October 29, 2023

Words of Greeting

WELCOMING STATEMENT

Roy Nelson

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.

Ode to Amanda

Abby Dotson and Alexis Owens

NomoFomo

  • WE ARE STILL 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.

  • BRUNCH CHURCH - NEXT SUNDAY, November 5. Consider bringing some food to share that represents a family tradition or connects your to your ancestors. CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU PLAN TO BRING

  • UPCOMING EVENTS:

    • OUR OWN DEEP WELLS: A movement dedicated to adapting communal and individual soulful practices to build mental and emotional resilience - EMU November 10-11, 2023
      A 24 hour retreat for area college students, young adults, student life professionals, etc that welcomes you to slow down, explore the soulful practices that are helping you survive and thrive, and sit with others who may be called to lead, share, or experience soulful practices in community. For full details and registration info, click HERE. Contact Pastor Amanda (ajmgarber@gmail.com) with any questions.

  • HARDLY CHRISTIAN PODCAST COMING (VERY!) SOON!
    We are so excited to announce our new podcast - “Hardly Christian!” In this podcast, a host will be joined by a few guests and spend about 30 minutes per episode discussing listener questions about theology, God, church, etc. with as much raw honesty as possible. We know that in many faith circles, expressing ideas or feelings contrary to traditional beliefs is seen as shameful or even heretical, but we believe that the most faithful thing we can do is lean in and provide space for those conversations without shame or notions of the “right answer”. We’d love for you to tune in! Find out more on facebook and instagram @hardlychristian. We plan to publish the first episode THIS WEEK on October 31st -Reformation Day.

We are always looking for persons willing to volunteer to assist and support our worship gatherings. If you’d be willing to volunteer to help, please sign up on this doc for the role and the date(s) of your choosing: Worship Volunteer Schedule.

  • 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!

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!

OPENING PRAYER

Pastor Amanda Miller Garber

THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

“Holy Play, Batman!”

Reflection Panel Discussion: Amanda Miller Garber and Adam King

The Struggle Bus Vision

Abby Dotson and Amanda Miller Garber

“The Work of the People”

PLAY!!!

  • Board Games

  • Art/Coloring/Collage/Play Dough

  • Building - Blocks/Legos

  • Outdoor: balls and lawn games

  • Charades/Heads Up

  • Imaginative - Skits and Dress up

Reflections on Play

  • What did you notice about yourself and others as you played?

  • What happened in your body/spirit?

  • Did framing play as a holy activity change things for you? How?

  • How can play be prayer?

  • What was meaningful about this to you?

FINAL BLESSING

Sheridan Horne

May you go into the day like a child!
Seeing the world with wonder, awe, and curiosity.
May you embrace play as a form of prayer and through play, connect more deeply with your playful Creator.
Go in peace and child-like wonder.

Amen.

REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!