Beau Dickenson to Share the 5@5 Devotion on Sunday

Beau Dickenson, a member of First Church, will be sharing our devotion this Sunday. Beau is also a history teacher in Rockingham County. Thanks Beau for sharing your love of God and your love of history with us.

Join us this Sunday, from 5:00-6:00 at First Church of the Brethren for 5@5 : an informal worship experience to Celebrate God's love through Singing, Praying, Teaching and Fellowship.

Thank you Jessica!

Thanks to Jessica Crawford for sharing our devotion this week and also sharing a piece of her music with 5@5 . Jessica is a local singer/songwriter from the Harrisonburg area, and she spoke about the importance of being able to spend time alone with God, without letting other things get in the way. Jessica spoke of the importance in finding a quiet place for 10 minutes or more a day to spend talking to God and listening to God.

Thank you Jessica for sharing your gifts and talents with 5@5 !

For more information on Jessica Crawford and her music check out http://jessicacrawfordmusic.com

5@5 Announces 5th Sunday Misson Event

The 5@5 group is pleased to announce a new 5th Sunday Mission Event. Beginning in January 2011, every month that includes a 5th Sunday, will be called 5@5 Mission Sunday. On these Sunday's, January 30, May 29, July 31, and October 30, 2011, there will not be 5@5 in the sanctuary at First Church. Instead will be taking our light into the world and "getting our hands dirty" by doing a service project. The projects will vary, and will be announced prior to the evening. Plan to take part in every 5@5 Mission Sunday beginning in January! Watch for more details, coming soon!

Coming Up this Sunday (Nov. 7) at 5@5 , FCOB member Kim Kenyon will be giving our devotion. Thanks Kim, for allowing God to speak through you.

Plan to Join us this Sunday at 5:00 in the sanctuary at First Church for another inspiring Sunday of 5@5 .

Thank You Norris

Thanks to Norris Bunn for sharing about dreams with us on Sunday, Sept. 19. Find a way to live out your dream just a Nehemiah did.

Also, thanks to the music group including new members Zack Ayers and Kyle Joines! Both Zack and Kyle are freshman at James Madison University and are sharing their gifts of music with us. Zack plays the guitar while Kyle plays the drums. Thanks Guys!

Join us on Sept. 26 as Micah Morris will be giving the devotion.

5@5 is a contemporary worship service filled with music, singing, praying, teaching and fellowship. Mark your Calendars now to join us each week as we celebrate the many gifts that God has given us!

5@5 Kickoff is September 12

Make plans now to be here! Don't miss out!

The 5@5 Kickoff is here and we want YOU to join us to begin our new year together!

When: Sunday, September 12 at 5:00pm

Where: Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren
315 S. Dogwood Drive (near Westover Park)

What: 5@5 is a fun, informal and uplifting worship service that meets each Sunday evening at 5:00 at First Church! We have music, devotion and fellowship with one another.

On September 12, following the 5@5 service, we will have free pizza, live music, games and more and we want you to join us for this informal time of Celebrating God through singing, praying, teaching and fellowship! Plan to bring friends! Give 5@5 a try!

See you on the 12th!

Coming Up at 5@5 This Wek

June 20

We have one final week of the "traditional" 5@5 gathering, before we venture into uncharted waters with our 5@5 Summer Concert Series (more info here). We would like to thank everyone that has attened and shared their time and talents with us since we kicked off in November. The Summer Concerts will begin on July 11 and will last until the beginning of August. We will then be prepared to kick off a new year of 5@5 sometime in Mid-August.

This Sunday (June 20) Micah Morris will give a devotion on "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Plan to attend, and celebrate Father's Day by bringing Dad with you! We meet at 5:00 in the sancutary at FCOB. See you Sunday!

Thank You Heidi!

Heidi Bunn shared a great devotion on Sunday, May 30 as she talked about the importance of getting a spiritual workout. Thank you, Heidi for the uplifting devotion and for everything that you do for 5@5 and around First Church!

Coming up this Sunday, June 6, Norris Bunn will be sharing a devotion about Heroes.

Plan to join us this Sunday at 5:00 as we Celebrate God's love through Singing, Praying, Teaching and Fellowship. Check it out this week, and bring a friend!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

May 30

Coming up this Sunday at 5@5, Heidi Bunn will be sharing our devotion. Heidi is the Director of Children's Ministries at First Church. Heidi is also a member of the 5@5 Music Team. Thank you Heidi for sharing your many talents with 5@5 and First Church!

Thanks to Josh Minnick who shared a devotion on May 23. Josh is a student at Liberty University and hopes to plant churches after his time in college.


5@5 Concerts Update
Look for the band "Broken Pieces" from Bridgewater, performing on July 25 at the 5@5 Summer Concert Series. For more information, check out the 5@5 Summer Concerts Series Blog at http://5at5concerts.blogspot.com

5@5 Thanks Jeff Carr and Josh Minnick

Thank you to Jeff Carr, who provided our devotion on Sunday, May 16. Jeff is the Senior Pastor at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, and he spoke about the importance of Ascension Day and how Jesus would want us to keep him in our prayers. Thank you Jeff for being part of 5@5 and giving such a meaningful and insightful devotion.

Coming Up This Week at 5@5
May 23

Josh Minnick will be providing our devotion this Sunday. The devotion is titled "Expanding the Kingdom, and Our Responsibility". Josh is a student at Liberty University and is studying Religion with a specialization in Biblical Studies. His goal after he graduates is to plant churches.

Mark your Calendars now to join us this week at 5@5 from 5:00-6:00 to Celebrate God's Love through Singing, Praying, Teaching and Fellowship.

Thanks to Henry Morris for his Devotion!

Henry Morris gave an inspiring devotion on Sunday, May 2 titled "9-1-1 Religion" about how far too often people only call on God when they are in a time of need, much like the only time that people call 911. The group was challenged to go to God all the time, not just when we feel like we really need him, because the truth is, we always need God!

It was also great to have Cris Armstrong back with the praise band on Sunday. Cris played the guitar while Corey Reichard added the percussion! Great job praise band!

Coming up on May 9th, 5@5 will welcome Robbie Miller who will be giving our devotion. Robbie is the Chaplin at Bridgewater College.

Join us this week, for another inspiring 5@5 to Celebrate God!

5@5 Summer Concert Series

The 5@5 group is proud to annouce that beginning this summer we will be holding our first ever "5@5 Summer Concert Series". The concerts will be live bands from around the area, each concert will begin at 5:00pm on Sunday evenings starting July 11. Some of the concerts will be held outside, weather permitting. We have already booked a few bands, with more to follow in the coming weeks. Be sure to check out our Summer Concert Series blog at http://www.5at5concerts.blogspot.com for more info!

Mark your calendars now, and plan to celebrate your Summer Sunday evenings with us!

Thanks Corey!

Thanks to Corey Reichard who gave a wonderful devotion on Sunday, April 18. Corey shared about fear, and having the courage through God to overcome fear.

Corey is a member of the Sr. High Youth Group, the First Church Board and the 5@5 music team.

Once again, thanks Corey for sharing such a meaningful devotion.

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

April 18

Coming up this week at 5@5 , Corey Reichard, a member of the First Church Sr. High Youth Group will be providing our devotion.

Mark you calendar now to be there this Sunday evening at 5:00 for our casual celebration style gathering!

Also, be on the lookout for an exciting announcement about this summer!

Thanks Derek for a Great 5@5

Thanks to Derek Young, Coordinator of Adult and Youth Ministries, for giving our devotion on Sunday, April 11. 5@5 on Sunday followed an eventful day at the church of the Youth Group, which raised money during its annual Fundraiser lunch and auction. Derek helped cap off the day with a great devotion about our intentions about church, and the reasons we really attend. Thanks Derek!

Upcoming 5@5 speakers (Tentative):

April 18- Corey Reichard--Youth Member, First Church
April 25- Micah Morris
May 2- Henry Morris
May 9- Robbie Miller-- Bridgewater College Chaplin.

Mark your calendars to join us for a time of casual celebration on Sunday evenings at 5:00.

Coming Up This Sunday at 5@5

April 11

Coming up at 5@5 this Sunday, Derek Young, Coordinator of Adult and Youth Ministries at First Church, will be leading the devotion. Mark your calendars now to attend another great night of 5@5.

Upcoming 5@5 speakers: (Tentative)

April 11--Derek Young--Coordinator of Adult & Youth Ministries, FCOB
April 18--Corey Reichard
April 25--Henry Morris
May 2--Micah Morris
May 9--Robbie Miller--Bridgewater College Chaplin

Holy Week 2010

We would like to thank Larry Glick for a great devotion on Sunday evening talking about the week coming up. This week, to Christians, is known as Holy Week, and is the week leading up to Easter. It celebrates from the day where Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeting by cheers and the crowds laying palm branches before him (Palm Sunday). The week includes Maundy Thursday, the day when The Last Supper was held, and later than night Jesus was arrested in the Garden. Also included in the week are Good Friday, the day of Jesus' death, and Easter Sunday, where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Larry spoke about the importance of the service of feet washing. A time of service between believers. First Church will hold our annual Love Feast and Feet Washing service on Thursday, April 1, beginning at 7:00pm.

First Church of the Brethren 2010 Holy Week Schedule

Thursday, April 1--7:00pm--Love Feast Service
Saturday, April 3--2:00pm--Children's Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday Schedule--April 4, 2010

6:30am--Sunrise Service at CrossRoads (Above Harrisonburg HS)
8:00am--Easter Morning Breakfast (Multi-Purpose Area, First Church)
9:30am--Sunday School
10:30am--Easter Morning Worship

For more info check out www.fcobva.com

In celebration of Easter, 5@5 will not meet on April 4.

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

March 28

This Sunday, Palm Sunday 2010, marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian Church. This Sunday evening at 5 @ 5, Larry Glick will be sharing a devotion with us. Everyone is invited to our casual celebration style gathering, that will help kick off Holy Week! Give 5@5 a try and bring a friend!

2010 First Church of the Brethren Holy Week Schedule
Sunday, March 28--10:30am--Palm Sunday Worship Service and Baptism
Sunday, March 28--5:00pm--Palm Sunday 5 @ 5
Thursday, April 1--7:00pm--Maundy Thursday Love Feast
Saturday, April 3--Children's Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 4--6:30am--Easter Sunrise Service at CrossRoads (above Harrisonburg HS)
Sunday, April 4--8:00am--Easter Morning Breakfast (Multi Purpose Area at FCOB)
Sunday, April 4--10:30am--Easter Morning Worship Service

5@5 will not meet on Easter.

Thanks Matt!

5@5 would like to thank Matt Schwartz, pastor at Eastside Mennonite Church for giving us a great devotion on worship last Sunday! It was great to have Matt and his family join us at 5@5 and spread the word of God! Thanks Matt!

Also, a special thanks to Karen Natcher for leading the service. Karen is new to the music group and adds another great voice to the song leaders! Thanks Karen!

Join us this Sunday from 5:00-6:00pm for a time of Celebrating, Singing, Praying, Teaching and Fellowship!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

March 7

Coming up this week at 5@5 we will continue our look at the First Church mission statement. "A Christ-Centered, vibrant, open, loving and caring community of faith. This week we will look at the "open" part. Is our church open to new people? Are we as believes open to new members? Jesus was open to new followers, why sometimes are we not so open to those we don't know and how can we change that?

Devotion Title: "Do We Pass the Test?"

Scripture:
Romans 15:7
"So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!"
(The Message)

Plan to close out our Sunday afternoon with us, each week at 5@5. Come this week and bring a friend to our casual, contemporary time together.

Thanks to Pastor Ron for giving a great devotion last Sunday, Feb. 28!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

February 28

Our speaker this week will First Church Pastor, Ron Wyrick. In October of 2009, Ron celebrated six years as pastor at First Church.

Devotion Title: "Why I Pray Even Though God Already Knows What I Need?"

. to learn to listen (Psalm 62:1-2)
· to know God (Ps. 62:8)
· to get outside my own skin (fears, selfishness, anger, pride, greed)
· to truly care for another

"Bruce Almighty" starring Jim Carry was the best movie about prayer that I ever saw. At first Bruce satisfies his every whim, everything from getting through traffic jams to satisfying lust. Gradually he learns why God wants us to pray. Finally he shows viewers what real prayer is like when he puts the needs of his girlfriend above his own.

WAKE UP!!! How to be Vibrant for God!

5@5 on Sunday, February 21 was about Waking up and being vibrant for God. The devotion was titled "Our Spiritual Alarm Clock" and talked about being AWAKE for God.

A- Alive with the spirit.
W- Willing to share your faith in God.
A- Awesome--Tell how awesome and amazing God is.
K- Koinonia--Clear your calendars for Koinonia or fellowship with other Christians
E- Each Other-- Carry burdens for each other and pray for one another.

Thanks to Melissa Rodriguez, Casey Morris and Julie Foster who lead our singing and to Julie for leading the service. Thanks to Derek Young who read the scripture on Sunday.

The best way to spread the word of God as Christians and as a church is to be Vibrant, and to be vibrant we have to be AWAKE! So WAKE UP, and spread the word of God!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

February 21

Micah Morris will be giving the devotion this week. We will meet from 5:00-6:00 for Celebrating God through singing, praying, teaching and fellowship with one another. Join us and bring a friend!

This week we begin our in-depth look at the First Church Mission Statement. Are we as individuals and as a community "Vibrant" for God? If Not, how can we become more vibrant?

Theme: "Our Spiritual Alarm Clock"

Scripture:

1 Peter 2: 4-5
"Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God." (The Message)

Valentine's Day 5@5 Shares a Special Love Story

Thanks to Larry Glick for giving our devotion last Sunday. Larry's devotion was titled "Love Story" and was an interactive look at the love that God has provided for each of us, as well as the love we provide one another and that First Church of the Brethren provides for the community.

Thanks to Heidi Bunn who served as the service leader and for the great job by the Praise Singers who led us in music.

Remember to join us at 5@5 each Sunday evening, Come as you are, and bring friends!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

February 14

Join us this Sunday for a special Valentine's Day edition of 5 at 5. We begin at 5 pm. Come share the Devotion. Come share the fellowship. Come share the love.....of sisters and brothers gathered together in the name of Christ.

This Sunday, February 14, Larry Glick will be sharing our devotion. Everyone is encouraged to come and bring a friend!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

January 24

Norris Bunn will be giving the devotion this Sunday evening at 5 @ 5. Norris is an active member at First Church and is involved in the Men's Fellowship group as well as helping with CCAT and other children's activities at First Church. Norris also serves as the teacher for the New Beginnings Sunday School class. Norris and Heidi are expecting their fourth child in February.

Plan to join us on Sunday evening, January 24 from 5-6 to spend time together in Celebrating, Singing, Praying, Teaching and Fellowship.

Thanks to Larry Glick for providing an inspiring, uplifting devotion last Sunday!

Following the 5@5 gathering last Sunday a group of 14 people met, and a committee was formed to begin exploring ways that First Church of the Brethren could begin its own response to the earthquake in Haiti. Ideas are being generated of ways that we can do more than just send money, but ways that we can really help. If you have ideas, please see Micah Morris.

Brethren Disaster Ministries

The Brethren Disaster Ministries has set up a special website regarding updates, donations and information about the earthquake in Haiti.

For more information: CoB Disaster Ministries--Haiti Earthquake

Church of the Brethren Begins Its Response to the Haiti Earthquake

Click on this link for more info from the Church of the Brethren website to the response to the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti that is being coordinated by the Church of the Brethren as a denomination.

CoB Newsline Special: Haiti Earthquake

Earthquake in Haiti

January 13

As believers in Christ it is time for each of us to take a moment and pause in prayer for the people of Haiti that have been impacted from the earthquake that struck on Tuesday, Jan. 12. This disaster has hit the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and we can each have a hand in helping as the clean-up begins. The Church of the Brethren has been in Haiti since 2003 helping clean-up from a series of hurricanes that hit the island nation. During that span the church has established five active churches in the nation, as well as sending numerous people on relief missions to help those impacted by the hurricanes. (Update--According to the Church of the Brethren three of the five CoB churches are in heavily impacted areas.)

It's now time that each of us can help. Bring items for a health kit or a Disaster Clean-up Bucket, to First Church of the Brethren on Sunday morning or to 5@5 on Sunday evening. As more information becomes available regarding the Church of the Brethren response or the Shenandoah District Response becomes available it will be passed on.


For more information on what needs to be in each bucket or kit, visit the FCoB website at http://www.fcobva.com/.

No Need to Worry, God is in Control

Thanks to Henry Morris for sharing about how Jesus has told us that we have no need to worry, that God is in control. Henry was the guest speaker for 5@5 on January 10 and gave a thought provoking devotion titled "Worry & Faith". Thanks Henry for your giving your time and talent to 5@5 and for everything that you do around First Church!

The Praise Band was great once again, as Melissa Rodriguez, Casey Morris, Carrie Knight, Julie Foster and Heidi Bunn lead the group in music. Thanks to Heidi who played the piano as well! Thanks to Heidi for also being the service leader on Sunday. Thanks to Emily Morris who read the scripture and Janna Grandle who read a special poem at the end of the evening.

Next Sunday, January 17, Larry Glick will be sharing a devotion with us.

Remember that we are trying to expand our 5@5 circle, everyone is encouraged to bring at least one friend each week through February 14.

Mark your calendars now to join us each Sunday evening for this informal gathering to Celebrate the many gifts that God has given us!

Coming Up This Week at 5@5

January 10

The 5@5 group would like to thank Henry Morris, who will be giving our devotion this Sunday evening. Plan to join us this Sunday, and don't forget the 5@5 challenge to bring friends!

Title: "Worry & Faith"

Scripture:
Matthew 6: 25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into a fire, will he not much more clothe you. O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdon and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
NIV

5@5 Challenge: Bring Friends!

It's time to open up our 5@5 circle and start to bring friends on Sunday evenings. During the devotion on January 3, Micah Morris challenged everyone to bring at least one person to 5@5 that had not yet attended and would enjoy our time together on Sunday evenings.

5@5 on January 3 was great way to start 2010! Micah Morris shared a devotion about our Circle of Friends, and our church as being connected to one another and having a special connection through God.

A special thanks to Carrie Knight who read the scripture and to Heidi Bunn who shared a beautiful piece of special music.

Join us over the next few weeks as we have a lot of great speakers giving devotions.
January 10--Henry Morris
Januray 17--Larry Glick
January 23--Norris Bunn

Plan to join us each week for a casual celelbration time of inspiration and being refilled by the spirit.