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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...
Blog Archive
Mission is messy (and could keep you up at night)
Have you had one of those energy drinks? They are high on caffeine and, apparently, other ingredients intended to keep you awake. I don’t recommend them. Especially if it is 7 p.m. and you are planning to go to bed. I recently was able to spend a whole evening with...
College students are a vital part of our life together
On most Sundays these days, you will see a balcony full of college students at the first service. However, you will also find some serving in the nursery at the same time. After worship, college students briefly fill the hallway outside the sanctuary as they begin to...
How weekday religious education introduces children to Jesus
“It’s more important today than it’s ever been.” That’s Ginger Brubaker’s assessment of the need for Weekday Religious Education, which students can attend during the school day with parental permission. “We have kids that are hearing that God loves them for the first...
How you can serve and pray for Muslims during Ramadan
I could see the weariness in her face. She was tired. She was exhausted from working hard to serve her family. But here she was, just like other days, ready to serve us with a smile and a contagious laugh. She didn’t complain. The extra work was just what she had to...
How March Madness and basketball remind me of the Christian life
With March madness in full swing, I’ve had basketball on the brain. But with me being me, I’ve come up with a comparison between basketball and the Christian life. Basketball requires knowledge, practice and a team, and so does the Christian life. You see, while you...
God helped him forgive his bullies and find a voice. Here’s how.
Scott Dove, one of First Pres' commissioned lay pastors and a deacon, recently shared his faith story on the podcast "What Are We Even Doing Here?" with Daryl Updike. "From being bullied as a quiet kid, to now preaching the Word of God in a few different churches, I...
How Journey Counseling is helping those with mental-health challenges in Harrisonburg
Mental-health awareness has taken on increased importance in our nation in recent years, including at universities, such as JMU. The pandemic has only increased the need, and local and university counseling centers are often overwhelmed. In Harrisonburg, Journey...
The Courtyard, a new green space on Court Square, now open
The Courtyard is open! While we are still awaiting stage lighting and lighted crosses on the sanctuary wall, this new outdoor space is ready for you to visit for lunch, Bible study or a relaxing moment. There are two tables available, and lots of green space. The...
Worshiping the Jesus that St. Patrick proclaimed
I love the story of St. Patrick and think we can learn a lot from it. Patrick came to faith through what he suffered as a slave for six years in what was then a very pagan Ireland. After escaping, Patrick was later led by the Lord to return to Ireland as a missionary...
Will my my spiritual disciplines make God love me more?
Coming out of Ash Wednesday I fielded a couple of questions about why some Christians observe Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent while others do not. So I thought I’d share my answer more broadly. Some Christians hold back from Ash Wednesday and Lent because they...