GrowingTogether August September Edition

GrowingTogether AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2010



SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Reaching Higher “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:18)

Growing Deeper

“Spiritual growth is an engaged, intentional, and prayerful practice.”

New Times

S

trong roots, fresh fruits. It’s a new season of life together at First United Methodist Church, and with these new times come new opportunities to grow. This is a time to look at our roots to see if we are growing deeper, grounded in a growing knowledge and understanding of Scripture and in a connection to the community of faith. This is also a time to examine the fruits of our discipleship growth to see if they are fresh and alive and nourishing to the world around us.

Discipleship at FUMC is about growing strong roots and bearing fresh fruits in the name of Jesus Christ.

Spiritual growth as Christian disciples is an engaged, intentional, and prayerful practice. It’s a way of life. That is why we encourage you to spend time with God and in conversation with your family and 2

with others whom you trust about how you plan to pursue your faith development this (and every) season. We hope that this issue of Growing Together will help you in that process.

If you have not participated in the 34-week basic Bible survey course Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study, consider doing so this year. This is a strong, foundational experience that we hope every person will choose when the time is right.

What about Sunday morning discipleship? Do you have a place to connect beyond the Sunday worship experience? The opportunities are many, including the new Join the Journey class designed for newcomers and available to join at any time beginning September 12.

Sunday morning Bible studies and Sunday school classes will always welcome you and make for a great

combination for your spiritual life along with worship.

Many special studies will be going in these new times, both on Sunday mornings and throughout the week.

Look over the following pages with care and with prayer. Connect with those around you in study and growth. Strong roots, fresh fruits.

Join us in growing together!

Rev. John Harman Adult Discipleship Pastor

“Studying the Bible over the course of a year with a group opened the doors of Bible study and spiritual growth for me. And I made some very special friends along the way!”

Growing Together in these New Times

Disciple Bible Study Register Now for 2010–2011 Classes

H

ave you ever thought, ―I would like to dig in and get to Each group (typically about 12 participants) is led by a know what the Bible is all about, but I don’t know trained facilitator who has not only the knowledge and where to start‖? If so, consider making Disciple Bible Study experience to lead Disciple, but the heart to share in a journey part of your spiritual growth plan for the coming season. of growth with others who want to know more about the Disciple Bible Study is about transformation—not just Bible and its application to life. information—that deepens our lives across the spectrum of Disciple is one of the strongest in-depth group Bible studies Christian discipleship. Disciple classes are 32 to available and includes daily preparations of about 34-week experiences in which participants read 30–45 minutes, along with a weekly group study To the treetops! and study the Bible in small, committed groups. session of about two hours.

Disciple Bible The studies are for adults of all ages and As we grow in knowledge by spending dedicated Study helps you experience levels, and they provide an excellent time in Bible study, we find greater meaning in “see the forest” way to build or to build upon a biblical our lives, deeper faith, and sharper priorities. And as you get foundation for your faith. when we do Bible study in small group The first class in the Disciple series, Becoming to know the trees. communities like Disciple, we develop lasting Disciples Through Bible Study, surveys both the friendships as we pray, study, and grow together.

Old and New Testaments over 34 weeks. In this course, Be informed, transformed, and heart-warmed on your participants deepen their awareness of the whole biblical journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Registration is open story and have the opportunity to discuss and learn more online at sharingtheheart.org/adults, or at the registration about how God calls us to respond to that story today. table at church on certain Sunday mornings. Classes begin in Other Disciple classes focus on smaller sections of the Bible late August, so don’t delay in getting into a group! over the course of the year and may be taken in any order.

Class

Time

Starts

Leader

Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study

Sun 3:30 pm Mon 7:00 pm Tues 9:30 am Tues 7:00 pm

8/29 8/23 8/24 8/24

TBA Dr. Don Renshaw Wendell Seaman Harold & Desiree Chesley

Disciple II: Into the Word, Into the World

Sun 5:30 pm Wed 9:30 am

8/22 8/25

Tina Ripperger Barbara Golding

Disciple III: Remember Who You Are

Sun pm TBA

8/25

David Robinson

Visit the FAQ page in the Disciple area at sharingtheheart.org/adults, or email the Adult Discipleship staff at discipleship@sharingtheheart.org for more information.

3

Growing Together Men’s Morning Bible Study

Prayer & Discipleship

Making Connections Every Friday Morning

Don’t Miss the Connection

O

n Friday mornings at 7:00, men gather at the church for coffee and Bible study together to start the day. The study is led by experienced Bible teachers and encourages interaction and fellowship as well as praying for needs that are shared. Typically, this large group studies through books of the Bible by reading and discussing a new section each week.

This time of connection and study is open to all men, and welcomes Current Bible visitors and those who are only able Study: to attend occasionally. Stop by The Book of 2 Samuel Room B110 (Parlor) any Friday and discover why this morning study is so popular at FUMC!

D

iscipleship is ultimately a work of God, and we recognize the indispensible role of prayer as a Christian community. One of the many blessings of having a regular discipleship connection is the opportunity to pray for and with others in the faith community, and to be prayed for by the very same. Strength and support flow from these Christian relationships and form an integral part of our learning and growing experience. Are you connected?

Find that place, and let us help if we can: discipleship@sharingtheheart.org.

Faith Connections Sunday Morning Bible Study First Things First Study of the Book of Revelation begins September 12 Led by Pastor John Harman

A

re you connected with an opportunity to grow Almighty is the beginning and the end, ―the One who is, through Bible study on Sunday mornings in these who was, and who is to come‖ (1:8). This book is more new times? Consider joining in a new than a curiosity—it is a book of Bible Study series to complement your For more on this study encouragement, hope, and power for Sunday morning worship experience at the Church. To study it is to come and a schedule of Part One, First United Methodist Church. This face to face with the presence, see page 7. study will help you learn more about power, and plans of God, and to the Bible and its implications for your become strengthened for the life, and it will help you develop meaningful Christian life and its struggles. connections in the church family and build relationships Part I of First Things First will study Revelation 1–3 with the faith community. over nine weeks beginning September 12 and will be led The Book of Revelation is that special part of the

by Pastor John Harman. Check out the schedule on Bible—the last book of our Scriptures—that reminds us page 7, and plan to join this Sunday morning Bible that God is making all things new (21:5) and that God study at 9:00 a.m. in Room C210.

4

Join the Journey Growing Together in these New Times

Join the Journey A Newcomers’ Exploration Beginning September 12

I

f you are new to First United Methodist Church, you’ll designed to inform and equip you to understand and to find the Join the Journey experience to be an opportunity respond to the biblical call to a life of discipleship. We hope to make a meaningful connection. It is that every person in the church family has a especially designed to answer your questions regular place of connection where you can Begins Sept 12 about the Christian faith, the Methodist learn and grow in community. We believe Church, and life in the church family. As you that Join the Journey will help you find a 10:05 a.m. explore some basic topics in Christianity, pathway to that connection that is right for Room C210 Methodism, personal Bible study, and service you. and discipleship, you will get to connect with See the schedule below and visit the Join the other newcomers and begin a journey of Journey page under Short Term Studies at learning and spiritual growth together in this family of faith. sharingtheheart.org/adults to learn more. You can register The weekly sessions work around United Methodist Bishop there using the online form, or stop by the Information Desk William Willimon’s This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan in the main church lobby and let us know you’d like to Join Faith and Practice (Abingdon Press, 2010). They are the Journey.

Join the Journey Sept 12 – Nov 21, 2010 Week 1 Come to the Table: The Feast of Fellowship

Week 7

We Believe: In the Guidance of Scripture

Week 2 We the People: Our United Methodist Heritage

Week 8

Personal Bible Study Basics

Week 3 We Believe: In One God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Week 9

We Believe: In Christian Work and Witness and in the Gift of the Church

Week 4 We Believe: In Jesus Christ and His Reign

Week 10 We Believe: In Spiritual Gifts for the Church

Week 5 We Believe: In the Work of the Holy Spirit

Week 11 Called to Grow: Intentional Discipleship at FUMC

Week 6 We Believe: In Salvation for Sinners

For more information, contact Liz Greenwell lgreenwell@sharingtheheart.org  972.562.8556  www.sharingtheheart.org 5

Adult Sunday School

D

id you know that hundreds of adults participate in Leadership Team (ADLT) and the leaders of the Sunday Sunday school classes at First United Methodist classes encourage you to try the wonderful combination of Church every Sunday morning? Adult Sunday school is the worship and group discipleship growth as a regular part of church’s largest discipleship ministry and your Sunday morning experience. has much to offer for study, growth, and Many of the various classes maintain a See some upcoming fellowship. web page on the church’s site at Sunday morning groups include large Sunday School highlights sharingtheheart.org/adults. There you can lecture-style classes, mid-sized guided see a basic description of the group, the on the facing page. discussion Bible studies, and smaller groups meeting time and place, and a person to that focus on biblical topics in more personal contact if you’d like more information. and informal settings. From inductive Bible studies to Often you can also find a description of the current study topical book discussions to marriage and family-focused and other activities in which the class is involved. fellowships, FUMC has a variety of opportunities on At FUMC we believe that a life of faith is a life of Sundays that are sure to include a match for your interests growth, and we invite you to grow with us on Sunday and style. More classes and groups are being added this mornings. We welcome your presence and participation as year also, so there is always room for you! we open our lives together to the transforming experience Sunday morning classes welcome visitors and those who of Bible study in community. just want to ―shop around.‖ The Adult Discipleship

BEGINNING AUGUST 22 WITH THE NEW TIMES . . .

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES/LOCATIONS

6

ROOM

9:00

ROOM

10:05

A200

GENERATIONS

A215

ALPHA-OMEGA

B105

CELEBRATION

A225

SOLO ACT

B110

CANAFAX

A250

BOOMERS

B200

GENESIS

B105

SEASONS

C200

JUBILEE

B110

FELLOWSHIP

C205

COMPASS

B205

HOMEBUILDERS

C210

FAITH CONNECTIONS

B215

LIFE APPLICATIONS

CHAPEL

LORA RYAN

C205

LEGACY

C215

ODYSSEY

New Sunday Morning Bible Studies and Highlights The HomeBuilders Class

T

he HomeBuilders Sunday School Class will be starting a new book, Improving Communication in Your Marriage, on Sunday, August 22 at the new 10:05 a.m. time. The cost is $18 per couple. We’ll meet in Room B205 and would love to have you join us. HomeBuilders is a marriage enrichment program designed to strengthen marriages and develop supportive relationships with other couples.

For more information contact Bonnie Klinger at 972-547-4252 or bmk19@sbcglobal.net.

The Jubilee Class

J

ubilee meets in Room C200, currently at 9:45 a.m., then at 9:00 a.m. beginning August 22. Some upcoming highlights include:

August 1

Susan Pierce will lead a Presentation entitled ―Youth Civil Rights Tour‖ about the recent youth trip.

August 8

Nancy Powlen will lead a Guatemala presentation.

September 5

Meet for breakfast/brunch at a location TBD (check website).

September 12-26

Jerry Sanders will lead a 3-week study on the Book of Ezekiel.

Faith Connections

Y

ou are invited to join the Faith Connections Sunday Morning Bible Study for the first of several study series through the Book of Revelation: First Things First. The first series will look at Revelation 1–3, which includes an introduction to the book, the Apostle John’s vision of the Risen Christ Jesus (chapter 1), and the seven ―letters‖ given by Jesus for the seven churches (chapters 2–3). We will have an opportunity to discuss biblical prophecy and apocalypse as well as some of the crucial Old Testament background to the Book of Revelation. But most of all, the book is a book of hope and victory and words of encouragement to the Church during the struggle of waiting for the Lord’s promised return. As the very first verse points out, the purpose of Revelation is to reveal the person, power, and plan of Christ (1:1).

Would you like to know Jesus more deeply, experience his power more fully, and find hope in his triumphant plans for you and for the world more tangibly? Look for Faith Connections on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in Room C210 beginning September 12.

First Things First (Revelation 1–3) A Faith Connections Sunday Morning Bible Study Sep. 12

The Beginning of the End (Revelation 1:1-8)

Sep. 19

A Glimpse of His Glory (Rev.1:9-20)

Sep. 26

A Letter from God: Jesus’ Word to a Busy Church (Rev. 2:1-7)

Oct. 3

A Letter from God: Jesus’ Word to a Suffering Church (Rev. 2:8-11)

Oct. 10

A Letter from God: Jesus’ Word to a Confused Church (Rev. 2:12-17)

Oct. 17

A Letter from God: Jesus’ Word to an Unguarded Church (Rev. 2:18-29)

Oct. 24

A Letter from God: Bringing Faith to Life (Rev. 3:1-6)

Oct. 31

A Letter from God: Staying Strong When We’re Feeling Weak (Rev. 3:7-13)

Nov. 7

A Letter from God: Jesus’ Word to an OffTemperature Church (Rev. 3:14-22)

Visit the Adult Discipleship area on the FUMC website: sharingtheheart.org/adults 7

Opportunities to Discover Small Groups

Walk to Emmaus

Getting Connected and Growing Together

An Unforgettable Weekend of Grace

A

commitment to life in community is important for Christians. The Bible emphasizes it, and the Church thrives when we pursue it with sincere faith. An exciting place to live out such a commitment is with a small group.

Small groups meet in the evenings, both at church (where childcare is provided) and in homes. If you are looking for that refreshing connection and a place to learn and grow, contact our Small Groups Coordinator, Clint Scofield, at clintscofield@sbcglobal.net or 972.542.0778. Let’s grow together as a church family!

Footprints What’s Your Story?

F

ootprints is a six-week group workshop whose participants begin to write the stories of their lives. Footprints encourages you to remember the people, places, and events in your life that have made you who you are and to write those memories down as short stories. With an experienced guide to lead the way and a specially designed notebook for the journey, groups meet weekly (or every other week in some sessions) to write and to share their writing.

A Footprints group is currently underway and would welcome your visit. See the Church calendar at sharingtheheart.org for time and location. New groups are started seasonally through the year, so contact the author and facilitator of the program to learn more about the Footprints experience or to express your interest in an upcoming session. Email or call Sue Wagstaff at sue_wag@sbcglobal.net or 972.548.2071.

What is the Walk to Emmaus?

The Walk to Emmaus was established to develop Christian leadership in the local church and discipleship in the world around us by encouraging a closer relationship with Christ. Men and women attend different Walks and must be adults over the age of 18.

The weekend is a 72-hour experience which begins on Thursday evening and continues through Sunday evening. Clergy and lay speakers present 15 talks.

Participants study, discuss, and experience God’s grace and love in a profoundly personal way.

How to Attend To attend the Walk to Emmaus, each person must have a sponsor who has already attended a walk. If you have a friend who has been to Emmaus, ask about his or her experience with the program to help you decide whether you would find an Emmaus experience helpful. If you don’t know anyone who has been on a Walk, we would be happy to help locate a sponsor (discipleship@sharingtheheart.org).

Walks are held at the Prothro Center on Lake Texoma. You can link to the Center’s site and to an application to attend a walk at sharingtheheart.org/walk-to-emmaus.

Upcoming Walks Women’s #72: August 12-16, 2010 Men’s #73: Sept. 30-Oct 2, 2010

8 6

Discipleship and Spiritual Growth at FUMC: About the ADLT etc.

Growing Together in these New Times

Growing in Faith on the Discipleship Pathway Adult Discipleship Ministries at FUMC

A

t First United Methodist Church, we believe that the journey of Christian faith is a journey of growth. In fact, the Bible calls us all to ―grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ‖ (1 Peter 3:18). In the context of a relationship with Christ, then, we refer to the journey from our welcoming and orientation ministries to our study and growth groups to our relational small groups to service and mission as a ―discipleship pathway.‖ As part of this journey, we will always encourage you to take a next step of spiritual growth by connecting with a Bible study, a Sunday school class, or a small group (to name a few) that is right for you. When we encounter the Bible and its implications for our lives, and when we do that together in community, we experience growth in some very important and biblically faithful ways.

If you are new to the Christian faith or to the life of the church, take part in a Discover FUMC! Orientation Class and in the special newcomer’s experience, Join the Journey.

These are designed to serve not only as places of

information, but also as bridges into other discipleship experiences.

Then, find a Sunday school class or group to take your study of the Bible and your experience of Christian fellowship further. Sunday morning is a wonderful time for combining worship, fellowship, and growth as you spend time praising God and giving attention to the Word of God in the Bible. As a next step, consider going deeper by joining a small group or a midweek indepth Bible study (like Disciple Bible Study). You will develop friendships, study the Bible in a focused and meaningful way, and have a place of support and refueling during the week to help you stay in focus.

There is always a place to take your next step at FUMC, and new opportunities are added all the time. Your Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT) wants to support you on your pathway of discipleship in any way we can. If you need help ―picking up the trail‖ or finding your way toward a connection that’s a good fit for you, contact the ADLT at discipleship@sharingtheheart.org anytime.

Visit the Adult Discipleship area on the FUMC website: sharingtheheart.org/adults There you will find more on the studies, groups, and classes that are part of our journey of growth together.

9

Personal Bible Reading Reading the Bible for Growth and Strength in 2010

I

n these new times, we join as a church family to finish reading through the Book of Psalms. The poetry of the Psalms takes us to the highest highs of praise, to the lowest lows of lament, and to places in between. Psalms reflect the reality of our own experiences and the struggles we have in faith and life as God’s people. Ultimately, though, the news is good, as we look forward to the fullness of God’s coming kingdom when Christ returns. We’ll read about that in the challenging and interesting Book of Revelation during the month of September. Below is a schedule of short Bible readings that you can follow as you are able. You can also get a copy of this schedule printed on a bookmark in the main church lobby. Let’s all continue to listen carefully to what God has to say as we ―grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ‖ (1 Peter 3:18).

August 2010 1

Psalm 104

14 Psalm 119:81-128

27 Psalms 142-143

7

Rev. 3:14-22

20 Rev. 15

2

Psalm 105

15 Psalm 119:129-176 28 Psalms 144-145

8

Rev. 4

21 Rev. 16

3

Psalm 106

16 Psalms 120-121

29 Psalms 146-147

9

Rev. 5

22 Rev. 17

4

Psalm 107

17 Psalms 122-124

30 Psalms 148-149

10 Rev. 6

23 Rev. 18:1-10

5

Psalm 108

18 Psalms 125-126

31 Psalm 150

11 Rev. 7

24 Rev. 18:11-24

6

Psalm 109

19 Psalms 127-128

12 Rev. 8

25 Rev. 19:1-10

7

Psalm 110

20 Psalms 129-131

13 Rev. 9

26 Rev. 19:11-21

8

Psalms 111-112

21 Psalms 132-133

1 Revelation 1

14 Rev. 10

27 Rev. 20

9

Psalms 113-115

22 Psalms 134-135

2 Rev. 2:1-7

15 Rev. 11

28 Rev. 21

10 Psalms 116-117

23 Psalm 136

3 Rev. 2:8-17

16 Rev. 12

29 Rev. 22:1-6

11 Psalm 118

24 Psalms 137-138

4 Rev. 2:18-29

17 Rev. 13

30 Rev. 22:7-21

12 Psalm 119:1-40

25 Psalm 139

5 Rev. 3:1-6

18 Rev. 14:1-13

13 Psalm 119:41-80

26 Psalms 140-141

6 Rev. 3:7-13

19 Rev. 14:14-20

September 2010

“This is the day the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Psalm 118:24

Welcome to GrowingTogether!

GrowingTogether is the bimonthly newsletter of the Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT). Its purpose is to highlight upcoming opportunities to connect and grow in the First United Methodist Church family, and to encourage you on your journey of faith. We believe that a journey of faith is a journey of growth and that connecting with God through Bible study and with one another in Christian community are essential to our growth. If the ADLT can provide information or guidance for you along the discipleship pathway, please let us know: discipleship@sharingtheheart.org.

10 6

This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in this edition of GrowingTogether. For a comprehensive list of church-wide ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

August FUMC Calendar Sunday

Monday 1

Tuesday 2

Wednesday 3

8:30 am Discover FUMC! Class Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 9:45 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 11:00 am Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

9

8:30 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 9:45 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 11:00 am Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

10

5

11

12

18

19

25

26

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

6

7

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

13

14

20

21

27

28

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

16

15

17

8:30 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 9:45 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 11:00 am Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

22

23

24 9:30 am Disciple I 10:00 am Footprints

7:00 pm Disciple I Small Groups

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

9:30 am Disciple II

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 pm Disciple I

30

29

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 pm Small Groups

Every Sunday Morning: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:00 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 10:05 am Adult Sunday School Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship 11:10 am Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship 5:30 pm Disciple II

4

Saturday

10:00 am Footprints

7:00 pm Small Groups

New !

Times

Friday

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 pm Small Groups

8

Thursday

31 9:30 am Disciple I

3:30 pm Disciple I 5:30 pm Disciple II TBD Disciple III

7:00 pm Disciple I Small Groups

7:00 pm Disciple I

11

This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in this edition of GrowingTogether. For a comprehensive list of church-wide ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

September FUMC Calendar Sunday

Monday

Remember our New Sunday morning worship and Bible study times!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Every Sunday Morning: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:00 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 10:05 am Adult Sunday School Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship 11:10 am Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

5

7 9:30 am Disciple I 10:00 am Finding Balance (Women’s Study)

13

Join the Journey 3:30 pm Disciple I 5:30 pm Disciple II TBD Disciple III

7:00 pm Disciple I Small Groups

19

20

3:30 pm Disciple I 5:30 pm Disciple II TBD Disciple III

7:00 pm Disciple I Small Groups

26

7:00 pm Disciple I Small Groups

15

16

22

23

29

30

9:30 am Disciple II

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 pm Disciple I

28 9:30 am Disciple I 10:00 am Footprints Finding Balance (Women’s Study)

10:05 am, C210 3:30 pm Disciple I 5:30 pm Disciple II TBD Disciple III

21

27

Join the Journey

9

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

3

4

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

10

11

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

17

18

24

25

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

9:30 am Disciple I 10:00 am Finding Balance (Women’s Study)

10:05 am, C210

8

9:30 am Disciple II

7:00 pm Disciple I

Join the Journey

2

9:30 am Disciple II

14 9:30 am Disciple I 10:00 am Footprints Finding Balance (Women’s Study)

Begins: 10:05 am, C210

1

Saturday

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 pm Disciple I

12

Friday

9:30 am Disciple II

6

3:30 pm Disciple I 5:30 pm Disciple II TBD Disciple III

Thursday

7:00 pm Disciple I

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 315 N. CHURCH ST. MCKINNEY, TX 75069 SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG 972.562.8556 DISCIPLESHIP@SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

9:30 am Disciple II

6:30 pm Evening Worship Small Groups

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study