May 28, 2023

NOMOFOMO

Next Sunday, June 4, exactly 10ish - First Sunday Brunch Church in our second-floor Homebase in Suite 203. Good food, good time with friends, and meaningful conversation. All people of all ages are most welcome! If you'd like and are able, we'd love you to bring some of your favorite brunchy food to share, but please do NOT feel obligated - it is much more important that you come and join us, so don't let that keep you from attending. There will be plenty for all either way!
June 11 and following - Garden Variety - Summer worship gatherings in the Arboretum!
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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.
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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, 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.

Icebreakers

If you could hang out with any cartoon character, who would you choose and why?

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?

If money and time were no object, what would you be doing right now?

THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

Break into smaller groups (3-5 folks) and chat together for 20ish minutes...

Take time to read the scripture in your group. It’s long, so you might want to split it up with several readers.

Acts 2:1-21 (CEB)

1 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. 7 They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” 12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” 13 Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”
14 Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! 15 These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! 16 Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
    Your young will see visions.
    Your elders will dream dreams.
18 Even upon my servants, men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
        and they will prophesy.
19 I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be changed into darkness,
    and the moon will be changed into blood,
        before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND CONVERSATION:

When you hear or read this story, what images, sounds or other sensory experiences capture your imagination? What makes you curious about this text? What would you like to ask the folks who were there (in the room where it happened)?
This story has some remarkable special effects. What meaning do you find in the wind, tongues of fire, multiple languages, etc?
What does the church’s origin story (birth story) have to teach us about its two thousand year-long story? What wisdom does this story have to offer the church today?
Why doesn’t Pentecost get more “air time” (like Christmas and Easter)? It’s such a cool story - but for a lot of people (even Christians), it’s just another day.
How would you define the word “church?” What is it? How does the church described in this story differ from what many churches look like today?
Is there any need for/use for the church today? Why or why not?
What are your hopes and dreams for the church?
Recognizing that none of us can ever fully know this, let’s wrestle with this question anyway: What are God’s dreams for the church?

Re-gather as a large group and share as led….

QUESTIONS FOR Full group REFLECTION AND CONVERSATION:

In your small group, did you hear something that made you think or challenged you?

Did you hear anything that inspired you or gave you hope?
What is one thing you will take with you today

“Dear CHurch” Letters

IF TIME - 15-20 min

Write a letter to the church. Start with the words “Dear Church,…” and then say what you need to say to the church.

How has the church inspired you? Where have you seen its beauty?
What do you grieve for the church? What is painful?
What are your hopes and dreams for the church?

Share as there is willingness and time.