December 3, 2023
“Not at Home”
WORDS OF GREETING
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
WELCOMING STATEMENT
Abby Dotson
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.
BRUNCH TIME!
OPENING MUSIC
Will & Friends
“FOR WE ARE STRANGERS NO MORE”
CHORUS:
For we are
Strangers no more, but members of one family;
Strangers no more, but part of one humanity;
Strangers no more, we’re neighbors to each other now;
Strangers no more, we’re bound to one another now.
Come walk with me, we’ll worship God together,
As we join song to song, and prayer to prayer.
Come, take my hand, and we will work together
by lifting all the burdens we can share.
CHORUS
Where diff’ring cultures meet, we’ll serve together.
Where hatred rages, we will strive for peace.
Come, take my hand, and we will pray together that justice
Come, and strife and warfare cease.
CHORUS
“AWAKE MY SOUL”
~Mumford & Sons
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
My weakness I feel I must finally show
Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
And where you invest your love, you invest your life
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
Awake my soul
For you were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker
Advent REFLECTIONS
Daniel Green
Personal Sharing and Prayer
Lighting the First Advent Candle
“O COME, O COME, IMMANUEL”
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
REFRAIN:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION
A quick “fly over” of the meaning of Advent
Apocalyptic literature (general)
Apocalyptic literature in the Bible
Gospel Lectionary text for the first Sunday of Advent (There’s also one from Isaiah 64 that’s a lectionary reading for today - that’s pretty wild too!)
Mark 13 (selected verses)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; 25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
32 “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son —but only the Father.
33 “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
34 “It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. 35 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. 36 Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”
That’s quite the Christmas card image!
So what are we supposed to do with this, and what in the French toast does it have to do with “home?”
“THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE”
TABLE AND LIVE CHAT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What is your experience of apocalyptic literature (biblical or non-biblical)? What memories or emotions does it evoke in you?
Name some typical images of “home” that often are comforting. When you think of “home,” what images or metaphors come to mind?
Share about a time when you felt far from home. What images, sensory experiences or memories of home have comforted you in your life?
Why might apocalyptic literature seem comforting to people who were far from home or homesick? (And maybe not so comforting to those who already are “comfortable …”)
How might you experience apocalyptic literature and stories differently in the future? Are you reimagining your Christmas cards (or posts) now?
COMMUNION
Pastor Amanda Miller Garber
Servers: Jennifer and Jennine Wood
SONG DURING COMMUNION
Will & Friends
“CROWDED TABLE”
You can hold my hand, when you need to let go
I can be your mountain, when you’re feeling valley low
I can be your streetlight, showing you the way home
If you can hold my hand, when you need to let go
CHORUS:
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seeds
Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep
If it’s love that we give, then it’s love that we reap
If we want a garden, we’re gonna have to sow the seed
CHORUS
The door is always open
Your picture’s on my wall
Everyone’s a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, Everyone belongs
CHORUS
OFFERING AND NOMOFOMO
CHAT WITH AUTHOR ALLISON GARCIA
Immediately following worship today we will be hosting our very own guest author Allison Garcia for a chat about her writing work!
She will be sharing stories and anecdotes about her Queer Christian Fiction Series.
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!
Items can be dropped at Rocktown Counseling, Mountainside Chiropractic, or brought to Sunday Morning Worship through the New Year
Items Needed:
Toilet Paper
Diapers (sizes 1-5) and Baby Wipes
Shampoo and Bar Soap
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Deodorant
Feminine Hygiene pads
Disposable Razors and Shaving Cream
Antibiotic Ointment
Q-tips
Bandaids and First Aid Kits
Lotion
It’s that time of year when a bit of nostalgia sets in for many of us. We start to envision idyllic scenes with snowflakes, roasting chestnuts and warm woolen mittens. Our minds wander to cozy places that seem *almost* perfect. We say *almost* because there’s one thing that could make your nostalgic winter scene just a little bit better. A tiny bit more wondrous. A wee bit more … magical. What is that one thing, you ask?
SNOW GREAT CHRISTMAS CAROLS FROM RISE!
That’s right, friends. It’s time to let RISE remove some of that holiday stress from your life. We can provide a once in a lifetime experience for your friends and loved ones (it might even move them to tears … and hopefully in a good way). We will dress festively and ensure that your special someone’s Christmas season is more merry and memorable.
Here’s how you order (hopefully several) snow great Christmas carol(s):
Fill out the carol request form HERE. You choose your recipient and when you’d like your virtual carol delivered. You’ll also be able to choose your favorite holiday song (or let us choose it for you). If you’re not into traditional holiday music, that’s ok. We’re open to performing show tunes and hip hop, too, if that’s your thing. We will email or text the carol to your recipients, and they will repeatedly tell the story of the best Christmas gift ever.
We kindly request a donation of at least $50 per virtual Christmas carol (more is appreciated, and generosity encourages us to bring our absolute best to the performance ;-).
If you’d like to select a certain individual to perform your carol, we will do our best to accommodate that request. We request an extra suggested donation of 15 dollars per carol (your requested person can be a RISE leader or someone else of your choosing).
If you’d like us to offer a spoken message or greeting in addition to performing the carol, you can indicate that on the form. We will gladly share that message on the video for an additional suggested donation of 15 dollars.
The fun begins NOW and will last through the end of the year. Please help RISE finish 2023 in a financially healthy place and help us continue mending God’s creation together! Spread some holiday cheer - it’ll be so great! And here’s some more good news - your suggested donations are tax deductible! Woo hoooo!
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!
You might also consider:
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.
Happy Trails Will!
Today we say goodbye to our Music and Arts Coordinator, Will Stutzman. Will is moving to DC to take a job in the theatre industry. He will be working as an audio engineer, specifically managing microphones and making sure actors are wearing them correctly. He is sad to leave but excited to get started!
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
Abby Dotson
Today, on this first Sunday of Advent,
We begin our journey.
This is a journey of searching,
A journey of longing and yearning,
A journey of uncertainty and waiting,
A journey where we risk hoping … again and again.
May we journey with expectation.
May we journey together, remembering that we are not alone.
And may God’s presence surround us as we journey into the heart of the Divine - our one true home.
Amen.