Programs - Congregational Life

Children and Youth Classes

PASSION FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE: CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Sunday Mornings 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Welcome to our church! Church school for children and youth is offered in three places.

THE NURSERY: (Preschool) Sandra MacArthur and Adrianne Lane open wide the door of hospitality in our nursery corner where Bible stories are explored through names and meanings. Sandra and Adrianne nurture with love Bible stories and fun. Take a look and you will see…our nursery is a welcome place to be!

UPPER FLOOR (Elementary): Beginning June 20th and running through September 5th we are on summer schedule. Teams of two adults will take turn teaching our young people each Sunday. Each lesson will include a craft lesson, story lesson and a snack.

PASTOR'S OFFICE is the place for Middle School and High School aged people to gather and hang out. This age group is on summer break and will return to their regular curriculum on September 12th.

Please find a place to nurture your spirit and grow in the grace of Jesus Christ. Our passion to teach is alive and well.

FALL FESTIVITY AND
KICK OFF SUNDAY
September 12, 2010

We will celebrate a whole new beginning as fall gears up for a brand new season and year. ALL members will be invited to re-dedicate their membership and participation in our worship service. Sunday school and fall program will spin into motion. Expect it to be a spirited- day of

activity and worship.

Adult Classes
"Lists for Living"

Pastor Emeritus, Donald Payne and Pastor Debbie Little, are co-teaching this Sunday morning class which ends September 5, 2010.

Micah 6:8        To do justice, to love kindness, to walk                       humbly with God (first three weeks)
Exodus
Deuteronomy   The Ten Commandments

Hap Vernon's class (The Adventurers) is off on break. They will return in the fall. Stay tuned....

Wednesdays:
1:00 pm Bible Study - This class usually meets twice a year for a study decided by the group and is taught by Pastor Debbie Little.

Our class is currently on summer break but will return in September to study "Exodus."

Thursdays:
10:00 am Women's Bible Study - Led by Eleanor Ogg
This group is on summer break and will return in September.

Seasons and Colors of the Christian Year

The rhythm of the church year is enhanced by the melody of the lectionary which establishes a pattern of scriptures for the seasons. The year is set apart in these seasons which celebrate the life of Christ to inform, guide, and challenge our daily living.

The year begins with Advent four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day and Christmas. The color of the season is purple or royal blue which changes to white and gold on Christmas.

The twelve days following Christmas are the Christmas season celebrating the birth of Jesus to the arrival of the magi (kings) at the feast of the Epiphany (January 6). White and gold suggest joy and glory. The word epiphany means "manifestation of light."

From Epiphany until the beginning of Lent is the Season after Epiphany or Ordinary Time. The color green for growth and new life serves as a backdrop for stories of the call of the disciples and prophets and of the beginning of Jesus' ministry. We are reminded by God is with us in the ordinary seasons of our life.

Lent consists of the 40 days - not including Sundays before Easter. Lent is one of the oldest observances in the church's history. The 40 days of Lent compare to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness prior to his ministry. Over time, this period of fasting and reflection prior to Easter is common to many Christians. Purple supports a mood of penitence, or self examination. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, invites us to prepare for a season of reflection which can take many forms. During the final week, Holy Week we remember the events of Jesus' last events of his life.

Easter celebrates the joy of Christ's resurrection. This joyous season lasts for 50 days, celebrating that Christ is risen, the powers of evil, fear, and death and destruction do no have the final word. The season reaches a wonderful conclusion with the feast of Pentecost, celebrating the presence of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. Traditionally bright reds, and oranges light up this day.

After Pentecost we return to Ordinary Time - the Season after Pentecost. It generally covers about half the year, taking us back to Advent where the cycle begins again. In this lengthy season, we remember again the presence of God with us in everyday breathing in and breathing out of each morning and evening. The color is green.