July 2, 2023
WORDS OF GREETING AND NOMOFOMO
Alexis Owens
Coming Soon!
RISE NIGHT OUT - July 11, 7:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Park (JMU’s baseball field)
Join with RISE friends to cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks at a Valley League baseball game! General Admission tickets are $5; Seniors (65+) and college students (with ID) are $3; Kids 12 and under are FREE! Even if baseball isn’t normally your “thing”, a night with friends at the park is always a good time!SUMMER CONCERT SERIES - Wednesdays 6-8 pm at Turner Pavilion starting July 12
Conveniently playing right across the street from our Homebase, the 2023 Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series features an exciting line-up for the upcoming season. Join with RISE friends on Wednesday evenings beginning July 12 and get in on the fun! More info on the line-up here: https://downtownharrisonburg.org/levitt-amp-harrisonburg/
We’ll be gathering for worship on Sunday mornings at 10ish here in the Arboretum all summer long, with a weekly variety of spiritual practices and experiences to connect us with God, one another, and the natural world! We will begin each week on the terrace by the Welcome and Education Center (on the hill) - Bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc as you desire. For more information about the Arboretum, visit www.jmu.edu/arboretum/index.shtml
(In the event of rain, watch our socials for Saturday updates.)If you would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can start by submitting this short form to Get Connected!
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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
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.
Spiritual Practice and THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
Prayer
Some questions to ponder:
What immediately comes to mind when you hear the word "prayer"?
What does prayer mean to you?
What does prayer look like?
When do you pray?
Philippians 4:4-7 (CEB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:26-27 (CEB)
26 In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. 27 The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will.
What stands out to you in these passages?
Is anything particularly scary or comforting?
“Praying in color” Exercise
SONG
“Rejoice in the Lord”
Rejoice in the Lord always;
And again I say, rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always;
And again I say, rejoice.
Rejoice, rejoice,
And again I say, rejoice.
Rejoice, rejoice,
And again I say, rejoice.
Rejoice in the Lord always;
And again I say, rejoice.
FINAL BLESSING
~Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.