Category: Spiritual Practices

Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart

First Church has been exploring the series “Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart” since Sunday June 16th. This worship series comes from Sanctified Art. Every Sunday we will explore a Bible passage, art image, and our experiences of unraveling and weaving. Accompanying devotional books and bookmarks (outlining the order of topics) are available… Continue reading Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart

Hospitality: A Relationship of Giving and Receiving

Just what is hospitality? When we think about hospitality and the bible, we generally think about Martha and Mary hosting Jesus. And, we generally believe that Mary got it right. The truth is, neither one of them got it quite right! Why you might ask? It is helpful to remember the origin and definition of biblical hospitality.… Continue reading Hospitality: A Relationship of Giving and Receiving

Gratitude: Giving Thanks Activites

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18 Last week we talked about how hard praying without ceasing might seem… especially when we are tied to a particular form of prayer. This week, we are looking at gratitude…… Continue reading Gratitude: Giving Thanks Activites

Prayer: Tuning In Activities

Sunday we talked about the many ways to pray. Often, we are very good at talking, or making requests, but not so good at listening.Here are some ways to practice tuning in to God: As a family: Take a walk, a hike or just find a comfortable place to sit outdoors with the idea of… Continue reading Prayer: Tuning In Activities

2016 Weekend of Service Schedule

2016 WEEKEND OF SERVICE SCHEDULE August 12, 2016         Day of Service Kick-off (participants are to eat at home before coming to the church) 8:00 – Family Movie Night – a recently popular film with your favorite zoo animals (popcorn & drinks served beforehand) Camp Fire & S’Mores August 13, 2016         Day of Service 8:00 a.m. –Breakfast… Continue reading 2016 Weekend of Service Schedule

Multiply

Multiply   4 x 5 = 20 6 x 8 = 48  9 x 7 = ? Those of us old enough to remember [before the “new math” etc.] had the multiplication tables drummed into us and we still know them. But “multiply” at First Church is a new thing just now. Starting this Sunday,… Continue reading Multiply

For my friends at Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren… the sermon we missed twice in a row.

Since I missed preaching this sermon twice in a row, I thought I would share a few important excerpts with you. It is my prayer that God will somehow use these thoughts on paper to prepare us for our spiritual journey during Lent. Blessings, Pastor Beth Today’s story is about John the Baptist whois also preparing… Continue reading For my friends at Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren… the sermon we missed twice in a row.

sacrifices and offerings and tithes…oh my!

When  our church began a sermon series a few Sundays ago, I shared about the significant correlation between a church’s spiritual health and the health of a church’s giving by using the example of giving as a spiritual thermometer. Our giving says something about our faith and our relationship with God. The story of the widow’s… Continue reading sacrifices and offerings and tithes…oh my!

the grace of giving

In May of 2000, I lost someone very dear to me… my stepfather, Daddy Bill. He died about three weeks before we returned from Italy. Daddy Bill was in a very real sense my father… he provided security, stability and love for me as a teenager desperately needing a father. One thing I loved about… Continue reading the grace of giving