February 15, 2026
“The mountaintop is much more comfortable and the pull to stay there is incredible. But the desert is where Christ leads us. Christ leads us there because that’s where so many of our sisters and brothers whom he loves live. Christ leads us there because our common destiny is as partners in this mission of God. Christ leads us down the mountain and into the desert, because the true transfiguration, the true shining forth of God in all God’s glory happens when we follow him there together.”
~Michael D. Kinman
“Coming down from the mountain, I have seen the lofty glory
I will go again someday, but for now I'm coming down”
~Meat Puppets (1994)
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Pastor 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.
Call to Worship
~Homiletics, adapted
Just a taste of something wonderful,
a glimpse of something magnificent
Just a glimmer of something holy
yet enough to know we are in the presence of God
Enough to cause us to stop and stare in awe
Enough to stir our hearts in wonder
Enough to prompt our voices to protest and praise
This is why we worship…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“BLESSED BE GOD’S NAME”
~Michael Stern
Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name
Let the mountains & the hills bring a message of peace
Blessed be God’s name
As welcome as rain that falls on dry soil
Blessed be God’s name
Defending the poor & the children in need
Blessed be God’s name
Redeeming their lives from exploitation & greed
Blessed be God’s name
Advocates of force will shrink from love’s power
Blessed be God’s name
Love’s harvest abundant, luxuriant in flower
Blessed be God’s name
Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name
“Moses, Moses”
~Brent Holl
Moses, Moses rest your head
“You’ve got a big job,” the Great God said.
Moses, Moses, gather your strength
To lead my people through the wilderness.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
Hebrews, Hebrews rest your heads,
“You’ll be leaving soon,” Old Moses said.
Hebrews, Hebrews, gather your strength
You’ll soon have to travel through the wilderness.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
Moses, Moses take your people and flee,
Take ‘em on down to the great Red Sea
Moses, Moses hold your rod up high,
You’ll make it through the water high and dry.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
Moses, Moses, stand up tall
Your people need food, I can hear their call
Moses trusted God so well,
That sweet, sweet manna from the sky it fell.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
Hebrews, Hebrews what went wrong?
You built an idol and sang its song.
Hebrews, Hebrews tear it down,
I am the Great God, This is holy ground.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
Moses, Moses take my law
Give it to my people so they don't fall
Moses, Moses better be brave,
I am the great God, my people to save.
Take them through the valleys,
Take them through mountains,
Take them many miles, that you just can’t count ‘em.
Take them through the sea,
Take them through the sand,
Take them to the shore of the Promised Land.
(Spoken)
You know, this song is over
but the story never ends…
Scripture Readings
Exodus 24:12-18 (The Message)
12-13 God said to Moses, “Climb higher up the mountain and wait there for me; I’ll give you tablets of stone, the teachings and commandments that I’ve written to instruct them.” So Moses got up, accompanied by Joshua his aide. And Moses climbed up the mountain of God.
14 He told the elders of Israel, “Wait for us here until we return to you. You have Aaron and Hur with you; if there are any problems, go to them.”
15-17 Then Moses climbed the mountain. The Cloud covered the mountain. The Glory of God settled over Mount Sinai. The Cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day he called out of the Cloud to Moses. In the view of the Israelites below, the Glory of God looked like a raging fire at the top of the mountain.
18 Moses entered the middle of the Cloud and climbed the mountain. Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Matthew 17:1-9 (The Message)
1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
4 Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”
5 While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”
6-8 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.
9 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t breathe a word of what you’ve seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“What to do with Crazy Greatness”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Think about a time that you have experienced awe. How did it change / transform you? How did it connect, empower, or encourage you? How has it impacted the living out of your faith?
In a world gone crazy, what do stories like the Transfiguration or Moses’ mountaintop journey inspire in us? How can they help, inspire, and inform our living of faith today?
The story of the Transfiguration illustrates the “transcendent” nature of Christ - so much more than we could ever comprehend, and more than we could ever hope to emulate. How can we relate to such crazy greatness?
BONUS QUESTION: What is your favorite/most awe-inspiring moment from the Winter Olympics? Has it impacted your life beyond the games?
Song
“You’ve Gotta Walk that Lonesome Valley”
~Woody Guthrie
You’ve gotta walk that lonesome valley,
You’ve gotta walk it by yourself,
Nobody here can walk it for you,
You’ve gotta walk it by yourself.
Some folks say John was a Baptist,
Some folks say he was a Jew,
But your holy scripture tells you
That he was a preacher too.
Daniel was a Bible hero,
Was a prophet brave and true,
In a den of hungry lions
Proved what faith can do for you.
There's a road that leads to glory
Through a valley far away,
Jesus asked us to walk it with him
He will show us the way.
We’ve gotta walk that lonesome valley
We’ve gotta walk it by ourselves
Nobody else can walk it for us
We’ve gotta walk it by ourselves
Prayer
~Homiletics, adapted
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!
WTF?
ASH WEDNESDAY ON THURSDAY
Thursday at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
This Week’s Menu (2/19):
Taco Bar
Join us as we honor Ash Wednesday at our resuming WTF Thursday gathering
(We are pretty confident we will be able to be back at JWUMC by then!)
BOOK STUDY GROUP
Monday Evenings, 7:30 pm
Starting next Feb. 23
Home of the Harbicks
For the first study, we will be reading the C.S. Lewis classic The Four Loves, a fairly short read exploring various ways that we understand love and how they draw us closer to God.
The first session will cover the first 2 chapters (thru p. 40). If you’re interested but haven’t yet signed up, you are still welcome! Just click the button below to get added to the list, through which we will communicate schedule changes, new books to read, and anything else book study related!
Closing Song
“Higher Ground”
~Lyrics: Johnson Oatman, Jr., Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1892
I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
still praying as I’m onward bound,
”Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
for faith has caught the joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
and catch a gleam of glory bright;
but still I pray till heav’n I’ve found,
”Lord, lead me onto higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Parting Blessing
~Homiletics, adapted
The good news of God’s love is not just a message for the mountaintop.
It is a glorious charge and a holy calling.
As we leave now, may we be transfigured ourselves – radiant, refreshed, revived.
Let’s go with fervent hope and renewed energy.
And let our lives be witnesses to God’s Spirit, emanating from each of us!
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift in this crazy world!
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