June 8, 2025

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 PSalm

Ps. 104:24-34,35b (CEB)

24 Lord, you have done so many things!
You made them all so wisely!
The earth is full of your creations!
25 And then there’s the sea, wide and deep,
with its countless creatures—
living things both small and large.
26 There go the ships on it,
and Leviathan, which you made, plays in it!
27 All your creations wait for you
to give them their food on time.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled completely full!
29 But when you hide your face, they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to dust.
30 When you let loose your breath, they are created,
and you make the surface of the ground brand-new again.
31 Let the Lord’s glory last forever!
Let the Lord rejoice in all he has made!
32 He has only to look at the earth, and it shakes.
God just touches the mountains, and they erupt in smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I’m still alive.
34 Let my praise be pleasing to him;
I’m rejoicing in the Lord!
35 …Let my whole being bless the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Opening Songs

Songs Will Happen!

“Exultation”(“Come Away to The Skies”)

~Charles Wesley/Southern Harmony, arr. Brent Holl

Come away to the skies, my beloved, arise
and rejoice in the day you were born.
On this festival day, come exulting away,
and with singing to Zion return.

Now with singing and praise, let us spend all our days
by our gracious creator bestowed,
while in grace we receive from earth's bounty we live
to the honor and glory of God.

For the glory we were first created to share,
both the nature and kingdom divine,
now created again that our lives may remain
throughout time and eternity thine.

We with thanks do approve the design of that love
which has joined us to Jesus' name.
So united in heart, let us nevermore part,
til we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

“Glory”

~Mike Stern

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

Glory in the children and when the day has begun,
Glory in the lines of old faces and when the day is done,

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

There’s no glory in the battle nor the barrel of a gun,
There’s no glory in killing, no war victory to be won, but there’s

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

Glory to the creator, glory to the One,
Glory to the spirit, glory to the Three in One,

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

The earth and all it’s fullness and all it’s daughters and sons,
Belong to the glory and the glory still to come.

Glory in the highest, glory in each lowly one,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun,
Glory in the morning, glory in the setting sun.

Scripture Reading

Acts 2:1-21 (CEB)

1 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

5 There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. 7 They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” 12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” 13 Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! 15 These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! 16 Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young will see visions.
Your elders will dream dreams.
18 Even upon my servants, men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be changed into darkness,
and the moon will be changed into blood,
before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Alexis Ward Owens

“Birthdays and fire and that fickle Holy Spirit”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What immediately strikes you about this information? Do you have any fears or concerns?

2. What are you excited about? Where is the potential and hope? What do you imagine is an opportunity we have in this next chapter?

3. What sets your soul on fire? Where do you see the spirit moving in your life and what inspires you from the Pentecost story?

Prayer

Song

“Let the Rain of your Presence”

~Bishop Clarence McClendon, Jacque DeShetler (lyrics)

Let the rain of your presence fall on me.
Ev’ry day that I live
With ev’ry breath I breathe
Let the rain of your presence fall on me.
Ev’ry where that I go,
Lord, let your presence flow, rain on me.
(Repeat)

Love divine, Joy unspeakable
Over flowing in my soul,
This heart of mine,
Is refreshed and at rest,
In your presence, In your presence.
(Repeat)

Let the rain of your presence fall on me.
Ev’ry day that I live
With ev’ry breath I breathe
Let the rain of your presence fall on me.
Ev’ry where that I go,
Lord, let your presence flow, rain on me.

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!

Still time to join
The Banned Book Club!

4 pm, Sunday afternoons in June

Join us for a short summer series on banned books, meeting at the home of Beth Sellers on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 during the month of June. (DM us or contact us for address).

If interested, please sign up using the link below…

THE Sitting

6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Brother’s Craft Brewing!

*Alexis and Chris will NOT be there this week*

It’s back! 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!

Alexis is being licensed as a UMC local pastor this Week!

The official ordination ceremony will be held at the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church at the Berguland Center in Roanoke VA this Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:00 am. Any and all are welcome to attend! There will also be a link to the livestream available to watch virtually, we will share that link once it goes live. You can see the full agenda for the VA Annual Conference here: https://doc.vaumc.org/AC2025/AgendaMar25.pdf

Your source of information for all things RISE! Check out the latest edition if you haven’t already! Its packed with info on all our events this summer, staffing updates, etc.

Closing Song

“The Great Storm is Over”

~Bob Franke

The thunder and lightning gave voice to the night,
The little lame child cried aloud in her fright,
Hush little baby, a story I'll tell,
Of a love that has conquered the powers hell.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Sweetness in the air and justice on the wind
Laughter in the house where the mourners have been
The deaf shall have music, the blind have new eyes
The standards of death taken down by surprise.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Release for the captives, an end to the wars
New streams in the desert, new hope for the poor,
The little lame children will dance as they sing,
And play with the bears and the lions in spring.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Hush little baby, let go of your fear,
The lord loves his own and your mother is here,
The child fell asleep as the lantern did burn,
The mother sang on 'til her bridegroom's return.

Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!
Alleluia, the great storm is over,
Lift up your wings and fly!

Parting Blessing

Friends, go! Go out into this world filled with the Holy Spirit.
Let the Spirit give you words when you have none.
Let the Spirit stop your tongue when listening is the answer.
Let the Spirit strengthen you when the way ahead is hard.
Let the Spirit embrace you, comfort you, and keep you until we are together again.
Go in peace and bring the peace and fiery flames of Holy Spirit with you wherever you go.

Amen.

Remember friends — you are a gift!

Now go and be a gift!

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