August 18, 2024
WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING
Alexis Ward 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 Music
Brent Holl
“Welcome Table”
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
You’ve got a place at the welcome table,
Some of these days, Hallelujah!
You’ve got a place at the welcome table
You’ve got a place at the welcome table Some of these days
We’re gonna feast on milk and honey.
We’ll give thanks at the welcome table
We’ll come home to the welcome table
I’m goin’ down to the river of Jordan I’m gonna sit down with my Jesus
I’m gonna sing in the heavenly choir. I’m gonna eat at the welcome table.
“Ye Followers of the Lamb ”
O brethren ain't you happy, ye followers of the Lamb?
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel,
sing on, dance on, ye followers of the Lamb.
O sisters, ain't you happy, ye followers of the lamb?
O, I'm glad I am a Christian, ye followers of the Lamb,
O, I mean to be obedient, ye followers of the Lamb.
SCRIPTURE READING
Seth Owens
John 6:51-58 (CEB)
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 Then the Jews debated among themselves, asking, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Human One and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
“Feasting on Flesh”
Alexis Ward Owens
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite story, fantasy, or lore? Have you ever thought about or are you able to draw any spiritual parallels between the teachings of the bible (or another religious text) and the story?
Are there people out there who are too uncomfortable with the juxtaposition of that story to allow themselves to think of it as a spiritual tale? Why do you think that is?
Have you ever consciously experienced this full cycle belief? Where you fed your spiritual soul and then were able to (maybe even subconsciously) live out your faith physically? OR vice versa, had a physical experience that led to a spiritual connection with your creator?
prayer
Song
“three gates to the city”
Oh! What a beautiful city! Oh! What a beautiful city! Oh! What a beautiful city! Twelve gates to the city Hallelu!
Three gates in the east
Three gates in the west
Three gates in the north
Three gates in the south
Making it twelve gates to the city Hallelu!
My Lord built-that city
Said it was just four square Wanted all sinners
To meet Him in the air
Cause He built twelve gates to the city
Hallelu!
Who are all those children All dressed in white? They must be the children Of the Israelites
Cause He built twelve gates to city
Who are all those children All dressed in red?
They must be the children That Moses led
The Lord built twelve gates to city
Hallelu!
When I get to Heaven
I’m gonna sing and shout
Ain’t nobody up there
Gonna put me out
‘Cause He built twelve gates to city
Hallelu!
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!
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!
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
“Let Me Be This Little Light ”
This Little light of mine... I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? *NO!* I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Won’t let anyone blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
All through the night, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Let me be a light for Hope
Let me be a light for Peace
From the seas below to the skies above Let me be a light for Love.
Parting Blessing
Psalm 34:9-14 (CEB)
9 You who are the Lord’s holy ones, honor him,
because those who honor him don’t lack a thing.
10 Even strong young lions go without and get hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, children, listen to me.
Let me teach you how to honor the Lord:
12 Do you love life;
do you relish the chance to enjoy good things?
13 Then you must keep your tongue from evil
and keep your lips from speaking lies!
14 Turn away from evil! Do good!
Seek peace and go after it!
Always remember that you are a gift, so go and be a gift! Have a great week friends!
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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