July 12, 2026
Paul writes that “neither death, nor life ... will be able
to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If death, then, is no threat to our relationship with God
it should be no threat to anything.
If we don’t know what is beyond the grave,
we do know who is beyond the grave.
And Christ resurrected links the two worlds,
telling us that we really live only in one.
~William Sloane Coffin
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Chris Zepp
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.
Call to Worship
~Homiletics, adapted
May the great Healer send the Spirit to be with us here today.
May they reach into our hearts and lessen our pain and sorrow.
May they heal and mend our brokenness and enable us to lift our spirits.
May they dry our tears and show us the hope of a new tomorrow.
May they help us to find strength and courage here, together, in this time and place.
So that together, we might sing praise and celebrate new life in Jesus’ name…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Lord Teach us to Pray Aright” (Dayton)
~James Montgomery, adapted by Brent Holl
Lord, teach us how to pray aright with rev'rence and with fear.
Though dust and ashes in your sight, we may, we must draw near.
We perish if we cease from pray'r; O, grant us pow'r to pray,
and when to meet you we prepare, Lord, meet us by the way.
O God of love, before your face we come with contrite heart
to ask from you these gifts of grace - truth in the inward part;
faith in the only Sacrifice that can for sin atone;
to found our hopes, to fix our eyes on Christ, and Christ alone;
patience to watch and weep and wait, whatever you may send;
courage that will not hesitate to trust you till the end.
Give these, and then your will be done; thus strengthened with all might,
we, through your Spirit and your Son, shall pray, and pray aright.
“Beautiful Things”
~Gungor
All this pain
I wonder if I′ll ever find my way?
I wonder if my life could really change at all?
All this Earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos, life is being found in You
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new, You are making me new
(Repeat)
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
(Repeat)
Scripture Reading
Romans 8, selected verses (NRSV)
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God,
24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?
37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Jennifer Mackey
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What resonated with you in today’s reflections? What touched your heart or gave voice to your own experience(s)?
What questions do these reflections raise for you in your faith journey?
What additional thoughts or ideas have these reflections generated for you?
Song
“Wind Beneath My Wings”
~Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley
It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I could fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I have it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I'd like to be?
I could fly higher than an eagle,
Cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
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!
Community Material Need:
Boys clothes and shoes
(Size 8/9 clothing [small] & “big kids” size 2 shoes)
(see a list of ongoing material needs on our giving page)
TODAY — JULY Movie Night!
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.
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, July 17, 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.
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!
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
“This is God’s Sacred World”
~Maltbie D. Babcock and Franklin L. Shepperd, arr. Brent Holl
This is God’s sacred world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is God’s sacred world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
God’s hand the wonders wrought
This is God’s sacred world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their maker's praise
This is God’s sacred world
God shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass, I hear God pass
God speaks to me everywhere
This is God’s sacred world
O let us not forget
What’s going wrong seems much too strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is God’s sacred world
Why should my heart be sad?
To the Lord we sing, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
To the Lord we sing, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
Parting Blessing
~Homiletics, adapted
God does not promise us an easy road. But God promises to be with us.
God does not provide us with all that we desire. But God provides manna in the desert.
God does not offer us a trouble-free life. But God offers us grace, the Spirit offers us comfort, and Christ offers us abundant and eternal life. And together as one, they go with us to serve the world, mend creation, and share the love and peace that can make us whole.
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!
You might also consider:
Sign up for texting services:
Text “RISE” to 833-803-0868 to join the primary list and receive weekly community updates and alerts
Text “RISEcares” to receive prayer requests, care needs, and community concerns and celebrations
Requests for care and/or prayer can be sent via e-mail to cares@riseharrisonburg.org, texted to 833-803-0868, or submitted online via our RISE Cares form.