July 5, 2026
“True Patriotism isn’t celebration without conscience.
It’s not about believing we are greater than all other nations.
It’s about holding our nation accountable to its highest ideals.
It’s about refusing to settle for freedom for the few
while millions are pushed aside, unheard, and unseen.”
~Ben Cremer
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
~Kait Hanson, Sweet Land of Liberty
If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough. To love her is to believe in the version of her that does not yet exist, and to memorize the promise and measure the present against it. To say, this is not it, and believe we can be more. We have perfected the art of looking away, calling ourselves united while sharpening our votes into weapons against each other. Love does not lower the standard — it raises it. It sees the unfinished bridge, the unequal table, the freedom that fits some hands better than others and says: widen it. It looks at the stars and stripes and refuses to let them mean less than they claim, not because you hate her, but because you believe her and demand she mean it. You heard liberty and took it literally, because what is patriotism, if not holding a country to its own word?
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Hold on”
~African-American Spiritual, arr. Mahalia Jackson
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Heard the voice of Jesus say
Come unto me, I am the way.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.
When my way gets dark as night,
I know the Lord will be my light,
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
You can talk about me much as you please
The more you talk, gonna stay on my knees.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.
When I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout
Be nobody there to put me out.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Brothers and Sisters don’t you cry!
There’ll be good times by and by
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on.
When I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout
Be nobody there to put me out.
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
Hold on, Hold on
Keep your hand on the plow, hold on
“I shall not be moved”
~Traditional Freedom Song
Refrain:
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
In His love abiding, I shall not be moved
And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
I’ve got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
I got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water
I shall not be moved
Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved
On the rock of ages, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
Scripture Reading
Matthew 11:16-30 (NRSV)
16 “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
20 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum,will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. “For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Pastor Alexis
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
In the midst of the grief we carry at the harm that has been done in this country for 250 years, how have you found yourself:
-Honoring those who have gone before us, doing the best they can to pave the path towards inclusion and giving a voice to the voiceless.
-Celebrating the joy found among families, friends, and communities.
-And allowing yourself to rest?
If you had the opportunity to grab a meal with someone who was traveling to America for the first time for the world cup, what is one thing you would want to share with them about this country that brings you joy, you’re proud of, or you feel makes this country special?
What are some ways you have (or could!) channel your grief, anger and lament into making a positive change in our community?
PRAYER
~Alexis Ward Owens
Song
“Come To Me” (The Rest Song)
~Steven & Hannah Musso
Slow it down, take a breath
Close your eyes, rest your head
Just let go and let it be
He still holds the world while you sleep
He says, “Come to Me and I will give you rest”
As He holds you in His arms the burden lifts
He says, “Learn from Me for I am meek and kind”
Trade your heaviness for peace, His yoke is light
He says, “Come to Me”
Lift your eyes, look ahead
Call to mind all He’s said
For He is joy and He is light
And when you seek, you will find
He says, “Come to Me and I will give you rest”
As He holds you in His arms the burden lifts
He says, “Learn from Me for I am meek and kind”
Trade your heaviness for peace, His yoke is light
He says, “Come to Me”
Receive His peace and know that He is life
Come taste and see only Jesus satisfies
(Repeat)
He says, “Come to Me and I will give you rest”
As He holds you in His arms the burden lifts
He says, “Learn from Me for I am meek and kind”
Trade your heaviness for peace, His yoke is light
He says, “Come to Me”
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)
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!
Movie Night!
Next Sunday (7/12) 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:
The Adam Project
(View Trailer HERE)
DM us or contact Chris Zepp (worship@riseharrisonburg.com) for address, directions, or more info.
NEXT BOOK STUDY
One Discussion Only!
Monday Evening, July 27, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks
For our next study, we will be reading one of Brian McClaren’s recent books: Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It (2021). “Sixty-five million adults in the U.S. have dropped out of active church attendance and about 2.7 million more are leaving every year. “Faith After Doubt” is for the millions of people around the world who feel that their faith is falling apart. Using his own story and the stories of a diverse group of struggling believers, Brian D. McLaren, a former pastor and now an author, speaker, and activist shows how old assumptions are being challenged in nearly every area of human life, not just theology and spirituality. He proposes a four-stage model of faith development in which questions and doubt are not the enemy of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith. The four stages — Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony — offer a path forward that can help sincere and thoughtful people leave behind unnecessary baggage and intensify their commitment to what matters most.”
All you need to do to participate is buy the book, read it (or read what you can), and join us at the Harbicks’ for a conversation inspired by the reading on July 27! DM us or contact Chris if you have questions, need more info, or need the address.
COMING SOON!
GAME NIGHT - Fri., 7/17, 7 pm at the Harbickss
CAMPFIRE HANG - Sat., 7/25, 6 pm at the Garcias’
Get full info about these and other upcoming events in the RISE Report — your source of information for all things RISE! If you aren’t yet getting it in your inbox, let us know so we can add you to the list!
Closing Song
“Standing in Oppressions Way”
~Michael Stern
When some folks read the Bible, they think of God up in the sky,
and the only end to suffering is some great by and by.
But the way I read the Bible, I see it in a different way,
what a friend we have in Jesus, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
When Jesus started preaching, He said to let the captives free,
and he fed the poor and hungry before He died for you and me.
We must know and show compassion, now as much as yesterday,
and be a friend like Jesus standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Now if someone sins against you, and you want to just retaliate,
you know Jesus said be different, return love instead of hate.
And if anyone is outcast for their color, faith, or if they’re gay,
we can be a friend like Jesus, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Some say when you find Jesus, you must accept Him in a certain way,
and if you don’t say the right words, you’ll have hell to pay,
I don’t know that Jesus, there’s another one in whom I pray,
He’s the one I feel beside me, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Parting Blessing
As you celebrate the blessings of this day, do not forget those for whom freedom remains incomplete. Hold gratitude and grief with open hearts, trusting that God is present in both our rejoicing and our longing.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
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