Growing YOU Winter Quarter 2010
Small Group Studies
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Lenten Opportunities
Lent isn't just for Catholics anymore!!
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Here are three opportunities to consider as you become more intentional about practicing the presence of God in 2010.
FASTING FOR LENT - For centuries, Christians have observed the season of Lent by fasting from food and observing other self-denying acts. These acts help us become more aware of our true needs. When we deny ourselves the comforts we are used to—whether a full plate of food or some other part of our daily routine (TV, coffee, alcohol, Internet, etc.) we are more mindful of our great need for God. In the weeks leading up to Lent, we will invite you to participate in this ancient practice. Consider fasting from something each day. You may want to fast from food, electronics, parties, bridge club, magazines, soap operas, car radio, or anything that would be a real sacrifice for you.
LENTEN READING – Another way to practice the presence of God is by taking time during Lent to read a book written to help you to become the person God created you to be – in the likeness of Christ. The book we recommend is The Life You’ve Always Wanted:Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg. The author brings
Scripture alive and includes practical applications and warm humor. You can order a copy of the book at a cost of $15.00 by filling out this order form. We encourage everyone to consider reading this book during Lent.
LENTEN STUDY - Weekly study groups will begin to meet the week of February 21 to study and discuss the book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People, by John Ortberg. There will be 5 different groups who will meet on different days at different times. You can select a day and time that suits you. If you want to
participate in one of these Lenten study groups, please fill out this registration form.
Book Discussion Group is in-depth study of books that focus on living the faith. The January study will be a discussion on the book, Too Busy Not To Pray, by Bill Hybels – a “classic on prayer, helping Christians all over the world slow down to draw near to God. The March study will be a discussion on the book, The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life by Tommy Newberry – based on Philippians where Paul challenges his readers to seek out and dwell on the positives of life.
Day and Time: January 10 and March 7 at 9:15 am.
Cost: The cost of each book – Too Busy To Pray ($13) and The 4:8 Principle ($14). For your convenience, copies are available in the church office.
Facilitators: Joan Frontroth and Kathy Henry
Location: Prayer Room (off the Narthex)
A Pilgrimage – Exploring Different Expressions of Faith is a year-long (September – May) adventure of discovering firsthand the varieties of expressions of faith. We will continue our journey in 2010. Each month, participants will learn about and then go to the house of worship to experience a different faith tradition. Among those we hope to learn about and visit include the following; Islam, Greek Orthodox and Quaker.
Day and Time:
___Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Greenville
Saturday, February 20, leaving Saint Mark at 8:15 am
___ Clemson Masjid (mosque)
Saturday, March 6, leaving Saint Mark at 6:00 pm, includes dinner with the Clemson Muslim community at 6:30 pm
Cost: $10 for the entire year, and the cost of gas each time we travel on the church van.
Facilitator: Marla Fuller
Location: Various locations
A Winter Afternoon Retreat – The Kiss of God is a Sunday afternoon retreat. Christians believe in the Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This retreat is an introduction to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit that will answer some of the following questions: Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the work of the Spirit? How can I recognize and incorporate the Holy Spirit in my life? What would that look like in my life? How would my life chang
Day and Time: Sunday, February 21, 12:30 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $15 (includes the cost of a light lunch and printed materials)
Facilitator:
Marla Fuller
Location Room: Room A201 (Outreach Classroom)
Mission to Eleuthera is a weeklong experience of construction, interaction with locals, worship, and opportunities to grow closer to God and others. Unlike with other typical American mission experiences, the goal for the week will not be to “fix” all their problems. We will be working on projects in the Mission House of the Tarpum Bay Methodist Church. In addition to working to the construction work, our goal will also be to “become a Bahamian” for the week: eating their foods, worshiping in their churches, listening to their stories, working alongside them and enjoying their customs. While the Bahamas is poor in ways that we are rich, it is rich in ways that we are poor. Join us for an enriching and rewarding experience.
Day and Time: March 21-28
Cost: Approximately $900 (includes the cost airfare, food, lodging and materials used on work projects)
Facilitators: Bob and Lynn Dobson
Location: The Island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas
A Pilgrimage Hike to Rabun Bald is our third all-day hike. The hike from the parking lot at Rabun Bald to the top of the mountain is 1.5 miles each way for a total of 3 mile round trip. It is rated as moderate. This is a good choice because this hike, like our spiritual journey is not easy, but the rewards are worth the effort. The winter view from the top is so vast that you may be able to pick out the Greenville Hilton. Reconnect with yourself, with others and with God - joining with other pilgrims on this meditative hike. Participants should be in reasonably good health. Be advised that the terrain is uneven and you may be climbing over rocks or under fallen trees on the trail. You will need to have warm clothing and good hiking shoes. Bring lunch, water and snacks and a small notebook. A camera and lightweight binoculars are a good idea. There will be stops along the way for personal and community reflection.
Dates and Times: Postponed until Alicia Spivey recovers
Cost: $10 (includes the cost of gas for the van)
Facilitator: Alicia Spivey
Church Family Night Classes
Wednesday Evenings, 6:15-7:15 pm
Classes begin Febuary 24th
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The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People – The Christian life is about more than being forgiven, more even that making it to heaven. The heart of Christianity is about transformation – about a God who isn’t just concerned with our “spiritual lives,” but who wants to impact every aspect of living. It’s realizing that God meets us not in a monastery but on Main Street, and that all of ordinary, daily life has the potential to be lived as if Jesus himself were the one living it. Salvation without change is not what our faith is about. If we subscribe to this kind of faith, then we’ve totally missed the boat. This study will provide the tools needed to allow God’s power to bring about change and growth.
Cost: $15 per person (includes the cost of the book)
Facilitator: Steve Morgan
Location: Room A102