January 4, 2026
New Year Examen
"The glory of God is [the human being] fully alive"
~St. Ignatius of Loyola
(Founder of the Jesuits, 16th Century, Spain)
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Alexis Ward Owens
WELCOMING STATEMENT
RISE believes that God has open arms, and so should we. Our Creator wants us to love, accept and affirm every human being, including persons of every age, race, ethnic background, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, educational background, religion or creed, and physical or mental ability. We celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join us as we seek to follow Jesus with mutual respect, understanding, and love.
*Read more about “Why Pronouns Matter” HERE.
OPENING Affirmation & Prayer
The following prayer, a contemporary version of John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer (adapted for the plural), describes the life of a participant with Christ in his mission. The Covenant prayer helps us remember what this Jesus-way of life looks like and what loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourself requires of us. It describes missional life devoted to following Jesus and serving as Christ's representative in the world he loves and is working to redeem. Wesley encouraged the churches he helped found to pray this prayer each year at New Years as a rededication to the Way of Jesus.
A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition
We are no longer our own, but yours. Put us to what you will, place us with whom you will. Put us to doing, put us to suffering. Let us be put to work for you or set aside for you, Praised for you or criticized for you. Let us be full, let us be empty. Let us have all things, let us have nothing. We freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are ours, and we are yours. So be it. And the covenant which we have made on earth, Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Lord of the Dance ”
~Hymn Text - Sydney Carter / Tune - Simple Gifts
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came with me and the Dance went on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
And they left me there on a Cross to die.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance, and I still go on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that'll never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the Lord Of the Dance, said he.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
“Crazy World”
~Jeff Daniels
I’ve seen a young girl smiling,
It’s something he just said,
I watched him fall into her pretty green eyes,
His cheeks turned valentine red.
I’ve seen an old man walking,
With his wife by his side,
I watched him reach down, take her hand,
Damned if I didn’t cry.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there still making love.
I’ve seen a dog’s tail wagging,
I’ve seen a grandchild run,
I’ve sung along to a day-breaking dawn,
In a hundred thousand setting suns.
I’ve seen a door held open,
I’ve seen strangers shaking hands,
I’ve seen a kiss from that old flame she missed,
Last a little longer than planned.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there still making love.
I’ve seen a prayer get answered,
I’ve seen a bride in June,
I’m proud to say I’ve seen the Milky Way
Winking at the man in the Moon.
I’ve seen a dozen roses,
I’ve seen a heart on her sleeve,
I’ve seen enough to know what I know
And know what I still believe.
This crazy world’s gone crazy
Who am I to judge?
Nice to know in a world full of hate
There’s someone out there
There’s someone out there
There’s someone out there…
NEW YEAR EXAMEN
(Adapted from the 16th century tradition of St. Ignatius)
Chris Zepp
This practice comes from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola (16th Century, Spain, founder of the Jesuits) - a month-long set of meditations, prayers, and mental exercises which formed the central component of training for Jesuits. St. Ignatius emerged as a leader in the “counter-reformation” of the Catholic church. One of his best known quotes is “The glory of God is [the human being] fully alive.” At its most basic, Examen is a practice of “Spiritual self-review.” Ignatius considered it the most important way to continue to live out the experience of the exercises. In this New Year Examen, we adapt this spiritual review process Ignatius outlined to reflect on our lives as we move into a new year together.
A detail of the full adapted process can be found HERE
Centering
Candle Lighting
Scripture - Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24 (NRSV)
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.7 Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Examen (Life-giving)
Silent Reflection
Sharing
Examen (Life-draining)
Silent Reflection
Sharing
Examen (Life-promising)
Silent Reflection
Sharing
Closing
Scripture - Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Prayer
Offering and NOMOFOMO
One of our core values is, "God gives to us, so we give back." We're called to give as a joy-filled response to what we've been given. Your financial gifts make a tremendous difference in the lives of God's beloved in Harrisonburg and beyond. Whether it's helping to make sure children in our community have enough to eat, helping to respond to the mental health crisis in our community, or providing much needed backing for the operating costs of our spaces and staff — your gift is a part of God's dream and we are grateful for everyone who partners with us on this journey!
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR
IFA CoMMUNITY UNITY EVENT
Sunday, January 18
As winter approaches, our unhoused neighbors in the area face harsh conditions. Your generosity can make a difference in someone’s comfort, safety, and dignity this season.
The Interfaith Association of Harrisonburg-Rockingham is hosting a Community Unity Event in the New Year with the goal of creating a meaningful, coordinated service project that combines practical needs with community outreach.
We will be collecting donations over the next several weeks to support the effort. Check out the flyer for a full list of items being collected. They are especially seeking unisex warm socks, winter hats, gloves, and hand/feet warmers.
All items collected will be distributed at the IFA Community Unity Event Meal being hosted at Muhlenberg Lutheran Church on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
No WTF until January 15
6 pm Thursdays
*Note New Day*
Closing Song
“Give Yourself To Love”
~Kate Wolf
Kind friends all gathered 'round,
there's something I would say:
That what brings us together here
has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle
that holds us all inside.
Where strangers are as family,
loneliness can't hide.
You must give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
I've walked these mountains in the rain
and learned to love the wind;
I've been up before the sunrise
to watch the day begin.
I've always knew I'd find you,
though I never did know how;
Like sunshine on a cloudy day
stand before me now.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
Love is born in fire;
it's planted like a seed.
Love can't give you everything,
but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you're ready,
love comes when you're afraid;
It'll be your greatest teacher,
the best friend you have made.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
REPEAT
Parting Blessing: “A Prayer for the Year Ahead”
~Author Unknown; adapted by Debra Mooney
May God make our year a happy one!
Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening us to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making our path easy,
But by making us sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from us,
But by taking fear from our heart;
Not by granting us unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping our face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making our life always pleasant,
But by showing us when people and their causes need us most,
and by making us anxious to be there to help.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift IN THiS NEW YEAR!
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