April 26, 2026

“The journey of faith moves slowly frame by frame, most of the segments utterly ordinary. A few still photographs hold particular moments we might dare call revelation. Along the way we are sustained as they were by hearing over and over words of scripture we have heard before. 

Sometimes, it happens that our hearts are opened and we hear as though for the first time. Then at a table or an altar, beside a hospital bed or in a nursing home, someone takes bread, blesses and breaks it and holds it out. One of those who receives the bread is named Cleopas. And the other? You know.”         

         ~Barbara Lundblad, “Moving and Standing Still”

“We always know how the story ends. What we don’t know is what happens along the way.”

~Ahdaf Soueif, The Map of Love

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 Affirmations

~Homiletics, adapted

Come, let us walk with one another on the way!

Let’s journey together as we tell God’s story in story and in song.

Let our minds be clear, our hearts be open, and our spirits be renewed.

Let’s ponder what we’ve seen and heard, what we know to be true, and what we hope beyond hope to be real.

We trust that God journeys with us; we have faith that Jesus walks beside us. 

So may the Spirit give us eyes to see the risen Christ – here and everywhere, now and always!

Opening SongS

Songs Will Happen!

“How Can I Keep From Singing”

~Pete Seeger* (see note below)

My life fows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear its music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close, songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear and hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefled, how can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin, I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway clears, since first I learned to love it.

The peace from love makes fresh my heart, a song of hope is ringing.
All things are mine, since truth I’ve found. How can I keep from singing?

_______________________________________

*The original hymn text may well be a Quaker hymn written in the 1850’s by Ann Warner who lived on an island in the Hudson River. Her text refers to Quakers who were jailed for their beliefs. Pete Seeger brought the song to life in 1957 by publishing it in Sing Out Magazine. He learned the third verse (When tyrants...) from Doris Plenn, who wrote it during the McCarthy era in tribute to those, like Pete Seeger, who refused to take loyalty oaths and were often punished.

“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.

Scripture Reading

Luke 24:13-35 (The Message)

13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

19-24 He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”

35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Chris Zepp

 “What Happens Along the Way”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you had an “Emmaus Road” moment(s) in your own life?  A time when you looked back on your recent life journey and suddenly realized that you had been in the divine presence the whole time? Talk about these moments and what they have done in your life and faith.

2. How would you recognize Jesus were he to show up incognito with you as he did on the Emmaus road?  For Cleopas and friend, it was the breaking and blessing and sharing of bread.  What might it be to clue you in?

3. What are you walking away from right now?  What disappointment(s), disillusionment(s), or discouragement(s) are you wanting to leave behind?  How might you become more open to your journey away from that something being a pilgrimage – an impromptu teacher in itself?

PRAYER

~Homiletics, adapted

Song

“Farther Along”

~Rev. W.A Fletcher / J.R Baxter

Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder,
Why it should be thus, all the day long;
While there are others, living about us;
Never molested, though in the wrong.

Farther along, we'll know all about it.
Farther along, we'll understand why.
Cheer up my friends, let’s live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all, by and by.

When we see Jesus, coming in glory,
When He comes from His home in the sky;
Then we shall meet Him, in that bright mansion,
We'll understand it all, by and by.

Farther along, we'll know all about it.
Farther along, we'll understand why.
Cheer up my friends, let’s live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all, by and by.

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)

BOOK STUDY GROUP

Monday Evenings, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks

Next Meeting TOMORROW (4/27)
Discussing Chapters 3-6

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

We are reading 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.”

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.

WTF?

Thursdays at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC

This Week’s Menu (4/30):
Bibimbap

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!

FIRST SUNDAY
Brunch Church

NEXT WEEK!

May 3, 2026

Same bat time.
Same bat channel.
Just more food:-)

Bring some of your favorite brunch food to share if you are able!

Group Options Survey

As we look ahead to the next several months entering the summer, we are considering our options for group activities and offerings at RISE. We would love your input during our planning! Please take a few moments to complete our short "Group Options Survey" at the link below to let us know what you are looking for!

“STORIES AND VOICES”

Coming to worship this summer!

At RISE we believe that we are all theologians. It’s a big reason why we spend a fair amount of our time in worship gatherings each week in discussion and reflection. But this summer, we want to take it up a notch. Enter “Stories and Voices” — a campaign to bring YOUR voices and YOUR stories to the fore this summer!

Do you have a story that has been significant in your life and/or faith journey that you are willing to share?

Are you an artist, actor, musician, or videographer?

Have you ever just wanted to take your turn leading the community in theological reflection?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, think about clicking on the link below to start the conversation about how we can bring your story and your voice to fore in RISE worship this summer!

Closing Song

Jacob’s Ladder to the Sweet By And By

~Traditional folk song with Hymn by S. Fillmore Bennett & Joseph P. Webster, arr. Brent Holl

We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all

Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Brothers, sisters, all

Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Sisters, brothers, all

There’s a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar
For the father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there

In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blest
And our spirit shall sorrow no more
Not a sign for the blessing of rest

In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore

To our bountiful Father above
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of his love
And the blessings that hallow our days.

In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore

Rise, shine, give God glory
Rise, shine, give God your glory
Rise, shine, give God your glory
Brothers, Sisters, all

Parting Blessing

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

"Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story."

Such is our task, my friends.  We are the ones who carry on this story today.  And so with that in mind, hear this parting blessing from our very own John Wesley…

“Now, O Lord, let nothing divert our advance towards you, but in this dangerous labyrinth of the world and the whole course of our pilgrimage here, may your heavenly dictates be our map and your holy life be our guide.”

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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