November 23, 2025
“Something in the center of the human being is primitive and childlike and it interprets life as a fearsome experience. It tends to forget that the sun always rises, the moon waxes and wanes, the tides go in and out, the seasons circle through the year. It forgets that we are all firmly embedded in those cycles, that there is no place to fall, that we are always caught and held securely within the embrace of the Holy One.”
~Mary Vineyard
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.
OPENING Affirmations
~SourceBook of Worship Resources, adapted
All you yearning for comfort, find here the arms of a loving God.
All you looking for direction, find here the hand of God to guide you.
All you searching for meaning, find here the Lord of Life and the Revealer of Truth.
All you seeking happiness, find here the deep joy of the risen Christ.
All you looking for love, find here the embrace of God and new friends.
It’s good to be together for worship…
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
“Amazing Grace”
~John Newton
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'twas grace hath brought us safe thus far,
and grace will lead us home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
“COME, THOU FOUNT (NETTLETON)”
Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come,
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand'ring from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wand'ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above!
Scripture Readings
Colossians 1:11-20 (CEB)
11 by being strengthened through his glorious might so that you endure everything and have patience; 12 and by giving thanks with joy to the Father. He made it so you could take part in the inheritance, in light granted to God’s holy people. 13 He rescued us from the control of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 14 He set us free through the Son and forgave our sins.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God,
the one who is first over all creation,16 Because all things were created by him:
both in the heavens and on the earth,
the things that are visible and the things that are invisible.
Whether they are thrones or powers,
or rulers or authorities,
all things were created through him and for him.17 He existed before all things,
and all things are held together in him.18 He is the head of the body, the church,
who is the beginning,
the one who is firstborn from among the dead[b]
so that he might occupy the first place in everything.19 Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him,
20 and he reconciled all things to himself through him—
whether things on earth or in the heavens.
He brought peace through the blood of his cross.
Psalm 46 (CEB)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a help always near in times of great trouble.
2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
3 when its waters roar and rage,
when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.4 There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city,
the holiest dwelling of the Most High.
5 God is in that city. It will never crumble.
God will help it when morning dawns.
6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.
God utters his voice; the earth melts.
7 The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety.8 Come, see the Lord’s deeds,
what devastation he has imposed on the earth—
9 bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world,
breaking the bow and shattering the spear,
burning chariots with fire.10 “That’s enough! Now know that I am God!
I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!”11 The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Ward Owens
“Christ … the Cornucopia of the world”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How does it make you feel, to think that the creator of the universe could love and care about YOU just as much as their love for planet earth, the stars in the sky and everything they’ve created?
Do you have any fears or anxieties you’re carrying into this coming week? What are some steps you could take or little things you could do to be still, and remind yourself that you belong in the cornucopia of God’s love?
What is one thing you’re truly thankful for right now?
Prayer
~Homiletics, adapted
“Peace Pilgrim’s Prayer”
Peace be still and know that I am God
Peace be still and know that I am
Peace be still and know
Peace be still
Peace be
Peace, Peace, Peace
(Repeat)
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!
GIVING Opportunity with
the JMU Holiday HELPERS
We are excited to be partnering with JMU Holiday Helpers club this year to give some love to our community and neighbors this holiday season!
There are several ways that you can support this endeavor:
Make a special financial gift to support the overall effort. Just use the “Give Now” link above and mark it for “Holiday Helpers.” (You can also give a check or cash to Alexis or Chris.) All donations so designated will be used to support the Holiday Helpers.
“Adopt” one of the five children RISE has agreed to supply with gifts. (We have specific lists of needs for each child). Contact Alexis if you are interested in this.
Donate items from the wishlist/donation guide below. We will be collecting these items through the month of November.
WTF?
No Gathering This Week
Happy Thanksgiving!
Closing Song
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Parting Blessing
~Homiletics, adapted
May the blessing of God warm you like the sun.
May the love of Christ wash over you like a gentle rain.
May the joy of the Spirit raise you to new heights
Be still, and walk on the earth in peace, knowing that God is our strength!
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!
You might also consider:
Sign up for texting services:
Text “RISE” to 833-803-0868 to join the primary list and receive weekly community updates and alerts
Text “RISEcares” to receive prayer requests, care needs, and community concerns and celebrations
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.