Adult Eduction
Adult Education School Class
Education Classes for Adults
Years ago, the Christian Education Committee compiled a list of Bible stories that were important because of how they related to Luther’s Small Catechism. The stories would support learners as they embarked on their catechetical journey. Children who attended Sunday school were adequately prepared for their confirmation instruction. Children who were unable to attend did not have a strong working knowledge of the biblical narrative. This year’s stories, those selected for the fall of the year up through Christmas, are provided in this issue of Our Church for several reasons.
First, we are always in need of teachers and assistants in the primary department. If you can help by teaching or serving as an assistant, you will know well in advance what you will be teaching and when. Second, for families who can’t bring their children to Sunday school with regularity the stories and their biblical references are provided. Make time to read the story assigned for each week with your child. You will never
know how influential and meaningful this time may be. Third, we will be using the same stories for adult education. We are seeking volunteers to present a lesson on the assigned story. As adults we will have the opportunity to look more deeply at the story, how it fits into salvation history, what theological ramifications are manifest, and how, if at all, the story brings to light something in our present context. Parents who bring their children to Sunday school will be engaging with the same biblical material. This has the capacity to shape conversations about the scriptures and life. If you are willing to teach either an adult class or in the primary department, simply notify the church office with your preference of date and Bible story.
DATE – STORY – BIBLE REFERENCE
September 7 – Assemble Personal Care Kits for LWR
September 14 – Abram’s Call – Genesis 12:1–9
September 21 – Abraham & Sarah’s Visitors – Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16; 18:1–15; 21:1–7
September 28 – Isaac’s Blessing – Genesis 25:19–34; 27:1–40
October 5 – Free from Slavery – Exodus 5:1–6:13
October 12 – The Red Sea – Exodus 14:1–30
October 19 – The Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1–17
October 26 –The Battle of Jericho – Joshua 6:1–20
November 2 – Naomi and Ruth – Ruth 1:1–22
November 9 – David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:4–11, 32–50
November 16 – Elijah and the Widow – 1 Kings 17:8–16
November 23 – Jonah and the Big Fish – Jonah 1–4
November 30 – Making Advent Wreaths
December 7 – A Child Called Immanuel – Isaiah 7:10–17
December 14 – Angels Visit – Matthew 1:18–25
December 21 – Jesus is Born – Luke 2:1–20
December 28 – No class this week
Would You be a Sunday School Teacher?
September is just around the corner, and the Christian Education committee is preparing for the educational year. If you are willing to help teach Sunday School this year please contact Johanna Patterson (jorauch89@gmail.com) or Kelly (klmoorespencer@aol.com).
If you are interested but would like a bit more information about the commitment for teaching Sunday
school, simply contact Johanna, Kelly or Pastor Reep.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important part of the congregation’s life and witness.
Bible Study, Wednesdays 10:30 a.m., Christ Hall
Reminder the first Wednesday of the month is marked for street cleaning on Springettsbury Avenue. Please park in the lot or on George Street.
Please enter the building through the Springettsbury Avenue lobby.
Our Wednesday morning Bible study helps prepare participants for Sunday morning through the study of the up-coming scripture readings. The group delves deeply into the text, historical information, theological aspects, and shares implications for everyday life as a child of God. The group meets in Christ Hall at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. September 3 will be our first session.
Beginning September 23rd we will begin an additional Tuesday evening opportunity – An evening Bible study…from time to time someone will mention that they would like to attend a study such as the one held on Wednesday mornings, but the time doesn’t work for their schedule. To meet this need Pastor Reep will offer a Bible study on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:15 p.m. which will coincide with families coming to the church for Create & Music. The group will gather in Christ Hall. The format will be like that of Wednesday morning, we will read and discuss the upcoming Sunday readings. Folks who attend the study often speak of how it helps them make sense of the liturgy, hymns and sermon when they come to worship. Hopefully, we will have more of our members and friends engaged in meaningful study of the scriptures. The Tuesday evening session will begin late September on the 23rd.
For those who have never participated in such a study please consider; placing it on your calendar, participating in the conversation and putting aside any fears which may have precluded you from participating in the past. The format is simple. We study the up-coming Sunday readings. This helps you prepare for worship and helps Pastor Reep prepare the sermon. Pastor Reep leads the study. He often provides an overview of the Biblical text. Then he will provide some insights gleaned from Biblical commentaries and scholars. Then he invites those present to share their thoughts and insights regarding the text. Often there is lively conversation! Often there is deep emotion. Most of the time we come away with a clearer understanding of how God is at work shaping our lives. Please do come. Bring a Bible if you have an edition that you particularly like or one in which you like to make notes. Otherwise there are plenty of copies in Christ Hall. The group is extremely friendly and welcoming. Do come.
Daily Devotional Readings – The new quarterly devotional book called Christ in our Home is available at all entrances to the church. Augsburg Fortress is offering Christ in Our Home as a free email subscription. Click on the following link: https://go.augsburgfortress.org/christ-in-our-home-email-subscription to sign up. This devotional has a bible reading, thoughts and prayer for each day. Are you more of an electronic reader? Try God Pause from Luther Seminary in St. Paul’s Minnesota. Sign up and you will receive a daily email with a scripture reading, reflection and prayer. To sign up, click this link or type it into your computer search bar http://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/default
Small Groups
Are you interested in being part of a small group? Would you like to discuss social justice issues, Bible studies, family/parenting ideas or any other topic? Contact the church office with your ideas!