August 13, 2023

WORDS OF GREETING AND NOMOFOMO

Alexis Owens

  • Two RISE Events THIS WEEK!

    • RISE Together at the Harrisonburg Summer Concert Series - This Wednesday, August 16, 6-8 pm at Turner Pavilion
      Join with RISE friends for a great night of free music, conveniently playing right across the street from our Homebase, featuring Twisted Pine, and Indie Folk / Jazz / Bluegrass group touted as “A lively grab bag of star players making music described as sheer pop glory, funky all day grooves, and spacecraft sonics.” The 2023 Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series features an exciting line-up all summer long on Wednesday evenings. More info on the full line-up can be found here: https://downtownharrisonburg.org/levitt-amp-harrisonburg/

    • The Hungry Games - Saturday, August 19, 6 pm at the home of the Zepps
      Bring a favorite snack to share, and come to the home of Chris and Amanda Zepp in Bridgewater for a night of fellowship, food, and fun. The game(s) we play will be decided that night, so feel free to bring a favorite to share as well! Contact Chris (communications@riseharrisonburg.com) or DM us if you need the address or with any questions.

  • COMMUNITY CREATION CARE OPPORTUNITY:

    (RISE is looking for someone to be our "champion" in this effort (below) and to keep us informed and connected with ways that we can help.  Please contact Chris if this is something in which you would be interested and/or passionate about!)

    The Otterbein United Methodist Church Creation Care Task Force (CCTF) invites you to attend a brainstorming session on August 24 at 4:30pm at Otterbein UMC (176 W. Market St) to discuss ways that we as faith-based institutions can make tangible and traceable changes that will positively impact the environment at the local level. There are several groups already that work toward this goal in the Shenandoah Valley, and our goal is to bring awareness to those groups, supplement those groups, and work together for a greater good in our community. Examples of items we will be discussing include different communications with our congregations about environmental-friendly practices, active recycling and compost programs at our institutions, and local policies that we might be interested in supporting. Please RSVP to Sarah Macomber at wilso3se@gmail.com before Monday, August 21st so that we can plan accordingly for space needs.

  • Know any students who will be starting at one of our Harrisonburg area colleges or universities this Fall? Consider helping them to connect with RISE by sharing their name(s) and/or contact info with us. We would be happy to reach out - We LOVE to connect with new students!! Email us, call us, text us, tell us in person, or even better, take a moment to fill out this short form to let us know a little about them: https://forms.gle/rAUDR1QMMS2UfsUJ6

  • We’ll be gathering for worship on Sunday mornings at 10ish 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 and text line for updates - any day-of weather related calls will be made by 9 am)

  • If you would like to connect more deeply with RISE, you can start by submitting this short form to Get Connected!

  • Sign up for texting services:

    • 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

reflectionS on the arboretum/nature/time spent together

PSALM 148

"Hallelujah!
Praise God from heaven,
    praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
    praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
    praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
    he spoke the word, and there they were!

He set them in place
    from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
    and that’s it!

Praise God from earth,
    you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
    hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
    apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
    snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth’s kings and all races,
    leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
    and yes, graybeards and little children.

Let them praise the name of God—
    it’s the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
    he’s built a monument—his very own people!

Praise from all who love God!
    Israel’s children, intimate friends of God.
Hallelujah!"

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND CONVERSATION:

(Groups of 3-4)

  • How do you connect with your creator?

  • When and where do you feel most in touch with your creator? 

  • It is easy to say that God is king of all kings so forget your worries and worship his name! But what does it truly look and feel like for you, to turn your eyes away from the stress and pressure of life and refocus and re-engage in your faith life?

  • How can we move into this next week and remember to connect with God in the little ways? 

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.

REPEAT FROM TOP

FINAL BLESSING

~Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you, 
may the wind be always at your back, 
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon your fields, 
and until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the palm of his hands…

REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!