October 25, 2026

“There is a difference between “Jesus, I want you to become part of my story” and “Jesus, I want to become part of your story.” Jesus doesn’t come to improve your storyline. Jesus comes to make you a line in His eternal Story. When Jesus becomes part of your story, He’s a character. When you become part of His story, He’s Lord. “My story + Jesus” is self-help. “His story + me” is the gospel. The gospel isn’t Jesus decorating your life story. It’s your life being written into God’s Never-Ending Story. “Jesus, fit into my life” is religion. “Jesus, rewrite my life into Yours” is gospel.

~Leonard Sweet
Substack, January 26, 2026

Check in and Get Connected!

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 we enter into worship, let us leave behind our self-centered thoughts, and open our minds to the realities of our neighbors.

As we prepare our hearts for worship, let us leave behind any feelings of exclusiveness and superiority, and open ourselves to inclusion and equity.

As we center ourselves for worship, let us leave behind our notion of what is, and open ourselves to what could be through God…

Opening SongS

Songs Will Happen!

“I've Been a-List'ning All de Night Long”

~R. N. Dett, 1927 as performed by Jean Ritchie

(Throughout the song, leader sings once; congregation sings once in response.)

Chorus:
I've been listening all the night long,
Been listening all the day
I've been listening all the night long,
To hear some sinner pray.

Some say John was a Baptist,
Some say he was a Jew,
But the Bible does inform us
He was a preacher too.

Go read the fifth of Matthew,
Go read that chapter through,
It is a guide to Christians,
And tells us what to do.

There was a search in heaven,
And all the earth around,
John stood in sorrow hoping
A Saviour would be found.

“Love as I have Loved You”

~Michael Stern

Love as I have loved you
Love, love
Like the moon and stars above you
Love, love, love

Your vine will branch and flower
Love, love
When love displays its power
Love, love, love

Ask, it will be given
Love, love
Forgive and be forgiven
Love, love, love

Love as I have loved you
Love, love
Like the moon and stars above you
Love, love, love

Scripture Reading

Matthew 22:34-46 (CEB)

34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. 35 One of them, a legal expert, tested him. 36 “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
41 Now as the Pharisees were gathering, Jesus asked them, 42 “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?”
“David’s son,” they replied.
43 He said, “Then how is it that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, called him Lord when he said, 44 The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right side until I turn your enemies into your footstool’? 45 If David calls him Lord, how can he be David’s son?” 46 Nobody was able to answer him. And from that day forward nobody dared to ask him anything.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Chris Zepp

“The Big Turn”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Where do you struggle most with living according to the greatest commandment(s) in your own life? How do we live faithfully with their open-ended and ambiguous nature? (e.g. how can we ever know that we love God and/or neighbor enough?)
What do we think about the Messiah today? What categories do we already have for who we think Jesus was/is? Where might Jesus be challenging our own categorization today?
This whole series has focused on the way Jesus’ teachings often turn our expectations around. Consider Leonard Sweet’s quote from the beginning of the worship order. How does the idea of “Jesus writing us into his story” turn around our expectations?

Song

“Hymn”

~Karen Gold, James Mason and Paul Stookey

Sunday morning, very bright, I read Your book by colored light
That came in through the pretty window picture

I visited some houses where they said that You were living
And they talked a lot about You and they spoke about Your giving
They passed a basket with some envelopes; I just had time to write a note
And all it said was "I believe in You"

Passing conversations where they mentioned Your existence
And the fact that You had been replaced by Your assistants
The discussion was theology and when they smiled and turned to me
All that I could say was "I believe in You"

I visited Your house again On Christmas or Thanksgiving
And a balded man said You were dead but the house would go on living
He recited poetry and as he saw me stand to leave
He shook his head and said I'd never find You

My mother used to dress me up and while my dad was sleeping
We would walk down to Your house without speaking

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)

Give Now

WTF?!

Thursday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC

October 29 Menu:
Chili Cook-Off - Bring your favorite chili recipe & share!

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.

WTF Volunteer Sign-up

Brunch Church
NEXT SUNDAY!

(November 1)

Same bat time.
Same bat channel.
Just more food:-)

Bring some of your favorite brunch food to share if you are able!

Stay Tuned for our Next Worship Series —

He Said, She Said, They Said:
Exploring Gendered Readings of Scripture

Sunday Mornings
November 1 - 22

Next BOOK STUDY

Monday, November 30
7 pm
Home of the Harbicks

For our next study, we will be reading “Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy” by Robert P. Jones (2026). “What happens when the church trades faith for power, and democracy for dominion? In this searing book, Robert P. Jones names our moment for what it is: a great Backslide. White Christianity’s devotion to Donald Trump and Christian nationalism is not only a regression into authoritarian politics but a profound act of apostasy — a betrayal of the best of the Christian tradition.

Timely and unflinching, Backslide is essential reading for anyone unwilling to surrender the soul of faith or the promise of democracy. A prophetic summons to moral responsibility, it reminds us that time is short for deciding which Christianity, and which America, will prevail.”

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 November 30! DM us or contact Chris if you have questions, need more info, or need the address.

Turner Ashby High School Theatre Club Sock Sales

Gabe Carr is selling socks to beneift the TAHS Theatre Club and keep membership affordable for everyone. Funds raised through the sock sale will help cover club prizes, activities, and other club expenses. Plus, for every 2 packs of socks sold, 1 pair is donated to someone in need in our local community! Lots of options to choose from - fun and plain, low-rise and compression, and sizes for all. Click the button below to see all the options.

TAHS THeatre Sock Sale