August 30, 2026
“If I had to write a book on morality, it would have a hundred pages and ninety-nine would be blank. On the last page I should write: 'I recognize only one duty, and that is to love.' And, as far as everything else is concerned, I say no. I say no with all my strength.”
~Albert Camus, Notebooks
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 Thoughts
~Alexis Ward Owens
Jesus showed us what love looks like.
Not a safe, comfortable love that stays on the sidelines,
but a love that moves toward people.
A love that sees the person others overlook.
A love that welcomes the stranger,
feeds the hungry,
stands with the oppressed,
and makes room at the table.
So today, we choose that kind of love.
We will love one another for real —
not just in words, but in the ways we show up.
We will listen to voices that have been silenced.
We will stand with people who are hurting, excluded, or pushed to the margins.
We will celebrate with those who celebrate
and grieve with those who grieve.
May it be so…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“ONE & ALL”
~Michael Stern
You may have been all the right places,
You may have known all the right faces,
You may have lots of people comin’ when you call.
You may have lots of insurance,
You may have weapons of deterrence,
But then it’s not gonna’ help you here at all.
The hungry will eat and the children will play,
and the haughty will go empty away.
The victims will stand and the mighty will fall,
and the kin’dom will be shared by one and all.
You may have learned all the right phrases.
You may receive the loudest praises.
You may have thought that you were never goin’ to fall.
You may have made lots of money.
But then it won’t help you any
because money doesn’t matter here at all.
The hungry will eat and the children will play,
and the haughty will go empty away.
The victims will stand and the mighty will fall,
and the kin’dom will be shared by one and all.
You may have heard this simple story
about a diff’rent kind of glory.
Those who have ears won’t you listen to the call
to be the salt, to be the leaven,
to be on earth as in heaven,
a little seed finally growin’ so very tall.
The hungry will eat and the children will play,
and the haughty will go empty away.
The victims will stand and the mighty will fall,
and the kin’dom will be shared by one and all.
“Providence”
~Michael Stern
I met a sailor, she spoke of the sea
It’s vast ever changing diversity
She smiled at differences, wondering why
They number as many as stars in the sky
I have a brother different from me
We grew up together in one family
Now one loves a woman and one loves a man
Brothers are brothers, it’s part of God’s plan
Some say it’s providence, some say it’s grace
How we’ve come together in this time and place
A great cloud of witnesses can tear down a wall
Affirming and welcoming each one and all
Poets, biologists, painters agree
This world is teeming with diversity
The rainbow of color and contrast we see
Is here for a reason and sets spirits free
I met a sailor, she spoke of the sea
It’s vast ever changing diversity
She smiled at differences, wondering why
They number as many as stars in the sky
Scripture Readings
Psalm 26:1-8 (CEB)
1 Establish justice for me, Lord,
because I have walked with integrity.
I’ve trusted the Lord without wavering.
2 Examine me, Lord; put me to the test!
Purify my mind and my heart.
3 Because your faithful love is right in front of me—
I walk in your truth!
4 I don’t spend time with people up to no good;
I don’t keep company with liars.
5 I detest the company of evildoers,
and I don’t sit with wicked people.
6 I wash my hands—they are innocent!
I walk all around your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming out loud my thanks,
declaring all your wonderful deeds!
8 I love the beauty of your house, Lord;
I love the place where your glory resides.
Romans 12:9-21 (CEB)
9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.
18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Pastor Alexis Ward Owens
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are some of the ways you receive love or feel loved by others? Have you ever experienced this kind of love from a stranger?
Have you seen any recent examples of others using their license for love even when it might have been difficult for them?
What is one thing you could do to show someone love in a way that might be a little out of your comfort zone?
Song
“Give Yourself To Love”
~Kate Wolf
Kind friends all gathered 'round,
there's something I would say:
That what brings us together here
has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle
that holds us all inside.
Where strangers are as family,
loneliness can't hide.
You must give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
I've walked these mountains in the rain
and learned to love the wind;
I've been up before the sunrise
to watch the day begin.
I've always knew I'd find you,
though I never did know how;
Like sunshine on a cloudy day
stand before me now.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
Love is born in fire;
it's planted like a seed.
Love can't give you everything,
but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you're ready,
love comes when you're afraid;
It'll be your greatest teacher,
the best friend you have made.
So give yourself to love
if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to
the tears and laughter
And give yourself to love,
give yourself to love.
REPEAT
PRAYER
“Prayer of St Francis”
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
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
Also, one of our community members is looking for an affordable one-bedroom apartment, preferably in Harrisonburg. If you have any leads DM us or contact Pastor Alexis!
BOOK STUDY
Tomorrow Evening!
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.
WTF? Is back!
Thursday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
Starting this week!
September 3 Menu: Tacos
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! (September Menu Below). Please do let us know if you have dietary needs/restrictions and intend to join us.
If you are interested and/or able to help (cooking and prep, giving rides to students, setting up and greeting, washing dishes, etc) let us know using the link below!
RECEIVE LOVE. GIVE LOVE. EAT.
Coming Soon…
RISE
“Sweet 16”
Birthday BaSH
& Picnic
Sunday, September 13
On the lawn at JWUMC*
Join us for worship, then stick around for a community picnic with yard games & fun activities for everyone!
Please bring a side dish to share if you are able! And lawn chairs and games and such as you wish. It would also be a great time to bring a friend!
*Weather permitting, of course. If we need to pivot, we’ll enjoy an infoor picnic and games instead!
2026 Harrisonburg Pride Weekend
COMMUNITY PRIDE WORSHIP
Saturday, September 19, 5 pm
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Come and worship with our inclusive community partners! (Our very own Pastor Alexis Ward Owens will be preaching!)
Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival
Sunday, September 20, Noon - 6 pm
Harrisonburg Turner Pavilion
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 and other fun stuff. 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!)
Get details on all these coming events and more in The RISE Report - Your source of information for all things RISE! Get a sneak peak at the latest edition being sent out today! And if you aren’t yet getting it in your inbox, let us know so we can add you to the list!
Closing Song
“Receive Love. Give Love. Repeat.” (RLGLR)
~Brent Holl and Chris Zepp
Receive love. Give love.
Let's keep the cycle going.
Receive love. Give love.
Repeat. And love again!
(REPEAT)
Love comes from the heart of God
and flows to all the earth
Each of us gets a piece of it
a gift that's ours from birth!
Receive love. Give love.
Let's keep the cycle going.
Receive love. Give love.
Repeat. And love again!
(REPEAT)
Love is meant to be given away
once love you have received
Love that's shared is thrice the gift
God, self, and neighbor pleased!
Receive love. Give love.
Let's keep the cycle going.
Receive love. Give love.
Repeat. And love again!
(REPEAT)
We come together to celebrate
and share the gift of Love
Love is a wonderful gift to share,
enduring for ever more.
Love is patient, Love is Kind,
Love never ends
Faith and Love and Hope abide,
The greatest of these is Love!
Receive love. Give love.
Let's keep the cycle going.
Receive love. Give love.
Repeat. And love again!
(REPEAT)
Parting Blessing
~Alexis Ward Owens
As you leave this place today,
Let your love be courageous.
Let your faith be active.
Let your compassion become action.
And when the road is difficult, remember that we walk it together.
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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Sign up for texting services:
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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.