May 21, 2023
WORDS OF WELCOME
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
NOMOFOMO
This will be our last Sunday worship gathering at Pale Fire for a while!
Next Sunday (May 28) - Pentecost worship at the Harbicks! More details to come; DM us if you need the address.
Sunday, June 4 - Brunch church in our second-floor Homebase in Suite 203.
June 11 and following - Summer worship gatherings in the Arboretum!
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!
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.
Check out the latest edition of the RISE Report - Your bimonthly(ish) source of information for all things RISE!
WELCOMING STATEMENT
Kemper Kites
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
Chris Zepp
“THIS IS GOD’s SACRED WORLD”
This is God’s sacred world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is God’s sacred world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas--
God’s hand the wonders wrought.
This is God’s sacred world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is God’s sacred world:
She shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear her pass,
She speaks to me everywhere.
This is God’s sacred world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is God’s sacred world:
Why should my heart be sad?
Creation sings and the heavens ring,
God reigns; let earth be glad!
THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
Chris Zepp
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868!
At this point in your life, how do you understand hope? Finish this: Hope is ________.
What do you think the Bible tells us about hope and new life?
Let’s look at today’s scripture…
Matthew 6:24 (CEB)
28 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
What do you initially notice in this passage?
What questions or conflicts emerge from it for you?
Do you believe this? Is the journey of life and faith really this simple?
What would you like to say to or ask Jesus about this passage?
Where is the hope in this passage? How might it be an invitation to new life?
SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS OR TEXT THEM TO 833-803-0868
COMMUNION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
SONG DUring Communion
“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.
SONG
Chris Zepp
“Seek ye first”
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And God’s righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, Alleluia
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you
Allelu, Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Allelu, Alleluia
Final Blessing
Nancy Gaston
“Franciscan Benediction”
May God bless you with discomfort…
Discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,
Discomfort, so that you will live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger…
Anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
Anger, so that you will work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears…
Tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, starvation and war,
Tears, so that you will reach out to comfort them
And turn their pain into joy.
And, may God bless you with foolishness…
Foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world,
Foolishness, so that you will do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.