Hey North River family! We’re grateful to walk this week together with hope, faith, and encouragement. As we begin the Advent season, we’re reminded that hope is not just an idea—it’s a promise rooted in the presence and faithfulness of Jesus. No matter what this week holds, God is near and at work.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

— Romans 15:13 (NIV)

We invite our church family to join us as we honor and remember the life of our brother, John Heller. John was a selfless servant to the church, faithfully serving as head usher for nearly 15 years—from the early days of our congregation until 2020. His kindness, steady presence, and quiet leadership touched countless lives.

Please keep his wife, Sabrina, and his children—Michelle, David, and Beth— in your prayers during this difficult time. We encourage you to support and surround them with love as they grieve and remember John’s legacy.

• Date & Time: Friday, December 5 at 2:00 PM
• Livestream: A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

May God comfort and strengthen all who knew and loved John during this time of loss.

All Family Group Leaders are invited to join us for an important mid-season meeting. This time will help us align, prepare for the coming year, and ensure our groups are well supported and encouraged.

• Date & Time: Sunday after service • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
• Location: Family Life Center (FLC)
• Special Note: If you're serving in the Christmas Choir, please arrange for a representative to attend the meeting on your behalf.

Thank you for your leadership, heart, and dedication to shepherding our church family.

Christmas Service — Saturday, December 14

Join us for a joyful and meaningful Christmas celebration as we gather to worship, reflect, and honor the birth of Jesus. This special service is a beautiful opportunity for families, friends, and our church community to share in the hope of the season.

• Service Times: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
• Parking: If you’re able, please park in the overflow lot so we can reserve closer spaces for guests and those who need easier access.

We look forward to celebrating the hope, joy, and light of Christ together this Christmas season.

We would love to invite you and your family to join Bridge Pointe for their annual Christmas Concert. This special event will be a beautiful afternoon of worship, reflection, and celebration as we turn our hearts toward the birth of Jesus.

• Date & Time: Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 PM
• Featuring: Professional musicians, a live orchestra, and gifted vocalists
• Tickets: $20 for adults • $10 for children (ages 2–12)
• Note: Tickets must be purchased online — none will be sold at the door
• Purchase Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets

We hope this time of worship blesses and encourages you as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

We’re currently short on teachers for our children’s classes and would deeply appreciate your help. If you’re available to serve — even once or twice a month — it would make a meaningful difference. Our kids are such a vital part of our church family, and we want to ensure they’re cared for, encouraged, and growing each week.

• Commitment: Serve once or twice a month (flexible scheduling)
• Role: Support our children’s ministry by teaching or assisting
• Who to Contact: childrensministry@nrcoc.com
• Sign Up: Click the Register button below

Thank you for helping pour into the next generation of disciples. Your support means so much.

Many families in our community are feeling the strain of rising costs and the recent government shutdown — especially those facing food insecurity. Since 2015, our partnership with Marietta City Schools has allowed us to provide meals and gift cards to families in need during school breaks. Now more than ever, we need your help to continue meeting these needs with generosity and love.

Sign up for Winter 2025 Family Meal Sharing by clicking the Register button below and join us in living out Matthew 25:35–40 as we remind our neighbors of God’s faithful love.

• We still need 20 more teams to sign up for next weekend.
• Each team will provide groceries or gift cards for a family in need.
• All deliveries and details will be coordinated through our outreach team.
• Click the Register button below to participate.

Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors in such a practical and powerful way.

We’ve launched a food pantry within the HOPE Depot and converted the Little Free Library on campus into a Little Free Pantry to support anyone in need. Whether you’re picking up items for your family or donating to help others, we invite you to participate. Drop-offs and pick-ups are available in the lobby on Sundays or at the HOPE Depot in the Lighthouse.

Let us lift you up in faith, hope, and love.

No matter what you’re walking through, you’re not alone. Our Prayer Team would be honored to pray with you and for you.

Tap below to share your request — whether it’s a personal struggle, a celebration, or a loved one in need.

Your request will be received with care and kept confidential unless you ask otherwise.

Our weekly giving goal for November is $44,000, and thanks to your generosity, our November 30th was $34,166.34. Your generous support propels our mission forward, allowing us to strengthen our connections with both our church family and the wider community. Join us in making a meaningful difference!

View Our Year-To-Date Giving Here

Dear North River Family,

Thank you for your generous support of North River!

As year-end approaches, here are a few tax-smart ways to support North River in addition to regular cash gifts. These options can, in some cases, increase your impact while also being wise financial stewardship.​

Gifts of Appreciated Assets

When you donate long-term appreciated assets—such as publicly traded stock, certain real estate, or virtual currency you have held for more than one year—you may be able to claim an income tax deduction for the asset’s fair market value, while avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation. Because North River is a tax-exempt organization, it can generally sell these donated assets without paying tax on the gain, which often means both a favorable tax result for you and more funds available for ministry.​

Qualified Charitable IRA Distributions

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your traditional (non-Roth) IRA to North River. A QCD of up to the applicable annual limit (for example, $108,000 in 2025, indexed for inflation in later years) can often be excluded from your taxable income and, if you are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs), may count toward your RMD for the year when properly structured.​

To qualify, the funds must move directly from your IRA custodian to North River; you cannot receive the distribution personally and then give it. Your IRA administrator can explain their specific process for making a QCD and provide any forms needed to direct a gift to North River.​

Other Planning Ideas

Beyond these strategies, there are additional tax-advantaged, non-traditional giving tools—such as donor-advised funds or charitable trusts—that may fit certain situations. Because everyone’s circumstances are different, please consult your tax or financial advisor to determine which approaches best align with your giving goals and overall tax and financial planning.​

Questions

For giving details and questions, please call 770-792-8134 or email connect@nrcoc.com .