We offer opportunities to learn more about our faith and our role in today’s world. We welcome newcomers and inquirers to our classes on Sunday morning and during the week.
When: Sunday morning, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Where: First classroom upstairs, 1000 Douglas Ave
What: Our Sunday school class for youth and adults gives attendees a chance to lead or participate in discussions of a wide range of bible-based books and other materials led by church members or the pastor.
Topics range from interpretation of scripture to lives of religious thinkers to evolution of church doctrines, to ways of doing God’s work in the world.
Sessions are held prior to worship every Sunday except on major holiday weekends. Discussion series range from four weeks (Lent and Advent) to eight weeks and are based on insights participants gain from assigned advance readings.
Full participation by all is encouraged in a friendly, respectful environment. Class descriptions and assignments are posted in the church and announced in the church newsletter.
After Easter, the Sunday morning class for adults and youth will be discussing the book Daniel and the Twelve Prophets for Everyone by John Goldingay. Sessions will run from April 16 through June 11, with a
break for Memorial Day weekend on May 28.
The “minor prophets” are twelve Old Testament books, known simply as “the Twelve” or “the Book of the Twelve” in the Hebrew Bible. They are presented as separate books in the Christian Bble. “Minor” refers to
length, not significance. Roughly in chronological order, each of these short books gives a glimpse into the spiritual landscape and history of Israel, challenging the status quo through prophets called to speak on
God’s behalf.
Reviewer Comments: Goldingay is Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of many commentaries on Old Testament Biblical books.
After a brief introduction of Daniel and the twelve prophetical books, Goldingay launches into his commentaries. He includes his own translations of the Biblical texts prior to each section of commentary. He claims that his translations align with the literal Hebrew more than other translations.
His pattern is to efficiently get to the heart of the matter in the commentaries and to elaborate on highlights he wants to emphasize. His commentary includes personal reflections and anecdotes from his
personal, family and vocation history.
The hybrid class sessions will at 9 a.m., live in the first classroom upstairs and on the same Zoom ID as the Sunday worship service. The book is available on most online outlets for as little as $5 and new on
Amazon for $12.99. For PC(USA) loyalists, the it is available new from the denomination’s online bookstore through the thoughtful Christian for now at $14.30 (which is 35% off) plus $10.50 shipping.
Reading Assignments
April 16: Introduction and Ch. 1–6 of Daniel, pp. 1–36
April 23: Ch. 7–12 of Daniel, pp. 37–62
April 30: Hosea, pp. 63–102
May 7: Amos, pp. 117–145 (skip Joel)
May 14: Joel pp. 103–116; Obediah and Jonah pp. 146–157
May 21: Micah: pp. 158–180
May 28: No Class—Memorial Day Wekend
June 4: Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah, pp. 181–212
June 11: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, pp. 213–260
Pastor Katie Palmer leads an inquirers class for those interested in finding out more about who we are are what we believe as needed throughout the year. Those interested in finding out more about church membership are encouraged to approach an Elder at the communion table on Sunday morning following worship.
As we move into the Lenten season in late February, Pastor Katie will schedule one or two more book discussions. Dates will be determined by the birth of Katie’s new granddaughter, who will be arriving sometime in February! Sue Monk Kidd’s novel The Book of Longings will guide one discussion. This novel imagines the story of Jesus’ wife during the time of his ministry. (Many scholars have long thought that Jesus was probably married; it would be quite unusual for a Jewish man in his time not to be.) The story is that of Ana, the wife’s character, but weaves Jesus’ story in and out of the events in Ana’s life.
The Associated Press review of the novel says that Kidd’s
. . . painstaking research and artful crafting of setting and character ensure that The Book of Longings is
not just an extraordinary novel, but one with lasting power. . . . [Her] brilliance shines through on so
many levels, but not the least in her masterful, reverential approach to capturing Jesus of Nazareth as a
fully human young man.
Kidd’s book is available through Amazon for $13.99 ($11.99 for Kindle edition); from Alibris for $6.59.
Please let Katie know if you plan to attend so she can prepare for the appropriate number of participants.
