore
study during the day. All of these
activities will continue through the
spring.

Helping Hands. The “Helping Hands”

ministry continues! The ladies who are
serving in this important and most
rewarding ministry are doing an
amazing job in taking food, clothing
and feminine hygiene products to
women and children at the Depot
shelter and to abused and battered
women at the Casa de Esperanza
shelter. These women frequently come
to the shelter with their children
possessing only the clothes on their
backs. Our congregation has been
generous but the need is great and
ongoing for both shelters. Please
watch for the barrels that are set out on
Sundays and are located in the
Gathering Place during the week. In
addition to non-perishable food, both
the Depot and Casa de Esperanza need
women’s and children’s sweat clothes,
socks and undergarments. We need to
really get behind this expression of our
love and caring for those women in our
community that have been placed in
unfortunate situations.
RVCF women’s retreat. It is not too
early to start thinking and planning for
our fall retreat. We need your ideas as
to how to make our time in the
redwoods even better and more
fulfilling. We always are looking for
speakers so if there is something on
your heart that you are called on to
share, let us know!
Thank you! I have informed Pastor
Maury that I am resigning as the
women’s Ministry leader effective
March 1st. The past eight years of
serving in this capacity have been
filled with some trials but many, many
blessings. I believe that it is time for a
change and that the church will benefit
from new leadership for the RVCF
women. For me, I am looking forward
to having more time and energy to
serve the women of the church as a
counselor and mentor when needed. I
also feel called to get more involved in
assisting the homeless women and
children of our community. I wish to
thank you for your support over the
years and to encourage you to join me
in getting behind and fully helping the
new Women’s Ministry leader as she
takes on this responsibility.

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Easter Eggs By Maury Robertson

Kids always miss the point of Easter.

Kids think it is all about chocolate Easter eggs. Conscientious adults

work diligently to straighten them out. “Now, little Johnny, you can have
this giant candy egg, but remember that Easter is about Jesus, not about
chocolate.” All the kid can see is the candy.

I used to love Easter egg hunts. Where I grew up it was always freezing
cold outside so our hunts were done indoors. Mom and dad would hide
eggs all over the house, in every nook and cranny. Dark, boring corners
of the house suddenly became filled with possibility. The Robertson
household was transfigured into a new creation filled with candy. My
sugar-loving soul rejoiced! And long after Easter passed, there was
always that off chance that I would be standing in front of the mirror
brushing my teeth and spy a forgotten grace-gift perched on the mirror to
remind me that Easter’s miracle was not a one-day event.

Of course, as a kid, I didn’t analyze all of this. But it definitely had an

effect on my soul. Easter was a day that transformed the ordinary into
the extraordinary, a day that changed my small, mundane world into a
into a universe filled with grace.

So I say go ahead and buy the giant chocolate bunny and hide those eggs
for your kids. If you start spouting some sanctimonious talk about how
this distracts from the real meaning I might find it hard not to roll my
eyes at you.

Adults always miss the point of Easter.

By the way, we want to make it a point to celebrate holy week well this
year. Please make a note of the following events:

Palm Sunday: A special worship gathering at 9am and 10:30am (our

regular times)

Further Up, Further In: The sanctuary will be open for a time of
prayer and meditation from 6:30pm-8pm. Come for as much or as little
time as you like.

Good Friday: Good Friday gathering and communion at 7pm.

Easter Sunday: A special worship gathering celebrating the

resurrection at 10am in the parking lot* with a family easter egg hunt* to
follow.

*weather permitting

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The Surprise Of
THe Resurrection
Four unusual features of the Gospel accounts By N.T. Wright
First, as we read the Easter stories, we note
the strange absence of Scripture in
them. When you read the Gospel accounts
of Jesus' last days — of his arrest, his trial,
and his crucifixion — you find Old
Testament echoes, quotations, and
allusions all over the place. The Psalms,
Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah, and other books
have provided material that has then been
woven into the structure of the narrative.
Turn over the page to the Easter accounts,
and what has happened to all that scriptural
allusion and echo? It is just not there. John
tells us that the two disciples who went to
the tomb "did not yet know the Scripture
that he must rise again from the dead," but
he does not tell us which Scripture he is
talking about. people had not even begun to wonder simply not regarded as credible witnesses
whether or not this strange set of events in the ancient world.
Luke has Jesus expound the Scriptures to fulfilled certain Scriptures. They were, it Now when the tradition had time to sort
the two on the road to Emmaus, but even seems, too eager to tell their friends and itself out, as we see reflected in the first
in that story, he never actually quotes or neighbors and families the extraordinary paragraph of 1 Corinthians 15, the women
mentions one of them. This is things they had just seen and heard. have been quietly dropped. When it came
extraordinary because as early as Paul to public apologetics, in that world, it
(e.g., 1 Cor. 15), we can see a very I therefore regard that as one piece of would have been very embarrassing to
sophisticated hermeneutic of several evidence indicating that the stories, though think that your main witnesses to this
biblical texts already firmly embedded in written down later, must go back to very extraordinary event were women, not least
early Christian theology. But in these early oral tradition fixed in that form. Once someone with the extraordinary reputation
Gospel narratives there is no mention of you tell a story like that (and believe me, if of Mary Magdalene.
particular passages, scarcely even an echo you had experienced something like that,
of the Old Testament. you would tell it over and over again), the But there they are in all four Gospel
story would very quickly acquire a fixed stories, front and center: the first apostles,
One could suggest, I suppose, that this form, just as when you repeat an anecdote the first people to tell others that Jesus was
scriptural absence has come about because two or three times, you tend to settle down raised from the dead. In concert with what
the people who wrote down those into one particular way of telling it. is noted earlier in this book, it is simply
narratives in the second generation had Though the Resurrection stories have been incredible to suppose that the tradition
gone through the stories and taken out all lightly edited by the different evangelists, began with the male-only form that we find
of the biblical allusion and echo. That they reflect quite closely four of the ways in the tradition Paul quotes in 1
won't work when we have four in which that story was told right from the Corinthians, and then developed, in
independent narratives telling the story in start. significantly different ways, into the four
different words and different ways. female-first stories we find in the Gospels.
It is much more plausible to argue that The second strange feature of the Here again, the stories really do look as if
these stories, though written down later, Resurrection stories is the presence of they are very, very early.
actually reflect the very, very early, pre- women as the primary witnesses. The third strange feature, which goes with
reflective eyewitness accounts in which Whether we like it or not, women were the third modification of the Jewish

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RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS
resurrection belief, is the portrait of Jesus
himself. Many people have tried to make
out over the last century that the Gospel
stories developed in the following manner.
First, people after Jesus' death were so
overcome with grief that they really did not
know what they were thinking. Second,
they gradually acquired a new spiritual
consciousness, a new belief that Jesus'
cause continued. Third, from this new
religious experience, they gradually started
to explore the Scriptures. Fourth, from this
they then (and only then) started to use the
language of resurrection to articulate their
experience. Finally, toward the end of the
first century, some people began to invent
stories about an actual resurrection, which
the early church had never envisaged.
Capping this proposed progression of
thought is the idea that, in Luke and John
(which are supposed on this theory to be
the last Gospels to be written, perhaps
toward the end of the first century), people
were so concerned to stress that Jesus really
was a real physical being, a real embodied
being, that they invented stories about him
eating broiled fish, cooking breakfast by the
shore, being able to be touched, and so on.
The problem is that this proposed
development is very strange, even in
Jewish terms. If the early Christians had
gone this route, searching the Scriptures
and inventing stories on that basis, you
would have expected them to envisage the
risen Jesus shining like a star. That, after
all, is what the popular text in Daniel 12
says about people being raised from the
dead. They do not. They describe him like
that in the Transfiguration, for whatever
reason, but none of the Resurrection stories
even hint at that. Indeed, Jesus appears as a
human being with a body that is like any
other body; he can be mistaken for a
gardener, or a fellow traveler on the road.
In addition, the stories also contain definite
signs that the body has been transformed.
Nobody, I suggest, would have invented
them just like this. The body is clearly
physical. It has, so to speak, used up the
matter of the crucified body — hence the
empty tomb. But, equally, it comes and
goes through locked doors; it is not always
recognized; and eventually it disappears
altogether into God's space (which is how
we ought to think of "heaven").
This kind of account is without precedent.
No biblical text predicts that the
Resurrection will involve this kind of
body. No speculative theology laid this
trail for the evangelists to follow, and to
follow in such interestingly different ways.
In particular, this should put a stop to the
old nonsense that suggests that Luke's and
John's accounts, which are the most
apparently physical, were written late in
the first century in an attempt to combat
docetism — the view that Jesus was not a
real human being but only seemed to be.
Granted, if all you had was Jesus eating
broiled fish and inviting Thomas to touch
him, we might have thought that Luke and
John were trying to say, "Look! He was
really a solid physical person!" However,
those very same accounts are the ones in
which Jesus appears and disappears, passes
through closed doors, and finally ascends
into heaven.
These stories are extremely peculiar, and
the type of peculiarity they possess is not
one that would have been invented. It
looks as though the Gospel writers are
struggling to describe a reality for which
they didn't really have adequate language.
The fourth and final strange feature of the
Resurrection narratives, which may call
into question many of the Easter sermons
that I and others regularly preach, is the
absence of any mention of the future
Christian hope.
Almost everywhere else in the New
Testament, where you find people talking
about Jesus' resurrection, you find them
also talking about our own future
resurrection, the final hope that one day we
will be raised as Jesus has been raised.
But the Gospels never say anything like,
"Jesus is raised, therefore there is a life
after death" (not that many first-century
Jews doubted that there was); or, "Jesus is
raised, therefore we shall go to heaven
when we die" (most people believed
something like that anyway); or better,
"Jesus is raised, therefore we shall be
raised at the last."
No: insofar as the event is interpreted in
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, it has a
very "this-worldly" meaning, relating to
what is happening here and now. "Jesus is
raised," they say, "therefore he is the
Messiah; he is the true Lord of the whole
world; therefore we, his followers, have a
job to do: we must act as his heralds,
announcing his lordship to the entire
world."
It is not, "Jesus is raised, therefore look up
into the sky and keep looking because one
day you will be going there with him."
Many hymns, prayers, and Christian
sermons have tried to pull the Easter story
in that direction, but the line of thought
within the Gospels themselves is, "Jesus is
raised, therefore God's new world has
begun, and therefore we, you, and
everybody else are invited to be not only
beneficiaries of that new world but
participants in making it happen."
Excerpted from “Jesus, the Final Days: What Really Happened” by
Craig A. Evans and N. T. Wright, edited by Troy A. Miller, published
in 2009 from Westminster John Knox Press.
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RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS

RVCF News & Notes

Further Up, Further In
(A Note FRom Maury)
It’s Tuesday. What’s on TV? Nothing! At least nothing as interesting as what is going on at church. Okay, I’m a
little biased. But there are so many fascinating topics and so much fun to be had as a church family that I can’t
imagine any television show that could compete. That’s where Further Up, Further in comes in!

The primary purpose of Further Up, Further In is to deepen our relationship with God through a greater
understanding of how the gospel intersects our daily lives. We choose topics that would be difficult to address in
a Sunday morning context which are of vital interest for believers. 

The secondary purpose Further Up, Further In is to deepen our relationships among one another at the
congregational level. Small Groups are like your immediate family. They provide a place where you can get up
close and personal. They are where we can take the gloves off and really get serious in a very personal way
about following Christ. But it is also important that we have a sense of extended family, where grandmas,
grandpas, uncles, aunts, and cousins can come together. This is why every session of Further Up, Further In
includes group discussion rather than just lectures. We want to have a family dialogue about the challenges of
being a Christian in Yuba/Sutter in 2011. It is also why there will be regular events like potlucks and talent
nights where we simply enjoy and celebrate one another.

Further Up, Further In takes place on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and childcare is provided.
Also, don’t forget that we have men’s and women’s groups on the alternating weeks. 

See you there!

Maury

(NOTE: Our goal is to provide childcare for the second and fourth Tuesdays as well, so that small groups with
young children can meet at that time. If you would be interested in helping out with caring for our kids, please
contact Dennis Green at 530.755.1362 or dennis@rivervalleyyc.org. This is a paid position.)

River Valley Hosting R.E.S.T.

River Valley will be hosting the Regional Emergency Shelter Team again the week of March 19th - 25th. This
is a great opportunity for River Valley to show the gospel in tangible ways in our community by loving and
serving those who are currently homeless. If you would like to help with a meal or find out more about getting
involved with this great ministry, contact Dennis Green in the office at 530.755.1362 or
dennis@rivervalleyyc.org.

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RVCF News & Notes

New River Valley Directory
Once every three years we have the privilege of putting together a professional church family
directory.  This is our year!  This is a full color directory that gives us a tremendous glimpse of
what we are all about.  There will be pictures of the many groups in our church family; action
shots of activities; and of course individual pictures of families in our church.  This is a big
undertaking, but well worth it.  We are counting on all of us to show up and have your family
pictures taken.

The photography days are May 12, 13 and 14

You will be given the opportunity to make an appointment for your family’s photography.  You
may even schedule online.  Included with this will be an online directory where you can pull up
a photo of families in the church along with comments about that family.  This of course will be
a secure site.  There is no charge for the directory and your photo, and you will be given a free
8x10 portrait, whether you buy pictures or not.  Stay tuned!

MinIstry To Men
If you missed the first meeting of the new men’s bible study, it’s not too late to join in. Dennis
Green, Keith Goodson and Mike Cagley are leading a video study concerning how men can
express their faith in our everyday lives. We meet every other Tuesday night at 6:30 pm in the
loft over the Sanctuary. Also, our next skeet shoot is coming soon. More details to follow!

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RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS

RVCF Financial Update

As we move into the spring months, our financial picture remains September-February Giving
guarded as our revenue increasingly lags behind what we realized at
this point in the past two years. In our last update, we were looking
at that fact that giving has dropped 10% from that realized last year
and over 25% from that received in 2008-09 (see chart).
Unfortunately, we are now experiencing almost an 18% drop-off
from last year’s numbers.

We are now at the half way point in our fiscal year which runs from
September through August. While the church does have reserve
funds to accommodate short term downturns in revenue, the Elders
will be looking at where cuts to the RVCF budget can be made to
adjust for this situation.

As a congregation we need to continue, on an individual and

corporate basis, seek God for his leading on how we should give!

Dennis Green

Money Matters
If you have been at River Valley for any length of time you are well aware that we don’t harp on money. One reason for
this is that the giving has always been more than adequate. I do my best to preach the Lordship of Christ in all areas of
life, including money. The church's giving has reflected this. By constantly harping away about the church budget I have
worried about preaching a God with His hand out for a donation rather than a God with His hand out to give and save. We
don’t give because God is needy. We give because Jesus Christ is Lord.

Over the past twelve months, River Valley has not been immune from the downturn in the economy. For the first time, we
are in a position of spending more than we take in each month. Thankfully, we have saved for this rainy day and have
been able to make up the difference from our savings. But obviously this can’t go on. If present trends continue we will be
forced to make some tough decisions for next year’s budget. While most of our expenditures are fixed, we can save
significant dollars is in the area of staff salaries. If it comes to this, we will do all we can to find a workable solution for
all of our hardworking staff. 

Please make this a matter of prayer. Consider whether you can give more. And don’t panic. And don’t feel guilty. Let’s
trust God. When we first started the church, I remember how completely broke we were. We had no savings and no
guarantee that we could pay our bills. We forged ahead and God proved to be faithful. I like that attitude! Let’s not grow
fearful or to start doubting God’s goodness. God has not changed. As we take our little steps of faith, God will blow us
away with His faithfulness. 

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also
know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,
both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians
4:11-13) 

Onward for the King!

Maury

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RVCF MARCH-MAY 2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March
•1st - Further Up, Further In: Clear Thinking About The Last Days Pt. 2 (6:30pm)
•13th - Daylight Savings Time Begins
•15th - Further Up, Further In: Clear Thinking About The Last Days Pt. 3 (6:30pm)
•19th-25th - R.E.S.T. at River Valley
•28th - Prayer Night (6pm)

April
•5th - Further Up, Further In: All Church Talent Night & Chili Cook-off (6:30pm)
•17th - Palm Sunday (9am, 10:30am)
•19th - Further Up, Further In: Prayer (6:30pm)
•22nd - Good Friday Gathering (7pm)
•24th - Easter Gathering (10am)
•25th - Prayer Night (6pm)

May
•3rd - Further Up, Further In: Why Jesus Is Lord Of Cinemark (6:30pm)
•8th - Mother’s Day
•12th, 13th, 14th - Directory Pictures
•17th - Further Up, Further In: Why Jesus Is Lord of iTunes (6:30pm)
•30th - Memorial Day (Office Closed)

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RIVER VALLEY CONNECTIONS

Community Groups/Bible Studies

Single Women:





Women:




When:
Thursdays @ 6:30pm



When:
Tuesdays @ 12:30am

Leader:
Gloria Adams (530.673.4342)


Leader:
Trysha Trotti
Where:
2899 True Rd, Yuba City



Where:
RVCF Campus (Gathering Place)

Women/Recovery:
When:
1st/3rd Wednesdays, 2nd/4th Tuesdays @ 6:30pm
Leader:
Karen Ramirez (530.755.1362)
Where:
RVCF Campus (Office Conference Room)

Men:
When:
2nd/4th Tuesdays @ 6:30pm
Leader:
Dennis Green (530-741-0582), Keith Goodson (530-763-4423), Mike Cagley (530-682-9554)

Where:
RVCF Campus (Youth Loft)

Open To All:


When:
Sundays @ 9:00am



When:
Sundays @ 10:30 am
Leader:
Tom Bender (530.741-1447)


Leader:
Mike DeWall & Jerry Bozarth (530.674.1580)
Where:
RVCF Campus (Gathering Place)


Where:
RVCF Campus (Office Conference Room)

When:
Mondays @ 7:00pm



When:
Mondays at 7:00 pm

Leader:
Brad Hays (530.743.7895)



Leader:
Bob Comarsh (530.763.5248)



Where:
1675 Cobblestone Dr, Marysville


Where:
2371 Elm St, Sutter

When:
Wednesdays @ 7:00pm


Leader:
Alon Hudson (530.673.5180)

Where:
683 Stewart Rd, Yuba City

Contact Information
Mailing Address:

PO Box 3480, Yuba City, CA 95992
Telephone Number:
530.755.1362
Fax Number:

530.671.4660
Website:


rivervalleyyc.org

Pastors:


Maury Robertson (maury@rivervalleyyc.org), Matt Arden (matt@rivervalleyyc.org)

Elders:


Jerry Bozarth (530.671.4166), Mike Cagley (530.682.9554), Robert Choate (530.742.5396),



Bill Comarsh (530.743.2321) & Paul Shulthise (530.742.4877)

Ministry Leaders:

River Valley Youth: Matt Arden (staff) (530.844.1773, matt@rivervalleyyc.org)



River Valley Kids: Tara Arden (staff) (530.844.1773, tara@rivervalleyyc.org)



Worship/Arts: Bob Comarsh (staff) (530.933.9465), bob@rivervalleyyc.org)



Ministry To Men: Church Office (530.755.1362, info@rivervalleyyc.org)



Women’s Ministry: Church Office (530.755.1362, info@rivervalleyyc.org)



Small Groups: Church Office (530.755.1362, info@rivervalleyyc.org)

Office Staff:

Office Administrator: Dennis Green (dennis@rivervalleyyc.org)



Administrative Assistant: Cathy Craig (cathy@rivervalleyyc.org)



Facilities Manager: Bill Lindholm (bill@rivervalleyyc.org)