April 28, 2024
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Alexis Owens
WELCOMING STATEMENT
Abby Dotson
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 Music
AJMN
“You Are the Light”
~Gungor
You are the light, the light of the world
You are the hope, the hope of heaven
To come into the earth, to come into the earth
We are a light, a light to the world
We have a hope, a hope for heaven
To come into the earth, to come into the earth
Shine Jesus shine
Let Your love bring life into our lives
Would You shine cause You are the light, You are the light
You are the light, the light of the world
You are the hope, the hope of heaven
To come into the earth, to come into the earth
We are a light, a light to the world
We have a hope, a hope for heaven
To come into the earth, to come into the earth
Shine Jesus shine
Let Your love bring life into our lives
Would You shine cause You are the light, You are the light
Let the light shine, oh let the light shine
Let the light shine, oh let the light shine
Let the light shine, oh let the light shine
Let the light shine, oh let the light shine
Shine Jesus shine
Let Your love bring life into our lives
Would You shine cause You are the light, You are the light
(3x)
Prayer
Melissa Fretwell
SCRIPTURE READING
Shiree Harbick
Romans 12:9-17 (The Message)
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Brittany Caine-Conley
“This is Not the End”
SONG
“I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For”
~U2
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Oh my shame
You know I believe it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
COMMUNION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
Servers: Robert & Abby Garber, Sara Davis, & Kristin/Wade Wenger
“Be Thou My Vision” (Oh God Be My Everything)
~Ascend the Hill
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true Word
And I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, but first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
O God, be my everything, be my delight
Be Jesus, my glory, my soul's satisfied
O God, be my everything, be my delight
Be Jesus, my glory, my soul's satisfied
My Jesus, You satisfy, my Jesus, You satisfy
My Jesus, You satisfy, my Jesus, You satisfy
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun
And heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all
OFFERING
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
“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
“This is what God’s Kingdom is like:
a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table,
not because they are rich or worthy or good,
but because they are hungry,
because they said yes.
And there's always room for more.”
~Rachel Held Evans
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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