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High school students serve Kermit, West Virginia, during mission trip
A group of high-school students from First Pres recently returned from a week in Kermit, West Virginia, where they participated in numerous service projects with Christian Help Mingo, which serves the low- to no-income population in the heart of Appalachia,...
Blog Archive
Changing perspectives on God’s global work
First Pres recently hosted Perspectives, which brought together Christ-followers from a number of local churches to learn about what God is doing around the world and how we can join that work. We asked one of the participants, Laura Atkins, about the experience. What...
Summer Cookout photo gallery
The First Pres family kicked off summer with our annual cookout on Court Square, with games in the Courtyard and lots of food and conversation. Here are some scenes from the cookout. Hover over the photos and use the arrows to scroll through.
Starting this fall, a new opportunity for worship
We want to make more room for God’s family to grow in depth and in number here at First Pres, so the elders have unanimously voted to add an additional worship opportunity on Sunday mornings starting in August. Starting Aug. 25, a contemporary service will be offered...
Inspiring biographies to help us persevere in faith
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of...
How a First Pres couple is serving Cubans
Covenant Partners Patrick and Amy Werner continue their work serving the people of Cuba, with their latest trip focusing on helping a cancer ministry and encouraging pastors. Here are some highlights of what they did while in Cuba. (They plan to share more details at...
Photos: Easter at First Pres
We came together as a community to mark the final week of Jesus' life, reflect on His sacrifice and then the celebrate the resurrection. Here are some highlights.
How First Pres has helped those experiencing homelessness in Harrisonburg
As the Open Doors outreach to homeless people in our community begins a new phase soon, we want to recognize those from First Pres who have helped during the past 15 years. Over the past 15 years or so, First Pres has served as one of the shelter locations for...
3 books that can help you love the Bible more
We know that the Bible is God's word to us and that we need to read it, but sometimes it's a challenge. Our newly renovated church library features some books that can help. Here are three. Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It: Knowing and Loving the Bible In Hunter...
What is Lent, and why do we observe it?
It’s Lent. But what does that mean? Lent starts with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days (excluding Sundays) until Easter. It’s a period of preparation for when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Here are some common questions about the season. Why is Lent 40...
Expressing your faith: 3 easy ways to talk about God every day
One of the great lies is that a personal faith needs to be a private faith. But that’s not true. A personal faith should be very expressed. If you call Jesus, Lord, you know what he commanded you to do? Talk about him everywhere, all the time and all over the place....