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May 15

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Our youth spent this afternoon doing “Operation Bless Downtown” by mulching a playground at Mercy House, cleaning Blacks Run, and baking treats and hosting a cookout for first responders. We ❤️ our community! ...

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May 15

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Our D-Now weekend of discipleship, worship and service continues today. We opened with worship. Later today: outdoor games, service projects downtown and more worship and discipleship. ...

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May 15

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Our youth are gathering this weekend for an in-town worship, fellowship and service experience called D-Now. They’ll be digging in to I Peter 1, which tells us we have a living hope in Jesus. Pray for them and that the Spirit would move among them, bringing deeper faith to our youth. ...

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May 14

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What are some things you are discovering about God these days as you read the Word and pray? ...

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May 13

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ASCENSION DAY REFLECTION :: When I was growing up, my grandparents lived about a three-hour drive away, so a visit was always a treat, and we always hated to leave. My grandmother and my mom would be weepy as they hugged goodbye, and then off we’d go, down their short street to a left-hand turn onto another road.

From that road, we could look out our driver-side windows and get a small glimpse of my grandparents waving goodbye from their side door. A couple houses and some hedges obscured the view a bit, but even so, we always watched for their raised hands as they said goodbye. It was as if they were blessing us, wishing us safe travel and happy memories of our time together.

I remembered these moments recently as I thought about Jesus’ own goodbye with his disciples 40 days after he was raised from the dead. There, in a scene that defied description, Jesus’ body lifted from the Middle Eastern soil of Bethany into the sky until the disciples could see him no more.

Luke, in his description of the scene, makes a striking observation about the way Jesus said goodbye. “Lifting up his hands, he blessed them.”

It’s Jesus’ final message as he ascends to heaven. Jesus’ final act on earth is to bless the people he loves.

Luke goes on to say that Jesus continued to bless his followers as he is lifted up to heaven. Do you see it? It’s a continual blessing as he leaves earth and takes up residence in heaven. It’s his final word and final picture that he would leave with his disciples, some of whom would soon be beaten and jailed for their faith.

I don’t know what comes to mind when you think about God, or when you think about Jesus. Maybe you think God has given up on you. Maybe you think you’ve outsinned his grace. Maybe you think there’s no way he could love the likes of you. But in the account of Jesus’ ascension, Jesus shows us a God who willingly blesses his followers, the ones he loves. His posture toward you is the same as his posture toward the disciples gathered as he ascended: Outstretched hands, pronouncing grace and mercy and forgiveness and peace.

That’s our God! That’s our Jesus! Look to him and be blessed.

- CLP of Communications Brad Jenkins ...

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May 11

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We can describe God, but our words will always fall short. He is so much more than we can comprehend. That's good news, because a God beyond us would be no god at all. ...

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May 9

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Following an internet outage at the building that left us unable to livestream, we have posted recordings of this morning’s two worship services at our YouTube channel. ...

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May 7

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I’m so thankful for the students who chose to worship with us during their time in Harrisonburg. Some were able to make great connections while they were here, and I hope those relationships continue. It seems like only yesterday when Emma from Rochester, NY, arrived as a freshman. Her siblings and parents joined us in worship that first Sunday. She has been faithful to worship with us during these last four years. I’m excited for her and God’s adventure that awaits her. I hope she knows she will always have family at First Pres and that we sought to be a blessing to her during her time here.

This year our college ministry saw a number of freshman “Emmas” arrive in Harrisonburg, and God has blessed us with their presence in worship. God has given us some great times of fellowship, discipleship and connections during our weekly college brunches on Sunday mornings. I am thankful for the meals prepared by so many different covenant partners who loved on these students. I’m thankful for all the rides to and from church and those who are serving our students.

I am also excited about the future. I am excited about how we can build on some of the momentum that we have experienced this year. Many students will go home for the summer but will return in August. How can we continue to love these students well who have been entrusted to our care, and reach out to others? I would love to connect students with host families who will have them into their homes, provide them mentors in their field of study, provide service/mission opportunities for them, and have them disciple our middle/high school students.

As JMU has their graduation this weekend and we celebrate the time we have had with Emma, I’m already thinking about the freshmen “Emmas” who will move here in August. I’m thinking about the opportunities we will have to serve them as they arrive with move-in and Back to the Burg, and how we will offer invitations to join us on Sunday mornings for worship, brunch and discipleship.

Will you join us? Would you like to invest in the lives of college students? If so, let’s grab some coffee or lunch and talk more about what God has put on your heart.

- Pastor Billy ...

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May 6

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We have been learning some big words in our current message series about God's attributes. So far, we've learned that God is eternal, infinite, immutable and impassible. We have one more coming this week when we learn about God being ineffable.

But Commissioned Lay Pastor Scott Dove reminded us that all these big words have a purpose: to draw us closer to God. And in doing that, our deepening theology should lead us to greater and deeper awe and worship.

How has God been working on you during this current series? ...

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May 4

Open

It's finals week at @jamesmadisonuniversity, and we know JMU students may need the extra coffee kick this week, so we're on Mason Street with friendly faces and refreshments for students on their way to campus. #GoDukes ...

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17 Court Square Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Phone: (540) 434-6551
Email: connect@firstpreshbg.org

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Room 208

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