Classes
Where every book study is a Bible study.“My mind has been challenged and awakened by our time together. I have become so bored with Bible studies. Even thinking I know more than I do! But you have awakened me to dig deeper. It’s not just a story, but a journey of God’s people. I keep discovering pieces that put the puzzle together into a beautiful story of the unconditional love of our God. I can’t wait until next week.”
All classes meet online using Zoom unless otherwise noted in the description. After registration, you will receive confirmation within moments. A couple of weeks prior to the first class, you will receive an email that will provide all the details you will need for the class. You will be sent a Zoom link on the day of the class. There is no cost for these classes; donations will be requested and are always optional.
All times are Eastern Time.
CURRENT & UPCOMING CLASSES
Wakening Anti-Racism 2024
Monthly, 3rd Mondays
January – August 2024
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET
Son of Hamas
Meet Online to Discuss
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
7:30 – 9:00 pm ET
We are seeking to learn more about the conflict/war in the Middle East. We begin with the book, Son of Hamas. The oldest son of the founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence and embraced instead the teachings of Jesus Christ. Come to one or come to all sessions.
This group commits to meet monthly to learn, explore and engage with one another as we grow in our understanding of racism. We are committed to live as antiracists. White Fragility and So You Want to Talk About Race are books that have helped us start these conversations. This is a safe place to learn about our history which will inform our present struggles.
Our purpose is to grow in knowledge as we move towards action. Living as an antiracist requires us to speak up and step in whenever we witness injustice. We encourage all to take small steps in our current sphere of influence and work to expand our sphere of influence.
Series:
Frontline: Shattered Dreams of Peace: The Road to Oslo
Documentary/PBS
The Pianist
Movie/Prime Video
O, Jerusalem
Movie/DVD or Online
The Lemon Tree
Book/Audiobook
Disturbing the Peace
Documentary/Netflix
1913: Seeds of Conflict
Documentary/PBS
One of Us
Documentary/Netflix
Lent 2024
Bitter & Sweet
Wednesdays
February 7, 21 & March 6, 20
7:30-9:00 pm ET
By the same author as our Advent study, Tsh Oxenreider invites us to contemplate using music, devotions, and artwork as we explore the bitter and the sweet of the life of Jesus Christ.
Summer Reading
selected and led by Robert Benson
April-August
Last Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm ET
What authors and books have shaped the great author, Rober Benson? He is seleting 5 to share with us.
Unveiling Mary Magdalene
First Thursdays
September 2023 – May 2024
7:30-9:00 pm ET
Discover the Gospel truth about the most myth-understood woman of the New Testament. Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? An adulteress? The wife of Jesus? An ancient goddess? Liz Curtis Higgs combines heartfelt contemporary fiction with extensive biblical research to bring to life the real Mary Magdalene of the Bible. With her own eyes, she saw him. With her own ears, she heard him. With her own hands, she touched him.
Come meet the genuine Mary Magdalene of the Bible. Follow her one-of-a-kind story of deliverance and dedication, despair and declaration. Unveiling Mary Magdalene opens with the fictional journey of Mary Margaret Delaney, a madwoman adrift in modern Chicago. Her moving story, closely paralleling the biblical account, is followed by a verse-by-verse study of the first-century Mary Magdalene and her life-changing encounters with the Christ. We will meet once a month (September – May) unveiling Mary Magdalene.
Led by Julie Westhofen and Rev. Linda Zastovnik
- September – Getting Acquainted and Exploring Mary Magdalene
- October – Chapters 1-8; Modern Day Retelling
- November – Chapter 9: Her Legend
- December – Chapter 10: Her Demons
- January – Chapter 11: Her Dedication
- February – Chapter 12: Her Despair
- March – Chapter 13: Her Discovery
- April – Chapter 14: Her Declaration
- May – Sharing Other Resources
Faith Unraveled
Second Tuesdays
September 2023 – May 2024
7:30-9:00 pm ET
Eighty years after the Scopes Monkey Trial made a spectacle of Christian fundamentalism and brought national attention to her hometown, Rachel Held Evans faced a trial of her own when she began to have doubts about her faith. She realized In order for her faith to survive it must adapt and evolve. Using as an illustration her own spiritual journey from certainty to doubt to faith, Evans challenges us to trust in a God who is big enough to handle our tough questions. We will meet once a month, September through May.
Isn’t it True?
Second Mondays
October 2023 – April 2024
7:30-9:00 pm ET
Living as a Christian invites us to share our faith with others – but it’s usually with other Christians. For most of us, we are not comfortable sharing our faith with those who have no belief or are members of another religion. We lack confidence wondering, “What if they ask me something I can’t answer?” Lea Burt will raise some objections to Christianity in order that we will become better prepared to provide faithful answers.
Led by Lea Burt, hosted by Rev. Linda Zastovnik. Lea Burt is retired from the air conditioning business where he was a design engineer for 43 years. Now he enjoys traveling with his wife, Robin. When not working on their horse farm, Lea enjoys fly fishing, golf, and road biking. Lea was raised in a Methodist family and has been active in the church all his life.
October: Isn’t it true science proves there is no God?
November: Isn’t it true Christianity is just a copycat religion based on other myths and legends?
December: Isn’t it true Jesus was just another wise rabbi?
January: Isn’t it true all religions are basically the same?
February: Isn’t it true the Church created scripture?
March: Isn’t it true the disciples made up the story of the resurrection?
April: The Basics of Sharing Faith
COMING SOON
The Prayers of Jesus
Come as you are and when you can.
Prayer was the backbone of Jesus’ life and ministry. From his baptism to his crucifixion, the Gospels portray Jesus as a man of prayer who knew and deeply valued intimate communion with his heavenly Father. What can we learn from the prayers he prayed? This study will reveal new insights into prayer and the character of God.
Holy Love: A Biblical Theology for Human Sexuality
5 Sessions
dates coming soon…
The United Methodist Church is facing imminent division as a result of our understanding of human sexuality. Other Christian denominations have weathered the storm that has been brewing in our churches. Join Pastor Linda in a study of the book, Holy Love by Steve Harper. We will examine the biblical texts and grapple with the historical and theological context.
Steve Harper is a retired United Methodist elder (pastor) and a retired seminary dean and professor who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of spiritual formation and Wesley studies. This resource is grounded in biblical, Christian teaching and will show that it is compatible with faithful, covenantal love and intimacy amidst all sexual orientations. Harper is not at war with anyone; rather, he writes with love of the love of God for all people. And as he says, “All means all.” Beginning with an inductive Bible study, Harper examines the biblical sweep to see relationship–both divine-human and human-human–grounded in four values: sacredness, fidelity, permanency, and monogamy. These speak to an understanding that all people have sacred worth.
By the way, you don’t have to agree with the author to participate. All are welcome.
This class is being offered again soon by popular demand. Register your interest to secure your space.
The Screwtape Letters
The Screwtape Letters is a brilliant and satirical look at spiritual warfare and the dynamics of temptation. Screwtape, a senior demon in the bureaucracy of Hell, writes letters to his incompetent nephew Wormwood, a junior devil. The younger demon’s assignment is to corrupt a young man living in London during the tumultuous days of World War II.
This 12-week Bible study will expand upon C.S. Lewis’s thoughts found in each letter and the unique insight into the battles being waged in the spiritual world.
Celebration of Discipline: Part 1
Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster explores the classic spiritual disciplines or practices of the Christian faith. Dividing the disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a more balanced spiritual life. Part 1 includes the inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study which offer avenues of personal examination and change. We will read & discuss the chapter one week and practice it and meet to share our experiences the next.
PAST CLASSES
Light in the Longest Night
A casual and comfortable online gathering where readings & prayer will surround the sharing of stories of the Advent/Christmas season. Details will be provided following registration. The first day of winter, we experience fewer hours of daylight than on any other day of the year. The sun is at the lowest point in the sky. Join us as we share the light of Christ during this “longest night.”
Shadow & Light: A Journey into Advent
Though the holidays are often jam-packed with busyness, the weeks leading up to Christmas are a time to reflect on the miracle of Jesus’s birth. Shadow and Light is a guide for the Advent season to help you rediscover your childlike wonder and contemplate the sacred gift we celebrate in the Christmas season. Tsh Oxenreider invites you to explore the historical(delete) meaning of Advent. We will discover fresh insights for new and longtime believers alike. Each day includes Scripture, a reflection, a question, and a simple activity to engage the senses, such as lighting candles.
“Do good. Keep punching holes in the darkness, evidently that is how the Light of the world sneaks in among us all.”
Robert Benson
Praying with Robert Benson
(6 weeks)
Taught by Robert Benson, hosted by Pastor Linda, we will learn about and practice prayer as we pray with one who lives this holy mystery. The Bible encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How do we do this? One step at a time.
Writer of over 20 books, Robert Benson is offering to teach us over 6 weeks what he has taught leading weekend retreats for over 30 years. His book, Venite, will guide us. If you would like a free copy, just ask.
The Body Broken
The Bible refers to the Church as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Robert Benson writes about the Church and recounts his own journey from Nazarene to Methodist to Episcopalian. He introduces us to the people and the differing expressions of faith he encountered along the way. He writes of the intolerance and divisiveness that have become an all too familiar part of the Church and a gentle, poignant call for a Christian community that embraces a spirit of love and unity even as it honors our differences. This book was one we read over the Summer; it is so relevant and helpful it is being offered again. We will be encouraged as we meet one time to discuss the book and our own experiences with the Church.
The Communion of Saints
“I believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin, and the life everlasting.” This is a statement from the historic Apostles’ Creed which is recited in many worship services. The communion of saints, in the biblical sense, refers to all who have been baptized – living and dead. On November 1, All Saints Day (also called The Day of the Dead in some cultures), we will gather online to learn more about what we believe about the communion of saints and to remember and name those we love who have died. No preparation is required.
“Robert Benson writes in a voice at once tender and warm, an old-friend voice, the sort that seeps so easily into your heart.”
Robert Benson is author of twenty books about the search for the Holy in the midst of our ordinary lives. As a retreat leader and workshop teacher, Benson speaks on the life of prayer and contemplation, the disciplines and rituals of Christian spiritual practice, and the art and craft of writing. He is an adjunct faculty member for the Academy for Spiritual Formation, was named a Living Spiritual Teacher by Spirituality and Practice, and a member of The Friends of Silence & of the Poor, an ecumenical prayer community.
Benson says, “One kind of book that I write is overtly religious. They are books that are written for readers who are interested in discussing such things in the traditional language that the Church uses ‘ the language of spirituality and prayer and liturgy, the language of religion. The second kind of book is less overtly religious. They are written to try and discover the holy, if you will, that is to be found in the ordinary.”
These books are the second kind. Join us as Wakening Reads Robert Benson.
APRIL
Between the Dreaming and the Coming True: The Road Home to God
This is one man’s story of his journey through his questions of faith and spiritual uncertainty to a newfound understanding of his relationship to God.
MAY
Living Prayer
Living Prayer is the story of Benson’s quest into the mystery of prayer. He demonstrates how prayer can enter the fabric of one’s existence so that life itself becomes prayer.
JUNE
The Body Broken: Answering God’s Call to Love One Another
Benson recounts his own journey from Nazarene to Methodist to Episcopalian and introduces us to the people and the differing expressions of faith he encountered along the way. He writes of the intolerance and divisiveness that have become an all too familiar part of the Church and a gentle, poignant call for a Christian community that embraces a spirit of love and unity even as it honors our differences.
JULY
The Echo Within: Finding Your True Calling
Written out of a lifelong search and response to the callings on his life, The Echo Within explores:
- how to love the work you do, and the process of doing it.
- ways to sense God’s pleasure in your pursuits, both in the pursuits and in you.
- whether you fall into your vocation as a destiny or you chart that course.
- how to begin living with added dimensions of meaning and purpose.
Through the ups and downs of the changes inherent in family life, professional choice, and spiritual experience, Robert shares with wisdom, humor, and heart what he’s learned–and how you can discover your calling too.
AUGUST
Punching Holes in the Dark
Jesus Christ came to reassure us of the gift of the kingdom that is yet unseen but to proclaim the presence of the kingdom is already among us, even when we cannot see it nor hear it. Those wrestling with darker times in their own lives or those grieving the darkness of violence, poverty, fear and hatred in our world will be reminded that darkness does not win in the end. How do we find the kingdom, not lose sight of it, and even share its message of hope with others in the darkness?
Inspired
What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Rachel Held Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and retelling them as only RHE can. Undaunted by the Bible’s most difficult passages, Evans discovers the Bible is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemptive work in the world.
Preparing for Easter: A Different Approach
Taught by Lea Burt; Hosted by Linda Zastovnik
4 Weeks
No Preparation Required – Explore the Mystery
Who does not like a good mystery! What happened to the city of Atlantis? Why was Stonehenge built? How did the Egyptians build the Pyramids? As we consider these mysteries, they invite us to go back in time and think about people of the past, why they behaved the way they did, what motivated them, what did they understand, and what were they thinking? As 2023 brings us to yet another Easter season, join us as we learn about the mystery of the Shroud of Turin. The Shroud of Turin is a piece of cloth with an image on it. Is it Jesus?
We don’t need this church relic to provide proof of Jesus – the Gospels are sufficient on their own. What it does is provide is a topic of conversation that quickly turns into an understanding of the Passion of Jesus Christ. It is a tool that takes us into the message of the Gospel. This mystery has been around for 2,000 years, is full of intrigue, murder, destruction, lies, and truths. In the last few years, there have been some twists and turns. Is the Shroud of Turin the burial cloth of Jesus? Or not?
The book is optional.
Deep Dive: The Letters of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John
The three letters of John form a single message. They may be very short letters, but they pack a powerful message regarding our capacity to love. The disciple/apostle John writes, “This is the message we have heard from Jesus” (1 John 1:5). John was taught directly from Jesus of Nazareth! And, in turn, he teaches us. He is writing to a church in turmoil. His message is more relevant today than ever. Join us as we take a deep dive into the living word.
Wakening in the Word
Come as you are and when you can.
Through this personal and interactive study, you will become more biblically literate, theologically confident, and spiritually aware as we dig into the Bible, one chapter at a time. You don’t have to know anything about the Bible to learn from the Bible. Come and see. Bring your coffee/tea, Bible and a candle.
By the way, we are all beginners when it comes to Bible study. If you are unfamiliar and interested, simply reach out. Pastor Linda will meet one on one with you to get you comfortable with the Bible. It’s a journey you’ll never regret beginning. If you need a Bible, just ask.
Need a Bible? Request a free one.
The Gospel of John
Bring your Bible as we dive deep into the Gospel of John. We will read and discuss 2-3 chapters each week and then watch the story come alive through a clip from the word-for-word dramatization based on the New International Version of the Bible. Whether you’ve never studied the Bible before or you are a master of the text, you will engage with this gospel in a new way. Join us as we walk with Jesus through his life, ministry, death and resurrection.
Need a Bible? Request a free one.
A Complicated Choice
A Complicated Choice goes beyond the terms “pro-life” and “pro-choice” that define the public abortion debate and centers on the real people making the decision to end a pregnancy. Within the life of the church, these stories are silenced and women feel ashamed. Rev. Katey Zeh invites us to examine our judgments about people who have abortions through the act of sacred listening to the real stories of those most impacted.
Summer Reading 2022
JUNE
Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Discussion on the Last Wednesday
June 29, 2022
7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Most of us believe in God’s grace – in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We beat ourselves up over our failures and, in the process, pull away from God because we subconsciously believe God tallies our defects and is disappointed. Brennan Manning reminds us that nothing could be further from the truth. The Father beckons us with a “furious love” that burns brightly and constantly. Only when we truly embrace God’s grace can we bask in the joy of a gospel that enfolds the “ragamuffins.”
Brennan Manning’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives. Now with a Ragamuffin’s thirty-day spiritual journey guide, it will change yours, too.
paperback
JULY
The Boy Who Cried Abba by Brennan Manning
Discussion on the Last Wednesday
July 27, 2022
7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Jesus told parables to communicate God’s love. Brennan Manning creates Willie Juan, a young orphan and social outcast, who learns the lessons of forgiveness, self-acceptance, and happiness, as he realizes the unconditional love of God.
During July, we will be following the thirty-day spiritual journey guide from Ragamuffin Gospel) and reading this parable.
hardcover
The Forgiveness of Jesus
We all carry guilt and shame – it drags us down and keeps us from enjoying life to the fullest. This class will offer a deeper understanding of the reason Jesus Christ gave his life on the cross. Jesus came to forgive us, allowing us to move from guilt and shame to freedom and forgiveness. As we examine the people he met and set free, you will be transformed by your encounter with the God who loves you so much that he runs to you.
Summer Light: Hearing God
“God spoke to me.” “The Spirit spoke to my heart.” “God revealed the idea to me.” Being close to God means communicating with him — telling God what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what God is saying to us. It is this second half of our conversation with God that is so important but that can also be so difficult. How do we hear God’s voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play?
(not required)
Searching for Sunday
Like millions of her millennial peers, Rachel Held Evans didn’t want to go to church anymore. The hypocrisy, the politics, the gargantuan building budgets, the scandals–church culture seemed so far removed from Jesus. Yet, despite her cynicism and misgivings, something kept drawing her back to Church. And so she set out on a journey to understand Church and to find her place in it.
Centered around seven sacraments, Evans’ quest takes readers through a liturgical year with stories about baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, vocation, and death that are funny, heartbreaking, and sharply honest. A memoir about making do and taking risks, about the messiness of community and the power of grace, Searching for Sunday is about overcoming cynicism to find hope and, somewhere in between, Church.
Christ in the Passover
This year, Passover begins on Good Friday—nothing could be more meaningful! Wonder why? This 2 hour event will help you understand the connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament, between the Jewish and Christian faiths. The Passover is the Old Testament feast that celebrates and remembers God’s liberation of Israel from Egypt. It also foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Learn the history and significance of this sacred event. You will receive details to prepare your own simplified Seder meal for the event (optional).
The Last Days of Jesus
The Last Days of Jesus provides an overview of six major events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. We will begin each session in Israel— showing key places, such as the Garden of Gethsemane, a rolling stone tomb, Mount of Olives, and more. Featuring beautiful retellings, solid overviews, and incredible cultural insights from top Bible scholars, this class will deepen your understanding of key Easter events.
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus
Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity. Providing an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, almost against his will, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil that will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world’s greatest religions.
Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man’s heart–and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.
Taught by Lea Burt, Led by Rev. Linda Zastovnik. Lea Burt is semi-retired from the air conditioning business where he was a design engineer for 40 years. Now he enjoys traveling with his wife, Robin. When not working on their horse farm, Lea enjoys fly fishing, golf, and road biking. Lea was raised in a Methodist family and has been active in the church ever since.
Galatians: Accepted and Free
Once you place faith in Jesus you are transformed. You are made new. You are forever part of the family of God. You are fully accepted, and you are free. Join Pastor Linda as we read this passionate letter that is now called the book of Galatians, led by Jada Edwards. The Study Guide is required. Bring a Bible (any version) to class.
- The Hidden Power of Acceptance
- Your Life is Rich in Purpose
- Approval in Christ > Human Approval
- The Truth About Your Inheritance
- You’ve Been Set Free For This
- Your Restoration Restores Others
Cold Case Christianity
Christianity, with all of its claims could easily be described as a “cold-case”; a case for which insufficient hard evidence exists to make any sound conclusions about its truth claims. However, in Cold-Case Christianity, J. Warner Wallace uses his nationally acclaimed skills as a homicide detective to look at the evidence and eyewitnesses behind Christian beliefs. He includes gripping stories from his career and the visual and interrogation techniques he developed while a police officer. Along the way, he uses analogy and anecdotes to examine the powerful evidence that validates the claims of Christianity.
Cold Case Christianity speaks to readers’ intense interest in detective stories, and inspires readers to have confidence in Christ as it prepares them to articulate the case for Christianity. Study the evidence. Test the witnesses. Defend the truth. During these 8-sessions, Wallace examines the authors of the Gospels and asks four critical questions used by detectives.
- Were they present?
- Were they corroborated?
- Were they accurate?
- Were they biased?
Lea Burt
Lea Burt will teach each session while Linda Zastovnik leads our class discussions. The book is required, the study guide is optional.
Holy Land Study: Along the Road with Jesus
The Story
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. This study helps us to understand how the Upper Story (God) intersects with the Lower Story (Us).
Praying for Afghanistan
As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches we reflect on our world, on the serious life changes for the people of Afghanistan, and for the future of the thousands of refugees who have fled their homeland. We are mindful of the extreme emotions of our own troops who have served. Our country is so fragile due to polarizing opinions, views, facts and lies.
Come and sit with us; bring your worries and your fears. Lea Burt will share a bit of what he has learned about the differences between Islam, the Taliban and ISIS-K. He will also address your questions (submitted in advance) and we will close with a short prayer service.
Murals on the walls at the US embassy on July 30, 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Summer Reading 2021
So many books, so little time! For all (meaning all genders, all ages), this summer you will love each of these three books. We will meet on the last Tuesday of each month to discuss. Sign up for one, two, or all three. Include your spouse and/or friend.
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Discussion led by Carey Bullock. Tragedy strikes Frank’s family—which includes his Methodist minister father, his mother, older sister and kid brother—he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal. Forty years later, he discovers the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.
Wearing God by Lauren F. Winner. Discussion led by Rev. Kake Nations. Lauren Winner, an Episcopal priest who teaches at Duke Divinity School, notes there are hundreds of metaphors for God, but the church only uses a few familiar images: creator, judge, savior, father. Let’s explore some others: God as clothing (“clothed with Christ”), as the vine/vintner who animates life; the lactation consultant; and the comedian. Oh, I love God as the comedian!
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Discussion led by Janice Mack. Eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy in the Midwest has reason to believe in miracles. Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been charged with murder. Family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, and the most tragic of fates.
Book Study: A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
Rachel Held Evans died unexpectedly last year at the age of 37. Strong-willed and independent, she embarked on a radical life experiment–a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued, she vowed to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year. Pursuing a different virtue each month, we will delve into the scriptures alongside her book. With just the right mixture of humor and insight, compassion and incredulity, A Year of Biblical Womanhood is an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation. Join us in the lessons of her life.
In the Holy Land
with Ray Vander Laan
Wakening Women
June-August
Wakening Women returns this summer with more stories of biblical women—some we’ve met before, some will be new—and connecting them to contemporary global gender issues. In doing so, Rev. Katey Zeh speaks truth to women’s oppression and erasure while reminding us of the sacredness of women’s experience, wisdom, solidarity, and sisterhood.
Book Study: The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi
Connect deeper with the Bible and your faith as Kathie Lee Gifford journeys with Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel through Israel, studying the Bible in its Hebrew context.
The Rock (Jesus Christ): Hear directly from Kathie about her life-changing and ever-deepening connection with Jesus, the Lover of her soul.
The Road (Israel): Explore dozens of ancient landmarks and historical sites from Israel, the promised land of God’s covenant.
The Rabbi (God’s Word): Go beyond a Sunday-school approach to the Bible by digging into the original languages and deeper meanings of the Holy Scriptures. Jason’s insight into the Hebrew language, culture, and heritage will open your eyes to the Bible like never before.
Bible Study: In the Beginning
You may think you know these stories. Or, you may have begun to read the Bible, but couldn’t get through Leviticus (I know!). From Genesis to Deuteronomy, we will get the big picture of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible and learn its foundational message. In addition to the scriptures and the stories we will learn more about The Torah and its significance to Jews – during the time of Jesus and today. Our class time will include viewing videos produced by The Bible Project. If you join in to Zoom by audio only, you can view the videos on your own.
No book is needed but your Bible (any version). If you do not yet have one, let me know. Invite others!
The Journey
It’s a story you know by heart, but The Journey combines historical information and archaeology with Adam Hamilton’s thoughtful, conversational teaching style to give you a new perspective on the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
Journey to the Holy Land with pastor and best-selling author Adam Hamilton retracing the actual path of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
Bible Study: Revelation
There have been quite a few jokes about 2020 being a year that everything has gone wrong: a global pandemic, fires, hurricanes, and riots. What does the Bible say about such things? Where is God in the midst of it all? What is the truth about the “End Times?”
Book Discussion: Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp
Peace within us can be impeded by clutter around us. Learn new habits to help clear out your clutter, simplify your space, and take back your life. Do you spend valuable time moving your piles around the house, but you can never find that piece of paper when you need it? As you try out the many easy, doable solutions within the book, you’ll begin to understand why you hold on to the things you do, eliminate what’s crowding out real life, and make room for the life of true abundance God wants for you.
Prayer & Discernment
Learn more about prayer by practicing prayer. For 7 weeks, we will learn about prayer through the book, The Quest, by Beth Moore. Is there a question you have for God? Is there a decision or a concern where you are seeking direction?
People of Peace
Meet 6 people who have made a difference by choosing peace: Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mahatma Gandhi, Elisabeth Elliot & Rachel Saint. You will receive a handout each week prior to the class.
Abundant Peace — Jesus Christ
Calming Peace — Mother Teresa
Worldly Peace — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Living Peace — Mahatma Gandhi
Forgiving Peace — Elisabeth Elliot & Rachel Saint
Seeking Peace One Day
Do you know that International Peace Day is September 21? If not, it’s because you have never heard the story behind it. Once you do, you will never forget it. You will be sent the link to view the documentary online.
Join us online as we pray for peace on Peace Day. We will join the “Global Peace Wave” with a Minute of Silence at noon.
September 21 from 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Online Prayer for Peace
Global Minute of Silence at Noon
Christianity and World Religions
Adam Hamilton, explores four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism—and compares the beliefs of each with those of Christianity. As Christians, we must build bridges with others so that we might grow in our faith and seek peace in our world.
Matthew Bible Study
Dig into the very first book in the New Testament.. We will read 2-3 chapters each week and view a short clip from the Visual Bible: Matthew. In this dramatization, the complete Gospel is presented word-for-word based on the New International Version of the Bible. Whether you’ve never studied the Bible before or you are a master of the text, you will engage with this gospel in a new way. Join us as we walk with Jesus through his life, ministry, death and resurrection.
The New Testament You Never Knew
N.T. Wright will lead us in discovering things we never knew about the stories within the New Testament. Through reading the New Testament we continually discover that God indeed keeps his promises, but those
promises don’t always look like what people expected. Especially when it comes to Jesus. Sessions include: The Books of the New Testament; The World of Jesus and the Apostles; The Life and Death of Jesus; The Resurrection of Jesus; The Ministry of the Apostle Paul; The Early Christians and the Church; The Mission of the Church; The Creation of the New Testament.
Beginning in the Bible
White Fragility
White fragility is defined as the discomfort and defensiveness on the part of a white person when confronted by information about racial inequality and injustice. In this in-depth exploration, Robin DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.
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