August 10, 2025
“Christians are not perfect. Christians are not in control. Christians don't have all the answers. Christians are not better than other people. Christians are not folks that can give the perfect theological answer to every question. Christians are those who have learned, like Abraham, that God can be trusted. God can be trusted to give peace in the midst of the storm. God can be trusted to take what is evil and transform it into something good. God can be trusted to empower you in the midst of trouble. God can be trusted to receive you when you die. God can be trusted!”
~The Rev. Dr. Charles Reeb
“When Trouble Comes” August 8, 2010
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 Gospel
Luke 12:29-34 (The Message)
29-32 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
33-34 “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Opening SongS
Songs Will Happen!
Revive Us Again
~Michael Stern
Do you know exactly when the night is over and day begins,
That moment that the light breaks in to revive again?
Night and day have always been locked in embrace so often when
one reaches out, one reaches in to revive again
Oh, revive us, revive again
Oh, revive us, revive again.
Faith and action meet as kin, peace and justice kiss and then,
like Daniel in the lion’s den revive us again.
Oh, revive us, revive again
Oh, revive us, revive again.
With strength and kindness wearing thin,
hate and violence come sneaking in.
Oh, take away such guilt and sin, revive us again.
Oh, revive us, revive again
Oh, revive us, revive again.
Dear God grant new life again
with joy that burns from deep within
love cannot lose, she’ll surely win, revive us again.
_______________________________________
The Story:
Once a rabbi gathered her students and asked, “When does nighttime end and day begin?” The most confident students rose immediately. The first one said, “It’s when the sun rises in the east.” The rabbi waited without saying anything. Another student said, “The day really begins when we wake up and have breakfast.” The rabbi still waited. A third student spoke up. “Surely the day begins regardless of oversleeping. The day begins when the rooster crows.” While the rabbi waited a fourth student offered, “The day begins when there is enough light to see the fruit that hangs on a tree in the distance.” The rabbi still said nothing. Finally, the youngest student - who was little more than a child – said, “It’s when you look in the face of a stranger or enemy and see a neighbor and friend.” The old rabbi’s eyes filled with tears. The rest of the students said nothing because they all realized - precisely at that moment - that nothing more needed to be said.
~Michael Stern
“Higher Ground”
~Lyrics: Johnson Oatman, Jr., Music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1892
I’m pressing on the upward way,
new heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
still praying as I’m onward bound,
”Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
where doubts arise and fears dismay;
tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
my prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to live above the world,
tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
for faith has caught the joyful sound,
the song of saints on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
and catch a gleam of glory bright;
but still I pray till heav’n I’ve found,
”Lord, lead me onto higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
by faith, on heavens’ tableland,
a higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Scripture ReadingS
Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-6 (CEB)
12 The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
those who curse you I will curse;
all the families of the earth
will be blessed because of you.”4 Abram left just as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. The Canaanites lived in the land at that time. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I give this land to your descendants,” so Abram built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him. 8 From there he traveled toward the mountains east of Bethel, and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and worshipped in the Lord’s name. 9 Then Abram set out toward the arid southern plain, making and breaking camp as he went.
15 After these events, the Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.”
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children? The head of my household is Eliezer, a man from Damascus.” 3 He continued, “Since you haven’t given me any children, the head of my household will be my heir.”
4 The Lord’s word came immediately to him, “This man will not be your heir. Your heir will definitely be your very own biological child.” 5 Then he brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” He continued, “This is how many children you will have.” 6 Abram trusted the Lord, and the Lord recognized Abram’s high moral character.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (NRSV) & 11:8-16 (CEB)
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived in the land he had been promised as a stranger. He lived in tents along with Isaac and Jacob, who were coheirs of the same promise. 10 He was looking forward to a city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. 12 So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. 13 All these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. 14 People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. 16 But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
“Leapin’ & Lettin’”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do you understand faith? What images or experiences come to mind when you think about faith? Where have you witnessed faith in action, in your own life or in the life of another?
Sarah and Abraham (Sarai and Abram) have been lifted up for millennia as exemplars of faith, with three world religions tracing spiritual lineage to their family. What is it about their story that is so compelling? Why do we keep looking to their lives as examples for living in faith today?
How do feel about the idea that faith is about “letting go and letting God” (catch you, protect you, etc). Is it scary? Reassuring? Hard? Easier to say than to do? (etc) What is your/our biggest stumbling block to taking a “leap of faith?”
Song
“We Walk by Faith”
~Lyrics: Henry Alford / Tune: Marty Haugen / Refrain & arr. Brent Holl
We walk by faith, and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
From Him who spoke as none ne'er spoke,
But we believe him near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
We may not touch His hands and side,
Nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice,
And cry, "My Lord and God!"
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound,
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
That when our lives of faith are done,
In realms of clearer light,
We may behold you as you are,
With full and endless sight.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
Prayer
~Naomi Kraenbring, 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!
THE Sitting
6-8 pm Wednesday Nights thru 8/20
Pale Fire Brewing
(Outside Lower Level, weather permitting)
Some people have “standing” office hours, but we do things just a little bit differently here at RISE, so we have “sitting” hours during the summer season! Join Alexis and/or Chris on Wednesday nights throughout the summer - whether you have some burning theological questions or you just want to hang out with friends, we’ll be there and happy to chat!
Plus, enjoy the music of Harrisonburg’s Summer Music Series happening right next door at Turner Pavilion. Check out the concert schedule HERE.
WTF?
Starting August 27
Wednesday’s at exactly dinner-ish! (6pm EST)
Downstairs at John Wesley UMC
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!
We welcome people from all walks of life and all walks of faith to join us on our journey. And we mean it. Everyone is welcome at RISE. Everyone. We seek to be a place free of judgment and full of love.
Mark Your Calendars Now for these Don’t-Miss Events!
RISE 15th Birthday Picnic
Sunday, September 14 after worship
Shenandoah Valley Pride Festival
Turner Pavilion
Sunday, September 21
Closing 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
Parting Blessing
~Earle Fike, Jr.
Go now with God;
be not tempted to stay in the safety of known places.
Move from where you are to where God points.
Hasten from here toward a God who beckons.
Go now with God;
be not tempted to go only in your time,
when it suits, when it is sure.
Bestir yourself now, for now is God’s time.
Go now with God,
elect not to go alone;
give your allegiance, your destination to no other;
choose to go with God.
Go now with God.
Go in the faith that there is no valley so low
no wilderness so vast
no passage so crooked
no way so confused
that God is not already there…
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.