Prepare for Worship (Page 6)

Hey Church! The words of the song “Is He Worthy” have been especially meaningful to me today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEZzH-dWDOUIn light of recent events and the hardships that have touched us all to some degree, it has felt to me like the darkness is closing in. “Do you feel the world is broken? We do. Do you feel the shadows deepen? We…

Hey Church! I hope to see you all in person this Sunday morning! Pastor Tom will begin a new sermon series on the profoundly beautiful book, Isaiah, so you won’t want to miss it. While the online alternative is great when you are physically unable to attend live, there is at least one essential aspect of worship that it cannot deliver: mutual edification. …

Hi friends! If you’ve not had a chance to listen to Pastor Tom’s video on the COVID-19 precautions that we’re asking everyone to take during this time of increased vigilance, please click below to watch it. Thank you! Watch Tom’s Video Hey Church! Last night I was awakened at 2:00 AM by flashes of lightning and window-shaking thunder. Knowing that…

Hey Church! My family is currently in the midst of one of those “when it rains, it pours” seasons of life. You know the kind: when you’ve just paid off the higher-than-usual credit card balance (from last month’s unexpected expenses) and suddenly both cars require expensive repairs, the kids need $500 in back-to-school supplies, car insurance…

Hey Church! As you prepare for worship this weekend, please take some time to read thoughtfully through the lyrics of the songs we will be singing to God together. As always, there are links to the song on YouTube below, so begin to familiarize yourself with them and personalize the message of each one. You might even try praying these words out loud before you go to bed…

Hey Church! During last Sunday’s sermon, we thought about the nature of the “look” that Jesus gave Peter in the moment of his denials. We wondered, when Jesus sees you in your hour of failure and need, what His countenance communicates about His heart toward you. Despite what the Accuser might tempt you to believe, God is not some sort of cosmic taxman,…

Hey Church! In our study of Peter’s infamous denials this week, I could not decide how to characterize this most fervent disciple whose boldness often got him in trouble and yet was loved by Jesus and always restored to Him after every fall.  Peter is one of the inner-circle three (with James and John) who were beloved by Jesus and fiercely loyal to His mission. On…

Hey Church! We have a new song to sing this weekend! It’s called “Amen (Simple Gospel)” by Kari Jobe and I think you’re going to love it! In order to get the most out of it, I thought a short study of the word “amen” would be helpful.  The meaning of the Hebrew word, אָמֵן֙ (Pronounced ah-mayn), carries a sense of truth, certainty, and…

Hey Church! When you enter the worship center this weekend, things will look quite different than they did just last Sunday. Through the generosity of one of the families in our church, we have been able to install new projection and lighting systems, which we hope will further enhance our ability to communicate the gospel with beauty and clarity. Please watch this short…

This week’s Friday Prepare for Worship thoughts are written by Mark Lautenschlager, Director of Communications and one of Rio’s elders. If you’re anything like me…then you’re old and well, I’m sorry. We understand how each other’s joints feel, am I right? But in addition to that, we are used to church music that was written for another time and a different audience.…