January 2008

Christian Education

Bible Study Opportunities

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

This weekly Bible Study delves into a book of the Bible for study and discussion. Thanks to all those faithful participants who spent the last two years studying all 150 Psalms! This year we move to the end of the New Testament to study the book of Revelation. Along with the biblical material, a book by Barbara Rossing entitled "The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation" will be used as a resource. Participants in the study may order a copy of the book if they desire.

Everyone is welcome to join in the study (even if you weren’t part of a Wednesday study before). The hour-long study begins at 9:45 AM each Wednesday in the choir room. The coffee pot is always on and quite often snacks make their way into the room as well. Come and see how this often frightening and confusing book of the Bible can be a source of hope for us today.

Grounded In Prayer

Grounded in Prayer, a six-week bible study focusing on prayer, begins on Tuesday, January 9th 2008, at 7:00 pm in the Rose of Sharon Lounge.

Even though Grounded in Prayer is being offered in conjunction with the kickoff of our second year of Prayer Team ministry here at Sharon (see Prayer Teams article in this newsletter) you need not commit to joining a Sharon Prayer Team to participate. The study includes such themes as: “The Groundwork of Prayer” and “Sharpening Your Tools For Prayer”.

Grounded in Prayer will meet once a week for six weeks. The cost is $10.00 and covers the cost of the book, Grounded in Prayer, and any additional study materials. Childcare will be available. A sign up sheet will be located in the church office. The deadline for signing up is December 23rd. Checks can be made out to Sharon Lutheran with “Prayer” written on the memo line.

Whether you are interested in learning more about our Prayer Team ministry or simply want to learn more about prayer itself please consider joining us for Grounded in Prayer.

Adult Study Opportunities

Beginning in January, Adult Education on Sunday mornings will ‘look’ and ‘sound’ a little bit different. First of all the times will be different. We will offer two education opportunities at 9:00 am and 10:30 am concurrent with our worship schedule. That’s how adult education will ‘look’ different, at least on the calendar! Sunday morning adult education will also ‘sound’ different because we will be utilizing some wonderful audio resources from radio and podcasts. Each Sunday we will focus on a particular faith-related topic by listening to such programs as Peter Marty’s Grace Matters or American Public Media’s Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett. After listening there will be an opportunity to discuss what we have heard. Please join us for some lively discussion about issues relevant to our lives in the world today. Remember, 9:00 and 10:30 am each Sunday morning, beginning on Sunday, January 6th, 2008. See you there!

Confirmation

Confirmation resumes on Wednesday, Jan. 2nd.

City Wide Confirmation: Wednesday, January 23rd @ Chester Fritz

Education News November

Church School resumes Wednesday, January 2nd and Sunday January 6th.

December Giving Tree: Thank you everyone for your care and generosity to the families who received gifts from the giving tree. Together we were able to gift these families and help with some of their needs.

9 total families and 1 individual received Christmas gifts and gift cards. Over 140 individual gifts were donated.

Our Christmas programs collect $559 that was then turned into additional gifts and cash donations to families and individuals.

Church School Offering: In the months of Jan. and Feb. we will be collecting monies for Special Needs Ministry here at Sharon as well as across the state. 50% of the monies collected will be shared among Special Needs Ministry. One of the places we will be supporting is the Chaplaincy program at the Anne Carlsen Center for Children in Jamestown, North Dakota. You can find out more about the Center at: www.annecenter.org

September/October Church School Offering: $346 was sent to CVIC and $346 was sent to Lutheran Disaster Response for the Northwood families affected by the tornado. Thank you to all our Church School students and families for your generosity.