February 16, 2025
“Blessings”
Words of greeting and GATHERING
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.
OPENING PSalm
Ps. 1 (ceb, adapted for the plural)
1 Truly happy people
don’t follow wicked advice,
don’t stand on the road of sinners,
and don’t sit with the disrespectful.
2 Instead of doing those things,
these persons love the Lord’s Instruction,
and they recite God’s Instruction day and night!
3 They are like a tree replanted by streams of water,
which bears fruit at just the right time
and whose leaves don’t fade.
Whatever they do succeeds.4 That’s not true for the wicked!
They are like dust that the wind blows away.
5 And that’s why the wicked will have no standing in the court of justice—
neither will sinners
in the assembly of the righteous.
6 The Lord is intimately acquainted
with the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked is destroyed.
Opening Songs
Introducing Songs Will Happen! (Brent Holl with Allison Garcia and Sheridan Horne)
“Higher Ground”
~Johnson Oatman, Jr & 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, life 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, life 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, life 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, life 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.
“Blessed Are…”
~Brent Holl
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: (for RISE)
Let us RISE up singing a new song
Let us RISE up singing all day long
Let your voices blend together
As we sing out loud and long
Let us RISE up singing a new 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.
Let us RISE up singing a new song
Let us RISE up singing all day long
Let your voices blend together
As we sing out loud and long
Let us RISE up singing a new song
(Repeat)
Scripture Reading
Luke 6:17-26 (CEB / The Message)
Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there.
They came to hear him and to be healed from their diseases, and those bothered by unclean spirits were healed.
The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone. Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said:
“Happy are you who are poor,
because God’s kingdom is yours.You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all.
God’s kingdom is there for the finding.Happy are you who hunger now,
because you will be satisfied.You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry.
Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.Happy are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.You’re blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
“Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable.
Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do … and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.
But how terrible for you who are rich,
because you have already received your comfort.But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get.
How terrible for you who have plenty now,
because you will be hungry.And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long.
How terrible for you who laugh now,
because you will mourn and weep.And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.
How terrible for you when all speak well of you.
Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Chris Zepp
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
When you hear these Beatitudes that we find in Luke, how do you feel? Do you feel blessed? Guilty? Conflicted? Confused? How does this feeling help or hinder the way you engage this scripture?
With which of the four insights and/or invitations that were highlighted in the message today do you most resonate? Which one rings most true? Do see value and meaning in the others?
If Jesus is to be found among the poor, hungry, mourning, oppressed, and hated, how can we join him? What can we do to continue the work he was doing “on the plain”? How can we find blessings in being a blessing to others in this time and place?
PRAYER
~adapted from Life in Liturgy, from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Song
“Words To Build A Life On ”
~by Mike Crawford ©2004
Refrain:
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed are the poor,
Blessed are the weak
Blessed are the ones
Who can barely speak
Blessed in your hurt
Blessed in your pain
Blessed when your teardrops
Are falling down like rain
Blessed when you’re broken
Blessed when you’re blind
Blessed when you’re fragile
When you have lost your mind
Blessed when you’re desperate
Blessed when you’re scared
Blessed when you’re lonely
Blessed when you’ve failed
Blessed when you’re beat up
Blessed when you’re bruised
Blessed when you’re tore down
Blessed when you’re used
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed when you’re heartbroke
Blessed when you’re fired
Blessed when you’re choked up
Blessed when you’re tired
Blessed when the plans
That you so carefully laid
End up in the junkyard
With all the trash you made
Blessed when you feel like
Giving up the ghost
Blessed when your loved ones
Are the ones who hurt you most
Blessed when you lose your
Own identity
Then blessed when you find it
And it has been redeemed
Blessed when you see what
Your friends can never be
Blessed with your eyes closed
Then Blessed you see Me
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
Blessed when you’re hungry
Blessed when you thirst
Cause that’s when you will eat of
The bread that matters most
Blessed when you’re put down
Because of me you’re dissed
Because of me you’re kicked out
They take you off their list
You know you’re on the mark
You know you’ve got it right
You are to be my salt
You are to be my light
So bring out all the flavour
In the feast of this My world
And light up all the colours
Let the banners be unfurled
Shout it from the rooftops
Let the trumpets ring
Sing your freaking lungs out
Tell them Jesus Christ is King!
Jesus is my Saviour
Jesus is divine
Jesus is my answer
Jesus is my life
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words how can they be mine
These are words to build a life on
These are Your words I want them to be mine
(Repeat)
Give us ears that we may hear them
voice that we may sing them
life that we may live them
hope that we may give them
hearts that we can feel them
eyes that we can see them
thoughts that we may think them
tongues that we may speak Your words
Your words
These are Your words
I want them to be mine
Be mine
Be mine
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!
CLOSING SONG
“I shall not be moved”
Refrain:
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
Glory hallelujah, I shall not be moved
Anchored in Jehovah, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
In His love abiding, I shall not be moved
And in Him confiding, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
I’ve got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
I got the fire and the Holy Ghost, I shall not be moved
Just like a tree that’s planted by the water
I shall not be moved
Though the tempest rages, I shall not be moved
On the rock of ages, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the water
I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
I shall not be, I shall not be moved
Just like the tree that's planted by the waters
I shall not be moved
Parting Blessing
~Carol Wise, adapted
May God deny us an easy peace,
and grant us instead, passion –
a revolutionary passion that spills over into the world
in acts of compassion and love, justice and integrity.
Let’s go in the spirit and way of Christ,
who is our strength, our passion, and our true peace.
Remember friends, you are a gift!
Now let’s go and be a gift!
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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