July 20, 2025
Giuseppe Belli’s 19th-century sonnet “Martha and Magdalene” ends with Martha’s snapping back at Jesus when he tells her that Mary’s choice is more important:
“Listen, if I sat around on my salvation the way she does, who’d keep this house together?”
~Giuseppe Belli,
19th-century sonnet “Martha and Magdalene”
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.
OPENING PSalm
Ps. 15 (The Message)
1 God, who gets invited
to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?2 “Walk straight,
act right,
tell the truth.3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend,
don’t blame your neighbor;
despise the despicable.5 “Keep your word even when it costs you,
make an honest living,
never take a bribe.“You’ll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this.”
Opening Song
Songs Will Happen!
“You’ve got a Place”
~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…
Scripture Reading & Song
Luke 10:38-42 (CEB)
38 While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. 40 By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.”
41 The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. 42 One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won’t be taken away from her.”
“Martha’s Blues”
~Brent Holl and Chris Zepp
Martha, you’re distracted - worried ‘bout all you do
And your sister, dearest Mary, doesn’t seem to have a clue
Jesus, won’t you reprimand her? Tell her to get up off her rear?
And help her sister in the kitchen so ya’ll can eat this year?
Take a deep breath, take a chill pill. Martha it’s your life
Mary is your sister - Forget your worries and strife!
Take a deep breath, take a chill pill, You can still do what you do,
But Mary, Oh sweet Mary, She’ll bring some peace to you!
Martha - Mary’s not the problem, she is right where she should be:
Sitting at my feet and listening, how I wish that you could see.
Won’t you come now, sit beside her? Hear the gospel here this day.
If you could let go - take a chill pill! - you might learn her better way!
Take a deep breath, take a chill pill. Martha it’s your life
Mary is your sister - Forget your worries and strife!
Take a deep breath, take a chill pill, You can still do what you do,
But Mary, Oh sweet Mary, She’ll bring some peace to you!
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“The M&M Think-Off”
For more on the Great American Think Off, visit their website: https://www.kulcher.org/think-off/the-great-american-think-off/
And for a recap on this year’s event: https://www.kulcher.org/many-truths-prevail-in-2025-great-american-think-off/
THE BIG QUESTION:
Is Mary’s way really the better way?
Is it really better to be “a Mary” than “a Martha”?
SOME RELATED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Do you agree with Jesus that Mary - not Martha - has chosen the better way? Is Mary’s way really better, or was it just Martha’s complaint that led Jesus to declare so in comparison?
What do you think about the commentary Chris quoted that suggested maybe the issue is really a question of balance - something that Martha revealed herself to be lacking in with her outburst?
Do you see gender dynamics and roles at play here? If so, do they still hold sway today? What do you make of Jesus’ explicit siding with Mary in this story?
If Mary’s role is truly better, how would you respond to the suggestion that nothing would ever get done if we all followed it? By elevating Mary’s choice, does Jesus disregard or diminish the value of Martha’s service?
Song
“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.
Prayer
~Johanna W. H. van Wijk-Box, 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!
Help us Prepare Bagged Dinners for our friends at the navigation center
The Interfaith Association of Harrisonburg Rockingham has asked RISE to help prepare 85 bagged dinners for the unhoused residents at the Navigation Center (formerly known as Valley Open Doors) next Sunday, July 27.
To do that we need your help!
Make a special financial gift to help us buy the food to fill the bags — we’ll take care of the shopping! Just use the “Give Now” link above and mark it for “Bagged Dinners.” (You can also give a check or cash to Alexis or Chris.) Any money not needed for the meals will be forwarded to the Navigation Center.
Stay after worship next week to help pack the bagged dinners. Many hands will make light work!
That’s all We’ll be delivering the meals to the Center in time for their evening meal next Sunday.
Scripture DEep DivE
4 pm Sunday Afternoons in July
Join Sandra and others for a deeper dive and discussion on the scriptures and reflection questions from our Sunday morning services. Creative options to help guide us in our reflections will also be offered for anyone who thinks “artistically”. The group will meet at Sandra’s home on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 for the month of July (July 6-27). (DM us for address). Feel free to bring snacks, and do note that Sandra has an indoor cat and the location is not fully accessible but probably navigable with a ramp.
Please sign up using the link below if you are interested in participating so Sandra knows to expect you!
THE Sitting
6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Pale Fire Brewing
(Outside Lower Level, weather permitting)
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!
Plus, enjoy the music of Harrisonburg’s Summer Music Series happening right next door at Turner Pavilion. Check out the concert schedule HERE. (NO CONCERT THIS WEEK)
Closing Song
“MAY YOUR HOPE ARISE”
~Michael Stern
May you be healthy, may you be strong
May you laugh and dance and sing your song
May you drink pure water, may you breathe clean air
May your hope arise from despair
May you seek the truth in the face of lies
May you find a love that never dies
May you have vision and stand your ground
May you hold these precious things you’ve found
May you have children under feet
And may they never lack good things to eat
May you all have shelter overhead
May you taste love’s wine and daily bread
May you count your blessings one by one
May your days be full till your days are done
And may you lay to rest that foolish pride
May you let the Spirit be your guide
May you be healthy, may you be strong
May you laugh and dance and sing your song
May you drink pure water, may you breathe clean air
May your hope arise from despair
Parting Blessing
~Homiletics, adapted
Let us take time to rest, to be still, to sit with Jesus.
May God’s grace and mercy draw us nearer each day.
Let us be at peace, knowing that God is delighted in us because we are, not because we do…
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
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