August 31, 2025
“Avarice, greed, concupiscence, and so forth are all based on the mathematical truism that the more you get, the more you have. The remark of Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive is based on the human truth that the more you give away in love, the more you are. It is not just for the sake of other people that Jesus tells us to give rather than get, but for our own sakes too.”
—Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
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
~Homiletics, adapted
The gift of a new day -
Unlived, untried, ready to be opened.
A new day with surprising miracles;
With love to be given,
Kindness to be shared
And peace to be enjoyed.
The gift of a new day -
God’s gift to us.
Let us be grateful,
As we worship with joy and expectation…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“LEST WE FORGET”
~Michael Stern
Lest we forget in our striving to win
Where we are going and where we have been
Remember the dawn and the glorious sunset
Remember lest we forget
Lest we forget as we struggle in love
The gift of each other is a gift from above
As we forgive others, forgive our debt
Remember lest we forget
Lest we forget or if we should get lost
The things we can hold to whatever the cost
Creator, Redeemer will be with us yet
Remember lest we forget
Lest we forget to see God in each face
For in serving each other, receive wondrous grace
Through peace, justice, mercy we’ll never regret
Remember lest we forget
Through peace, justice, mercy we’ll never regret
Remember lest we forget
“In CHrist There Is No East Or West”
~Joel and Melissa Littlepage, arr. by Brent Holl with additional lyrics by CWZepp
In Christ there is no East or West, in him no North or South
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
In Christ, we all are called to share the good news as we live.
We go wherever we are called, the love of God to give.
In Christ we all are welcome here, his gracious love to share,
We have a place here with our friends, who come from everywhere.
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
In Christ our lives are witnesses, his love our lives should show.
We share and care and serve and love, wherever we may go.
In Christ, we're baptized in God's love - God's Spirit makes us new!
With water and with word made fresh God's gift to me and you!
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
Scripture ReadingS
Luke 14:1-14 (The Message)
1-3 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. Right before him there was a man hugely swollen in his joints. So Jesus asked the religion scholars and Pharisees present, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?”
4-6 They were silent. So he took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. Then he said, “Is there anyone here who, if a child or animal fell down a well, wouldn’t rush to pull him out immediately, not asking whether or not it was the Sabbath?” They were stumped. There was nothing they could say to that.
7-9 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, “When someone invites you to dinner, don’t take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. Then he’ll come and call out in front of everybody, ‘You’re in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.’ Embarrassed, you’ll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left.
10-11 “When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
12-14 Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”
Hebrews 13:1-3,13a,16 (The Message)
1-3 Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you…
13[a] …let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders…
16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“Musical Chairs and Magic Pennies”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
You just heard some stories of love given (or not given) through acts of hospitality (or its lack). When have you experienced such acts of love in your life? What stories do you have to share?
Hospitality was the primary lens through which Chris explored giving love today. How else do we give love? What other areas or ways do we share/give/extend love for one another and/or our neighbors and strangers?
Chris suggested that “giving love” lies at the intersection of hospitality and mission. How does RISE live out this aspiration? How can we grow even better at giving love?
Song
“Love Like This”
~Lauren Daigle
When I am a wasteland
You are the water
When I am the winter
You are the fire that burns
When I am a long night
You are the sunrise
When I am a desert
You are the river that turns
To find me
What have I done to deserve love like this?
What have I done to deserve love like this?
Your voice like a whisper
Breaking the silence
You say there's a treasure and
You look 'till you find it
You search to find me
What have I done to deserve love like this?
What have I done to deserve love like this?
I cannot earn what You so freely give
What have I done to deserve love like this?
Prayer
~Frederick Ohler, adapted
Better Than Nice and Other Unconventional Prayers
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!
WTF?
Wednesday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
This Week - Meatball subs, salad, and cookie butter blondies
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!
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!
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!)
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Closing Song
“Standing in Oppressions Way”
~Michael Stern
When some folks read the Bible, they think of God up in the sky,
and the only end to suffering is some great by and by.
But the way I read the Bible, I see it in a different way,
what a friend we have in Jesus, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
When Jesus started preaching, He said to let the captives free,
and he fed the poor and hungry before He died for you and me.
We must know and show compassion, now as much as yesterday,
and be a friend like Jesus standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Now if someone sins against you, and you want to just retaliate,
you know Jesus said be different, return love instead of hate.
And if anyone is outcast for their color, faith, or if they’re gay,
we can be a friend like Jesus, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Some say when you find Jesus, you must accept Him in a certain way,
and if you don’t say the right words, you’ll have hell to pay,
I don’t know that Jesus, there’s another one in whom I pray,
He’s the one I feel beside me, standing in oppression’s way.
And I want to know where, if-a not here, oh when, if-a not now,
and who if-a not you and me standing in oppression’s way.
(Repeat)
Parting Blessing
~David Steele, "Recycling", Slow Down, Moses
Some basic rules define the source
of pleasant social intercourse.
But when it comes to heaven's grace,
Our tit for tat seems out of place.
How few of us command the wealth
To pay God back for kids or health,
For love or comfort, friends and talents -
Our ledger's wholly out of balance.
We can't pay back the Lord above
For all God's countless gifts of love.
God's love comes to us as a trust;
And when we understand, we must
find someone else by dusk or dawn
Who needs that love and pass it on.
The Lord is in the temple; enter
Into God's recycling center.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
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