October 1, 2023


WORDS OF GREETING AND NomoFomo

  • The KidZone is open today, but unstaffed
    Kids are welcome to come to the Kidzone, but parents and guardians will need to take responsibility for their own throughout the morning.

  • Plan to stay after worship today for a brief meeting to affirm Alexis for Ministry
    We've done it again! Our amazing MOO, Alexis Owens, has discerned that the time is right to explore credentialed ministry in the UMC! She has now officially begun that process and we need to have an official RISE meeting to affirm and approve her candidacy. So if possible, please plan to stay after worship for a brief meeting. We will just stick around the University Commons (the old Common Grounds space) after worship - everyone is welcome and the entire meeting should last no more than 15-20 minutes. Cheers Alexis!

  • Blessing of the Animals - October 4, 5:30 pm
    Bring your pets and beloved animal friends to Hillandale Park, shelter #11 (at the end of the loop) next Wednesday evening for a service of blessing sponsored by RISE along with Muhlenberg Lutheran, Park View Mennonite, Shalom Mennonite, and Trinity Presbyterian.

  • WE ARE HIRING A KIDZONE COORDINATOR! Thanks to a very generous donor, RISE is now able to hire someone to staff and coordinate our KidZone during Sunday morning worship! The RISE KidZone Coordinator will serve the RISE community by providing nurture, supervision, and care to the young children of the worshiping community. While providing primary staff coverage for the KidZone during RISE worship gathering is the foremost responsibility of this position, scheduling and managing additional volunteers for the KidZone (at least one per week) is also expected. Time commitment will be 3-4 hours per week - primarily 9:30 -noon on Sunday mornings - and pay is $50/week. This position is open effective immediately, and interviews will be held on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If interested in the position (or if you know of someone who might be), contact Chris Zepp, Minister of Care and Communications (cares@riseharrisonburg.com) to request a full position description.

  • We are always looking for persons willing to volunteer to assist and support our worship gatherings. If you’d be willing to help with set up/clean up, offering rides, providing a light breakfast, participating in the service, helping with music or the arts, etc, etc please let us know by filling out this short form: Worship Support Team Response.

  • Have a musical talent? Wanna just shake a box of cereal or hit a tambourine? Join the music team!! Will is looking for folks to help grow our music ministry. Talk to him after service today or find any RISE leader and let them know and we will get you connected.

  • 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 (Facebook & Instagram) and our website for all updates and information!


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

Will Stutzman and Allison Garcia

“Guide my Feet”

Guide my feet while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

Hold my hand while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Hold my hand while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Hold my hand while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

Stand by me while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Stand by me while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Stand by me while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

I’m your child while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
I’m your child while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
I’m your child while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

Guide my feet while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race (yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race,
for I don’t want to run this race in vain! (race in vain!)

“The Heart of Worship”

When the music fades all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

PRE-CHORUS:
I’ll bring You more than a song for a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

CHORUS:
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You all about You Jesus
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You all about You Jesus

King of endless worth no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor all I have is Yours
Ev’ry single breath

PRE-CHORUS

CHORUS (x2)


Opening Prayer

JK Ancell


Scripture Reading

Acts 2: 5-11 (CEB)

There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!”


Theological Exploration

“The Beauty and Challenge of Them”

Reflection Panel Discussion: Adam King (moderator), Amanda Miller Garber, Chris Zepp

TEXT YOUR THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS TO 833-803-0868


“The Work of the People”

Table Discussions and FACEBOOK Live Chat Discussion Questions

  1. What during this conversation made you curious?

  2. What’s one thing you’ll take with you today?


COMMUNION

Pastor Amanda Miller Garber

Servers: Eleanor Baker & Daniel Green

SONG DURING COMMUNION

Will Stutzman and Allison Garcia

“Brother”

When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)

Forgiveness is the garment of our courage
The power to make the peace we long to know
Open up our eyes to see the wounds that bind
All of humankind may our shutter greet the dawn of life
With charity and love

When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)

I see my brother
I see my sister
I see my father
I see my mother

When I look into the face of my enemy
I see my brother
I see my brother
(Repeat 3x)


Offering

Alexis Owens


Closing SONG

Will Stutzman and Allison Garcia

“Lord I Need You”

Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

CHORUS:
Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

CHORUS

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

CHORUS


FINAL BLESSING

Caroline Palmore

May the God who created a world of diversity and vibrancy,
Go with us as we embrace life in all its fullness.

May Jesus,  who teaches us to care for strangers and foreigners,
Go with us as we try to be good neighbors in our communities.

May the Spirit who breaks down our barriers and celebrates community,
Go with us as we find the courage to create a place of welcome for all.

~Clare McBeath and Tim Presswood


REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!