May 14, 2023
WORDS OF WELCOME
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
NOMOFOMO
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WELCOMING STATEMENT
Caroline Palmore
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.
*Read more about “Why Pronouns Matter” HERE.
SONG
Alexis Owens
“Come and Find the Quiet Center”
~Shirley Erena Murray
Come and find the quiet center
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
Kadie King
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868!
We’re calling this series “no worries.” - let’s talk about worries for a moment. What is worry (how would you define it)?
What genuinely worries you?
What’s the relationship between worries and “stress?” (How are they similar or different)?
As a culture, we are as anxious or worried as we’ve ever been. Why is this?
How do you personally navigate anxiety or “worries?” How do you advise others to do that?
Is it possible to find genuine hope in the midst of worry? How? What might that look like?
Let’s look at today’s scripture…
Matthew 11:28-30 (CEB)
28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
Let’s explore some of the imagery. What is your immediate response to this passage?
Is this passage ever oversimplified (does it maybe show up on too many church signs without enough context or nuance)?
How might this passage offer real hope?
Imagine you’re talking to Jesus right after he says these words. What might you say or ask?
SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868
COMMUNION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
SONG
“Peace Pilgrim’s Prayer”
Peace, be still and know that I am God.
Peace, be still and know that I am.
Peace, be still and know.
Peace, be still.
Peace, be.
Peace, peace, peace.
Final Blessing
Shiree Harbick
“For One Who Is Exhausted”
~John O’Donohue
When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic, Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.
The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before Now become laborsome events of will.
Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground. Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.
You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drives you has relinquished. There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self.
You have forsaken in the race of days.
At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
You have traveled too fast over false ground; Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain When it falls slow and free.
Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.
Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart And the joy that dwells far within slow time.