January 22, 2023
Words of Welcome
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
Nomofomo
New Worship Schedule. We are trying out a new rhythm for our worship gatherings in this New Year. On the first Sunday of each month, we will be meeting for brunch upstairs in Suite 203. On the other Sundays we will be meeting at Pale Fire.
JUST BE: Be open. Be brave. Be transformed. A new course for those age 15-25, meeting Sunday afternoons beginning next Sunday - January 29.
These are challenging times, and we all have a lot of questions. Your friends at RISE get it, and we want to journey together and explore God, the Bible, church traditions and so much more. Think of this as “confirmation” - but without the obligatory membership stuff and other (sometimes) questionable parts. This will be journey that leads to self-discovery and growth. Rites of passage matter. Milestones matter. Questions (in community) really matter!
This experience is open to all persons ages 15-25. We are asking that all participants commit to regular weekly attendance. We get it - our lives are full, but we hope that you will create space in your schedule to “just be” and be transformed. Let’s be honest - showing up matters! We will meet on Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm (often at the Ice House). We will not meet over Spring Break or on Easter Sunday. Pastor Amanda will lead many of the sessions, but other amazing leaders may show up sometimes too!
Our first gathering will be on January 29th from 2-4 pm. We will meet 10(ish) times throughout the semester, and there may be a couple of other gatherings along the way, too. We will celebrate our journey together in a significant way in late April. DM us or email Pastor Amanda at ajmgarber@gmail.com if you want to know more. We hope you’ll join us!
Requests for care and/or prayer can always be sent via e-mail to cares@riseharrisonburg.org, texted to 833-803-0868, or submitted online via our RISE Cares form.
Connect:
If you would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can start by submitting this short form to Get Connected!
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
Please continue to check social media/the website for all updates and information!
Welcoming Statement
JK Ancell
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, 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.
SONG
Brent Holl
“Blessed Peace”
~Mike Stern
Seeing the crowds he went up high upon a hill
There he sat & waited till everything was still
He fixed his eyes upon them, & this is what he said
These are things of heaven & earth, make them your daily bread
Blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek
Those who thirst for what is right, find that which they seek
CHORUS:
Bless, bless, blessed peace —
bless, bless, blessed peace
Those who comfort others woes, who bind the ones that bleed
They will find sweet comfort, too, in their our hour of need
CHORUS
When other people hate you for doing right by me
You’ll be blessed forever, so laugh & dance with glee
CHORUS
Blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek
Those who thirst for what is right, find that which they seek
CHORUS
THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
Amanda Miller Garber
Abby Butler-Cefalo
SHARE YOUR Thoughts and QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868!
Today, we’re gonna explore a word that is used A LOT in our culture. You’ll see it on coffee mugs, T-shirts, stickers etc. #blessed - what does the word “blessed” or “blessing” actually mean? When you hear this word, what initially comes to mind? Do you ever make assumptions when you hear that word ?
How has your understanding of what it means to be “blessed” changed as you’ve aged? How about what it means to “bless” someone else?
How do many people understand this word (blessed or blessing)?
Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
What do you notice about this? What makes you curious?
What does Jesus mean when he talks about blessing - especially in the beatitudes ?
How could we reclaim the idea of blessing in a meaningful way?
SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868
COMMUNION
SONG
Brent Holl
“Blessed Are…(If You’re Happy)”
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
REFRAIN:
If you’re happy and you know it sing a song.
If you’re happy and you know it sing along!
If you’re happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it sing a song.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
REFRAIN
FINAL BLESSING
~Brian McLaren
Abby Dotson
Blessed are the curious
for their curiosity honors reality.
Blessed are the uncertain and those with second thoughts
for their minds are still open.
Blessed are the wonderers
for they shall find what is wonderful
Blessed are those who question their answers
for their horizons will expand forever.
Blessed are those who often feel foolish
for they are wiser than those who always think themselves wise.
Blessed are those who are scolded, suspected, labeled heretics by the gatekeepers
for the prophets and mystics were treated the same way by the gatekeeper of their day.
Blessed are those who know their unknowing
for they shall have the last laugh.
Blessed are the perplexed
for they have reached the frontiers of contemplation.
Blessed are they who become cynical about their cynicism and suspicious about their suspicion
for they shall enter the second innocence.
Blessed are the doubters
for they shall see through fake gods.
Blessed are the lovers
for they shall see God everywhere.