May 25, 2025

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 PSalm

Ps. 46:1-7 (CEB)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    a help always near in times of great trouble.
2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
    when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
3     when its waters roar and rage,
    when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city,
    the holiest dwelling of the Most High.
5 God is in that city. It will never crumble.
    God will help it when morning dawns.
6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.
    God utters his voice; the earth melts.
7 The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
    The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

Opening Songs

Songs Will Happen!

“Count Well the Cost”

~Michael Stern

Count well the cost of building some-thing right from the start
A new congregation or a work of art
There may be trials that seem to tear all your work apart
Count well the cost of patience, of heart
Count when you’re making a start
Count and then follow your heart

Count well the cost of following the one crucified
The river Jordan is deep and wide
And it’s not easy crossing to the other side
To love and to serve, to swallow your pride
Count well before you decide

Count well the cost of waging peace for often we fail.
In some situations may end up in jail.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain
count well the cost then wage peace again.
Wage peace all over again.

Count well the cost of following the one who would forgive
seven times seventy, so shall we live.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain,
count well the cost then forgive again.
For-give again and again.

Count well the cost of building some-thing right from the start
A new congregation or a work of art
There may be trials that seem to tear all your work apart
Count well the cost of patience, of heart
Count when you’re making a start
Count and then follow your heart

“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.

Scripture Reading

Romans 12:9-17 (CEB)

9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Alexis Ward Owens

“What is this Church thing?”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is your favorite memory or experience with a Church/ faith community? Why was it meaningful to you?

2. Living in community with people can be really hard at times. What do you feel like is the most difficult part about being in community with others? Why?

3. What do you think is the role of the church in the world? Why?

SongS

“Holy Manna”

~William Moore/The Columbian Harmony

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God.
Will you pray with all your power while we try to preach the word?
All is vain unless the Spirit of the holy One comes down.
Brethren pray, and holy manna will be showered all a-round.

Sisters, will you come and help us? Moses' sisters aided him.
Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin?
Tell them all about the Savior. Tell them that he will be found.
Sisters, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Is there here a trembling jailer, seeking grace and filled with tears?
Is there here a weeping Mary pouring forth a flood of tears?
Brethren, join your cries to help them, sisters, let your prayers abound!
Pray, oh pray that holy manna will be showered all around.

Let us love our God supremely, let us love each other, too.
Let us love and pray for sinners till our God makes all things new.
Christ will call us home to heaven, at his table we'll sit down.
Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.

“The Beautiful River”

~Asa Hull / R. Torry, Jr., arr. Brent Holl

Oh, have you not heard of the beautiful stream
that flows through the promised land?
Its waters gleam bright in the heavenly light,
and ripple o’er golden sand.

Its fountains are deep and its waters are pure
and sweet to the weary soul.
It flows from the throne of Jehovah alone!
O come where its bright waves roll.

This beautiful stream is the river of life!
It flows for all nations free!
A balm for each wound in its water is found;
O sinner, it flows for thee!

Oh, will you not drink of this beautiful stream,
and dwell on its peaceful shore?
The Spirit says: come all ye weary ones, home,
and wander in sin no more!

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!

THE Sitting

6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Brother’s Craft Brewing!

It’s back! Some people have “standing” office hours, but we do things just a little bit differently here at RISE, so we have “sitting” hours during the summer season! Join Alexis and/or Chris on Wednesday nights throughout the summer - whether you have some burning theological questions or you just want to hang out with friends, we’ll be there and happy to chat!

Banned Book Club

6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Brother’s Craft Brewing!

Join us for a short summer series on banned books. The group will meet at the home of Beth Sellers on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 for the month of June (June 1-29). (DM us or contact us for address).

Please sign up using the link below by June 1. We will start with a short text that you will not have to purchase, and at the first meeting we will choose one or two additional books (depending on length) to read for the remainder of the month.

Closing 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.

Parting Blessing

~John Wesley

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

Remember friends — you are a gift!

Now go and be a gift!

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