Riverwood Church Community

When we lose sight of ‘why' we follow Jesus, serving, giving, and making room for others can feel like obligations. This message brings us back to the ancient confession…“Jesus is Lord”…and explores how allegiance to Him, citizenship in heaven, and our role as His ambassadors reshape our everyday priorities. If you have lost your ‘why', this is a sermon for you!

A church can feel like family to those inside it…and like a closed circle to someone walking through the doors. Drawing from Isaiah 54, this message challenges us to stretch beyond the familiar and make room in our attention, our lives, and our serving. It will leave you wondering: what if someone else's journey toward belonging begins with you?

Church in the Park is a gathering we look forward to each year as all five of our worship communities came together to worship outdoors, reconnect, and welcome new friends from the neighbourhood. With beautiful weather, lunch, a petting zoo, and bouncers, there were so many opportunities to connect. The theme for the service was “Grab an Oar”: a reminder that everyone has a contribution to make, and that there is such joy in building this thing together!

Church in the Park is a gathering we look forward to each year as all five of our worship communities came together to worship outdoors, reconnect, and welcome new friends from the neighbourhood. With beautiful weather, lunch, a petting zoo, and bouncers, there were so many opportunities to connect. The theme for the service was “Grab an Oar”: a reminder that everyone has a contribution to make, and that there is such joy in building this thing together!

When pain piles up and life feels relentless, how do you know whether you're under spiritual attack, or simply living in a broken world? In “Flaming Arrows,” from the My Jesus Story series, Pastor Todd discovers that the greatest battle isn't explaining the source of every hardship, but choosing which voice to believe in the middle of it. Learn how to confront the lies suffering whispers with the unchanging truth of what God has already said.

When pain piles up and life feels relentless, how do you know whether you're under spiritual attack, or simply living in a broken world? In “Flaming Arrows,” from the My Jesus Story series, Pastor Todd discovers that the greatest battle isn't explaining the source of every hardship, but choosing which voice to believe in the middle of it. Learn how to confront the lies suffering whispers with the unchanging truth of what God has already said.

For years I went looking for the presence of God in all the dramatic places, but it stayed elusive, like it was meant for everyone but me. In this week's "My Jesus Story," a stuffed octopus is where that search finally turns. I've discovered that Jesus is rarely where we're looking, and almost always around the corner, in the person we didn't plan for.

For years I went looking for the presence of God in all the dramatic places, but it stayed elusive, like it was meant for everyone but me. In this week's "My Jesus Story," a stuffed octopus is where that search finally turns. I've discovered that Jesus is rarely where we're looking, and almost always around the corner, in the person we didn't plan for.

Sometimes we can spend so much of our lives trying to prove who we are by what we do. We serve, work, lead, provide, and accomplish, and even good things can quietly become the foundation of our identity. But what happens when we can no longer keep our hands on the steering wheel?Tony shares a deeply personal chapter of his Jesus story, beginning with a panic attack that exposed how much of his identity he had tied to being effective and useful. Through the story of Jesus' baptism, Elijah's exhaustion, and his own journey of restoration, we're reminded of a simple but life-changing order: know, be, do.

Sometimes we can spend so much of our lives trying to prove who we are by what we do. We serve, work, lead, provide, and accomplish, and even good things can quietly become the foundation of our identity. But what happens when we can no longer keep our hands on the steering wheel?Tony shares a deeply personal chapter of his Jesus story, beginning with a panic attack that exposed how much of his identity he had tied to being effective and useful. Through the story of Jesus' baptism, Elijah's exhaustion, and his own journey of restoration, we're reminded of a simple but life-changing order: know, be, do.

Most of us can handle almost anything... once we know what we're dealing with. It's the waiting, the wondering, and the endless "what ifs" that often steal our peace. This weekend, Jennifer shares an unexpected lesson from a backyard garden shed before opening Mark 5, where two desperate people encounter Jesus in very different ways. Together, their stories reveal a Saviour who is not intimidated by our fear or absent from our uncertainty, but who simply invites us to trust Him. 

Most of us can handle almost anything... once we know what we're dealing with. It's the waiting, the wondering, and the endless "what ifs" that often steal our peace. This weekend, Jennifer shares an unexpected lesson from a backyard garden shed before opening Mark 5, where two desperate people encounter Jesus in very different ways. Together, their stories reveal a Saviour who is not intimidated by our fear or absent from our uncertainty, but who simply invites us to trust Him. 

For Todd, IT began with a monkey costume, a construction site, a mop, a printing machine, and a soundboard.  IT wasn't particularly spiritual looking, yet IT quietly shaped the course of his entire life. Jesus said IT reveals our allegiance, redefines greatness, and is inseparable from following Him. So, what exactly is IT and what might Jesus do in your life when you embrace IT?

For Todd, IT began with a monkey costume, a construction site, a mop, a printing machine, and a soundboard.  IT wasn't particularly spiritual looking, yet IT quietly shaped the course of his entire life. Jesus said IT reveals our allegiance, redefines greatness, and is inseparable from following Him. So, what exactly is IT and what might Jesus do in your life when you embrace IT?

As Christians, we can hear the truths of Scripture again and again without ever letting them trulytake root in our hearts. Sometimes, it isn't until our faith is shaken or we find ourselves in themiddle of pain that we're confronted with the choice to believe Christ's truths or not.Thankfully, Jesus isn't afraid to meet us in those moments. Just like He did for the woman at thewell, He reminds us that we are fully known, deeply loved, chosen, and accepted by Him. It'sfrom that place that we find the courage to not only believe the truths Christ died to give us, butto live them out.

As Christians, we can hear the truths of Scripture again and again without ever letting them trulytake root in our hearts. Sometimes, it isn't until our faith is shaken or we find ourselves in themiddle of pain that we're confronted with the choice to believe Christ's truths or not.Thankfully, Jesus isn't afraid to meet us in those moments. Just like He did for the woman at thewell, He reminds us that we are fully known, deeply loved, chosen, and accepted by Him. It'sfrom that place that we find the courage to not only believe the truths Christ died to give us, butto live them out.

Life can be complicated. We all carry responsibilities, ambitions, goals, and unexpected circumstances that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. When life becomes difficult, our instinct is often to work harder and solve the problem ourselves. Only when we've exhausted our own strength do we finally turn to God, making Him the last piece that completes the puzzle.This weekend, we'll hear authentic stories of lives that are complicated yet transformed by the faithfulness of God. Through the story of Isaac, we'll discover that God was never meant to be the final piece of our life's puzzle. He is the main piece that gives meaning to every other piece. After years of conflict and striving, Isaac finally arrived at Beersheba, built an altar, and worshipped God. The question for all of us is: What will it take for you to arrive at your Beersheba?

Life can be complicated. We all carry responsibilities, ambitions, goals, and unexpected circumstances that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. When life becomes difficult, our instinct is often to work harder and solve the problem ourselves. Only when we've exhausted our own strength do we finally turn to God, making Him the last piece that completes the puzzle.This weekend, we'll hear authentic stories of lives that are complicated yet transformed by the faithfulness of God. Through the story of Isaac, we'll discover that God was never meant to be the final piece of our life's puzzle. He is the main piece that gives meaning to every other piece. After years of conflict and striving, Isaac finally arrived at Beersheba, built an altar, and worshipped God. The question for all of us is: What will it take for you to arrive at your Beersheba?

What do you do when God doesn't remove the thorn? In this deeply personal message, Pastor Todd shares a story he's still living as he wrestles with an unexplained medical condition and discovers fresh hope in Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12). If you've ever prayed, "God, please take this away," this message may change the way you see your pain, and the grace that meets you in it.

What do you do when God doesn't remove the thorn? In this deeply personal message, Pastor Todd shares a story he's still living as he wrestles with an unexplained medical condition and discovers fresh hope in Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12). If you've ever prayed, "God, please take this away," this message may change the way you see your pain, and the grace that meets you in it.

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to ordinary people? Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a personal story of God's call, discover how the risen Jesus still meets people where they are, calls them by name, and invites them into a life of hope, purpose, and mission.

Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to ordinary people? Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a personal story of God's call, discover how the risen Jesus still meets people where they are, calls them by name, and invites them into a life of hope, purpose, and mission.

What do a frightened seven-year-old, a violent storm, and a boat full of terrified disciples have in common? More than you might think. In this deeply personal message, discover how Jesus meets us in the moments when we feel most overwhelmed—and why being in over your head may be the very place where faith begins.

What do a frightened seven-year-old, a violent storm, and a boat full of terrified disciples have in common? More than you might think. In this deeply personal message, discover how Jesus meets us in the moments when we feel most overwhelmed—and why being in over your head may be the very place where faith begins.

Hope has a problem. It has been misunderstood, domesticated, and reduced to little more than wishful thinking. But God's hope is remarkably untamed and unshakable. In this message, we'll discover why biblical hope isn't optimism about better circumstances, but unwavering confidence in the God who brings life out of what everyone else has declared dead.

Hope has a problem. It has been misunderstood, domesticated, and reduced to little more than wishful thinking. But God's hope is remarkably untamed and unshakable. In this message, we'll discover why biblical hope isn't optimism about better circumstances, but unwavering confidence in the God who brings life out of what everyone else has declared dead.

From Caesar's chariots to the empires of today, the world has always measured power by who can dominate and who can make the crowd bow. But Jesus unleashed a kingdom that runs on a different kind of power entirely….one wilder than anything Rome ever paraded through its streets.

From Caesar's chariots to the empires of today, the world has always measured power by who can dominate and who can make the crowd bow. But Jesus unleashed a kingdom that runs on a different kind of power entirely….one wilder than anything Rome ever paraded through its streets.

What if hospitality was more than greeting people at the door or inviting friends over for dinner? In this message, we explore God's vision for hospitality, a radical, Spirit-empowered way of living that helps people feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Drawing from Scripture, the hospitality practices of world class organizations, and the story of Hosea, we'll discover how God uses ordinary people to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. Hospitality isn't simply what we do. It's who we are as followers of Jesus.

What if hospitality was more than greeting people at the door or inviting friends over for dinner? In this message, we explore God's vision for hospitality, a radical, Spirit-empowered way of living that helps people feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Drawing from Scripture, the hospitality practices of world class organizations, and the story of Hosea, we'll discover how God uses ordinary people to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. Hospitality isn't simply what we do. It's who we are as followers of Jesus.

In a world full of AI, biased news, and the constant pressure to "live your truth," it's hard not to wonder: what is truth? In this message from our Church in the Wild series, we discover how our desire for limitless freedom often leaves us spiritually off course. Following God isn't about living a boring, restricted life, but leads us to live a wild adventure anchored by Jesus and the truth markers that never change. Join us as we look at the Gospel of John to uncover the liberating power of a truth that cannot be tamed, controlled, or defeated.

In a world full of AI, biased news, and the constant pressure to "live your truth," it's hard not to wonder: what is truth? In this message from our Church in the Wild series, we discover how our desire for limitless freedom often leaves us spiritually off course. Following God isn't about living a boring, restricted life, but leads us to live a wild adventure anchored by Jesus and the truth markers that never change. Join us as we look at the Gospel of John to uncover the liberating power of a truth that cannot be tamed, controlled, or defeated.

n week one of Church in the Wild, Todd opens Luke 15 by first taking us into one of the most shocking moments in modern courtroom history. From there, we walk through Jesus' familiar story of two lost sons and one gracious Father, discovering that grace is not tame, tidy, predictable or easy to control. Grace welcomes the wrong people, costs more than we imagine, runs toward brokenness, restores before it is earned and offends every scorekeeper in the room.

n week one of Church in the Wild, Todd opens Luke 15 by first taking us into one of the most shocking moments in modern courtroom history. From there, we walk through Jesus' familiar story of two lost sons and one gracious Father, discovering that grace is not tame, tidy, predictable or easy to control. Grace welcomes the wrong people, costs more than we imagine, runs toward brokenness, restores before it is earned and offends every scorekeeper in the room.

In this teaching, Todd explores the seven devastating effects of sin's attack on humanity in Genesis 3, and the stunning seven-fold reversal God reveals in Revelation 22. From shame to restoration, curse to blessing, exile to homecoming, and death to life, the final chapter of the Bible declares that everything broken by sin will one day be made beautifully and completely new.

In this teaching, Todd explores the seven devastating effects of sin's attack on humanity in Genesis 3, and the stunning seven-fold reversal God reveals in Revelation 22. From shame to restoration, curse to blessing, exile to homecoming, and death to life, the final chapter of the Bible declares that everything broken by sin will one day be made beautifully and completely new.

This weekend, we're sharing stories, reflections, and moments from Riverwood's recent trip to eSwatini through a message called Place in His Hands.Again and again, we were reminded of this simple truth: when ordinary people place ordinary things into the hands of Jesus, He multiplies them into something far greater than imagined.This service is a celebration of what God is doing through faithful people, open hands, and a God who still multiplies what is surrendered to Him.

This weekend, we're sharing stories, reflections, and moments from Riverwood's recent trip to eSwatini through a message called Place in His Hands.Again and again, we were reminded of this simple truth: when ordinary people place ordinary things into the hands of Jesus, He multiplies them into something far greater than imagined.This service is a celebration of what God is doing through faithful people, open hands, and a God who still multiplies what is surrendered to Him.

What if the Book of Revelation isn't primarily a secret codebook for predicting the future… but a curtain being pulled back so suffering believers can finally see what is really going on? In this message, Todd explores dragons, beasts, apocalyptic symbols, and the strange imagery of Revelation through a completely different lens: not as a rigid timeline, but as resistance literature written to strengthen frightened Christians living under the shadow of Rome. And somewhere between a 150-year-old optical illusion, Picasso, and a “fever dream of symbols,” you may discover that the final book of the Bible is far less about fear…and far more about faithful endurance.

What if the Book of Revelation isn't primarily a secret codebook for predicting the future… but a curtain being pulled back so suffering believers can finally see what is really going on? In this message, Todd explores dragons, beasts, apocalyptic symbols, and the strange imagery of Revelation through a completely different lens: not as a rigid timeline, but as resistance literature written to strengthen frightened Christians living under the shadow of Rome. And somewhere between a 150-year-old optical illusion, Picasso, and a “fever dream of symbols,” you may discover that the final book of the Bible is far less about fear…and far more about faithful endurance.

In a world where truth feels flexible and faith feels fragile, the final books of the Bible speak a clear and urgent message: don't drift, don't doubt, and don't dilute what God has entrusted to you. These final books remind us that our feelings can mislead us, but God's Word keeps us aligned. The question is…are you trusting what you feel…or God has said?

In a world where truth feels flexible and faith feels fragile, the final books of the Bible speak a clear and urgent message: don't drift, don't doubt, and don't dilute what God has entrusted to you. These final books remind us that our feelings can mislead us, but God's Word keeps us aligned. The question is…are you trusting what you feel…or God has said?

At the very end of the Bible, the focus isn't about fear or deciphering the future, but God's last words to us are all about hope. But in the middle of real life, that hope can feel distant or fragile. As we live in this tension, God shows us how to live anchored in what's ahead while fully present in what's now.

At the very end of the Bible, the focus isn't about fear or deciphering the future, but God's last words to us are all about hope. But in the middle of real life, that hope can feel distant or fragile. As we live in this tension, God shows us how to live anchored in what's ahead while fully present in what's now.

One of the strongest forces in a relationship is invisible, often overlooked, but incredibly powerful: your words…or your silence. Words travel like electricity down the powerline of a relationship, and the right ones can reach the heart and change everything.

One of the strongest forces in a relationship is invisible, often overlooked, but incredibly powerful: your words…or your silence. Words travel like electricity down the powerline of a relationship, and the right ones can reach the heart and change everything.

This Easter, the tour continues. What began on Good Friday in the Museum of Heaven leads us to a breathtaking exhibit of resurrection life, showing us the kind of people grace can raise, restore, and remake. Come celebrate the risen Christ and the new life only He can give.

This Easter, the tour continues. What began on Good Friday in the Museum of Heaven leads us to a breathtaking exhibit of resurrection life, showing us the kind of people grace can raise, restore, and remake. Come celebrate the risen Christ and the new life only He can give.

This Good Friday, join us for a moving walk through the Museum of Heaven, where ordinary objects tell the extraordinary story of Christ's final hours. Each exhibit opens a window into the humility, service, forgiveness, and sacrifice of Jesus, and reminds us that the greatest love the world has ever known was not merely spoken, but poured out.