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A gift of time: Pastor Billy’s reflections on his summer sabbatical
Associate Pastor Billy Craig recently returned from a three-month, summer sabbatical when he could rest and study. We asked him about his time and how it has fueled his ministry going forward. How did you pursue rest and refreshment during your sabbatical? Stepping...
Blog Archive
New discipleship opportunities for October and November
We hope by now you have plugged in to one of our Sunday morning discipleship opportunities to fuel your growth in Jesus. If you haven’t don’t worry: you can join up anytime. Starting Oct. 8, we have some new short-term, seasonal options to add to our longer-term...
How to pray for college students
Lia Gonzalez, one of our covenant partners who is in college, wanted to encourage us with some idea for prayers for college students. Here's what she wrote. Christian college students face unique challenges that require unique prayers. Not only do they have to adjust...
Modgnik recap: Relationships & Jesus
A group of 14 middle-schoolers recently attended Modgnik, a retreat that helps students discover how Jesus' kingdom is different than the ways of the world. Kathryn Hendricksen, one of the parents who mentored the 10 girls during the weekend, sent us this reflection...
The good news in just 5 words
When it comes to telling others about Jesus, we often make it harder than it really is. What if it wasn't so complicated after all? And what if one of the most unlikely people in the Bible shows us the way? If we head to Jesus' tomb on the day of His resurrection, as...
Slideshow: Downtown Harrisonburg’s Block Party in the Burg
One of the highlights of back-to-school time in Harrisonburg is welcoming JMU students to our downtown neighborhood at Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's Block Party in the Burg. The event brings new students downtown to check out all that our city center has to...
Check out these fall youth opportunities
It's time for our regular youth programs to get started again at First Pres. Here are some highlights. Sunday Morning Discipleship Starting, on Sunday, Aug. 27, our discipleship groups and Sunday school classes are back between the worship services (10:15-11 a.m.)....
What we’re praying for the new school year
God, we acknowledge that your Word is correct when it says that true wisdom comes from knowing you. So we pray that our children would not just accumulate facts as they learn. In their learning, let them see the Source of all that they learn: that you alone are God...
The purpose of the Christian life: Be with Jesus
I’ve been thinking about the end, or purpose, of the Christian life and think it can be summed up as being with Jesus, knowing Jesus and doing what Jesus does. Over the next few weeks, I want to look at each of these starting with being with Jesus. Jesus died to save...
Grow update: Construction starting soon
When we launched the Grow initiative in the spring, we set out on a mission to increase our love for those who don't know Jesus and to find ways to strengthen some of our ministries. Here are some updates on where we are with a few of the initiative's goals. Your...
Slideshow: Stellar Summer JAM Camp
Stellar Summer JAM Camp showed kids ways they can shine Jesus' light to the people they know. The week includes lots of music, games, Bible lessons and art, all with this message: Shine for Jesus everyday! Here are a few scenes from the week. [gallery size="medium"...