November 19, 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.
OPENING MUSIC
Will & Friends
“Come Thou Fount”
Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer,
hither by thy help I’m come
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wand’ring from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.
“Brother”
Ramblers in the wilderness, We can't find what we need
We get a little restless from the searching,
Get a little worn down in between
Like a bull chasing the matador, Is the man left to his own schemes
Everybody needs someone beside 'em,
Shining like a lighthouse from the sea
CHORUS:
Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call, When you're low
Brother, let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way, Bring you home
Face down in the desert now
There's a cage locked around my heart
I found a way to drop the keys where my failures were
Now my hands can't reach that far
I ain't made for a rivalry I could never take the world alone
I know that in my weakness I am strong
But it's your love that brings me home
CHORUS
And when you call And need me near
Sayin' where'd you go? Brother, I'm right here
And on those days When the sky begins to fall
You're the blood of my blood We can get through it all
CHORUS x2
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
OPENING PRAYER
Sheridan Horne
THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
“FAM - Not Your Typical Family Series”
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
“THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE”
TABLE DISCUSSIONS AND FACEBOOK LIVE CHAT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Think about the two stories we’ve explored over the last two weeks (Jacob and Esau and the story of Joseph). If you could ask any of the characters a question, who would it be, and what would you ask? Is there anyone you can relate to in these stories?
What are some patterns that you see in your own family system (that seem to live on from generation to generation)? Do you believe that things can change in families over time? Why or why not?
What does this story teach us about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation in families? Have you ever seen forgiveness and reconciliation transform a family?
What is your “so what …” from today? What insight or challenge will you take with you today?
COMMUNION
Servers: Sara Davis and kids
SONG DURING COMMUNION
Will & Friends
“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
OFFERING AND NOMOFOMO
COMMUNITY THANKFULNESS EVENT - Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S. Main Street, Hburg), Monday, November 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Sponsored by the Interfaith Association of Harrisonburg Rockingham, we are coming together with thankfulness for the Interfaith relations in the Harrisonburg Rockingham communities. This event is free and open to the public, with a freewill donation in celebration of IFA HR's 40th Anniversary.
HARDLY CHRISTIAN PODCAST
Episode 2 - "What Are Your Thoughts On Heaven And Hell?" - is now live!
PLEASE HELP WITH WORSHIP! 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 (read, provide food, set-up, serve communion, clean-up run tech, etc) 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
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.
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!
CLOSING SONG
Will & Friends
“Home”
Hold on to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
Although this weight is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cuz I’m gonna make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home
Ohhh Ohhhh Ohhhh x3
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble, it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm gonna make this place your home
Ohhh Ohhhh Ohhhh x3
FINAL BLESSING
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where
there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessing, challenges, truth,
and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.