Riviera UMC E-Letter October 15, 2026
The Pumpkin Patch is our annual fundraiser supporting the ministries of Riviera UMC. We still have several volunteer slots open throughout October and would love your help! Sign up to cover a shift at the patch and help make this fundraiser a success. Thank you for supporting Riviera and the ministries that make a difference in our community! Training is provided:
Scan the QR code to sign up! SIGN UP HERE!
Hello Riviera Friends and Family!
Since school was out on Monday, Mary took our two boys to Universal Studios for the day to celebrate Augustus' birthday. They had a great time with Mom, and that meant I got to spend the day checking on the Pumpkin Patch, welcoming new volunteers, and seeing the day-to-day work of our wonderful church. It also meant I got to spend some special time with my two daughters in the afternoon. We went to Barnes & Noble, their favorite store, and then to Chili's for dinner. We had a fun time doing something special together, just the three of us. I'm blessed to spend time with them amid our busy schedules, and I know these moments are important to them.
As we browsed the books, they came up and asked how many they could get. I told them to bring what they wanted, and then we'd decide how many to purchase. They each picked two, and I said yes to all of them. Books bring joy to our home, which is a nice contrast to a digital world. Eleanor even reads her books online and then wants to have the hard copy on her shelf as a trophy of all the books she's read! I'm thankful to have kids who love to read and have integrated it into their downtime at home alongside their homework and other activities. I'd argue that early exposure to books was a big part of their love for literature. Their pre-school experience, like Riviera Day School, prioritized reading at an early age, and we had 100s of children's books at the house. We were also signed up for the Imagination Library that was created by Dolly Parton, may she rest in Glory!
I hope you have something that brings you joy. Something that makes you smile and doesn't add stress to your life, but gives you pause to see how good God is around you. When we find our joy, we find places where God interacts with us and can rest in that. This week we'll talk about that rest, that Sabbath, and its importance in our lives. Too often, that's been overly structured, or we've been told it has to look a certain way. In Luke 6:1-5, Jesus challenges us to see rest not as something that stresses us out about whether we do or don't do a task, but as a model for living an abundant life. I hope you find joy in worship with us on Sunday morning!
I look forward to seeing you both in person and online this week!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Augie"
See You Sunday!
Join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary for inspiring worship, meaningful fellowship, and a time to connect with God and one another. We look forward to welcoming you!
💙 Why not invite a friend, neighbor, or family member to join you? Church is always better together!
📱 Can't join us in person? Worship with us online through Facebook Live by clicking HERE or on YouTube by clicking HERE!
Children's Church (Except 1st Sundays):
Children's Church: Children are invited to join our amazing volunteers for a fun, engaging Children’s Church experience designed just for them. We can’t wait to welcome them! On the first Sunday of the month, the children are invited to remain in worship for communion.
Charge Conference Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 pm.
We will have a joint Charge Conference at Seminole UMC, located at 5400 Seminole Blvd, Seminole.
Youth Group
📅 Sunday, October 18 ⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM. Join us for Youth Group! Dinner will be provided, so bring a friend and come enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, and faith!
Trunk or Treat: October 25, from 4:00-6:00 pm.
CLICK HERE to sign up to decorate a trunk. We also need candy donations.
*NEW* Church Book Study:
The 8 Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 AM on Sunday, November 1, as we begin our new book study! Our first two meetings will be November 1 and 15, and beginning in December, we’ll meet on the third Sunday of each month. Everyone is welcome to join us as we learn and grow together!
Christmas Pageant
Would you like to participate in this year’s Christmas Pageant on December 20 at 10:00 AM? We’d love to have you be part of the fun! CLICK HERE to register!
Senior Fitness is at Riviera UMC!
Foresight Fitness classes are designed for all fitness levels.
Monday–Friday | 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Self-pay and Medicare Part C accepted.
For information or registration, call 1-888-258-2801.
Congregational Care & Prayer Request
We are here to support, encourage, and pray for you. Please let us know what type of congregational care or prayer request you have, and we will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
Wesley Food Pantry
Wesley Food Pantry currently needs canned stews, canned meats, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta and pasta sauce, and rice. Thank you for your generosity in helping provide food for those in need in our community.
Get Involved
We live out our vision statement by connecting, growing, and serving. Through missions, service, giving, small groups, and more, you (and we) connect with the teachings of Christ. So that we may be a more welcoming, loving, and connected community that loves God and loves our neighbor. Click here to get more information about how to get involved!
Interested in sponsoring a meal for Sunday Youth Group?
Youth Group meets on Sundays from 5:30–7:30 PM, and we typically need enough food for 15–20 students and leaders. You can sponsor a meal by preparing food yourself or by ordering, picking up, and delivering a meal to the church. Examples include pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken tenders with a side dish, Chipotle platters, or taco platters.
Click here to sign up and for more details.
Online Giving & Tithe
If you'd like to support Riviera UMC's mission and ministry, please click the button below. Thank you for your faithful giving, which will help build God's Kingdom in our community and beyond!
175 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL, USA 727-527-6466
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