April 5, 2026
Every morning the sun rises,
majestic and steady.
She is greeted
in all her strength
with the joyous cacophony of birdsong.
I like to believe
this holy chorus
is the birds telling each other—
I’m here.
We made it through the night.
You’re not alone.
What good, good news.
I think the resurrection is a bit like that.
God is here.
We made it through the night.
We are not alone.
What good, good news.
“Birdsong”
by Rev. Sarah A. Speed
Worship Resources used in this service by Rev. Sarah A. Speed
A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Easter BRunch!
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.
The Easter Story
Chris Zepp, Minister of Worship
Matthew 28:1-10 (CEB)
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. 2 Look, there was a great earthquake, for an angel from the Lord came down from heaven. Coming to the stone, he rolled it away and sat on it. 3 Now his face was like lightning and his clothes as white as snow. 4 The guards were so terrified of him that they shook with fear and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here, because he’s been raised from the dead, just as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. 7 Now hurry, go and tell his disciples, ‘He’s been raised from the dead. He’s going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ I’ve given the message to you.”
8 With great fear and excitement, they hurried away from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. 9 But Jesus met them and greeted them. They came and grabbed his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers that I am going into Galilee. They will see me there.”
Call To Worship
~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, adapted
On Friday, they thought the good news had been silenced.
On Friday, they thought the good news had taken its last breath.
On Friday, they thought the good news had been buried.
But today, we know the good news is alive and well.
The good news is dancing!
The good news is on the loose!
The good news is out in the world, calling your name!
Alleluia! Even death has lost its sting!
Thanks be to God!
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen! (Gabe Carr, Allison Garcia, Sheridan Horne, Taylin Sellers, & Noelle Voltz-Mongold)
“CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY”
~Charles Wesley
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
“Lord of the Dance ”
~Hymn Text - Sydney Carter / Tune - Simple Gifts
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced for the scribe and the pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came with me and the Dance went on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
And they left me there on a Cross to die.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance, and I still go on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that'll never, never die;
I'll live in you if you'll live in me -
I am the Lord Of the Dance, said he.
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Ward Owens
“Two things can be true at the same time”
Graphic Design by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org
Communion
Pastor Alexis
Servers: Sarah Davis with Camila and Conrad
PRAYER
~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, adapted
Song
“AWAKE MY SOUL”
~Mumford & Sons
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
Har har, har har, har har, har har
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker
Affirmation of Faith
~Rev. Sarah A. Speed
I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ.
It sounds like welcome
and feels like home.
It sounds like laughter
and feels like mercy.
It sounds like love
and feels like a seat at the table,
so I believe in the good news of Jesus Christ.
I have seen it alive in the world.
And even when my heart aches,
even when wars rage,
even when mercy feels out of reach,
I remember the one who
welcomed the children
and led with nonviolence.
I remember the one who
cared for the vulnerable
and inspired those around him.
I remember that the good news really is good news,
for I have seen it alive in the world.
Thanks be to God!
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!
CURRENT MATERIAL NEEDS:
Disinfectant Wipes
Hand Soap
(see a list of ongoing material needs on our giving page)
WTF?
Thursdays at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
This Week’s Menu (4/9):
Chicken and Pork BBQ
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) please let Alexis know!
Game Night!
Friday, April 10, 6 pm
Home of the Harbicks
Bring a friend and a game to share (if you wish) and join us for a night of fun! Desserts and drinks will be provided!
DM us or contact Chris for address, directions, or more info.
BOOK STUDY GROUP
New Book Starting April 13!
Monday Evenings, 7:30 pm
Home of the Harbicks
Do you like to read? Enjoy diving deeper and talking about what you read with others? We’ve got a group for you!
For our next study, we will be reading a contemporary book: The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues by Dan McClellan (2025). “In The Bible Says So, Dan McClellan leverages his popular "data over dogma" approach, and his years of experience in the academy and on social media, to lay out in clear and accessible ways what the data indicate the Bible does and doesn't say about issues ranging from homosexuality, abortion, and slavery to monotheism, inspiration, and even God's wife.” The first session will cover the introduction plus the first 2 chapters.
If you’re interested in this group, but haven’t yet signed up previously, please do so (even if you can’t make this particular study)! Just click the button below to get added to the list, through which we will communicate schedule changes, new books to read, and anything else book study related! DM us or contact Chris if you need more info or the Harbicks’ address.
Closing Song
“THIS IS NOT THE END”
~Gungor
This is not the end
This is not the end of this
We will open our eyes wide, wider
This is not our last
This is not our last breath
We will open our mouths wide, wider
And you know you'll be alright
Oh and you know you'll be alright
This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will shine like
The stars bright, brighter
Parting Blessing
~Rev. Sarah A. Speed, adapted
As you leave this place,
when you meet anger, speak with love.
When you meet fear, speak with hope.
When you meet pain, speak with gentleness.
But no matter what, speak this good news.
For the good news of the gospel is
love and justice for all.
It is joy that surprises,
and nonviolence that transforms.
The good news of the gospel is alive in the world,
so go forth speaking of rebirth and empty tombs and life anew!
For if you won’t, then who will?
The good news is – this is not the end!
Thanks be to God!
Remember friends — you are a gift!
Now go and be aN Easter gift!
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