Adult Learning
We never "graduate" from learning about or exploring our relationship with God. Engaging the Bible, learning the teachings of the Church, delving deeper into our spiritual practices and learning how to meet the challenges of life through faith are constant needs. We offer a variety of opportunities to learn and grow in faith for adults. We invite you to take advantage of these so that you can become the person God calls you to be in even new ways.
Holy Lands Tour 2020
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Imagine, walking where Jesus walked. Imagine visiting Bethlehem and Jerusalem and a dozen other sites. These are the places where the historic events of Holy Scripture unfolded. We will see natural beauty, archeology, architecture, art, and more.
There are two philosophies of travel groups. One says: “Go with a seasoned professional.” The other says: “Accompany a traveler with fresh eyes that are new to the surroundings like you.” We have matched the best of both extremes with Pastor Pam Schroeder—experiencing her first Israel trip with you! And, Pastor Brad Miller, making his fourth Israel trip and having carried out missions work in more than 30 countries in the past decade. |
Faith Formation for Adults
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How does my faith address daily life? How do I better understand scripture so I can live each day? What is happening to the Church in an culture that seems to drift away from God? These kinds of questions are addressed each Wednesday evening from September to May, at 7:00 pm through our Faith Formation for Adults program. Each session stands on its own, even in the series format. No registration is needed. Just come. Contact Pastor Tim for more info.
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This coming year we will offer the following series:
EARTHBOUND: Created and Called to Care for Creation.
September 11 – October 16. Christians have a complex relationship with God's creation. We have tangled up our concepts of dominion and stewardship. Many imagine eternal life means being whisked away to some other non-physical plane in the ether. In trying to be God-focused, Christians become heaven-focused, at the expense of our earthly home. Can Scripture and our own religious tradition help us rethink those relationships? Is there a model for care of the creation that doesn't force us to the polarized margins? This cutting-edge series, filmed in high definition, takes Martin Luther's breakthrough understanding of Justification and Vocation and explodes it across God's magnificent creation. EarthBound is a journey beyond the rhetoric into God's rich and complex creation. Discover the origins of our misconceptions about Scripture's portrayal of creation. Recognize God's call to us to relate to the whole creation as our vocation. And experience how God's people throughout the Church are living out that call. This six-part series, hosted by David Rhoads, features Walter Brueggemann, Larry Rasmussen, Barbara Rossing, Terry Fretheim, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda and many others.
WAY OF LIFE: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be a Christian.
October 23, November 6-20. Based on the book by Brian McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration, this four-part series explores the movements taking place that are reshaping the Church and the followers of Jesus. The series will explore what it means for the world and for our congregation to move from a system of beliefs to a way of life rooted in love; to leave behind the images of a violent, judging God to allow us to embrace the God revealed in Jesus; to move from organized religion to spirituality that organizes for the common good.
ADVENT
December 4-18. Christmas is one of the two most observed Christian festivals for both Church and culture, though each is not always in sync with the other. Advent is a season of real preparation for the coming of Messiah.
SHORT STORIES BY JESUS: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi.
January 15- February 19, 2020. Based on the popular book by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, who is a Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt, this series will examine what we are to make of the often misunderstood and hard to interpret parables of Jesus. The parables give us a glimpse into the way Jesus taught about the reign of God and invited people to live a new life. The interpretations will surprise and renew your faith!
SURPRISED BY HOPE: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.
March 4 – April 1, & April 15. N.T. Wright is one of the most well known Bible scholars and leaders of the Church in our age. Based on his book with this title, this series will explore how we have often gotten off track when it come to most powerful and transformative gospel news about life, life-after-death, and as he writes, “Life after life-after-death.” If you have wondered about heaven, hell, and the real message of hope found in the resurrection of Jesus, this series will teach and challenge.
TO BE ANNOUCED – April 22 – May 13.
EARTHBOUND: Created and Called to Care for Creation.
September 11 – October 16. Christians have a complex relationship with God's creation. We have tangled up our concepts of dominion and stewardship. Many imagine eternal life means being whisked away to some other non-physical plane in the ether. In trying to be God-focused, Christians become heaven-focused, at the expense of our earthly home. Can Scripture and our own religious tradition help us rethink those relationships? Is there a model for care of the creation that doesn't force us to the polarized margins? This cutting-edge series, filmed in high definition, takes Martin Luther's breakthrough understanding of Justification and Vocation and explodes it across God's magnificent creation. EarthBound is a journey beyond the rhetoric into God's rich and complex creation. Discover the origins of our misconceptions about Scripture's portrayal of creation. Recognize God's call to us to relate to the whole creation as our vocation. And experience how God's people throughout the Church are living out that call. This six-part series, hosted by David Rhoads, features Walter Brueggemann, Larry Rasmussen, Barbara Rossing, Terry Fretheim, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda and many others.
WAY OF LIFE: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be a Christian.
October 23, November 6-20. Based on the book by Brian McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration, this four-part series explores the movements taking place that are reshaping the Church and the followers of Jesus. The series will explore what it means for the world and for our congregation to move from a system of beliefs to a way of life rooted in love; to leave behind the images of a violent, judging God to allow us to embrace the God revealed in Jesus; to move from organized religion to spirituality that organizes for the common good.
ADVENT
December 4-18. Christmas is one of the two most observed Christian festivals for both Church and culture, though each is not always in sync with the other. Advent is a season of real preparation for the coming of Messiah.
SHORT STORIES BY JESUS: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi.
January 15- February 19, 2020. Based on the popular book by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, who is a Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt, this series will examine what we are to make of the often misunderstood and hard to interpret parables of Jesus. The parables give us a glimpse into the way Jesus taught about the reign of God and invited people to live a new life. The interpretations will surprise and renew your faith!
SURPRISED BY HOPE: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.
March 4 – April 1, & April 15. N.T. Wright is one of the most well known Bible scholars and leaders of the Church in our age. Based on his book with this title, this series will explore how we have often gotten off track when it come to most powerful and transformative gospel news about life, life-after-death, and as he writes, “Life after life-after-death.” If you have wondered about heaven, hell, and the real message of hope found in the resurrection of Jesus, this series will teach and challenge.
TO BE ANNOUCED – April 22 – May 13.
Book Recommendations for Spiritual Transformation
Radical Spirit: 12 Ways to Live a Free and Authentic Life by Joan Chittister
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Warren
Luther's Small Catechism: Study Edition by Martin Luther
The Book of Forgiving by Desmond & Mpho Tutu
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers by Martin Marty
Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion and Healing the Divided Self by Chuck DeGroat
Radical Spirit: 12 Ways to Live a Free and Authentic Life by Joan Chittister
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Warren
Luther's Small Catechism: Study Edition by Martin Luther
The Book of Forgiving by Desmond & Mpho Tutu
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers by Martin Marty
Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion and Healing the Divided Self by Chuck DeGroat
Other Opportunities to Learn
Pause Groups and other Bible Study Groups are available for you to learn, share and grow in your faith.
