June 30, 2024
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Chris Zepp
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 SCRIPTURE
Christina Hedrick
Psalm 130 (CEB)
1 I cry out to you from the depths, Lord—
2 my Lord, listen to my voice!
Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy!
3 If you kept track of sins, Lord—
my Lord, who would stand a chance?
4 But forgiveness is with you—
that’s why you are honored.5 I hope, Lord.
My whole being hopes,
and I wait for God’s promise.
6 My whole being waits for my Lord—
more than the night watch waits for morning;
yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!7 Israel, wait for the Lord!
Because faithful love is with the Lord;
because great redemption is with our God!
8 He is the one who will redeem Israel
from all its sin.
Opening Song
“I WILL CALL UPON THE LORD”
I will call upon the Lord (I will call upon the Lord)
He is worthy to be praised (He is worthy to be praised)
So shall I be saved from my enemies
The Lord reigneth
And Blessed be the Rock
And let the Rock of my salvation be exalted
(Repeat)
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
“I’m not dead yet!”
Alexis Owens
SCRIPTURE READINGs
Mark 5:21-34 (NIV)
Adam King
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Mark 5:35-43 (NIV)
Christina Hedrick
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Can the Christian community alter the conditions of people’s lives? Can it bring healing into troubled circumstances? What does it look like for us as Christians to advocate for life-giving meaning and change by crossing boundaries? Whether those boundaries are related to ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation, politics or any other boundaries that divide our society!
Are there miracles happening in our world that we don’t notice because of the crush of so much turmoil and all of the people who press upon us? Give an example of a miracle you have witnessed recently.
Prayer
Alexis Owens
Offering and NOMOFOMO
Chris Zepp
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!
RISE Move out!
We are officially moving our things out of the Icehouse this Tuesday evening (7/2). If anyone is available to help carry around 5:30pm on Tuesday - particularly those with large vehicles! - we would greatly appreciate the help! Alexis will be coordinating move out details, so please contact her with any questions or to volunteer!
SUMMER “SITTINGS”
6-8 pm Every Wednesday Night
Thru 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.
This week - July 3
NO CONCERT - Meet at Pale Fire Brewery
Feel free to bring dinner with you, eat before you come, OR purchase a pizza at pale fire!
You DO NOT have to come the entire time, feel free to come late or only stay for a portion of time!
DISC GOLF AND DONUTS
NEXT Sunday, July 7
Westover Disc Golf Course
Join us immediately following worship for a round of Disc Golf hosted by the amazing Seth Owens! Seth will provide discs and education for those who need it. Stay for as long as you'd like! If you only have time for a few baskets, THAT'S OK! We would love to hang out with you and spend some time chatting and playing together. And just for fun, think about bringing your favorite round foods to worship :-) (You also might want to bring a water bottle!)
Your source of information for all things RISE! Check out the latest edition if you haven’t already! Its packed with info on all our events this summer, staffing updates, etc.
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
Adam King
“It happens to all of us. God simply keeps reaching down into the dirt of humanity and resurrecting us from the graves we dig for ourselves through our violence, our lies, our selfishness, our arrogance, and our addictions. And God keeps loving us back to life over and over.”
~Nadia Bolz-Weber
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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