Adults

Education & Spiritual Growth

DOWNTOWN

Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class

Dorothy Maxwell,841-7956

Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Room 306

This Adult Bible Study uses the International Lesson Series. The class has different teachers weekly. It also participates in humanitarian projects.

Peacemakers Sunday School Class

Karen Moore, 842-4417

Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Room 203

Peacemakers utilizes printed and media materials, guest speakers, and members of the class facilitating discussion of Christian beliefs and issues that divide the community, the world, and the lives of those in the class.

John Wesley Class

Tony Martin, 749-4083

Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Room 301

Adults of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to attend. A variety of ideas, knowledge and experiences are what make this class fun, lively, informative, and faith-filled.

Mid-Morning Class

Greg Hildenbrand
10:40 a.m., Room 303

Enjoy Bible Study and fellowship following Life worship. Discussion is lively; topics are timely and thought-provoking.

Happy Friends

Carol Abrahamson, 842-2572

Sundays, 9:30 a.m., Room 305

First Church has a 25+ year history of ministry with adults with disabilities. The Happy Friends ministry offers a Sunday School Class, in addition to other fellowship opportunities and occasional special music in worship.

Parents with Teens Class

Laura Stephenson

Sundays 10:40 a.m., Room 302

Designed especially for parents who are raising teenagers, it’s a chance to join in fellowship and learning with other parents. This class spends time covering a wide variety of topics relevant to parents of teens, and offers the chance for parents to share their own experiences.

WEST CAMPUS

Adult Fellowship Class

Dave Petersen, 832-1955

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. in SW Corner of Great Room

There’s coffee and fellowship, followed by study, reflection and discussion. Neal Malicky will lead the class with God’s
Creation: Our Responsibility.

The Huddle Men’s Group

Adam Inman, 843-6653

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. in room 104

Huddle up and study “Coached by Jesus” in Room 103. We also run plays straight out of the book with Habitat for
Humanity workdays and other service projects. Sometimes we’ll audible and play 9 after work. Ready, Break!

The Crossroads

Brenda Inman, 843-6653

Jeff Clinger, 913-972-1075

Sundays, 10:30 a.m. in room 103

The Crossroads Sunday School class is a place for people
of all ages (yes, youth too) to gather together and explore the intersections of faith and life. This year we are using Rob Bell's short series of videos (http://nooma.com) as a jumping off point for our time together. Brenda Inman and Jeff Clinger lead this class at 10:30am in room 105 of the celebration center.

Study Groups

Sisters - There are now two Sisters groups. They are groups of women who are actively seeking God's will for their life through study, prayer, and reflection. Study topics have included keeping our focus on God, discovering the "Fruits of the Spirit", and cultivating a wise heart and passionate life. There are currently three Sisters classes meeting.

Short-term Bible Studies - Short-term studies are offered at various times throughout the year. They last 4-8 weeks and some are offered on Sunday mornings or at other times during the week. Announcements about these studies are published in the bulletin, First Edition and information and registration is also available at the Information Desk.

The Seekers - This is a small group which started as a singles group and has continued to enjoy time together through general Bible study and discussion.

Other Study Groups

Disciple Bible -

Beginning every fall, First Church offers several classes of Disciple Bible. In September at least one class of Disciple I, II, III and IV will be offered. Information sessions and registration are held during the summer. Class lengths vary between 32 and 34 weeks. Disciple Bible is an in-depth study of the Bible, but is perfect for those just beginning a Bible study. It does not require any previous Bible study although graduating from Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study is required before taking the other classes available. Following completion of the course the Disciple Bible graduates are recognized in a special worship service. There are opportunities each summer to attend a Disciple Bible training session for those interested. This allows you to lead and take the course at the same time.

Disciple I covers a quick read and study from Genesis through Revelation. Disciple II: Into the Word, Into the World is an in-depth study of Genesis/Exodus and Luke/Acts. Disciple III: Remember Who You Are concentrates on the Old Testament prophets and the letters of Paul. Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life studies that portion of the Old Testament called the Writings-Ruth, I and II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ester, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations and Daniel. It also covers the New Testament scriptures including the Gospel of John 1, 2, 3, John, James, Jude and Revelation.

Faith in the 21st Century - This is a group that chooses two or three topics to study in depth each year. They meet downtown on Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m. Areas of study have included a 12-week course, with video, about Evolution, led by one of our participants, Other times the leadership is shared by some members. They choose studies that are thought-provoking, sometimes controversial, and related to our faith journeys.

Small Groups

Small groups are a vital part of the Discipleship Ministry at First Church.
They include Couples Covenant Group, Marriage Covenant, Women’s Tuesday Coffee, Movie and a Meal, Men’s Monday Morning Breakfast, Quilters, Road Runners, Exercise Class, and Wrapped in Love. New groups are being added throughout the year.

Stephen Ministry - Christ Caring for People Through People This one-to-one trained lay caring ministry has recently started at First Church. We have three trained Stephen Leaders and an initial class of Stephen Ministers. The 50 hours of training will begin in January and the Stephen Ministers will be commissioned in late Spring.

Caring for one another is what Stephen Ministry is about. To find out more about Stephen Ministry, how you can become a Stephen Minister, or to make a referral, call the church office, 841-7500, and ask to speak to one of our Stephen Leaders.

Senior Adult Ministry Team

Senior Adult Ministry council is comprised of three specific committees. The committees are: Nurture and outreach and Fellowship. The council coordinates, encourages, facilitates, plans, and evaluates the actions of each of the committees. The committees work together on specific projects with overlapping interest.

Nurture and Outreach: The focus of this committee will be on pastoral care provided by the laity. After training, the members of this committee regularly visit church members living in health care facilities, or homebound. Each trained member has no more than five persons in their care group. These caregivers are called, "Walking Rainbows." Additional ways of reaching out to those members unable to attend worship regularly will be determined by the committee and approved by the council.

Fellowship: The focus of this committee is on regular as well as seasonal gatherings for seniors. Day trips and retreats would be included. An underlying foundation to this committee would be mission projects. All fellowship would have a mission component even if it was rather small. At this time a group called "Roadrunners" organizes the day trips. A group called "Movie and a Meal" gathers for fellowship, and food as they watch a movie together. And, an exercise group meets every Tuesday morning.