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...
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...
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.)....
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...
We all know we need to testify about Jesus. But when it comes time to do it, some of us lack courage. Now, you may think that either you’re born with courage or not, but you can actually grow your courage. You can have more courage to testify. Here are three ways....
Why do the Gospel writers highlight Peter’s denial, likely the worst day of his life? One reason: to show how faithful Jesus is to his followers, even when they let him down. Peter has just failed Jesus utterly, but Jesus is about to prove him himself utterly...
In one of my devotions this week I read this line: “Through silence, solitude and stillness, the sediment of life is settling down, and things are getting clearer.” (Peter Greig, Lectio 365, June 20 morning). Add to this that the practices of silence and solitude were...
Jesus prayed, and if he depended on prayer, don’t you think we should, too? I mean, we know the difference that prayer makes. But let me ask you this: How’s your prayer life? I think if we’re honest, all of us would admit it could use some improvement. Even if you’re...
On Sunday, we prayed for our seniors. Here is what Pastor Jon prayed for them. Lord, thank you that you have been with these students through all these years of school. And Lord, I pray that you would be with them all the days of their life, that they would walk with...
When the Bible says you can be filled with the Spirit, we often think it’s something that happens passively. In other words, we feel like we have no control over being full of the Spirit, that being filled comes randomly. But we can do things that make room for the...