October 11, 2026
“The gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, ‘Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.’ This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry.”
~Rachel Held Evans
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
~Homiletics, adapted
As Jesus called disciples so long ago — Peter & Andrew, Mary & Martha, James & John & Mary Magdelene – so we too are called.
They were fishermen & tax collectors, strangers & family, neighbors & misfits, but God transformed them into beloved community.
We are teachers & students, tech workers & organizers, family & friends & misfits as well. So let us listen for our own names, written on God’s heart and called in the voice of the Spirit, that God may likewise transform us into beloved community this day…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Holy Spirit, come with power” (Beach Spring)
~B.F. White, The Sacred Harp (1844) / Anne Neufeld Rupp / additional verse by CWZepp
Holy Spirit, come with power, breathe into our aching night.
We expect you this glad hour, waiting for your strength and light.
We are fearful, we are ailing, we are weak and selfish too.
Break upon your congregation, give us vigor, life anew.
Holy Spirit, come with fire, burn us with your presence new.
Let us as one mighty choir sing our hymn of praise to you.
Burn away our wasted sadness and enflame us with your love.
Burst upon your congregation, give us gladness from above.
Holy Spirit, bring your message, burn and breathe each word anew
Deep into our tired living till we strive your work to do.
Teach us love and trusting kindness, lend our hands to those who hurt.
Breathe upon your congregation and inspire us with your word.
We are called to love our neighbors even when we disagree
Work for justice, and for mercy — turn the “me” into a “we”
Then together we shall flourish, treating each as if our own
The common good shall be our calling — our faith-filled values be made known
“The Beautiful River”
~Asa Hull / R. Torry, Jr., arr. Brent Holl
Oh, have you not heard of the beautiful stream
that flows through the promised land?
Its waters gleam bright in the heavenly light,
and ripple o’er golden sand.
O seek that beautiful stream,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Its waters, so free, are flowing for thee,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Its fountains are deep and its waters are pure
and sweet to the weary soul.
It flows from the throne of Jehovah alone!
O come where its bright waves roll.
O seek that beautiful stream,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Its waters, so free, are flowing for thee,
O seek that beautiful stream.
This beautiful stream is the river of life!
It flows for all nations free!
A balm for each wound in its water is found;
O sinner, it flows for thee!
O seek that beautiful stream,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Its waters, so free, are flowing for thee,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Oh, will you not drink of this beautiful stream,
and dwell on its peaceful shore?
The Spirit says: come all ye weary ones, home,
and wander in sin no more!
O seek that beautiful stream,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Its waters, so free, are flowing for thee,
O seek that beautiful stream.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 22:1-14 (The Message)
1-3 Jesus responded by telling still more stories. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!
4 “He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’
5-7 “They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.
8-10 “Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.
11-13 “When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’
14 “That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“Party Mix”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do you hear this parable as a whole? Is it hopeful? Confusing? Problematic? Convicting?
What do you think about the various options for understanding Craig, the inappropriately-dressed guest who got thrown out of the party (Refused host provisions, allegory of Israel/Christian history, or clothing signifying new life in Christ)? Is there one that resonates or feels “right” to you? Do you have any other insights into why Jesus (in Matthew at least) told this part of the story?
If, in the end, we can’t make sense of this story or find a satisfactory interpretation of the parable, what are we to do with it?
Song
“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
PRAYER
Pastor 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)
WTF?!
Thursday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
October 15 Menu:
DIY Ramen Bowls
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.
ROCKTOWN ROLLERS
AUTUMN JAM
Saturday, October 17
Augusta Expo Center
We’re putting together a caravan / meet-up to support our former RISE intern Caroline Palmore in this roller derby tribute to Dolly Parton and Tim Curry! Check out the flyer for more info and/or visit rocktownrollers.com for tickets. DM us or contact Alexis if you are interested!
BOOK STUDY
Monday, October 19
7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks
For our next study, we will be reading “Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World” by Kat Armas. “Everyone wants to belong. But what does belonging look like in the context of living within an empire and its ideologies? In “Liturgies for Resisting Empire,” Cuban American theologian and writer Kat Armas provides a roadmap for Christians seeking a countercultural way of living that prioritizes community and humanity over dominance and power. Armas combines spiritual practices and biblical theology to help us create authentic belonging to God, ourselves, each other, and creation.”
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 October 19! DM us or contact Chris if you have questions, need more info, or need the address.
Closing Song
“May the Road Rise To Meet You”
~Roger and Camilla McGuinn
Summertime the sun would shine we'd lay across the field
Sheltered in the shadow of a tree
We'd write up poems to take along and sing out on the road
And you would always sing this song to me
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine down warm upon your land
May the rain fall soft upon your face until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
Autumn leaves would change our tree to colors on the ground
Swirling patterns beautiful to see.
I’d lay my head down on your lap, I would not make a sound,
And you would always sing this song to me
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine down warm upon your land
May the rain fall soft upon your face until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
Through the winter days our tree would shiver in the wind
Waiting for the warming touch of spring
I'd hold you in the firelight, we'd stare into the flame
And this is what you always used to sing
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine down warm upon your land
May the rain fall soft upon your face until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
Parting Blessing
Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV, CEB, The Message, & NRSV — Custom Blend)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near.
6 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.
9 Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into…most excellent harmonies.
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be a gift!
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