August 16, 2026
“How good it is to center down!
To sit quietly and see one's self pass by!
The streets of our minds seethe with endless traffic:
Our spirits resound with clashings, with noise silences,
While something deep within hungers and thirsts for the still moment and the resting lull.”
~excerpted from Howard Thurman’s
“How Good to Center Down!” in Meditations of the Heart
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
~Alexis Ward Owens
We gather in the presence of God, trusting the light that lives within and among us.
We affirm the sacred worth of every person and the divine strength within every soul. We seek the inward light that gives us courage to face darkness with love, compassion, and hope.
May this worship renew our spirits, deepen our faith, and awaken us to the work of peace and justice.
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Wade in the water”
~Traditional African-American Spiritual
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God is gonna trouble these waters
(REPEAT)
See that band all dressed in white
God is gonna trouble these waters
It look like a band of the Israelites
God is gonna trouble these waters
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God is gonna trouble these waters
See that band all dressed in red
God is gonna trouble these waters
Look like a band that Moses led
God is gonna trouble these waters
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God is gonna trouble these waters
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-going to trouble the water
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God is gonna trouble these waters
If you don't believe I've been redeemed
God's a-going to trouble the water
Just follow me down to the Jordan's stream
God's a-going to trouble the water
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God is gonna trouble these waters
God is gonna trouble these waters
God is gonna trouble these waters
______________________________
The Story:
“Wade in the Water” is an African-American spiritual traditionally sung by enslaved peoples on plantations. Like other songs in this genre, its lyrics reference Biblical events, which are used as parallel, comparison experiences to slavery. The song is often associated with the Underground Railroad, with a hidden message for escaping slaves to travel across water to hide their scent, although this may be a myth. These lyrics were used to uplift spirits and encourage resilience during slavery. Ultimately, “Wade in the Water” is a song about enduring hardship and maintaining strength and faith in the face of injustice.
“The 23rd Psalm”
~(NEW BRITAIN) from the metrical psalter of the Church of Scotland
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me to lie down,
In pastures green; he leads me
To the quiet waters by.
My soul he does restore again,
And He makes me to walk
Within the paths of righteousness,
All for his own name's sake.
Yet, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Oh, I will fear no ill:
For He is with me, and his rod
And staff do comfort still.
He’s set a feast before my eyes,
In presence of my foes;
My head with oil He anoints
My cup, it overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Will surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Sandra Reisinger
“Discovering in Howard Thurman Things I Didn’t Know I Knew”
Scripture Readings
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 6:20-22, 27 (NIV)
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Psalm 139: 13-14 (CEB)
13 You are the one who created my innermost parts;
you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb.
14 I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart.
Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.
Matthew 22:37-39 (CEB)
37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
Psalm 131:2 (NIV)
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Pick one or two):
Spiritual synchronicity: Have you had any experiences that you would consider to be divine intervention, holy coincidence, sacred synchronicity, or providential accident? Which term do you connect with most? Do you notice any patterns or serendipity that you hadn’t thought of before?
The disinherited: Who do you find most challenging to love?
The genuine in you: When are you most likely to feel your spiritual self? Outside? During a worship service? Early in the morning or when reading spiritual material? How does being your genuine self enhance your connection to others?
Centering Down: Reflect on your relationship with silence, stillness and solitude. Are you apprehensive or at ease? Are you friends, enemies or occasional companions with these three. How would you describe your experience?
Song
“I Am Light”
~India Arie
I am light, I am light
(Repeat)
I am not the things my family did
I am not the voices in my head
I am not the pieces of the brokenness inside
I am light, I am light
I am light, I am light
(Repeat)
I'm not the mistakes that I have made
Or any of the things that caused me pain
I am not the pieces of the dream I left behind
I am light, I am light
I am light, I am light
(Repeat)
I am not the colour of my eyes
I am not the skin on the outside
I am not my age, I am not my race,
my soul inside is all light, all light
All light, All light
I am light, I am light
(Repeat)
I am devinity defined
I am the God on the inside
I am a star
A piece of it all
I am light
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)
Community Material Need:
Thank you to everyone who has donated items to help out the single mom in our community setting up a new apartment. They are now living in their new home! There are some things that they could still use, so if you are interested in helping further, check out the list on our Community Needs Page . Contact Alexis if you have questions or need more info
In Our Community…
ACTS OF Atonement
ONE MORE SHOW THIS AFTERNOON!
Court Square Theater, 3 pm
The story you saw before, “Can’t Feel At Home”, was drawn from the historical record. Real families real mountains. Real removals. “Acts Of Atonement”, a new play from JoeBob Productions, begins where history grows quiet. The record tells us what happened in the 1930s… But they do not tell us what the children and grandchildren did with that memory. What follows is not history. It is a possibility. A question asked 33 years later . What might a community do if it tried to make things right? Our very own Gabe and Jeff Carr are in the cast! Reserve your tickets using the link below!
GaME Night
Friday, August 21, 6:30 pm
Laura Douglass’ 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 or Alexis for address, directions, or more info.
NEXT BOOK STUDY
(One Discussion Only)
Monday Evening, August 31, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks
For our next study, we will be reading “What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman” by Lerita Coleman Brown. “Known as the godfather of the civil rights movement, Howard Thurman served as a spiritual adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders and activists in the 1960s. Thurman championed silence, contemplation, common unity, and nonviolence as powerful dimensions of social change. In “What Makes You Come Alive,” Brown…walks with us through Thurman's inimitable life and commitments as he summons us into centering down, encountering the natural world, paying attention to sacred synchronicity, unleashing inner authority, and recognizing the genius of the religion of Jesus. We learn from Thurman's resilience in the psychologically terrorizing climate of the Jim Crow South, his encounters with Quakers and with Mahatma Gandhi, and his sense of being guided by the Spirit. Decades after their deaths, sages like Howard Thurman offer spiritual kinship and guidance for our contemporary life. Thurman's spirituality enlivened an entire movement, and it can awaken us to intimacy with God and to authentic action today.”
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 August 31! DM us or contact Chris if you have questions, need more info, or need the address.
Coming Soon…
August 30 — Special 5th Sunday Brunch Church (No Brunch Church on Labor Day Weekend)
The Return of WTF? — Thursday evenings at 6 pm starting in September!
Closing Song
“Sending You Light”
~Melanie DeMore
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
No matter where you go
No matter where you’ve been
You’ll never walk alone
I feel you deep within
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
No matter what you feel
or what you choose to show
I’m always there for you
And so I want you to know
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I walk the path with you
Go slow dear one don’t hurry
I’ll go just like you need to go
There is no need to worry
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
I am sending you Light, To heal you, To hold you
I am sending you Light, To hold you in Love
Parting Blessing
“The Uses of Not”
~by Lao Tzu
Thirty spokes
meet in the hub.
Where the wheel isn’t
is where it’s useful.
Hollowed out,
clay makes a pot.
Where the pot’s not
is where it’s useful.
Cut doors and windows
to make a room.
Where the room isn’t,
there’s room for you.
So the profit in what is
is in the use of what isn’t.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
Sending Song
“Come and Find the Quiet Center” (Beach Spring)
~Shirley Erena Murray
Come and find the quiet center
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
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