August 17, 2025
“Running builds character because it is difficult,
and because many of the virtues can neither be exhibited nor developed in the absence of hardship.”
~Marathon runner Chris Kelly
“Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue.
Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic.”
~Tim Noakes
“In everything worth having, even in every pleasure, there is a point of pain or tedium that must be survived,
so that the pleasure may revive and endure.”
~G.K. Chesterton
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
If you are tired and weary, come and worship!
If you are hungry and thirsty, come and worship!
If you are filled with joy, come and worship!
If your spirit needs renewed, come and worship!
Whether you have much or little to give right now,
God is good and delights in each one of us.
Together, we keep our lamps burning.
So together, let’s worship!
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Keep Your Lamps”
~Gary Davis
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Children, don't grow weary,
Children, don't grow weary,
Children, don’t grow weary,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Troubles and trials soon be over,
Troubles and trials soon be over,
Troubles and trials soon be over,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Keep your lamps trimmed an burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Soon the morning will be breaking,
Soon the morning will be breaking,
Soon the morning will be breaking,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Brothers and Sisters keep on singing,
Come see what the Lord has done.
Keep your lamps trimmed an burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Come see what the Lord has done.
“Hold on”
~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
Scripture Reading
Hebrews 11:29-12:3 (The Message)
29 By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians tried it and drowned.
30 By faith, the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho for seven days, and the walls fell flat.
31 By an act of faith, Rahab, the Jericho harlot, welcomed the spies and escaped the destruction that came on those who refused to trust God.
32-38 I could go on and on, but I’ve run out of time. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. . . . Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
39-40 Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“Run and Become”
For more on the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race: https://3100.srichinmoyraces.org/
To view the trailer for the Run and Become documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1e399N_wB0
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What experience do you have with distance running (at any level)? Do you have stories or wisdom to share from that experience that relate to our life of faith?
Who are the significant faces in your great “cloud of witnesses?” Who inspires and sustains you in the race of life and faith? Who makes up your cheering squad and support team?
When the going gets tough and you are weary and worn out and don’t know if you can go on, what keeps you in the race? What keeps your lamps “trimmed and burning” and your hand “on the plow?” What keeps your faith alive?
Song & PRAYER
~Prayer adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion & Homiletics
“Lord, Listen to your Children Praying”
~Ken Medema
Lord, listen to your children praying
Lord, send your Spirit in this place
Lord, listen to your children praying
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace…
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!
THE Sitting
**LAST OF THE SEASON**
6-8 pm Wednesday Night
Pale Fire Brewing
(Outside Lower Level, weather permitting)
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 night - 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.
WTF?
Starting NEXT WEDNESDAY
August 27
Wednesday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
Join us for a midweek check in to fuel your body, mind and soul. RISE will provide the meal and a topic for conversation. All you have to do it show up!
We welcome people from all walks of life and all walks of faith to join us on our journey. And we mean it. Everyone is welcome at RISE. Everyone. We seek to be a place free of judgment and full of love.
Mark Your Calendars Now for these Don’t-Miss Events!
RISE 15th Birthday
Worship and Picnic
Sunday, September 14
On the lawn at JWUMC
Join us for outdoor worship, followed by a community picnic, yard games, activities, and tie-dying our new RISE swag! Please bring a friend and a side dish if you are able!
Shenandoah Valley
Pride Festival
Sunday, September 21, 1-5 pm
Harrisonburg Turner Pavilion
The Shenandoah Valley Pride festival will be held at a new location on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at Turner Pavilion in downtown Harrisonburg, 1-5 pm. Enjoy performances and products from talented and inclusive local artists, music groups, and vendors. Come out, have a great time, and show your love! Plus, RISE will be present and holding space to remind everyone that they are a gift! We will be hosting a booth and are looking for volunteers to help staff our table with a friendly and welcoming presence. We will have RISE swag, hair tinsel, and pride-themed temporary tattoos. We encourage volunteers to wear a RISE t-shirt and/or your favorite rainbow gear! Please sign up below to volunteer for an hour shift (or two!)
Closing Song
“Guide My Feet”
~Traditional Spiritual
Guide my feet, while I run this race
Guide my feet, while I run this race
Guide my feet, while I run this race
For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Hold My Hand….
Stand by Me….
I’m your child…
Search my heart…
Guide my feet…
Parting Blessing
~Homiletics, adapted
By faith, let’s go now to run the race God has prepared for us.
May our hearts be strong and our legs be swift
May Jesus guide our feet and the Spirit’s power sustain our pace, knowing that we are surrounded by a great cheering section of those who have already finished the race.
And may we never forget that we are gifts!
So let’s go run the race of faith and share our gifts…
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!
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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.