May 5, 2024
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Chris Zepp
WELCOMING STATEMENT
Daniel Green
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
Brent Holl
“This is God’s Perfect World”
This is God’s perfect world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is God’s perfect world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought
This is God’s perfect world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their maker's praise
This is God’s perfect world
He shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass, I hear him pass
He speaks to me everywhere
This is God’s perfect world
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
“BLESSED BE GOD’S NAME”
Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name
Let the mountains & the hills bring a message of peace
Blessed be God’s name
As welcome as rain that falls on dry soil
Blessed be God’s name
Defending the poor & the children in need
Blessed be God’s name
Redeeming their lives from exploitation & greed
Blessed be God’s name
Advocates of force will shrink from love’s power
Blessed be God’s name
Love’s harvest abundant, luxuriant in flower
Blessed be God’s name
Like the sun & the moon, love will endure
Blessed be God’s name
From age unto age & shore unto shore
Blessed be God’s name
SCRIPTURE READINGs
John 15:9-17 (CEB)
Abby Dotson
9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.
Acts 10:44-48 (CEB)
Daniel Green
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 They heard them speaking in other languages and praising God. Peter asked, 47 “These people have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Surely no one can stop them from being baptized with water, can they?” 48 He directed that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited Peter to stay for several days.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Owens
Celebrate and Reflect - UMC General Conference
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do you think these Book of Discipline changes will affect the following groups: RISE, the United Methodists as a denomination, Pastors/Clergy serving in the UMC?
What is something the church has done or decided that you’re disappointed about? What is something that you’re proud of?
For many, particularly folks who have been harmed by the “church” and “Christians, churchy words and the title of “Christian” is painful! What does it look like to you to reclaim the identity of the church and of being a Christian in your everyday life?
Prayer
SONG
“O Healing River”
O healing river, send down your waters,
Send down your waters, on this barren ground
O healing river, send down your waters,
and wash the blood from off the sand.
This land is parching, this land is burning,
no seed is growing in the barren ground.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, send your waters down.
Let the seed of freedom awake and flourish,
let the deep roots nourish, let the tall stalks rise.
O healing river, send down your waters,
O healing river, from out of the skies.
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
“Count Well the Cost”
~Michael Stern
Count well the cost of building some-thing right from the start
A new congregation or a work of art
There may be trials that seem to tear all your work apart
Count well the cost of patience, of heart
Count when you’re making a start
Count and then follow your heart
Count well the cost of following the one crucified
The river Jordan is deep and wide
And it’s not easy crossing to the other side
To love and to serve, to swallow your pride
Count well before you decide
Count well the cost of waging peace for often we fail.
In some situations may end up in jail.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain
count well the cost then wage peace again.
Wage peace all over again.
Count well the cost of following the one who would forgive
seven times seventy, so shall we live.
To find a joy born of suffering, a freedom born of pain,
count well the cost then forgive again.
For-give again and again.
Count well the cost of building some-thing right from the start
A new congregation or a work of art
There may be trials that seem to tear all your work apart
Count well the cost of patience, of heart
Count when you’re making a start
Count and then follow your heart
Parting BLESSING
~Adapted from Thomas Turner, Everyday Liturgy
Abby Dotson
May the God of goodness and mercy,
The God of gentleness and kindness,
The God of righteousness and faithfulness:
be the light of our salvation and sustain our souls.
May we offer to the comfort of the Spirit:
The busyness and tasks that fill our days
And the hopes and the fears that consume our minds
For we accomplish nothing without your grace.
May we submit to the way of Jesus
Loving you with our everything
and loving our neighbors - and even our enemies - as ourselves.
And may we count well the cost:
Of following the way of Jesus,
Of being being part of this beautiful mess we call the church,
Knowing that we shall be renewed
and transformed
by the steadfast love of God
into the people of God.
May it be so!
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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