Third RVA College

Let’s be honest, this is a hard, weird and difficult year for students. Hang in there! God is still sovereign, faithful and good. He’s got you.

If you happen to be home in Richmond for the semester (sorry!) and are looking to ditch the screen and be with real people, in-person...

Tuesday Bible study and hangout in Forest Hill Park. 6pm (hangout, bring dinner/snack) 6:30pm (study starts), wrap by 8ish/dark.

Join us! All are welcome.

Text Drew for details: 7039011606

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” -Amos 5:24

This is a remarkable and painful time in our nation’s and city’s history. So many voices raised in protest, the intensity and diversity of emotion, the renewal of much needed conversations and a great turning of the waters, all amidst a still on-going pandemic. It's exciting and exhausting all at once.

What do I do? How do I engage this conversation? How do I think biblically about this? How do we do it all safely and wisely. When do I speak up for others versus when do I know to rest in silence? The passage from Amos above is concerned with the worship of God’s people. We’re in an odd season where it is a challenge to worship together due to health concerns, and a challenge to stay silence in the face of historic racial inequalities. God desires both our worth and the pursuit of justice. It is in the seeking that we find our way forward, together. Keep listening, learning and leaning in - to both worship in this season and the pursuit of justice!

Resources to learn more about race and justice:

Pastor Corey’s video message on racism and justice.
https://vimeo.com/425598876/03294614af

Learn local Richmond history here with Ben Campbell’s lecture series.
https://www.thirdrva.org/all-recordings/richmonds-unhealed-history

Hearts and Minds Bookstore put together a good list of books on ethnicity, theology, and justice.
https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/2020/05/books-written-by-people-of-color-on-the-topic-of-racism-and-racial-justice-may-31-2020-order-now/

* If you’re interested in exploring issues of ethnicity, justice, Scripture’s story and our national current events, please email Drew. A summer reading and discussion group would be a great way to process and grow together!

https://www.thirdrva.org/resources-for-young-adults

Racism & Repentance Corey urges the church to respond to current events through repentance of racism, from both our own personal prejudices and systemic, historic racism.

We may be in uncertain and uncommon times yet the events common to our society certainly continue on all the same. The stress of finals, well-earned yet awkward graduations, internships and job searches, and unfortunately, the tragedy of sin and death. Life is more than this virus; we still long for and seek out meaningful faith, purposeful work and justice in our broken world. For more:

Young Adults Resources — Third Church This is not the way it’s supposed to be. Our plans have been disrupted, our futures are a little less clear, and all of our fears are at new heights. Take heart! Our lives remains grounded in Christ. Our calling remains the same – to become a people who discover and follow the way of Jesus in co...

'Feelings are not facts', but they are good data. Perhaps you’re missing your friends and all the end of semester goodness. Or you feel the pressure of finals, the malaise of working from home, the grief of delayed celebrations, the restlessness of the travel ban, or maybe you found the joy of a new or renewed relationship. Emotions and seasons shift swiftly, but the Word of Lord will stand forever. It's never a better time to anchor your mind and heart in Scripture!

For reading plans and good info on emotions- Check out more here:

Young Adults Resources — Third Church This is not the way it’s supposed to be. Our plans have been disrupted, our futures are a little less clear, and all of our fears are at new heights. Take heart! Our lives remains grounded in Christ. Our calling remains the same – to become a people who discover and follow the way of Jesus in co...

He is Risen! Happy Easter! For a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open!

Third Church Easter Sermon on the Creed | 10AM Service
https://www.thirdrva.org/live

Inspiring video on the Creed and Easter
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7oL6n4ZjZzM

Easter Short Film 2020

Tim Keller did a livestream lecture the other week on how Christianity accounts for human suffering. In the Q&A, he said something that stuck with me. Don’t let religious people say ‘don’t be anxious’, as if a lack of faith were the issue.

It’s OK to feel anxious, we’re in a time of great certainty, unknown, and loss. Weeping is good response to suffering, Jesus did it for Lazarus. But anxiety is different than giving into fear. Acting out of fear is a lack of trust, and often makes us selfish and callous towards others. Righteous suffering with Christ, even within the dark clouds of unknowing, makes us tender-hearted, humble, yet confident.

So we can WEEP, but we are also called to TRUST. We can trust in our good Father, who will provide and lead us. Jesus promised to be with us always through his Holy Spirit. In these times, we can ‘Weep but trust.’

Here’s a video of Pastor Corey on dealing with Anxiety (a few years old, but very helpful!)

https://www.facebook.com/andrea.woie/videos/10163420175110472/

Hey Students!

These are crazy and disruptive times, I just wanted to say that you’re not forgotten by the Third Church family - we’re praying for you (wherever you are!).

See Pastor Corey's letter for updates on Third: https://www.thirdrva.org/blog/march-17-covid-19-corey-letter

For those of you whose graduations, study abroad trips, spring breaks, or big plans are delayed or cancelled - this is not the way it’s supposed to be! It’s OK to not be OK. We’re all in this together and lamenting important life markers is meaningful - and your good Father in heaven hears your cries and will see you through your fears, doubts, and questions.

Personally, whenever I’m anxious or uncertain, the Spirit draws me back to two life-giving practices:

-Go for walk and name what I can be grateful for.
-And read/pray the Psalms.

Psalms 37:3 is my north star: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” In unknown times, when plans are wrecked and fears burst forth - we who know the deep hope found Christ, we can simply trust the Lord and be faithful day by day, doing good for the vulnerable and our friends and families, and trust that He will deliver you from all your fears (Psalms 34:4).

Also, BE ACTIVE! Your body and soul matter; try not to Netflix, game, binge or generally amuse yourself to death or a mushy mind. Your screens disciple you. Be mindful of how they’re shaping your emotions, desires and habits. Use your downtime and disrupted schedule to do good, get outdoors, create something creative / beautiful / awesome, serve someone, be kind, extend someone grace that’s hard to love, host online hangouts with friends, laugh a lot, learn to pray read the Psalms, learn to normalize boredom and love silence, and/or pray for the most vulnerable around the world; God’s heart breaks for the poor and margin, ours should too. Whatever your capacity and circumstance may be, be pro-active with your love and energy!

RESOURCES FOR THIS ODD SEASON

Good Habits - Spiritual Rhythms for Quarantine
https://www.thecommonrule.org/spiritual-rhythms-for-quarantine)

Good Reads - Free Public Library Books NYC
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-download-over-300-000-books-from-the-nypl-for-free-031820

Good Questions - Veritas Virtual Forum: Coronavirus and Quarantine - Tues 3/24 7-830pm EST
http://www.veritas.org/veritasforumlivestream/

Good Thoughts - Andy Crouch’s Love in the Time of Coronavirus
https://journal.praxislabs.org/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-26aaeb0396e3

If you need anything or just need to talk - (703)901-1606 or if you have ideas for digital hangouts, service opportunities, etc.

Jesus is still Lord, God is still good and the Spirit will always give us the power and wisdom to conquer fear and love our neighbors!

Your brother in Christ,
Drew

A Prayer for Sequestering

Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

-Psalm 31:21-26

Spiritual Rhythms for Quarantine Your household is at an incredible moment.

Merry Christmas all! Finals are done (or soon will be!) 🎉

If you’re in RVA this week, some of us are headed to TopGolf in Scott’s Addition at 4pm this Friday (I’ll cover the bay fees and the food, etc. Other beverages are on you.)

Come out and join us! RSVP with me if interested. 🏌🏼‍♂️

703901606

Hello!

If you’re a college student in the Richmond area and looking for community outside the campus and at Third Church - you’re always welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 10am for a young adults class, or Monday nights for a weekly community meal at 630pm.

All are welcome!

For more info: [email protected]

PSA: Life is hard!

College or times of transitions can be seasons of anxiety stress and fear - entering into new environments, new pressures, new expectations, new friendships and new choices.

Anxiety is a growing issue on most campuses, and no doubt you may have experienced it yourself or have seen its effects on your friends. But God desires you to live in freedom, not fear.

I'd like to invite you to come out and hear Pastor Corey share from his own story and struggles, both at school and later in life. We'll have casual evening of conversation and snacks, join us!

We'll be meeting at the Crawford's place on Thursday evening, July 25th at 7PM. 104 Windsor Way
Richmond, VA 23221

What does your faith have to do with your major, job, career or the causes you care about? Does God care about our daily work?

Join us this Sunday for the young adult's gathering at 10AM in Room 217 for snacks, coffee & conversation. ☕️🥐🧠❤️

We'll be exploring Episode 3 - The Economy of Creative Service. https://letterstotheexiles.com/

Home page | Letters to the Exiles

Join us this Sunday for the young adult's gathering at 10AM in Room 217 for snacks, coffee & conversation. ☕️🥐🧠❤️

We'll be exploring Episode 2 - The Economy of Love.

Home page | Letters to the Exiles WATCHING THESE EPISODES HAS BEEN BETTER THAN "BREAKING BAD"... — Brandon Haan — "FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD" IS THE BEST TREATMENT OF FAITH & CULTURE EVER PUT ON A SCREEN. — Andy Crouch, Executive Editor, Christianity Today — "FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD" IS THE BEST TREATMENT OF FAITH & CULTUR...