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
Tag: greater things
It takes a little practice…
“Practicing the Presence” can sometimes seem like an elusive thing. Often, that is because we have certain expectations about the outcome… what the divine will look like in our lives. Other times, it is because there is no real formula for success. It is more about practice than perfection. For some of us that is… Continue reading It takes a little practice…
Weekend of Service – August 12-14, 2016
Our Weekend of Service (WoS) is about a month away and will take place August 12-14, 2016. The Weekend will kick-off on Friday evening and will be followed by half or full-day service projects on Saturday, ending with a cookout and swim time at the community center behind First Church. During Sunday’s service we will… Continue reading Weekend of Service – August 12-14, 2016
For such a time as this…
Over the next five weeks, we will take a look at the book of Esther. If you haven’t read Esther, I’d encourage you to read it! It reads like a thriller or even a romance novel. And yet, we can learn much about what it means to live a life committed to God and to one… Continue reading For such a time as this…
12 Baskets and a Goat
On November 14, 2015, the old Sale Barn on Sunny Slope Farm was the site of the first pilot show of 12 Baskets and a Goal, a project of Ted & Co, Heifer International, and the Church of the Brethren in support of Heifer’s work around the world. The event featured the play, The Jesus… Continue reading 12 Baskets and a Goat
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
2015 National Older Adult Conference
Seven members from First Church are attending the National Older Adult Conference (NOAC) in Lake Junaluska, NC, next week (September 7-11): Auburn and Ruth Boyers, Brenda Fox, Larry Glick, Sharon Helbert, Rosie Martz, Pauline Miller, and Carolyn and Larry Seilhamer. The theme of this year’s NOAC is “Then Jesus Told Them a Story.” The schedule… Continue reading 2015 National Older Adult Conference
Weekend of Service
Service – Fun – Fellowship August 21-22, 2015 Ready to put your faith to work? First Church is planning a Weekend of Service where individuals can experience a community service project for the first time. The projects are designed to be short and simple, and get us out into the community to meet our neighbors.… Continue reading Weekend of Service
the dusty road…
A note about one of my illustrations: I was heavily influenced by Rob Bell’s book, Velvet Elvis and drew heavily upon his chapter on the dust of the Rabbi as one of my illustrations. I will italicize that section. Many of you now that I recently returned from a two-week vacation and I want to tell… Continue reading the dusty road…
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.