January 11, 2026
Little one, for you Jesus Christ came into the world:
for you he lived and showed God's love;
for you he suffered the darkness of Calvary
and cried at the last, "It is accomplished";
for you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life;
for you he ascended to reign at God's right hand.
All this he did for you, little one,
though you do not know it yet.
And so the word of Scripture is fulfilled:
"We love because God loved us first."
~From the French Huguenot baptismal liturgy,
Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Chris Zepp
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
~Homiletics, adapted
With steadfast love and growing faith,
we come as the people of Christ.
With prayers of hope and songs of joy,
we come to worship God, the eternal and ever-loving.
With thankful hearts and humble prayers,
we come to give God glory and praise.
Here we are together, as people of faith and hope,
to celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ!
And there is a sweet, sweet spirit in this place!
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
~Dorothy Akers
There's a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You're the one to profit when you say,
"I am going to walk with Jesus all the way."
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
If you say He saved you from your sin,
Now you're weak, you're bound and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield,
You'll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
“Crowded Table”
~The Highwomen - Brandi Carlile & Natalie Hemby with Lori McKenna
You can hold my hand, when you need to let go
I can be your mountain, when you’re feeling valley low
I can be your streetlight, showing you the way home
If you can hold my hand, when you need to let go
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds
Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep
If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed
Yeah, I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
The door is always open
Your picture’s on my wall
Everyone’s a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, Everyone belongs
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV)
1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.
Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Ward Owens
“Washing away the Crazy”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are you doing to reduce anxiety, fear and tension in the midst of a crazy world? Are you hoping to implement any new practices this year?
What are some examples of ways you have seen both individuals and communities living out this vow of servanthood, working towards justice in this world gone crazy?
What are some tangible things we can do moving forward, both as individuals and as a community, to work to uphold these baptismal vows of being servants for justice?
Song
“Elijah Rock”
~Spiritual - Mahalia Jackson, arr. Brent Holl
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Satan is a liar and a conjure too
If you don't watch out
He'll conjure you
If I could I surely would
Stand on the rock where Moses stood
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Ezekiel said he saw him
Wheel in the mid' of a wheel
John talked about him
Book of the seven seals
Some say the Rose of Sharon
Others say the Prince of Peace
But I can tell everybody
He's been a rock and a shelter for me
Hallelujah
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
You can call my rock in the mornin'
Call him late at night
He's always with me
And all my battles He'll fight
When I'm in trouble
I can call him on the line
He put a telephone in my heart
And I can call God anytime
Hallelujah
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah rock, shout, shout
Elijah rock, comin' up Lord
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Elijah, Elijah
Elijah
Prayer - “Beginning with Beloved”
~Jan Richardson
Beloved.
Is there any other word
needs saying,
any other blessing
could compare
with this name,
this knowing?
Beloved.
Comes like a mercy
to the ear that has never
heard it.
Comes like a river
to the body that has never
seen such grace.
Beloved.
Comes holy
to the heart
aching to be new.
Comes healing
to the soul
wanting to begin
again.
Beloved.
Keep saying it
and though it may
sound strange at first,
watch how it becomes
part of you,
how it becomes you,
as if you never
could have known yourself
anything else,
as if you could ever
have been other
than this:
Beloved.
Amen.
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.
MLK DAY OF SERVICE
FOOD DRIVE, DISTRIBUTION, And Ceremony
The Arc of Harrisonburg & Rockingham is gearing up for an MLK food drive on January 19 and we are collecting non-perishable food items to contribute to their efforts. Information about what is needed can be found in the flyer - donations can be dropped off as indicated or brought to our worship collection box no later than January 18.
Additionally, all are invited to attend the MLK Ceremony taking place the following day, January 20th as we come together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and reflect on the importance of service and community!
WTF? Starts again this week
NOW on a new Night!
Thursdays at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
This Week’s Menu (1/15):
Indian Curry
Join us for a midweek check in to fuel your body, mind and soul.
RISE will provide the meal and a topic for conversation. All you have to do it show up!
If you are interested and/or able to help (cooking and prep, giving rides to students, setting up and greeting, washing dishes, etc) please let Alexis know!
Book Club / Study
Do you like to read? Enjoy diving deeper and talking about what you read with others? You’re not alone! We’ve got some interest in another book study (perhaps even an ongoing book club) and are looking to make a start of something in the New Year. So…
If you are interested in book studies/discussions, please click the button below and fill out the short form.
We will be in touch with those who respond to try to find the best day, time, and place for meeting. (We will likely start in late January or early February)
We’ve already got a first book chosen by request: The Four Loves, by CS Lewis. It’s a fairly short, classic read exploring various ways that we understand love and how they draw us closer to God.
VOICE All Call info session
Sunday, January 25, 5:30-7:30 pm
Vision of Hope United Methodist Church
Like to sing? Want to add some music to your life? Join VOICE for our next All Call information session! This is an informal, commitment-free way to learn more about VOICE, the upcoming season, membership expectations, and do some casual singing (and have a few snacks!) No audition or experience required; must be 13 or older to join. Summer concert dates are June 27 and 28, 2026. (Beth and Taylin Sellers and Sue Nelson are already members of the ensemble!)
Closing Song
“Take Me To THe Water”
~Traditional Spiritual
Take me to the water (x3)
To be baptized.
None but the righteous (x3)
Shall see God.
I love Jesus (x3)
Yes I do.
In the name of Jesus (x3)
We shall be saved.
I know I got religion (x3)
Yes I do.
Glory, hallelujah (x3)
To be baptized.
Parting Blessing
~Alexis Ward Owens
Friends, go in peace;
love and care for one another in the name of Christ;
and may the Spirit of God, which filled John and Jesus,
fill your hearts, souls, and minds
as you navigate this crazy world.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
If you would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can start by submitting this short form to Get Connected!
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Requests for care and/or prayer can be sent via e-mail to cares@riseharrisonburg.org, texted to 833-803-0868, or submitted online via our RISE Cares form.