with
June 2, 2024
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Alexis Owens
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, 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 Song
“CALLED OR NOT CALLED”
~Shawn Kirchner
Called or not called, God is there
Called or not called, God is there
Called or not called, God is there
The hand of the maker is everywhere
Named or unnamed…
Seen or unseen…
Known or unknown…
Called or not called…
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) (CEB)
1 Now the boy Samuel was serving the Lord under Eli. The Lord’s word was rare at that time, and visions weren’t widely known. 2 One day Eli, whose eyes had grown so weak he was unable to see, was lying down in his room. 3 God’s lamp hadn’t gone out yet, and Samuel was lying down in the Lord’s temple, where God’s chest was.
4 The Lord called to Samuel. “I’m here,” he said.
5 Samuel hurried to Eli and said, “I’m here. You called me?”
“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go lie down.” So he did.
6 Again the Lord called Samuel, so Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “I’m here. You called me?”
“I didn’t call, my son,” Eli replied. “Go and lie down.”
(7 Now Samuel didn’t yet know the Lord, and the Lord’s word hadn’t yet been revealed to him.)
8 A third time the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “I’m here. You called me?”
Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. 9 So Eli said to Samuel, “Go and lie down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down where he’d been.
10 Then the Lord came and stood there, calling just as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel said, “Speak. Your servant is listening.”
11 The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of all who hear it tingle! 12 On that day, I will bring to pass against Eli everything I said about his household—every last bit of it! 13 I told him that I would punish his family forever because of the wrongdoing he knew about—how his sons were cursing God,[c] but he wouldn’t stop them. 14 Because of that I swore about Eli’s household that his family’s wrongdoing will never be reconciled by sacrifice or by offering.”
15 Samuel lay there until morning, then opened the doors of the Lord’s house. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel, saying: “Samuel, my son!”
“I’m here,” Samuel said.
17 “What did he say to you?” Eli asked. “Don’t hide anything from me. May God deal harshly with you and worse still if you hide from me a single word from everything he said to you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.
“He is the Lord, ” Eli said. “He will do as he pleases.”
19 So Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not allowing any of his words to fail. 20 All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was trustworthy as the Lord’s prophet.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
“Taking the Call”
Chris Zepp
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
With which call stories do you relate? (From this week’s scripture and reflections, previous weeks, or other stories) Why?
Do you resonate with the idea of God’s call coming at the intersection of fear and hope? If so, how do these emotions and responses contribute to our living into that calling?
What is making your “ears tingle” right now? Where do you sense a call for yourself and/or RISE?
Prayer TIME
Psalm 139: 1-10 (CEB)
1 Lord, you have examined me.
You know me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up.
Even from far away, you comprehend my plans.
3 You study my traveling and resting.
You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.
4 There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord,
that you don’t already know completely.
5 You surround me—front and back.
You put your hand on me.
6 That kind of knowledge is too much for me;
it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.
7 Where could I go to get away from your spirit?
Where could I go to escape your presence?
8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there.
If I went down to the grave, you would be there too!
9 If I could fly on the wings of dawn,
stopping to rest only on the far side of the ocean—
10 even there your hand would guide me;
even there your strong hand would hold me tight!
PRayer
Chris Zepp
SONG: “TAKE, O TAKE ME AS I AM”
Take, O take me as I am
Summon out what I shall be
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me…
(Repeat)
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!
THREE OPPORTUNITES TO TAKE A WALK ON THE RISE SIDE!
We believe that being in and amidst nature helps us to better connect with our creator, and wanted to provide a few opportunities for folks to get connected in this way throughout the summer! We will have 3 different expressions of "Walks with RISE" throughout the summer months and encourage you to join us!
Thursday, June 13th - Guided Labyrinth Walk
Meet at 5:30pm in the small parking lot at the main entrance to the JMU EJC Arboretum. Led by Adam King.
Saturday, July 13 - BIG SUMMER HIKE
Meet at 10am at the Elizabeth Street parking deck in Harrisonburg (for those who want to carpool) then head up to Skyline drive! We will be Hiking Rose River Falls - a 4 mile loop moderate trail at Milepost 49.4. Lead by Alexis.
Sunday, August 11 - Hillandale Park Loop
Following worship at Westover, we will head over to Hillandale Park to walk the the 1.4 mile loop. Great for Kids! Lead by Alexis.
RISE GAME NIGHTS (& DAYS)
ARE BACK!
Grab your favorite game(s) and let’s play!
Sunday, June 23 - Following worship at Westover Park at Shelter #1
Friday, July 26 - 6 pm, Home of the Zepps
Bring a snack to share, drinks will be provided. DM us if you need the address or directions!
Thursday, August 15 - 6 pm, Brother’s Brewery. Bring your own food/snacks to share (or not!); drinks available for purchase :-)
SUMMER “SITTINGS”
6-8 pm Every Wednesday Night
Turner Pavilion* (or Pale Fire Brewery)
June 26 - September 11
You know how some people have “standing” appointments or office hours? Well, since we always need to do things just a little bit differently, we took that idea and decided to try having some “sitting” hours this summer.
Join Alexis and/or Chris this summer at the Harrisonburg Summer Concerts on Wednesday nights throughout the summer. Whether you have some burning theological questions or you just want to hang out and enjoy some music with friends, we’ll be there and happy to chat!
Information on the full concert series can be found HERE.
*There are a few Wednesdays that do NOT have a concert scheduled.
On those Wednesdays (July 3, July 24, and August 28) The Sitting will be at Pale Fire Brewery.
closing SONG
“HERE I AM LORD”
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Parting BLESSING
To what is God calling us?
To what is God calling you?
What is making both your ears tingle right now?
This story is to be continued…
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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