Making Christian Disciples

Through Study

Fall 2014

We hope you will join us in a study this fall.Please use the registration form on the back for all classes.

New member class, Wednesdays, October 8 - November 19.

First United Methodist Church325 E Franklin Street, Appleton WI

First United Methodist Church Mission Statement“Making Christian Disciples”

As Christians, we are called to make disciples, not just ofothers, but of ourselves as well. Engaging in study is onespiritual practice that helps us on this journey.

Under each title, you will find meeting times, cost (if any)and a description of the study as well as the facilitatorname(s). Ask God to lead you to the class which will help youto grow more fully in discipleship.

Then, sign up! Registration information is on the insideback cover.

We will be offering childcare Sunday mornings andWednesday evenings. We ask that you let us know your needso we can have enough workers.

We also offer scholarships for study materials. Pleasespeak to Pastor Jayneann.

Sunday Classes

A Disciple’s Path Sundays, 10:30 a.m., October 5 – November 9Conference Room (across from the chapel) Cost: $19

A Disciple’s Path approaches discipleship from aWesleyan perspective guiding us to take the next step indiscipleship and become dynamic, engaged followers of Jesus Christ.

This study combines a Wesleyan understanding of our growth inGod’s love and grace with time-tested practices of spiritual disciplineexpressed in the membership vows to uphold the church with ourprayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. In this study, we willdevelop spiritual practices, discover our unique gifts, and becomeengaged in ministry that brings transformation in our lives, the lives ofothers, and the world.

Facilitator: Sandy Knapp

Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture TodaySundays, 10:30 a.m., October 5 – November 9Wesley Room, Cost: $20

With this study, we are invited into an honest conversation about the Bible. We begin with foundational questions: How and when was the Bible written? Whodecided which books made it into the scriptures and why? How literallymust we read it? And, is the Bible ever wrong?

We consider some of the questions that continue to divide us,including: Were Adam and Eve real people? Why is God so violent inthe Old Testament? Why would Paul command women to “keep silent inthe church”? Is Jesus the only way to salvation? and more.

From here, we are led to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so thatwe might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving.

Facilitator: Shelby Knezel

Sunday Classes continued:

Embracing an Adult Faith: Marcus Borgon What it Means to Be ChristianSundays, 10:30 a.m., October 5 – November 9Asbury Lounge, Cost: $16

Join us in revisiting Christianity’s centralquestions: Who is God? What does salvation mean? What place doesJesus hold in contemporary Christian faith? What place does communityhave? And, what does it mean to practice our faith?

With video and conversation we confront the big questions and worktogether toward authentic answers.

Facilitator: Rev. Jayneann McIntosh Gagner

Parents in the Bible: How NOT to be good parentsSundays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., October 5 – November 9 Sanctuary in the south transeptThis is a come when you can group with no preparation needed.

We will be talking about Parents in the Bible. We can probably allthink of examples of good and not-so-good parents. We will exploresome of the parents we find in Scripture, talking about what we can learnfrom their example, and how we can live into being the parents we’d liketo be for the young people in our lives.

Facilitator: Rev. Carrie Kreps Wegenast

Monday Classes

Theology on Mondays1st, 3rd, & 5th Mondays of the month startingSeptember 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Wesley Room, please obtain your own book

Come and join us as we have a conversationabout Marcus Borg’s new book, “Convictions:How I learned what matters most.” Borg reflects on the convictions thathe has developed over the course of his life and why they provide a pathof hope for those seeking to be progressive Christians in the twenty-firstcentury. Please obtain your own book and read chapters one and two.

Facilitator: Margie Johnson

The Prayer CourseMondays, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. September 15 – October 20Asbury Lounge

A six week video and small group study. Please feel free to checkout the study online at www.prayercourse.org. If you have any questions,call Donna, 735-1815.

“The Prayer Course could be one of the most significant things youever do! It’s been designed … to help people go deeper in theirrelationship with God and to unlock the power of prayer in their lives.The aim is that over the course of six sessions, members of your groupwill get better at talking to God, better at listening to him and they’llprobably start seeing more miracles too. Not a bad use of six weeks.”

--Pete Greig

“Prayer is the essence of the spiritual life, without which all ministryloses its meaning. It is the fulfillment of The Great Commandment ...”

– Henri Nouwen

Facilitator: Donna Leicht

Tuesday Class

An Attitude of GratitudeTuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., October 14, 21, 28 (also offered Thursdays)Conference Room

Gratitude is the mother of the positive gift of joy that impacts ourhealth, eradicates worry, draws people to us, spawns kindness, andconnects us to spirit. In the three sessions we will investigate thefeelings of gratitude, the practices of gratitude and the prayers ofgratitude as we work toward creating an ongoing attitude of gratitude.Gratefulness = Great Fullness.

Facilitator: Linda Dawson

Wednesday Classes

DISCIPLE: Becoming Disciples throughBible StudyWednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. beginning September17 through May taking time off for Christmas.Conference Room (across from the chapel) Cost is $40.00

The DISCIPLE Bible study program is designed to develop strongChristian leaders through in-depth study of Scripture. ThroughDISCIPLE, persons are strengthened in their faith and guided intoservice and ministry. Strong, biblically nourished leadership will help thechurch grow in vitality and Christian discipleship.

This study gives the Old and New Testaments equal time,emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God.

Commitment and Time Involved: 3 to 3½ hours independent studyeach week (30 minutes daily) in preparation for weekly group meetings.Attendance at weekly 90-minute meetings.

Facilitator: Carol Knuth & to be announced

Pathways into Discipleship (new member class)Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5,19Meet in the Chapel

This six week class will explore the uniqueness of the Christian faith andhow it is lived out in the Methodist Tradition. We will get acquaintedwith the structure, mission, programming and expectations of FirstChurch. At the end of the class, participants have the option to join FirstUMC as new members. Joining First Church is not an expectation, onlyan option.

Facilitator: Rev. Markus Wegenast

Parents in the Bible: How NOT to be good parentsWednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. October 8 – November 12Asbury LoungeThis is a come when you can group with no preparation needed.

We will be talking about Parents in the Bible. We can probably allthink of examples of good and not-so-good parents. We will exploresome of the parents we find in Scripture, talking about what we can learnfrom their example, and how we can live into being the parents we’d liketo be for the young people in our lives.Facilitator: Rev. Carrie Kreps Wegenast

Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power ofScripture TodayWednesdays, 6:30 p.m., October 8 - November 12Room b101 (take the elevator to the basement), Cost: $20

With this study, we are invited into an honest conversation about theBible. We begin with foundational questions: How and when was theBible written? Who decided which books made it into the scriptures andwhy? How literally must we read it? And, is the Bible ever wrong?

We consider questions that continue to divide us, including: WereAdam and Eve real people? Why is God so violent in the OldTestament? Why would Paul command women to “keep silent in thechurch”? Is Jesus the only way to salvation? and more.

From here, we are led to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so thatwe might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing and life-giving. Facilitator: Cynthia Whitely

The Story: The Bible as One ContinuingStory of God and His People Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., September 10 - December 17Wesley Room, cost is $18 for book andparticipant’s guide for those who do notalready have them.

The Story leads us into a deeperrelationship with the God who created us. We learn how the Old and theNew Testaments are woven together to tell the story of God’s love forhumankind and God’s efforts to renew relationship with all of us.

This study is already in progress and is continuing after a summerbreak. Another group may start up Sunday mornings if there is interest.Questions? Call Wendy at 574-690 or email her at wendyanz@att.net

Facilitator: Wendy Anzelmo

Thursday Classes

Women’s Noon Study GroupThursdays, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., October 9 through MayWesley Room

Come and join a diverse group of women as we have livelydiscussion about any number of topics. Who was Abigail? What does itmean to be a disciple? What do we let get in the way? What aboutVashti? How do we live as faithful women right where we are?

Facilitator: Rev. Jayneann McIntosh Gagner

Men’s Noon Study Group: The Heart of ProtestantismThursday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., October 9 through MayConference Room (across from the Chapel)

This class will be an expository journey through the book ofGalatians.

Facilitator: Rev. Markus Wegenast

An Attitude of GratitudeThursdays, 6:30 – 7:30, October 16, 23, 30 (also offered on Tuesdays) Asbury Lounge

Gratitude is the mother of the positive gift of joy that impacts ourhealth, eradicates worry, draws people to us, spawns kindness, andconnects us to spirit. In the three sessions we will investigate thefeelings of gratitude, the practices of gratitude and the prayers ofgratitude as we work toward creating an ongoing attitude of gratitude.Gratefulness = Great Fullness.

Facilitator: Linda Dawson

And, yes, we will have

a special study during Advent.

More on that later. . .

Scholarships are available for the cost of the classes if needed. Please, contact Pastor Jayneann with that need.

Toddler care available Sunday mornings 8:45 - 11:30 a.m. in room 217.God’s Green Space class for 3 years - 5th grade Sunday mornings,

10:30 - 11:30 in room 311.

Wednesday evening childcare 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. in room 217.

Youth Mission Statement

“Equipping Youth with the tools to

authentically follow Jesus Christ.”

Sundays (starting September 14)

Middle School Sunday School (grades 6 & 7): 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Wednesdays (starting October 1):

Youth Group (grades 6-12): 6:00 - 6:40 p.m.

Messengers & Followers (grades 6-7): 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

Confirmation Classes (grades 8 & 9): 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

The Jesus League (grades 10-12): 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.

God’s Green Space3 years- 5th grade

10:30-11:30 Sunday Mornings, Room 311

Join us on Sunday mornings as we learn what it means to be

good stewards of God’s amazing creations. Your child will utilize

many wonderful artistic mediums (recycled materials) through which they

can express their creative side and explore their faith in a group setting.

Kidz Konnection1st – 5th grades

6:00-7:30 Wednesday’s beginning in October

Join us for a night of singing, praising, learning, and serving! Kidz

Konnection begins at 6:00 pm. At 6:30 children can leave to attend choir,

or they can stay for an extended Kidz Konnection hour. This is a great way

for children to expand their faith outside of the Sunday school classroom!

Children’s Mission Statement: Making Christian Disciplesby teaching children to honestly, faithfully, and openly walk inthe footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Registration form for fall classes 2014

Deadline for registration is 10 days before starting date of class. Paymentis due with registration. Please make your check payable to FUMC withclass name on memo line. Return registration and your check to the

offering plate or church office. More booklets available around building.

Name

E-mail

Phone

I will need childcare Sunday AM Wednesday Evening

Please sign me up for the following class(es):

9 A Disciple’s Path, starts Oct 5, cost $19

9 Making Sense of the Bible, Sundays, starts Oct 5, cost $20

9 Embracing an Adult Faith, starts Oct 5, cost $16

9 Parents in the Bible, Sundays, starts Oct 5

9 Theology on Mondays, starts Sept 15

9 The Prayer Course, starts Sept 15

9 An Attitude of Gratitude, starts Oct 14

9 Disciple I, starts Sept 17, cost $40

9 Pathways into Discipleship (new member class), starts Oct 8, no cost

9 Parents in the Bible, Wednesdays, starts Oct 8

9 Making Sense of the Bible, Wednesdays, starts Oct 8, cost $20

9 The Story, starts September 10, cost $18 (if you don’t already have materials)

9 Women’s noon study group, starts Oct 9

9 Men’s noon study group, starts Oct 9

9 An Attitude of Gratitude, starts Oct 16