River Oaks Church: Live - Connect - Engage

On Sunday we looked back at the "Day of Atonement" which God set apart in the book of Leviticus. God's special days are literally called, "Appointed Times", and were meant to serve as a time of worship, a time of reminding, and a practical way to keep God's people connected to His story.  Too many times, we're living our lives consumed by our own story, when God's invitation is to engage in His story and see how He is writing my story into His!  The day of atonement is coming up September 18/19. If you haven't already done so, decide today how you and your loved ones will remember this significant day in Israel's history. You will be blessed as you celebrate the ancient paths and join God in what He has been saying throughout history. That is, there is an atonement which covers sin. In Jesus, atonement is our reality. This day is a day for us to remember what Jesus has done, and to search our hearts for the ways God wants to do a new work...

Offerings We have moved our receiving of Tithes and Offerings to a table in the back of the church. Please feel free to leave your offerings there anytime before or during the service. If you would like to make this a part of your worship experience, feel free to take your offerings during our singing time of worship. Please try to leave your offering before the end of the service, or immediately following our worship service. Thank you. Is God Calling You? During our series on Intentional Relationships, please be asking God if He wants you to lead a discussion group. We are excited to currently see eight discussion groups forming. These groups will begin in September and will coincide with the sermon series dealing with life’s  7 Big Questions . Every group will be furnished with detailed discussion guides, and it is an opportunity to be intentional to reach out to those who don’t yet know Jesus.  If you are interested,  please click here to let us know . Cel...

As we have been sharing on Sunday mornings, in September we will be participating in a city-wide effort to engage folks in real conversations concerning real questions about God and the Christian faith.  Several of you have already indicated your interest in leading a discussion group. If you have not received information yet on the details of leading a group, please let us know right away. We want to make sure we have you down to learn more. These will not be necessarily River Oaks small groups, but will be short term groups focused solely on facilitating these very important questions. The groups are meant as a way to expand your reach and to engage "outsiders" in the questions that nag so many.  If you have any interest, please let us know right away! We want to give you as much lead time and training as possible before the groups begin on September 9.  CLICK HERE to let us know of your interest.  For more information on the discussion groups, CLI...

Why is it so hard to talk about God? What keeps us from naturally sharing what is most important to us in our lives?  One of the most significant problems we have is that we haven't embraced the truism that people don't care to hear what we have to say until they know we care about them. In other words, most Christians became Christians through existing relationships, friendships, and connections. Therefore, it is imperative that we embrace our purpose of connecting with others in a loving and caring and genuine way.  On Sunday we looked at three areas of life we can work on allow room for talking about God naturally with others. You can watch the message online here. Three challenges received from Colossians 4:2-6 are: Begin with Prayer Be aware of our Conduct Make sure our Speech (conversations) are helpful How is it with you in these areas? Here are our "Taking it Home" points we can be working on this week: How can I engage more in...

Tomorrow we wrap up our mini-series on Intentional Relationships. Most of us have not yet embraced all of what God has intended for us! If you'd like to prepare before Sunday, read Colossians 4:2-6.   We will have a special guest with us to talk about a very practical way we can open our lives to some special international students who have come to JMU to study.  I'm looking forward to all God has in store for us as we worship Him together. See you tomorrow, Pastor Kevin “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how yo...

This past Sunday we were focused on what makes our life intriguing. Why would someone who is not a follower of Jesus be attracted to our lives?  Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared t...