Adult Studies
2012 Advent Studies - What would you think of “A Different Kind of Christmas?”
The Advent Study lead by Judy Strate will start November 28th, at 7 PM, at her home in Somersworth, NH (check with the church office for directions).
The DVD study, “A Different Kind of Christmas” was written by Mike Slaughter. It is a practical and inspirational study for the Advent season. Based on Mike Slaughter’s popular book “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday,” this five-week study will empower your family and our church to reclaim the broader missional meaning of Jesus’ birth, and experience a Christmas season with more peace and joy than any toy or gadget could ever bring.
Sessions include:
1. Expect a Miracle
2. Giving Up on Perfect
3. Scandalous Love
4. Jesus’ Wish List
5. By a Different Road
Help our church cast a vision for how Christians can experience the true joy of living and giving like Jesus, beginning with the Christmas season and continuing as a lifestyle. This six week study helps participants see the traps and discontentment of consumerism and the call of God to live generously to fulfill God’s mission in the world.
Advent Study to address an “Advent Conspiracy”
Are you tired of the consumerism that has come to define Christmas? Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World is an engaging, four-session DVD-supported curriculum that invites us to celebrate Jesus’ birth more meaningfully by substituting compassion for consumption with family, friends, and the less fortunate.
. Worship Fully-because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus!
. Spend Less-and free your resources for things that truly matter.
. Give More-of your presence: your hands, your words, your time,
your heart.
. Love All-the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the sick in
ways that make a difference.
This four session study will be lead by Pastor Mark on the four Sundays before Christmas - December 2, 9, 16 and 23, at 7 PM. The cost for each participant is $9 (scholarship assistance is available if needed - speak to Mark).
Upcoming online courses from The Upper Room
We are very pleased to be partnering with The Upper Room to bring great courses provided by some of their book authors into an online setting. You may read about the wonderful work of The Upper Room on their website: www.upperroom.org. You may find their bookstore at www.upperroom.org/bookstore.
“Singing Mary’s Song” — November 30 - December 29, 2012 — $45
When Mary learns that she will be the mother of the Messiah, she sings an unusual song. It’s not just a sweet lullaby anticipating her baby’s birth. Instead, Mary’s song in an aria of freedom and hope for the homeless, the hungry, the refugee, and the powerless. In this online “eRetreat,” author John Stroman leads us through Advent with a focus on the promise of hope and deliverance found in Mary’s song.
Our Advent eRetreat offers:
* daily meditations from Singing Mary’s Song
* guided audio reflections
* opportunity for group online discussion
Join with a small group from our congregation, with a group of friends from across the country, or solo. Meet online anytime from anywhere.
Content from John Strohman’s book, Singing Mary’s Song, is included in the eRetreat. If you would like to purchase your own paperback copy of the book, you’ll find it at the Upper Room bookstore. A 20% discount code is offered to all course participants and will be emailed to you.
Access to all BeADisciple.com courses begins at noon Central Time of the publicized start day. You will receive an email containing web location and login information that morning, so please be sure to add the email address BeADisciple@sckans.edu to your list of approved senders. If you have questions about how online workshops work, please check our FAQ’s page (http://beadisciple.com/faqs.html).