Psalm 108:1 - My heart is confident in you, O God;  no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!  This morning, we really tried to encourage our body to “whole heartedly” participate in worship. This Sunday’s music came from “requests”, our body’s favorite worship songs.  I was able to write some new arrangements for many of the songs, featuring some new instrumentation.

Tyler Springer (cello) made his River Oaks Music Team debut, and added a new texture to the music.

Andrew Hauser also added a cool element on percussion (tympani, hand drums, shakers,..).

Here’s the music we worship to:

1. Today is the Day -  Great happy song!  Lindsay Harris makes it even happier when she sings it!  This arrangement was kind of in the Brian Wilson/Phil Spector vibe.

2. Sing, Sing, Sing – Another new arrangement.  Very percussion driven (Jim Catalano on drums).

3. Taken By Love – My favorite Kuttless tune (along with “What Faith Can Do”).  Lindsay and Roark Jones were featured on this River Oaks favorite.

4. Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Laura Darnell led this one.  River Oaks likes to “Hoe Down”! Julie Bergdall (violin) and I (guitar) got to stretch out a little on this one.

5. More Love -  Led by Diana Montiel.  Great job, Diana!

6. Man After Your Own Heart – Beautiful song, sung by a beautiful voice (Roark Jones)

7. I Offer You My Life - During communion, led by the vocal team.

8. I Give You My Heart – Same as above.

9. Great is Thy Faithfulness – Julie & Tyler (Violin & Cello)

10. Rescue – Led by Kim Kaser. Kim’s first time singing this one. Great version!

11.  Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone – A great closing to this service.  Laura Darnell sang this one from the heart!

This week’s vocal team:  Lindsay Harris, Roark Jones, Diana Montiel, Laura Darnell, Kim Kaser.  Band:  Piano/Keys – Tim Wietstock, Bass – Bruce Bergdall, Drums – Jim Catalano, Percussion – Andrew Hauser, Violin – Julie Bergdall, Cello – Tyler Springer. Tech: Main Screens – Bruce Zimmerman, Vocal Screen – Tim Blaum, Sound – Dennis Vanderwiede, Camera – Vern Stack.

Thanks so much to Jim Ernsberger for the photos!

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6

Our worship set included “Let God Arise” (Chris Tomlin), Evermore (Hillsong), Glorious One (Fee), Be Thou My Vision and “From the Inside Out” (Hillsong).

The River Oaks Band & Vocalist led us in songs that honored Jesus as the light of the world and the one true hope.  We began with “Open the Eyes of My Heart”.  We continued with “Marvelous Light”, “Jesus Messiah” and Matt Redman’s “You Alone Can Rescue”.  We closed with “Center”.  Rip-roaring morning!

Together we sang the song “You Shine”, that has a great line to set the tone of our worship:  “You shine, filling us with courage and strength, to follow You”.  We also sang these songs of dedication:  “I Give You My Heart”, “Beautiful One”, “Worshiping You” and “Step By Step”.  To prepare our hearts for communion, Roark Jones beautifully sang the song “Man After Your Own Heart”, written by Billy Sprague and Wayne Kirkpatrick (two masterful Nashville songwriters). This song illustrates the intense passion of King David’s love for God.  God referred to David as” a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22).   May we be inspired and actively pursue the heart of God!

Musically, we celebrated the One who is worthy, who is just and merciful.  We began with the Brenton Brown song “Jesus You Are Worthy”.  Our vocalists, Luke and Jennifer, then shared 1st Peter 1:3-7, a great scripture of hope!  We also sang Brandon Heath’s “No Not One”, Hillsong’s “Stand” and closed with the hymn “I Stand Amazed”.

One pleasant surprise was a jingle that I did for a car lot a few years ago.  Listening to the session tracks, it made me wish that all projects could be like this one.  This was an account that my friend Roark brought in (Roark and I have done a lot of musical projects throughout the years). When Roark gave me the info for this spot, I remember him telling me that the client wanted it to be in the style of Robben Ford (which is one of my all time favorite guitarists, modern blues vibe).  I was thrilled cause I love to play in that style!  The client also wanted it to be a female vocalists.  So while writing and recording the track, I heard the voice of Ashley Cleveland in my head.  Ashley is a gospel, blues, rock vocalist who has won grammys for her solo albums, sung with John Hiat and scores of others.  She’s so soulful, “Aretha” like.  Totally authentic and real.  Again, one of my all time favorites.

I have a friend in Nashville who owns a studio named Dave Clo. I use him to find vocal talent for different spots that I do.  He records them at his studio and we go back and forth via the internet.  For this track, I told him I needed a female vocalist like Ashley Cleveland (knowing it would be impossible to get her).  The next day he called and said he lined up Ashley!  I don’t know how he pulled this off, but the next day Ashley was singing over my track, and it was thrilling!  A great joy for me!  I also loved listening to the outtakes.

The client and I were very pleased how it all turned out.  The downside is, soon after, the car lot changed management and I don’t know if the song ever hit the air. It’s to bad. This is one I’d enjoy hearing on the radio. Click here to take a listen! Ashley Cleavland – Suzuki Spot

(from Isaiah 40)

Our opening video was based on Isaiah 40: 26-31. I challenge you to re-read this inspiring scripture.  It’s a great scripture for setting the tone for worship, but also for personal encouragement.

Our first worship song was “Everlasting God” (written by Brenton Brown).  We continued with “Hosanna” (Brenton Brown), “God You Reign” (Lincoln Brewster) and “Mighty To Save” (Hillsong).  The service closed with the song “Hold Fast”, sung by Lindsay Harris (recorded by Mercy Me). Another great song of encouragement!  So glad to have Lindsay back with us!

Again, I was on vacation this week.  Thanks to Andrew Hauser for rehearsing the teams and leading worship at the services!  I love Andrew’s talent and his passion for worship!  Thanks to the rest of our wonderful music and tech teams who served this morning!

Our worship theme this morning continued with our theme from last week:  God’s faithfulness.  Musically, we began with the song “Famous One”, reminding us  “the heaven’s declare His glory and His name is great throughout earth”.  How’s that for a reputation! We continued with “Faithful”, written by Steve Fee.  We also sang “God With Us” (Mercy Me), “Greater” (Desperation Band) and closed with “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”.

I was on vacation this Sunday, so I want to thank two of my leaders, Tim Weitstock and Roark Jones for taking the reigns for the rehearsals and both services!  Thanks to everyone who served in the music and tech teams this morning!