November 6, 2022

 

Nomofomo

  • Ask Us Anything - Next Tuesday, November 15th, 7 - 8:30 pm - Taylor Down Under on the JMU Campus
    Do you have questions about life, faith and the meaning of it all? If so, you’re not alone! Many of us wrestle with big questions and long for a chance to ask them in a safe, shame-free space. Ask Us Anything will offer safe space to ask your questions and hear from three area clergy persons from various faith traditions. While they will not claim to have “answers,” they will do their best to offer thoughtful and authentic responses to your questions. A virtual option will be offered, but we encourage you to come and join us in person if possible. We hope to see you there!

  • 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.

  • Connect:

    • 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!

Opening Song

Adam King

“Amazing Grace”

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
T’was grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun

Theological Reflection

Adam King
Amanda Miller Garber

Luke 15:11-32

11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.

14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”

  • This is one of the most familiar parables in the Bible. Why do you think that’s the case? Why does it resonate with folks so much and why is timeless?

  • Why won’t Jesus stop talking? How does he put the grumblers in the story?

  • How did Jesus want those listening to hear themselves in the story? How does he want us to hear ourselves in the story?

  • Why do you think the younger brother made these choices? (Let’s examine the motives of both brothers)?

  • Does this story give us permission to make choices that are potentially devastating for others … and then get rewarded? Is this really what grace is? Why even try to live well?

  • How does this connect to all saints day?

TEXT YOUR questions to 833-803-0868

COMMUNION

SONG

“For All The Saints”

~Dan Haseltine

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But, lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Final BLESSING

Abby Dotson

Beloved people of God, 
trust that the Holy One still forms saints. 
They might be standing next to you. 
They might just be you.
Trust that God has formed your life to be part of something larger than you could possibly imagine. 
So go, remembering that God is calling you to bring good news into the world. 

Amen.