Adult Learning Opportunites

• 7:00 am Thursday ... Bible Study

  Thursday Morning Bible Study is viewing a college course on the Book of Genesis, one of the Great Courses from The Teaching Company, available on DVD in a series of 24 half hour lectures focusing on the familiar - the two creation stories, flood story, stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The lectures try to understand the text in its original setting by examining the history of the ancient Near East including Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt. This course analyzes the brilliant and sophisticated literature of Genesis, but stops short of trying to answer the question, “What does the text mean to me?”

  Join us one time or join us every week for learning, conversation, prayer and coffee. No experience needed.

  Why Greater Light and Lesser Light rather than Sun and Moon? Why two names for God (Elohim/God and Yahweh/Lord)? In contrast to other Near East literature, why does the Bible include so many women portrayed in heroic fashion, often at the expense of men? Why so many Bible translations? How much is a shekel? Babylonian creation story? Gilgamesh epic and Babylonian flood story? Where did Abraham live? Was Jacob's ladder a ziggurat?

  Resources
  ELCA Daily Discipleship

• 9:15 am Sunday ... Adult Learning

  discusses various interesting topics and issues. The current week's topic will be described in Happynings and the bulletin. You get to know people and develop friendships...you can interact, and deepen your faith....it sets a good example...lifelong teaching keeps your faith sharp.

Home Bible Study

When Elizabeth Barrett married the famous poet Robert Browning, her parents were so upset they disowned her. She and her husband settled far from home in Florence, Italy. Elizabeth loved her mother and father and did everything she could to be reconciled with them. Several times a month she wrote expressive, loving letters. After 10 years without any response, finally, a package came from her parents. It was a happy moment for Elizabeth as she opened it. But inside she found all the letters she had sent-unopened. Like her husband, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a poet and her letters of reconciliation were eloquent. They have been called "some of the most beautiful and expressive in all English literature." But her parents never read them. God has written a passionate love letter in the scriptures. I encourage you to sit down and have a read! Start with the gospel of Mark, or the Psalms.     (-selected)

The Bible's "Ten Greatest Chapters"

• Genesis 1
• Exodus 20
• Psalm 23
• Isaiah 55
• Ezekial 37
• Matthew 5
• Luke 15
• Romans 8
• Phlippians 4
• Revelation 21

Seven Marks of Discipleship

1. Pray Daily
2. Worship Weekly
3. Read Scripture Daily
4. Serve in ministry in the Community
5. Serve in ministry in the Congregation
6. Tithe of your income for God's Work
7. Encourage others in faith

Share your time and talents

• Participate in one or more of the above learning opportunities.
• Teach or assist in a Sunday School class. Talk to one of our teachers.
• Be a mentor to a confirmation student. About 70 adults meet weekly with their confirmation youth, for discussion and development of faith.
• Help with the church library.