Prepare for Worship (Page 7)

This week’s Friday Prepare for Worship newsletter was written by Mark Lautenschlager, Director of Communications and one of Rio’s elders. My wife and I have been married for almost 36 years. We’ve known each other since we were probably 15 years old and in high school. We met through a Christian youth program called “Ranch” that originated with Florida Bible College in…

Hey Church! This week’s prepare-for-worship exercise is to watch all four of the videos below. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it: Remove distractions, settle your heart and mind, and then give the videos your undivided attention. Use headphones, earbuds, or quality speakers and turn up the volume to replicate the “live” experience. …

Hey Church! This Sunday, masks will be optional when you attend services. We may not have seen the last of the COVID-19 fallout yet but the latest advisories from the state of Florida do represent another step towards a return to “normal.” As I thought about it, I was reminded of the conditions in which many of us were living before March of 2020–namely, a sort of…

Hey Church! I thought I’d take a slightly different approach to this weekend’s prepare-for-worship newsletter by making it more of a prepare-for-summer-break word of encouragement. For those with school-aged kids still living at home, summer is likely a bit of a slower pace for you and you may find yourself with extra time to spend together as a family. For…

Hey Church! I may have shared the song “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” with you once before, but since it ties in especially well with the theme of this week’s message, I thought it was worth sharing again. First, take a few minutes to read the following two passages of Scripture. Then watch the video below to hear the song, as well as the story behind…

Hey Church! During personal worship this week, when we read about Elijah being taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, my mental song index reminded me of Shane & Shane’s song “Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts).” Granted, the fiery chariots referenced in the psalm carry a different connotation (warfare; not a tricked-out escort to heaven), but the song made…

Hey Church! The Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) is a brilliantly composed document that I would encourage you all to read often. The question-answer format makes it easier to memorize and breaks down all the theological categories into small, manageable pieces. You can read the WSC online for free here:…

Hey Church! In preparation for worship this weekend, I want to encourage you to carve out a little time for prayer on Saturday night. I’ve quoted a prayer from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie* below. Work through it thoughtfully and give thanks to the Lord for His abundant love and provision before lying down to sleep. O EVERLASTING God, let the light of…

Hey Church! We have a new song to sing this Sunday! It’s called “Good Grace” by Hillsong United and I think you’re going to love it! Click on the link to watch Hillsong United perform it live. The lyrics are pasted below for your reference.  Good Grace Verse 1People come togetherStrange as neighbours our blood is oneChildren of generationsOf every…

Hey Church! One of the ways I spent my time off last week was by prettying-up our backyard with some new plantings. Now, I have never considered my thumb to be any shade of green whatsoever but I do appreciate the beauty and creativity of a well-kept landscape. With a little extra time on my hands, I decided on Tuesday to drive down to the nursery on Flamingo Road to see…