March 29, 2026

We took the kids to the beach,
a herd of children lathered in sunscreen.
We spent most of the day building sandcastles,
swimming in the shallows,
wiping sand off their eyelashes and noses.
Things changed
when a small fish washed up on shore.

The children saw it first—
a little body gasping to survive.
They cried out—
Quick! We have to save it!
We grabbed our buckets.
We sprinted to the waterline.
We scooped up the dying fish
and returned it to the waves.

The kids sagged with relief as the fish jolted to life,
a tiny resurrection in front of our very eyes.
Full of pride, I said to them—
You did something good.
Today, you saved a life.
A seven-year-old with sun-kissed cheeks
took the bucket from my hands and said,
I’d like to save some more.

He spent the afternoon patrolling the waves,
hoping to dole out mercy to any shore-washed fish.
He carried his bucket around all day, because
love inspires love.
Love will make you want to
patrol the shoreline,
sing Hosanna,
witness a resurrection,
save some more—
one bucket of water at a time.

“For the Sake of Tiny Resurrections”
by Rev. Sarah A. Speed

Worship Resources used in this service by Rev. Sarah A. Speed
A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

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.

Opening Scripture

Psalm 118:26, 27 & 29 (NRSV)

26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.

29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Call To Worship

~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, adapted

Will you follow?
Will you lay down your coat?
Will you lay down something important?
Will you shout “Hosanna”?
Will you join the parade?
Will you sing, even if your throat is hoarse?
Will you cut down a palm branch?
Will you wave it in the air?
Will you follow the one riding on a donkey?
Will you let this good news inspire you to act?

Today, we will sing.
We will pay close attention.
We will worship. We will follow.
Hosanna in the highest!

Opening SongS

Songs Will Happen!

“Sing Hosanna”

~Traditional, with new lyrics by CWZepp

O give thanks to the Lord, we are bless-ed
O give thanks to the Lord today.
O give thanks to the Lord, we are bless-ed
We are bless-ed by God's steadfast love.

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King

Jesus rode into the city on a donkey.
Jesus rode into the city today.
Jesus rode into the city on a donkey.
Rode that little donkey all the way.

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King

Waving branches people shouted out their praises.
And they spread their cloaks upon the ground.
Waving branches people shouted out their praises
“Blessed comes he in the name of the Lord”

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King of kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
Sing hosanna to the King

“They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”

~Peter Scholtes

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Tell Me Something Good

Scripture Reading

Mark 11:1-11 (CEB)

1 When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away.’”

4 They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. 5 Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. 9 Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Chris Zepp

 “March Madness”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Just before Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Jesus tells his disciples that the Son of Man “came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). How do you see this message being played out in the Palm Sunday narrative? How does his “counter-procession” draw contrasts to the social and political norms of the time? How does it set the tone for Jesus’ actions in the coming days?

2. In many ways, Jesus’ ministry was a grassroots movement with infectious energy, drawing people in and inspiring them to action. Where do you see the good news continuing to mobilize movements for peace, love, goodness, and truth today?

3. Our Lenten theme asserts: “The good news should inspire us to act. Our prayers and actions are meant to be intertwined; our faith is dead without works.” As we enter Holy Week, how are these stories of Jesus inspiring you? What action is the good news inspiring you to take or do?

Song

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

~S. Sundar Singh

I have decided to follow Jesus (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus? (3x)
No turning back, no turning back.

PRAYER

~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, 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!

CURRENT MATERIAL NEEDS:

Disinfectant Wipes
Hand Soap

(see a list of ongoing material needs on our giving page)

WTF?
Maundy THURSDAY

April 2, 2026
Exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at JWUMC

Menu: Mediterranean Potluck

Join us as we celebrate the memory of Jesus’ “Last Supper” with his disciples at our weekly WTF gathering.

Our shared meal will feature a contemplative and experiential commemoration of that night, including foot-washing and communion.

RISE will provide chicken and lamb for the meal. Please bring a “Mediterranean” item or dish (even if only vaguely so!) to share if you are able.

Good Friday

April 3, 2026
6 pm

Join us for a short contemplative service
on the lawn outside JWUMC
(weather permitting)

NEXT SUNDAY!!

Easter BRUNCH PICNIC
AND WORSHIP

April 5, 2026
Outside on the lawn at JWUMC
(Weather Permitting)

9:30 am - Potluck Brunch

10 am(ish) - Worship

11:30 am(ish) - Easter Egg Hunt

Please see our Perfect Potluck Link below and sign up to bring an item to share if you are able!

Game Night!

Friday, April 10, 6 pm
Home of the Harbicks

Bring a friend and a game to share (if you wish) and join us for a night of fun! Desserts and drinks will be provided!

DM us or contact Chris for address, directions, or more info.

BOOK STUDY GROUP

New Book Starting April 13!
Monday Evenings, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks

Do you like to read? Enjoy diving deeper and talking about what you read with others? We’ve got a group for you!

For our next study, we will be reading a contemporary book: The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues by Dan McClellan (2025). “In The Bible Says So, Dan McClellan leverages his popular "data over dogma" approach, and his years of experience in the academy and on social media, to lay out in clear and accessible ways what the data indicate the Bible does and doesn't say about issues ranging from homosexuality, abortion, and slavery to monotheism, inspiration, and even God's wife.” The first session will cover the introduction plus the first 2 chapters.

If you’re interested in this group, but haven’t yet signed up previously, please do so (even if you can’t make this particular study)! 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! DM us or contact Chris if you need more info or the Harbicks’ address.

Closing Song

“Down the Road”

~Bill Staines

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another song …. that’s worth the singing,
That's worth the singing, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another song worth singing down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a song worth singing down the road

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another friend that's worth the knowing,
That's worth the knowing, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another friend worth knowing down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a friend worth knowing down the road

I do believe that there will be
Waiting for me somewhere down the road
Another day that's worth the living,
That's worth the living, somewhere down the road

Down the road, down the road,
Another day worth living down the road
If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a day worth living down the road

If the way seems long and slow, remember when you go,
There's a song worth singing,
A friend worth knowing,
There's a day worth living down the road

Parting Blessing

~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, adapted

The very first Palm Sunday was a day of action.
It was a day of movement,
of crowded city streets and cries of "Hosanna!"
It was a day of peaceful protest and dreams for a better world.
The first Palm Sunday was a day of peaceful, hopeful action.

So friends, on this Palm Sunday,
let us join the saints before us
in allowing this good news to inspire our actions:
good news not confined to our hearts and minds,
not confined to conversation,
not confined to a sanctuary.

But good news alive in the world through acts of love
and hope for a better tomorrow.

Remember friends — you are a gift!

Now go and be a gift!

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