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Q&A: Ash Wednesday & Lent
We begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Get to know the season with this Q&A. Q: What is Ash Wednesday? A: Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a season of preparation for Easter. It is marked six weeks prior to Easter. It is marked by services...
Blog Archive
Photos: Lego Night at First Pres
A group of children, youth and adults gathered to connect and build community (see what we did there?) at what we hope will become an annual event. Here are some photo highlights.
11 books to help you see God’s heart for the nations
God loves the nations, and His heart is clear when Jesus tells us we are to "go into all the world" and tell others about Jesus. But how? Here are some resources in the First Pres library that may help you embrace God's mission in the world. "Is the Commission Still...
New additions to the church library
Before Ellen Campbell died in December, she donated eight books to the church library. We have placed them on display in her memory. You are welcome to check them out. Here are the books: The Bible Jesus Read: Why the Old Testament Matters by Philip Yancey Writing...
New year, new day, new mercies
Often with the new year we look toward some kind of fresh start but the good news for us as Christians is we don’t have to wait for a new year. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning, so we can start again today – even if you have...
12 Books to deepen your faith in 2025: Take the challenge!
Are you busy thinking about the hope and promise that a new year holds? Are you planning for ways that you can challenge yourself and grow in 2025? How about reading? Whether you're an avid reader or an "I never read" kind of reader, the Adult Discipleship committee...
Isaiah 117 House helps defend the fatherless
Isaiah 117, a national ministry that has recently gotten a local chapter, is First Pres' local missions focus in December. We want you to know more about the group, and on the final Sunday of the month you can contribute to its work during our missions offering. We...
Photos: Live Nativity in downtown Harrisonburg
Here are some scenes from the Live Nativity at the First Pres Courtyard in downtown Harrisonburg. We enjoyed meeting so many of our neighbors as we celebrate Christmas together. Special thanks to the Pugh family and the Hannah family, whose contributions in memory of...
Honoring a Bright Light: The Story Behind the New Star at First Pres’ Live Nativity
During First Pres’ live nativity last year, Wayne Hannah noticed a missing “character.” The wise men were there, and the shepherds, and of course Mary and Joseph and a baby doll for Jesus. But above them? No star. So Wayne got to work designing one with the help of...
Photos: Music Sunday and cookies kick off Advent and Christmas at First Pres
One of our traditions to start the Advent and Christmas season at First Pres is by holding our most musical (and sweet) Sunday of the year. On Music Sunday, we hear the Christmas story in music and scripture. Between the two services, we enjoy Christmas cookies...
Mission team brings hope and healing to flood-stricken North Carolina
As floodwaters rose, an elderly man near Hendersonville, North Carolina, carried his wheelchair-bound wife through waist-deep waters and placed her in a canoe with neighbors. He returned to his flooded house and clung to life until the water began to recede. For the...