Mark the dates: The Welch Lecture Series returns again to First Church on the weekend of November 6-8. This year we welcome Dr. James Edwards and Dr. Adam Neder, theologians from Whitworth University, and Dr. Tom Gillespie, President Emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary. Invite some friends and join us in the Library at First Church [...]
The Bible in 90 Days!

Ready? Set. Go! Several hundred First Church members have taken the challenge of reading the Bible cover to cover in 90 days. Many more have committed to reading shorter portions every day. Larger and smaller groups, students and families, are gathering throughout the city for rich conversation and deepening friendships. In a culture where the family dinner table [...]
Friday, June 18: Mt. of Olives, Basilica of the Agony, Bethlehem, Church of the Shepherds

We began our second full day in Jerusalem by driving to the east side of the city, straight up the Mount of Olives. The ridge overlooking the Kidron Valley offers panoramic views of the old city of Jerusalem. The importance of the site for Christians can hardly be over-emphasized. It is here that Jesus begins [...]
Wednesday, June 16, Hazor, Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights, Kursi

Another beautiful day begins in the Galilee! Our bus drove up the west coast of the Sea of Galilee until we arrived at Hazor (pr. Hatezor), an ancient Canaanite city, dating to at least 3000 BC. Clearly a strategic and important city, Hazor was almost certainly a city that Abraham would have known and perhaps [...]
Tuesday, June 15, Sea of Galilee, Western Coast

We awoke to our first full day in Galilee. The Scots Hotel, where we are staying, began as a medical mission outreach of the Church of Scotland. Pictures on the wall and a well-done five minute introduction on TV, presents Dr. David Torrence, the Scottish doctor who worked to establish this hospital and served here [...]
Monday, June 14: Tel Jericho, Monastery of Temptation, Bet Shean, Belvoir Castle, Jordan River

We awoke in Jericho to a beautiful morning and headed for a visit to tel Jericho, the archeological site which the British began excavating in the 1920′s. Considered by many to be the oldest city in the world, Jericho has been inhabited for some 9000 years. It sits just across the Jordan River about a [...]
Sunday, June 13, Qumran, Dead Sea, Mt. of Temptation

We awakened to our first full day in the Holy Land! Jericho. 846 ft. below sea level. Arguably the oldest city in the world. An oasis in the desert. Palm trees, springs, wells, water. But the oasis is small, surrounded by dry, barren land. Jericho is part of the Palestinian Territory called the West Bank. [...]




