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How Church World Service is welcoming refugees in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
First Pres' November mission focus is Church World Service, a global organization with a Harrisonburg office. CWS began in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II . The organization is a faith-based group transforming communities around the globe through just and...
Blog Archive
Why does death still surprise us?
One British newscaster declared the queen’s death “a time we had all hoped would never happen.” Others on social media expressed similar disbelief. A lady interviewed on TV said, “I am shocked. I don’t know what to say.” Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson told...
Take a break, but be careful how you do it
I was convicted recently. I was listening to a sermon by a friend and he mentioned how he had caught himself escaping to binge watching Netflix and praying less. That stung because while it isn’t Netflix for me, my distractions are just as useless. Maybe you can...
A new season, but what should we do?
I’ve been meditating on Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 this week. This is the passage that reminds us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun. I think what has drawn me to this text is that time feels very muddled right now. For example,...
Fall at First: Discipleship opportunities for all ages
https://youtu.be/ucQ6vpfdIjg Fall brings all kind of new routines, and at First Pres, that means new opportunities to fuel your walk with Jesus by connecting to others in one of our many discipleship groups. Here's a rundown of what's starting. Sunday Mornings We...
A prayer for a new school year
Many of our students are starting school during these few weeks. We pray for them and our teachers. We invite you to use this prayer in your individual and family prayer times this week. :: God of all knowledge and wisdom, Proverbs tells us that “the fear of the...
Seek God in your youth, and watch him build a solid foundation
What a mess! In the thick of reading through the Old Testament accounts of the various kings who ruled God’s people, the bleakness of a life without God is on full display. Over and over, you read that king after king “did what was evil in God’s sight,” and that those...
How New Creation is helping fight human trafficking
First Pres supports local mission agencies throughout the year. This month, our mission focus is New Creation, which is fighting human trafficking by offering survivor-made goods and fair trade accessories in their shops and providing prevention education. We asked...
2 ways you can serve college students during the fall startup
Students from our area colleges and universities are heading back in town, and we are ready to welcome them to the community and serve them this academic year. Here are two ways you can do help now. Block Party in the Burg More than 4,000 JMU freshmen will be coming...
What can we do when life doesn’t make sense?
What do we do when things don’t make sense? A number of our church family have faced unimaginable grief this past year, and we have been at a loss for answers. The death of loved ones, and it feels too soon. Cancer. Chronic pain. Broken family relationships. The list...
Meet the 10 newest leadership nominees at First Pres
The First Pres Nominating Committee has presented a slate of leaders to begin three-year terms of service in January 2023. Here are the nominees the congregation will elect at an Aug. 28, 2022, congregational meeting. Elders Lyle Jacobsen Raised in the Lutheran...