Adult Education Schedule: 2024 - 2025
Adults meet in the fellowship hall during the Sunday school hour (9:15-10:15am).
Each week someone from the congregation or a guest speaker presents on a topic, and there is always time for a good discussion. The topic may come from the presenter's area of expertise or special interest, or it may be a discussion based on a book by a well-known and widely read author. (Reading the book is not required, and the presenter won't assume that you've done so.) Not every topic will come straight from the Bible, but they always come from the intersection of Christian faith and the life we're living.
We're pretty casual but always respectful of each other. You don't have to be an expert to attend, and certainly don't need to have the answers; sincere questions are always welcome.
Fall 2024
Series on the Psalms
For our first adult Sunday school series of the year, Dan Machiela will lead us as we spend three weeks with the book of Psalms. Please join us as we explore together the central prayer book of the Church from ancient times to today.
September 8: We will begin by getting acquainted with the book, asking questions like why the church father Augustine would say that "everything written here is a mirror for us," or Martin Luther that the Psalms "might well be called a little Bible."
September 15: We will spend some time thinking about different types of psalms as well as how they typically "work," looking together at some examples like Psalms 80 and 119.
September 22: We will be hearing from those present about their experiences with the book and reading together some favorite Psalms. We will also discuss ways to incorporate the Psalms into our individual prayer lives and corporate worship.
Faith and Literature Series
This series considers Charles Sheldon's 1896 book, In His Steps. We'll use the novel's fascinating vision of a faithful life as a starting point for discussion about how or where we see its vision alive today. Sheldon's characters aim to transform their faith lives by vowing to ask "What would Jesus do?" -- a phrase Sheldon coined -- before making any decisions for a whole year.
You do not have to read the book to participate in the discussions. If you are interested in reading it, you can find it for free on Google Books, for $0.99 on Kindle, and at public libraries.
September 29, October 6, October 13: Come for a glimpse into the novel's historical and literary context; stay for a conversation about how Sheldon's vision has shaped US Christianity even to the present day. We welcome you to come regardless of whether you read the book.
October 20: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL (fall break)
October 27: The first three weeks of this series focused on the novel, In His Steps. Today, we pivot to look briefly at the Bible as literature. Cristian Mihut will lead us in a discussion of the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22). This passage raises profound questions such as, How far should loyalty to God go? and How can love, sacrifice, and divine command coexist? We will explore some of the dilemmas at the heart of this challenging biblical narrative, mostly through a literary lens.
Series on Christianity, Politics, and the Election
November 3: Led by Marillie Coetsee
November 10: Led by Bruce Huber
November 17: Led by John Haas
Guest Speaker: Sarah Westfall
November 24: We will be joined by author and podcast host, Sarah Westfall.
Break - No Sunday School
December 1: Thanksgiving break
December 8: Conversation about CotS and the CRC
December 17: Congregational meeting. There is SS for children/youth, but NO ADULT ED.
Break
December 22, December 29, January 5: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
The schedule may be adjusted or changed without notice.
Spring 2025
Break
December 22, December 29, January 5: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
TBA
The schedule may be adjusted or changed without notice.