Faith Formation Fall 2021
Fall Worship & Study Theme: The Big Picture
During Fall 2021, in worship and faith formation, we will explore The Big Picture of the Bible. Most of us are familiar with a number of biblical stories and/or persons. Yet, often we see the bible as a rather disjointed gathering of poetry, history, prophecy, letters, songs, wisdom, etc. Sometimes we focus on individual passages or verses and fail to recognize the overall concepts of the bible, with Jesus at its heart. This fall we will remind ourselves of some of the big ideas of the scriptures! Fall Faith Formation classes are Sundays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Children & Youth:
Pre-K-4th Grade: Children will enjoy hands-on learning as they read through the whole Bible this year. During faith formation hour, children will enjoy free-play, experiments, cooking, art, games and more as they are introduced to the story for the day. Then, in Kids’ Church during the 11 a.m. service, they will explore the story deeper with questions, discussions, and prayer PLUS play chimes with Mr. Service every Sunday! As we continue to adjust to ongoing pandemic precautions, we may add singing later in the Spring. Kids’ Church will be held outside at the playground for as long as we can in the Fall! All Children will be released from the Sanctuary Service to Kids’ Church after the Children’s Moment. Pastor Britney & Mr. Service will walk the kids back to fellowship hour around 12:15 PM. Parents are welcome to come and pick their child anytime before then.
5th-8th Grade: Our middle school-aged youth will gather in one of the rooms off the Senior High Lounge on the Third Floor. Their discussions will center around the curriculum Echo the Story, a DVD curriculum based around journaling the Bible stories, hearing them differently, and sharing their thoughts with one another.
9th-12th Grade: Our high school-aged youth will gather in one of the rooms off the Senior High Lounge on the third floor. Their discussions will center around the curriculum Re: Form Ancestors, a DVD/workbook curriculum that explores the crazy, imperfect, at times unlovable people from the Old and New Testaments and ask the question: How am I like them? How is God working through me?
Confirmation Class: Pastor Britney will start a confirmation class for those entering 8th, 9th, and 10th grade including those who did not get to finish in 2020. Confirmation Class will meet 2 times each month beginning in October through May. Students will be confirmed in early June during worship. Confirmation will consist of meeting together to study scripture and theology with the ability to ask question and learn from one another. We will take field trips to different places for service, worship, and learning. If your student are entering Grades 8th, 9th, or 10th and would like to participate, contact Pastor Britney Knight.
Adults:
Themes From the Psalms with Elder Bill Holmes: Many of us can recite the 23rd Psalm from memory. Some can quote at least portions of several others. But there are so many more, well over 100 more, that cover the spectrum of human moods, experiences, and emotions. Collectively they catch the reality of our up and down relationship with God, help us express thoughts and emotions that we might not have words for or feel quite right about, and move us steadily along the path of knowing God. Come, join the conversation in Room 313 as we explore this ancient collection of writings that help us deal with the difficulties of suffering, anger, and discouragement as well as blessings of forgiveness, security, trust, true happiness and more.
Faith Discussion with Rob Baker: We will be looking at Native American Christianity, its culture and history regarding decolonization and integrating Indigenous spirituality and ritual into modern Christian worship. Discussions will be centered around the Richard Twiss book, Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys, along with study of familiar Biblical passages from the First Nations Version of the New Testament. (Room 116)
Pastors’ Class: Join Pastors Chris Weichman and Britney Knight as they explore the Bible beginning to end. Most Sundays, teaching and discussion will focus around the sermon text for the day. However, on other Sundays, we will have guest teachers and lecturers
join us for study around the Biblical Text and Christian Traditions. (Fidelis Room)
Weekdays:
Youth Group (Grades 6th-12th): Youth are invited to fellowship on the 2nd and 4th Sunday nights of each month from 5-7:30 p.m. From 5-6, those interested in music with Mr. Service will ring bells, and when it is safe to do so, they will resume choir as well. From 6-7:30, all youth are invited to share a meal together, play games, have discussion, and more! On the off weeks, other volunteering activities will be available and may happen on a different day than Sunday. More information to come! The hopes are to serve at Sunday Supper, Our Neighbor’s Place, Second Harvest Food Bank, and other places our youth have loved serving. Plus, join in other projects with different committees of the church like the Deacons, Mission Committee, and more. Youth Group is for music, fellowship, and service while Faith Formation Hour on Sunday mornings is dedicated to study and exploration of the Bible, our tradition, and worship. All youth are encouraged to do both to grow in faith and with one another.
Women & The Word: For all women ages 18+, this is a phenomenal group of multi generational women who gather weekly to study the Word, ask questions, deepen their faith, and learn from one another. This Fall, our study text will be based on a Presbyterian
Women’s Horizon Study titled Reconciling Paul, A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Studies are available for free in the church office and are NOT mandatory to follow. What’s most important is that you come, bring a Bible (but we have those, too, in case you forget), bring an open mind, and have some fun digging into the Word together. In this study, we will approach the texts that are hard to reconcile with regarding women, moral authority, how Paul’s writings have impacted our tradition, and the relevance his writings have today. This group meets in-person every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: Every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m., this group meets in Room 116. There is an online Zoom option available as well at the same time. In August, we began our study through the book of Genesis. We are reading every chapter and verse and discussing it! Already, we have had some great conversations, new insights, and have been refreshed by our time together. Every person welcome!
Wednesday Facebook Live Bible Study: This is available every Wednesday at noon. Hosted by the pastors and focused on a study of the upcoming sermon text, this study can be found on this website or our Facebook page.
Men’s Bible Study: Every other Thursday morning from 7:30-8:00 a.m. with Pastor Chris and several other men join over Zoom for a short study of passage, reflection, sharing of concerns, and prayer. Once a quarter, this group meets for breakfast at Eat n’ Park. For more details, email chris.weichman@firstcovenanterie.org
