August 11, 2024
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~“Lorem Ipsum” – the standard dummy text
of the printing and typesetting industry since the 1500s
(quoted from www.lipsum.com)
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Roy Nelson
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 Music and Scripture
Brent Holl
“Higher Ground”
~Michael Stern
River water rising
Rain still comin’ down
The ‘ol farm’s a lake, but if the levees break
It’ll damn near take this whole town
It’s like livin’ in a nightmare
That you can’t believe is true
How we’ll clean up this mess is anybody’s guess
Don’t know how we’ll make it through
I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way
We don’t have much money
And we’re runnin’ out of gas
This crazy war goes on & now our house is gone
We just pray this too will pass
I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way
All across this country
All across this land
From east to west folks will do their best
To lend a helpin’ hand
I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard my neighbor say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way
River water rising
Rain still comin’ down
The ‘ol farm’s a lake, but if the levees break
It’ll damn near take this whole town
It’s like livin’ in a nightmare
That you can’t believe is true
How we’ll clean up this mess is anybody’s guess
Don’t know how we’ll make it through
I’m headed up to higher ground
I heard a stranger say
And with a hand held out to me, said
We’d best be on our way
We’re headed up to higher ground
I heard the people say.
And with their hands held out to me said
We’d best be on our way.
And with their hands held out to me said
We’d best be on our way.
Psalm 34:1-8 (NRSV)
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to him, and be radiant,
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord
and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
“Dayton” (“Where Charity and Love Prevail”)
Where charity and love prevail there God is ever found;
brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound.
With grateful joy and holy fear true charity we learn.
Let us with heart and mind and strength now love Christ in return.
Forgive we now each other's faults as we our faults confess,
and let us love each other well in Christian holiness.
Let us recall that in our midst dwells God's begotten Son.
As members of his body joined, we are in Christ made one.
Love can exclude no race or creed if honored be God's name.
Our common life embraces all whose maker is the same.
SCRIPTURE READING
Alexis Owens and Roy Nelson
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
(NRSV & The Message)
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.
What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.
Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice,
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.
32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.
2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
“Lorem Ipsum”
Chris Zepp
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are some of your “Lorem Ipsums” - placeholders in conversation or relationships that fill the spaces where authentic interactions could take place? How do they serve you well? Do they ever become impediments to your emotional or spiritual growth?
Have you ever had an experience like I did at National Youth Conference? A time when a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger really took the time to speak the truth in love – gently pushing through the BS we use to avoid an authentic encounter, and in the process embodied God’s love to you?
We can’t do love alone. But what do we do when love for another is hard? How do we live in love with others who do not reciprocate, or those who wish us harm? How do we speak the truth in love with those with whom we deeply disagree? What does it mean to imitate God - and God’s love - with those who don’t love us (and/or don’t love God)?
Prayer
~Feasting on the Word, Worship Companion, adapted
“Kingsfold” (“I heard the voice of Jesus say”)
~Horatius Bonar/Irish Folk Melody
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest.
Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad.
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give
The living water, thirsty one; stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light.
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my star, my sun,
And in that light of life I'll walk till trav'ling days are done.
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!
TODAY - FINAL Summer
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!
Sunday, August 11 - Hillandale Park Loop
We will head over to Hillandale immediately after worship to get a change of scenery and spend some time together outside and moving our bodies walking the the 1.4 mile loop. Great for Kids! Lead by Alexis.
Summer “Sittings”
6-8 pm Every Wednesday Night
Pale Fire Brewery, Lower Patio (inside if rain)
Through September 11
We have been LOVING hanging out with you all each week. If you have not made it to one of the Sittings yet we highly encourage you to join us! This is an awesome time of connection, contemplation, and getting to know each other a little bit better! There is no “agenda” - just openness, availability, and community :-)
Feel free to bring dinner with you, eat before you come, OR purchase dinner 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!
Don’t already know about The Sitting? 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. Everyone is invited to join Alexis and/or Chris at Pale Fire on Wednesday nights throughout the summer. We meet outside on the lower patio (or inside in the event of rain) so we can enjoy the music of the Harrisonburg Summer Concerts next door at Turner Pavilion (Information about the concert series can be found HERE.) 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!
One More Summer
GaME Night
Thursday, August 15 - 6 pm, Brother’s Brewery.
Our 3rd and final game night of the summer will be on Thursday August 15th at Brothers Craft Brewery! Feel free to bring a friend, your favorite game, and any food/sharing snacks as you wish! (Drinks are of course available for purchase :-)
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 & Parting Blessing
“Nothing Without Love”
~Michael Stern
If I have eloquence & power
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have beauty like a flower
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have faith that can move mountains
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have knowledge flowing fountains
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
If I have courage facing fire
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Or sacrifice all I desire
It’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Love is patient, love is kind
Love remembers those left behind
Love is not jealous or conceited
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Even in death is not defeated
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
Love is patient, love is kind
Love remembers those left behind
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
There’s nothing without love, nothing without love
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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Requests for care and/or prayer can be sent via e-mail to cares@riseharrisonburg.org, texted to 833-803-0868, or submitted online via our RISE Cares form.