Scott Allen

Sunday Services: May 13th, 2012

sallen — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:45:57 +0000

Another great message from Tim on prayer and fasting, as we continue our study of the book of Esther   I have really enjoyed this teaching series and so appreciate Tim’s insight! Today we looked at Esther 4:15-17. Esther’s preparation plan to go to the king was a 72-hour fast. She asked Mordecai, all the Jews in Susa, and her attendants to fast and pray with her for three days. Esther needed the power of intentionality of these prayers so:
·       That God would give her the right words to say.
·       That God would infuse her heart with courage.
·       That God would work in the heart of the king to spare her life.
·       That she would be able to convince the king to stop the madness.

And when the 72-hour fast was over with all of the courage that was born of 1,000 prayers over three days Esther walked into the inner court and stood before the man who had the power in his hand to take or spare her life and those of all her people. And the King held out his royal scepter, allowing Esther to speak. In the end, the Jewish people were spared. Listen to Tim’s complete message at the River Oaks site: riveroaks.org

We began this Mother’s Day morning with a Baby dedication. You might have noticed some of our music team members dedicating their children: Julie (violin/vocalist) & Bruce Bergdall (bass, trombone) dedicated daughter Amelia, and Andrea (vocalist) & Andrew (drums, percussion, acoustic guitar) dedicated their son Jace. Great parents and children!

Musically, worship leader Rich Trowbidge led us in the songs “Let God Arise”, “Arise”, “Worshiping You” and Hillsong’s “Thank You”. We closed the service with a new song “Carry Me to the Cross” (recorded by Kutless).

Sunday Services: May 6th, 2012

sallen — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:50:47 +0000

We began our worship time by asking the Lord to renew our hearts, open our eyes and strengthen our passion. Together we sang “Awakening” (Chris Tomlin), “Alive In Us” (Hillsong), “Open the Eyes of My Heart”, “Come Reveal” (John Stockstill) and Bebo Norman’s “I Will Lift My Eyes”. We closed the service with “I Will Follow” (Chris Tomlin).

Sunday Services: April 29th, 2012

sallen — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:49:28 +0000

We debuted a new percussion instrument this morning on a new song (based on an old song) “You Are My Vision” (recorded by Rend Collective Experience). Also, thanks to Vern Heacock for joining us with his full-size accordion on a couple of these songs. We continued with “How Can I Keep from Singing” (Chris Tomlin), “Glorified” (Jared Anderson), “Joy” (Phil Wickham) and “From the Inside Out” (Hillsong). We closed with the song “Salt & Light” (Jamie Smith).

Also, the ROCC Children’s choir, “Voices”, brought some “Power” to the beginning of our service! Thanks to Beth Bender & Ginger Craigo.

Sunday Services: April 22, 2012

sallen — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:24:59 +0000

I have this Sunday off, so I’m grateful to Rich Trowbridge for rehearsing the band/vocalists and leading worship this morning.

Worship songs include “Hallelujah”, “I Will Follow”, “Starry Night” and “God You Reign”.

The worship team will close the service with the Dave Barnes song “I Have and Always Will”.

Sunday Services: April 15th, 2012

sallen — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:59:56 +0000

To intro the worship time, we have a video titled “Post Easter Hangover”. Don’t let the title scare you. Psalm 47:7-8 will set the theme of our worship: For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Together we will sing the songs “Meet With Me”, “Fields of Grace” (haven’t done this one in over three years), “God You Reign” and “Lord Reign In Me”.

Tim starts a new teaching series this morning titled “The Power of One” - The Story of Esther. Together, we will close the service with Joel Engle’s song “Almighty God”.

Pictures from Easter 2012

sallen — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:54:05 +0000

Here are some pictures from our Easter services, featuring Bebo Norman. Thanks to Bryan Chris Photography for the great photos.

Easter – April 15th, 2012

sallen — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:24:25 +0000

Almighty, everlasting God, on this day you conquered death through Your Son and opened for us the path to eternal life. We celebrate the feast of His resurrection. Make us new through Your Spirit, so that we too may rise and walk in the light of Christ. (prayer by Henri Nowan)

What a great Resurrection Morning. River Oaks was honored to have Bebo Norman and Gabe Scott share their music and life experiences with us this morning. Bebo’s song “Great Light of the World” was so perfect for this morning. The other songs in his set included “Pull Me Out”, “Walk Down this Mountain”, “God of My Everything”, “I Will Lift My Eyes” and “Nothing Without You”. Bebo, Gabe and Greg (road manager) were so great to work with. The real deal (humble, gracious,..)!

Our music team led us in worship with the songs “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, “Alive In Us” (Hillsong), “God Is Able” (Hillsong) and “In Christ Alone”. We closed with “Stand”.

Sunday Services – Palm Sunday (April 1st, 2012)

sallen — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:00:42 +0000

The large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. They shouted: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

The word “Hosanna” is a Hebrew expression meaning “Save”. It is used as an exclamation of praise. This morning we welcome Christ Jesus, that one that can save us, worthy of all our praises.

Together we sang “Hosanna” (Paul Baloche), “Glorified” (Jared Anderson), “Light of the World” (Chris Tomlin) and “Jesus You Are Worthy” (Brenton Brown). After Tim’s message, we turned our focus to the cross, and the events of this following week (Good Friday). Before communion, our vocal ensemble sang “At the Cross”. During communion we reflected and sang songs of the cross. At the conclusion of communion, we again remember the one who came to save us with Matt Redman’s song “You Alone Can Rescue”.

Our prayer is that we always live under your cross, O Lord, and continuously proclaim the hope it represents.

Sunday Services – March 25, 2012

sallen — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:10:55 +0000

Colorful morning! We concluded our “Joy” series today. But it won’t end here. As Henri Nowen wrote: “Gratitude is joy, and joy is gratitude”!

Musically, we began the morning with an instrumental version of Adelle’s “Rolling in the Deep”, featuring violinist Julie Bergdal. Worship songs included “Sing Sing Sing”, “Joy” (Peter Frampton cameo), “How Can I Keep from Singing”, “Your Love Never Fails”, and a new arrangement of “We Rejoice”. We closed the service with a new song written/recorded by Phil Wickham, title (of course) “Joy” (vocalist Lindsay Harris). Great teaching series by Tim!

Sunday Service – March 18th, 2012

sallen — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:19:45 +0000

Great morning in our Joy series. Our worship songs included “Awakening”, “Let God Arise”, “Alive In Us” and “Mighty to Save”. Lindsay Harris closed the service with a new song by Jesus Culture, “All I Need is You”.