September 22, 2024
Words of greeting
Alexis Ward Owens
Welcoming Statement
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
Psalm 1 (CEB)
1 The truly happy person
doesn’t follow wicked advice,
doesn’t stand on the road of sinners,
and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful.2 Instead of doing those things,
these persons love the Lord’s Instruction,
and they recite God’s Instruction day and night!3 They are like a tree replanted by streams of water,
which bears fruit at just the right time
and whose leaves don’t fade.
Whatever they do succeeds.4 That’s not true for the wicked!
They are like dust that the wind blows away.5 And that’s why the wicked will have no standing in the court of justice—
neither will sinners
in the assembly of the righteous.
6 The Lord is intimately acquainted
with the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked is destroyed.
Opening Music
Brent Holl
“For the beauty of the eartH”
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light, Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight, for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight Lord of all to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild. Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For thy Church that evermore Lift-eth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
“STAY TRUE”
Chorus
Stay true to your soul, stay true Stay true to your soul, stay true
Stay true, stay it through,
Stay true to your soul, stay true ....
Stay true to justice and try to stand your ground
In this world of oppression and violence all around
You know there’s strength in many numbers
But there’s strength in just a few
Stay true to you
Chorus
Stay true to helping the stranger in need
Stay true while waiting just like a mustard seed Help us stay true to other’s
And no matter what we do
Stay true to you
Chorus
Stay true to freedom the truth will set us free
Stay true to loving that’s how we want to be
Help us stay true to neighbors no matter where they be Stay true to thee
Chorus
And you know there’s gods of deterrence and gods of gold Gods of selfish ego and gods of power untold
Stay true to the God of mercy, justice and peace
Stay true to thee
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 31:10-31 (CEB)
“The competent wife
10 A competent wife, how does one find her?
Her value is far above pearls.
11 Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
and with her he will have all he needs.12 She brings him good and not trouble
all the days of her life.13 She seeks out wool and flax;
she works joyfully with her hands.14 She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
bringing food from a distance.
15 She gets up while it is still night,
providing food for her household,
even some for her female servants.16 She surveys a field and acquires it;
from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.17 She works energetically;
her arms are powerful.18 She realizes that her trading is successful;
she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.19 She puts her hands to the spindle;
her palms grasp the whorl.20 She reaches out to the needy;
she stretches out her hands to the poor.21 She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
because they are all dressed in warm[a] clothes.22 She makes bedspreads for herself;
fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates
when he sits with the elders of the land.24 She makes garments and sells them;
she supplies sashes to traders.25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
she is confident about the future.26 Her mouth is full of wisdom;
kindly teaching is on her tongue.
27 She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.28 Her children bless her;
her husband praises her.29 “Many women act competently,
but you surpass them all!”30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31 Let her share in the results of her work;
let her deeds praise her in the city gates.”
THEOLOGICAL Reflection
Alexis Ward Owens
“That’s What It’s All About!”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If this scripture is in fact the ultimate journey towards seeking wisdom, using women as the personification of the destination, what do you think it implies as the responsibility of men and husbands?
This passage is often used to perpetuate the cycle of patriarchy and subservient wives, do you think that this would differ if it were written about a man? Have someone in your group read through the first few verses again out loud using husband - he/him language and see how the scripture shifts.
Share a story of someone you would consider a “wisdom woman” in your life.
prayer
Alexis Ward Owens
SONG
“TAKE ME TO THE WATER”
Take me to the water
Take me to the water
Take me to the water, to be baptized.
None but the righteous
None but the righteous
None but the righteous, shall see God.
I love Jesus
I love Jesus
I love Jesus, yes I do.
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus, we shall be saved.
I know I got religion
I know I got religion
I know I got religion, yes I do.
Glory, hallelujah
Glory, hallelujah
Glory, hallelujah, to be baptized.
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!
Craft ‘n’ Chat
6-8 pm Tuesday Evenings
James Madison University
Gabbin Hall, Room 0204
Join RISE on campus for evenings of crafting together and conversation about life and maintaining balance in a chaotic world. Feel free to bring any projects you’re already working on, but craft supplies will also be provided!
Contact Alexis or Sheridan for more info and/or directions.
The Sitting
6-8 pm Wednesday Nights
Brothers Craft Brewery
We have loved hanging out on the patio at Pale Fire this summer and listening to the summer concerts across the street! But with the fall upon us, it’s time for a change. So this week we’re heading to Brothers Craft Brewery! 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 bring dinner with you!
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 on Wednesday nights - Whether you have some burning theological questions or you just want to hang out and enjoy some time with friends, we’ll be there and happy to chat!
RISE GROUP OPTIONS SURVEY
We are actively considering planning some group options for the next several months at RISE and are seeking community input so that we can try to offer programming that best meets your needs & desires at the most accessible time(s). Please take a few moments to complete our short "Group Options Survey" at the link below to let us know what you are looking for!
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
“There’ll be joy joy joy”
There'll be joy joy joy up in my father's house Up in my Father’s House, up in my father’s house
There'll be joy joy joy up in my father's house Where there’s Peace, sweet Peace.
We'll be happy there up in my fathers house
Don't you want to go up there to my father's house!
There'll be no drunkards there up in my father's house! We'll all be as one up in my father's house
Parting Blessing
An excerpt from the speech Malala gave to the UN on her 16th birthday:
“So here I stand, one girl among many. I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.”
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.