Into The River

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, July 26, 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. Last week we introduced the opportunity to develop Deacons, which will be ongoing. We arrive now at Psalm 130, and welcome NWBTC as they join us for worship.

• See announcements at The River Hub » TheRiverOC.churchtrac.com

Join The River Church at Family Camp, beginning Friday, July 31st through Sunday August 2nd. We've booked many sites at Metzler Park. During River Family Camp we grow in relationship with God and one another.

• Details and registration at The River Hub

Dawson Hunter preached about Deacons in the local church, starting with Acts 6:1-7, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, as The River Church paused during Summer of Psalms. Full teaching video on YouTube here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Acts 6:1-7

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Titus 3:14

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Mark 10:42-45

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Summer of Deacons, an emphasis during Summer of Psalms

Deacons: Serving With Love. ⁠⁠Full teaching video on YouTube here⁠⁠⁠.

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jerry Waggener preached through Psalm 129, on Sunday, July 12, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 129:1-8

A Song of Ascents.

1 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—
    let Israel now say—
2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,
    yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back;
    they made long their furrows.”
4 The Lord is righteous;
    he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion
    be put to shame and turned backward!
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
    which withers before it grows up,
7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand
    nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
8 nor do those who pass by say,
    “The blessing of the Lord be upon you!
    We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

Summer of Psalms

More Than Conquerors (Psalm 129). ⁠Full teaching video on YouTube here⁠⁠.

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jerry Waggener preached through Psalm 128, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 128:1-6

A Song of Ascents.

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

Summer of Psalms

The Blessed Life Begins With God (Psalm 128). Full teaching video on YouTube here⁠.

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 127, on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 127:1-5

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Summer of Psalms

Wholly Dependent upon the LORD (Psalm 127)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

As we prepare to gather this Sunday, July 5, 2026, here's a glimpse at some of the emphases, opportunities, and happenings with The River Church. We are navigating into Summer with intention and purpose.

Read ahead » Psalm 128

Songs we sing this Sunday: ⁠Spotify playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠YouTube playlist⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com⁠⁠⁠

Happenings & opportunities at ⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.churchtrac.com⁠

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 126, on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 126:1-6

A Song of Ascents.

126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

Summer of Psalms

The Happiest Father of All (Psalm 126)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jerry Waggener preached through Psalm 125, on Sunday, June 14, 2026, as The River Church continued Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 125:1-5

A Song of Ascents. 1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous,lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!Summer of PsalmsTrust in the LORD (Psalm 125)The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com

Jeff Patterson preached through Psalm 124, on Sunday, June 7, 2026, as The River Church began Summer of Psalms.

Psalm 124:1-8

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
    who has not given us
    as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
    and we have escaped!

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

Summer of Psalms

What if? ... Praise the LORD! (Psalm 124)

The River Church, Oregon City, Oregon

⁠⁠⁠TheRiverOC.com