June 7, 2026
Remind yourself of this whenever you are tempted
to imagine that someone else's way is better than yours;
it might be, for them,
but your journey is to follow God in your own way,
whatever that is, and in all things.
~Meister Eckhart
BRUNCH!
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 AFFIRMATION
~Meister Eckhart
“Love is More Important”
If you want to know how to follow God,
Remember that love is more important than deeds,
However good they might be.
Remind yourself of this whenever you are tempted to imagine that someone else's way is better than yours; it might be, for them, but your journey is to follow God in your own way, whatever that is, and in all things.
The rest will take care of itself, which is the only rest you will ever find, and the only rest you finally need.
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.
“Nothing Without Love”
~Michael Stern
If I have eloquence & power
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have beauty like a flower
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have faith that can move mountains
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have knowledge flowing fountains
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have courage facing fire
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Or sacrifice all I desire
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Love is patient, love is kind
Love remembers those left behind
Love is not jealous or conceited
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Even in death is not defeated
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Love is patient, love is kind
Love remembers those left behind
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Scripture ReadingS
Luke 15:3-7 (CEB)
3 Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
Isaiah 30:21 (CEB)
21 If you stray to the right or the left, you will hear a word that comes from behind you: “This is the way; walk in it.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Seth Owens
“This is the Way”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Is there a saying or phrase that lives rent free in your head? “Do the next right thing”, “this is the way”, etc. What are some of the philosophies you live your life by and why?
Who are the people who have been shepherds for you along your journey?
Even before I started down this deeper spiritual journey, one of the ways I always connected to worship experiences was through music. Name some songs that help you to better connect with your creator, songs that take you to a spiritual place.
SongS
“Stay True”
~Michael Stern
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to justice and try to stand your ground
In this world of oppression and violence all around
You know there’s strength in many numbers,
But there’s strength in just a few
Stay true to you
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to helping the stranger in need
Stay true while waiting just like a mustard seed
Help us stay true to others and no matter what we do
Stay true to you
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to freedom the truth will set us free
Stay true to loving that’s how we want to be
Help us stay true to neighbors no matter where they be
Stay true to thee
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
You know there’s gods of deterrence and gods of gold
Gods of selfish ego and gods of power untold
Stay true to the God of mercy, justice, and peace
Stay true to thee
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
“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
PRAYER
~Alexis Ward Owens
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!
(see a list of ongoing material needs on our giving page)
FOOD DRIVE
This Week!
Join with The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham in helping to support Families and Neighbors in Need!
Check the list on the flyer for recommended items / shopping list and drop off donations at the collection sites.
(RISE will be delivering those items brought to worship over the past month this week)
THE Sitting
6-8 pm THURSDAY Nights
Feel the Rain Brother’s Craft Brewing
It’s that time again! Some people have “standing” office hours, but you know that we do things a bit differently here at RISE, so we have “sitting” hours during the summer season! Join Alexis and/or Chris on Thursday nights at Brothers 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 with whoever might come!
Feel free to bring the kids and your dinner!
GaME Night
Friday, June 12, 7 pm
Harbicks’ Home
Bring a friend, your favorite game(s), and any food/sharing snacks as you wish / are able and join us for some fun times!
DM us or contact Chris Zepp (worship@riseharrisonburg.com) for address, directions, or more info.
VA UMC Annual Conference
is coming to Harrisonburg!!
June 17-20
Atlantic Union Bank Center, JMU
RISE is one of the many communities which make up the Virginia United Methodist Conference. This year the annual conference gathering is being hosted at the Atlantic Union Bank Center at JMU! This is very exciting, and provides all kinds of opportunities to plug in! Learn about them all HERE. And if you would like to learn more about Annual Conference you can always ask Pastor Alexis!
Movie Night!
Sunday, June 21, 3 pm
Zepps’ Home
Bring a friend, drinks and snacks for yourself or to share (we’ll have some on hand), and join us for a Sunday matinee movie and discussion.
This month’s movie:
Thunderbolts*
(View Trailer HERE)
DM us or contact Chris Zepp (worship@riseharrisonburg.com) for address, directions, or more info.
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Closing Song
“You’ve got a Place” (“Welcome Table”)
~Traditional Spiritual
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
some of these days. Hallelujah!
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
some of these days.
We’re goin’ to feast on milk and honey…
We’ll give thanks at the welcome table…
We’ll come home to the welcome table…
I’m goin’ down to the river of Jordan…
I’m goin’ to sit down with my Jesus…
I’m goin’ to sing in the heavenly choir…
I’m gonna eat at the welcome table…
Parting Blessing
~Meister Eckhart
“You are the Gift”
Why am I so weak? You wonder. I tell you this;
your weakness is one way God reminds you that your strengths keep you from seeing who you are; For the weaknesses in your life are one of the ways God desires to liberate you; when you finally rest in God’s enoughness and embrace being in yourself, a pure nothingness in the face of God’s allness, you will see that you are the gift God desires.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
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