Title: Lenten Book Study: 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton
Facilitator: Rev. Deacon Nancy Lanman and Sue Klescewski and Tom Bolton
Location: Zoom and Lighthouse Room
Date/Time: Two Adult Class opportunities:
– Sunday (March 2-April 13) 9:00-10:00 am Leaders: Rev. Deacon Nancy Lanman and Sue Klescewski (Lighthouse Room)
-Tuesday Zoom Class (3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15) 7:00-8:00 pm Leader: Tom Bolton
Description: Hamilton guides us, step by step, through the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life in this popular, heartbreaking, and inspiring book. No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this book, Hamilton helps us experience and understand the significance of Jesus’ suffering and death like never before. He retraces the day that changed human history in his usual straightforward yet easy, conversational style that speaks to both long-time Christians and those who are simply curious about the story of Christ’s crucifixion. The Children’s and Youth Sunday School classes will also follow the same study as adults (using age-appropriate lessons). A DVD component will enhance the six week study. Please watch for the bulletin insert with more details.
Title: The Chosen
Facilitator: Val Holzman
Location: Lighthouse Room
Date/Time: Beginning Jan 5, 2025 – 9:00-10:00am
Description: The class will view The Chosen, Season 3, and discuss/compare it with Scripture after each
episode. The Chosen is a television drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, portraying Jesus “through the eyes of those who met him.” We will compare the scenes to the biblical text. What does the episode add, explain, change, or leave out?
Title: Jesus in the Gospels by Leander E. Kech 
Facilitator: Tom Bolton
Location: Fireside Room
Date/Time: Beginning Jan 5, 2025 – 9:00-10:00am
Description: The study helps group members understand that Jesus is rooted in Judaism and the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and Jesus was a new Covenant for us, about whom we learn by studying and comparing the words of Jesus in all four Gospels, and understanding even more through the writing of the whole New Testament.
Title: Social Principles of the United Methodist Church (UMC)
Facilitator: Rev. Deacon Nancy Lanman
Location: Lighthouse Room
Date/Time: Sunday, March 9, 12:00 pm (following worship-bring a small lunch)
Description: Are you feeling overwhelmed by moral issues currently facing you and our society? The March session will address the challenges of applying ethical guidelines learned in the study of the UMC’s Social Principles to everyday life. Participants who have attended one of the previous introductory classes on the Social Principles have enjoyed reading and discussing articles that explore situations and issues that are disrupting the well-being of our lives, both personally and as a nation.
The group has studied, so far, the disheartening rise in the number of mass shootings in our society and the challenges of enacting both just and effective immigration reforms. A third introductory class will be taught in the fall for those who would like to join these enlightening discussions.
Our March session will continue to explore immigration policies and the context within which very different moral understandings are affecting what is happening to very vulnerable people, as well as the wider economic, social, and political context within which we all live and work.
Title: Radical Methodism: Back to our Roots
Facilitator: Tom Bolton
Location: Zoom
Date/Time: Beginning Jan 15, 2025 – Tuesdays – 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
Description: is a four-part, in depth history course for anyone interested in examining Methodism from the earliest days to the present. The word ‘radicle’ in the course title is not a typo but rather a word referring to the foundational part of the plant, explains Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Commission on Archives and History general secretary and course developer. In the four modules, we look at the denomination’s heritage rooted in John Wesley, journeying across centuries to follow the radicle of Methodism as it spread and its leaves and branches emerged. Please watch for additional details. Contact the church office to register.
Other Adult Education Opportunities
Sometimes it is just easier to have the Bible read to us than to read it our-selves, isn’t it? Here are three FREE good options for hearing the Bible read on a daily basis. Each reads a selection from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. All are available as an app also.
- OneYearBiblePodcast.com – The Bible is read in a clear, straightforward fashion without commentary.
- DailyAudioBible.com – The Bible is read through in a year by rotating what version is read each week. There is a ten minute meditation/commentary each day.
- DailyRadioBible.com – The Bible is read through using the New Living Translation. There is a ten minute daily meditation/commentary each day.
- Check out Pastor Glenn McDonald’s 5-minute morning reflection program. It’s accessible on your phone and available as a podcast. Join by going to glennsreflections.com.