A Half-Century on Roswell Road
In 1968 a small group of Lutherans gathered in the northern suburbs of Atlanta to start a new congregation. More than fifty years later, Rivercliff Lutheran Church continues that work on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. The founders saw the new church as only the start of something much larger, and the congregation's own history puts it this way: God's grace in Jesus Christ knows no limits. Visitors and longtime members alike are invited to join in the celebration of God's goodness.
From the beginning, Rivercliff has been a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, holding to the historic Lutheran understanding that God builds His people up through Word and Sacrament. The congregation describes itself plainly: a place where the Lord is at work with a mission to joyfully proclaim God's grace and salvation through Jesus Christ to all people.
Sundays at Rivercliff
Two Sunday worship services are held at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM, with a Bible study hour running between them from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. The between-services Bible study is treated as a central part of the week rather than an add-on, and members are encouraged to remain actively connected to the Word of God in both worship and study. For visitors wondering what to wear, the answer is simple: come as you are. Members arrive in everything from jeans and a T-shirt to dresses and suits. First-time guests with questions about what to expect, the nursery, or communion practice are welcome to ask the church office.
"Bring 'em in, Build 'em up, Send 'em out"
The congregation's three-part vision shapes everything that happens inside and outside the building. "Bring 'em in" carries both spiritual and practical weight. The Great Commission calls the Church to join Jesus in seeking and saving the lost, and Rivercliff aims to make its doors welcoming to anyone in the area. Members work to build lasting relationships with newcomers who may eventually become part of the church family, treating the congregation as just that - a family, with its own personality, history, and traditions.
"Build 'em up" focuses on those already inside the church. Regular worship attendance and reception of the Lord's Supper are seen as vital to spiritual health, and the congregation commits to noticing when someone's been absent - not only the pastors and elders, but other members too. Bible study is the foundation of growth, and the leadership works to provide as many study opportunities as possible, including new formats for those whose schedules don't fit a traditional Wednesday evening group.
"Send 'em out" expresses the conviction that God's work happens beyond the church property. Rivercliff members are encouraged to take up the call of Acts 1:8, going into Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.
Studies, Small Groups, and the Podcast
A Tuesday Evening Women's Bible Study meets at 7:00 PM, walking through books that connect everyday craft and life lessons to a walk with Jesus. A Friday Morning Women's Bible Study gathers from 10:00 to 11:30 AM; recent series have included a seven-week look at the apostle Peter in "Anchored." Both groups welcome new participants, and the church office can connect interested women with the current leaders.
The pastors also produce a weekly podcast called "Cliff on the Go!" available on Spotify and YouTube, where they dig deeper into Scripture and writings from the early Church.
Outreach Across Sandy Springs and Beyond
Rivercliff has sent a team to El Salvador every summer since 2013 through Youth With a Mission, building homes, visiting hospitals, providing meals to children, and leading Bible studies.
Closer to home, members serve as the primary help agency in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, with volunteers scheduled the first Saturday of every month at a local food bank. The congregation also takes part in the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Hunger Walk/Run, helps build houses in the North Fulton County area, and hosts families through Family Promise once each quarter, providing a safe place to stay for families between housing situations.
Inside the church building, teams of volunteers meet weekly, semi-weekly, and monthly as part of LoveWorks, a production center of Lutheran Braille Workers. Their mission is to bring the Word of God to blind and visually impaired readers around the world completely free of charge.
Serving at Rivercliff
Three regular volunteer roles keep Sunday worship running. The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for services. Ushers greet and assist during worship, and Readers proclaim the Scripture lessons. Anyone interested in any of these ministries is invited to reach out to the church office.
Visiting and Getting in Touch
Rivercliff Lutheran Church is located at 8750 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, and can be reached by phone at (770) 993-4316. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with Pastor Jordan off on Mondays and Pastor Berlinski off on Fridays. Giving is available online through the church's secure giving portal, and a contact form is available for thoughts, questions, or prayer requests.