Into The River

Pastor Jerry Waggener preached on The Power of Spirit-Led prayer as The River Church gathered on Sunday, September 6, 2026. (Video of teaching here on YouTube.)

Jesus said (in Acts 1:4-8) » Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:14 » They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

Acts 2:42 » All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Outline:

The priority of Spirit-filled prayer.

The plan of prayer.

Spirit-led prayers are unified.

Spirit-led prayers are Scriptural.

Spirit-led prayers are bold.

2 Corinthians 1:20 » For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

John 14:26 » But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Acts 4:29-31 » And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

James 5:16 » Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

“I have felt the Spirit of God working in my heart just as really and as truly as I have felt the wind blowing in my face.” —D.L. Moody

“There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.” —A.T. Pierson

“I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and self-seeking… the Holy Ghost will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit… there is no room for the Spirit of God.” —D.L. Moody

The River Church in Oregon City, Oregon

See our new website » www.TheRiverOC.com

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, September 6th, 2026, here's a glimpse at some of the emphases, opportunities, and happenings with The River Church. We're leaning into a new season with intention and purpose.See announcements at The River Hub » ⁠⁠http://TheRiverOC.churchtrac.com⁠

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 134, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, as The River Church wrapped up Summer of Psalms. (⁠Video teaching on our YouTube channel⁠.)

Psalm 134:1-3

A Song of Ascents.

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
    who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place
    and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Zion,
    he who made heaven and earth!

Summer of Psalms

Standing at the Headwaters (Psalm 134)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See our new website at » ⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 133, on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms. (Video teaching on our YouTube channel.) Psalm 133:1-3A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. Summer of Psalms Harmonious Union with Christ (Psalm 133) The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See our new website at » TheRiverOC.com

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 132, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms. (⁠⁠Video teaching on YouTube⁠⁠.)

Psalm 132:1-18

A Song of Ascents.

1 Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
    all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the Lord
    and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house
    or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
    or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
    a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
    we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
    let us worship at his footstool!”

8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
    you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
    and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
    do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath
    from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
    I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
    and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
    shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
    he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
    here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
    I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
    and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
    I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
    but on him his crown will shine.”

Summer of Psalms

Coming Home to the King (Psalm 132)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See our new website at » ⁠TheRiverOC.com⁠

https://www.theriveroc.com/ministries/kids

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 131, on Sunday, August 9, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms. (⁠Video teaching on YouTube⁠.)

Psalm 131:1-3

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
    my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Summer of Psalms

A Calmed & Quieted Soul (Psalm 131)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See our new website at » TheRiverOC.com⁠

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, August 9th, 2026, here's a glimpse at some of the emphases, opportunities, and happenings with The River Church. We're navigating Summer with intention and purpose. Recently we⁠ introduced the opportunity to develop Deacons⁠, which will be ongoing. We arrive now at ⁠Psalm 131.

• See announcements at The River Hub » ⁠TheRiverOC.churchtrac.com
• Child Dedication ceremony next Sunday, August 16th

Jerry Waggener preached about the Blessings of the Lord, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, as The River Church paused during Summer of Psalms on the weekend of River Family Camp.

Numbers 6:24-27 NLT

24 ‘May the Lord bless you

and protect you.

25 May the Lord smile on you

and be gracious to you.

26 May the Lord show you his favor

and give you his peace.’

27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”

Luke 24:50-51 NLT

50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed

them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.

Psalm 103:1-2 NLT

A psalm of David.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Receiving & Releasing God's Blessing. ⁠⁠Full teaching video on YouTube here⁠⁠⁠.

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 130, on Sunday, July 26, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms. (Video teaching on YouTube.)

Psalm 130:1-8

A Song of Ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
    to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
    from all his iniquities.

Summer of Psalms

Redeemed Out of the Depths (Psalm 130)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com⁠