September 21, 2025
“This above all: to thine own self be true”
~William Shakespeare, Hamlet
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
~Pastor Samm of New Beginnings Lutheran Church, shared by Nadia Bolz-Weber, adapted
Come, all who are weary,
all who carry burdens too heavy to bear,
all who long for mercy, a fresh start, and a second chance.
We come to the God of new beginnings,
who makes a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Here, in this place, walls do not define us - God’s grace does.
Pain does not name us - Christ does.
We are God’s beloved.
We are not our past.
We are becoming something new.
Here we worship the God of freedom, forgiveness, and life!
Let every heart open to the Spirit.
Let every voice rise in praise.
For even now, God is doing a new thing!
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“For The Beauty Of The Earth”
~Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1864)
For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
“Stay True”
~Michael Stern
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to justice and try to stand your ground
In this world of oppression and violence all around
You know there’s strength in many numbers,
But there’s strength in just a few
Stay true to you
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to helping the stranger in need
Stay true while waiting just like a mustard seed
Help us stay true to others and no matter what we do
Stay true to you
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Stay true to freedom the truth will set us free
Stay true to loving that’s how we want to be
Help us stay true to neighbors no matter where they be
Stay true to thee
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
You know there’s gods of deterrence and gods of gold
Gods of selfish ego and gods of power untold
Stay true to the God of mercy, justice, and peace
Stay true to thee
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true.
Scripture Reading
Genesis 27:1-29 (CEB)
1 When Isaac had grown old and his eyesight was failing, he summoned his older son Esau and said to him, “My son?”
And Esau said, “I’m here.”
2 He said, “I’m old and don’t know when I will die. 3 So now, take your hunting gear, your bow and quiver of arrows, go out to the field, and hunt game for me. 4 Make me the delicious food that I love and bring it to me so I can eat. Then I can bless you before I die.”
5 Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau went out to the field to hunt game to bring back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I just heard your father saying to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some game and make me some delicious food so I can eat, and I will bless you in the Lord’s presence before I die.’ 8 Now, my son, listen to me, to what I’m telling you to do. 9 Go to the flock and get me two healthy young goats so I can prepare them as the delicious food your father loves. 10 You can bring it to your father, he will eat, and then he will bless you before he dies.”
11 Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “My brother Esau is a hairy man, but I have smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me and thinks I’m making fun of him? I will be cursed instead of blessed.”
13 His mother said to him, “Your curse will be on me, my son. Just listen to me: go and get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made the delicious food that his father loved. 15 Rebekah took her older son Esau’s favorite clothes that were in the house with her, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 On his arms and smooth neck she put the hide of young goats, 17 and the delicious food and the bread she had made she put into her son’s hands.
18 Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.”
And he said, “I’m here. Who are you, my son?”
19 Jacob said to his father, “I’m Esau your oldest son. I’ve made what you asked me to. Sit up and eat some of the game so you can bless me.”
20 Isaac said to his son, “How could you find this so quickly, my son?”
He said, “The Lord your God led me right to it.”
21 Isaac said to Jacob, “Come here and let me touch you, my son. Are you my son Esau or not?” 22 So Jacob approached his father Isaac, and Isaac touched him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the arms are Esau’s arms.” 23 Isaac didn’t recognize him because his arms were hairy like Esau’s arms, so he blessed him.
24 Isaac said, “Are you really my son Esau?”
And he said, “I am.”
25 Isaac said, “Bring some food here and let me eat some of my son’s game so I can bless you.” Jacob put it before him and he ate, and he brought him wine and he drank. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Come here and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him,
“See, the scent of my son
is like the scent of the field
that the Lord has blessed.
28 May God give you
showers from the sky,
olive oil from the earth,
plenty of grain and new wine.
29 May the nations serve you,
may peoples bow down to you.
Be the most powerful man among your brothers,
and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Those who curse you will be cursed,
and those who bless you will be blessed.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Ward Owens
“Just another Tuesday, Existential Crisis at the lunch table”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Which scriptural character do you most identify with: Jacob, Esau, Rebekah, Isaac? Why?
Amid a culture with a bad habit of trying to tell us what to do and how to live, what steps do you take to stay focused on being your most authentic self?
Often over time we continue to hone these skills and it gets easier to stay true to yourself. If you could have a conversation about identity with yourself from 10 years ago, how would that conversation play out? What advice would you give yourself?
Song
Jacob’s Ladder to the Sweet By And By
~Traditional folk song with Hymn by S. Fillmore Bennett & Joseph P. Webster, arr. Brent Holl
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
We are climbing Jacob's ladder
Brothers, sisters, all
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Every rung goes higher and higher
Brothers, sisters, all
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Every round a generation
Sisters, brothers, all
There’s a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar
For the father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blest
And our spirit shall sorrow no more
Not a sign for the blessing of rest
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
To our bountiful Father above
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of his love
And the blessings that hallow our days.
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by
We shall meet on that beautiful shore
Rise, shine, give God glory
Rise, shine, give God your glory
Rise, shine, give God your glory
Brothers, Sisters, all
Prayer
~Homiletics, 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!
Shenandoah Valley
Pride FestivaL
TODAY!!!
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!)
WTF?
Wednesday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
This Week’s Menu (9/24):
Pulled Pork BBQ bowls, green beans, cobbler
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!
Closing Song
“Let Me Be This Little Light”
~Traditional / Karen Medley, arr. Brent Holl
This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? *NO!* I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Won’t let anyone blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All through the night, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Let me be a light for Hope
Let me be a light for Peace
From the seas below to the skies above
Let me be a light for Love.
Parting Blessing
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.