Fellowship, Recreation, Inspiration, and Service mark the focus of this group dedicated to service to area and regional ministries. They meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Each member brings a covered dish to share at lunch time. There are opportunities to participate in arts and craft projects such as making tray favors for local retirement homes and nursing facilities, support for missions through collecting stamps and soup labels, and making cards for shut-ins and those who are ill or bereaved.
Odyssey provides adults an opportunity to take a day trip somewhere within easy driving radius of Maryville. They have attended plays at Cumberland County Playhouse, eaten at numerous restaurants, attended professional ball games, and toured the Fall foliage, to name only some of the activities available.
The Golden Council is a combination of ministries and ministry services for, by and with older adults in our faith community. To find out more about the this unique series of senior adult ministries,
Disciple Bible Study is a
series of lessons focusing on in-depth readings and background
information first as a seminar of the entire Bible and then
concentrating on specific books over an extended period of time.
Depending on interest, one or more of these studies are offered each
year.
Offerings under the Disciple Bible Study umbrella include:
Disciple I, the introductory course focused on a survey of the Old and New Testaments (34 Weeks);
Disciple II, a study of Genesis/Exodus and Luke/Acts, deepening our understanding of Sabbath and taking our discipleship into the world (32 Weeks);
Disciple III, an in-depth study of the Prophets and the letters of Paul calling us to community and repentance (32 Weeks);
Disciple IV, searching the Old Testament Writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, and Jude, and Revelation, presenting the sense of living toward completion (32 Weeks);
Christian Believer, a study of the basic tenets of our Christian faith using the teachings and writings from Bible scholars throughout history as the basis of the study (30 Weeks); and
Jesus in the Gospels, a study of how Jesus is portrayed in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (30 Weeks). In addition to these in-depth studies, Disciple also offers short term classes in Old Testament (8 Weeks), New Testament (8 Weeks), Genesis (10 Weeks), and Romans (8 Weeks).
SHORT TERM
STUDIES
From time to time, we will offer a short-term, topic specific study program geared to adults and every day Christian living. Beginning, September 2006, Wednesday evening fellowships will take on a new face as we offer a variety of bible study opportunities in addition to the special programming that we currently offer during our Wednesday Fellowship Suppers.
As issues arise concerning our Christian response to current, world events and pop culture, we offer courses that provide a forum for informed dialogue and critical evaluation. An example of one such recent study program was "The Purpose Driven Life," a book by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, and offered as a special course on Sunday mornings during Sunday School. It was also offered during the week for those who desired to attend their regular Sunday School courses and take this on as an extra study program. This particular study focused on our response to God's call in our lives while giving grist for answering the question, "Why am I here anyway?" Other recent courses included a response to Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and a movie/book review of Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code.
To find out the courses of study that are currently being offered...