search.noResults

search.searching

note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
A Perspective


on Small Groups Reflecting on the bigger picture of Advent and Lenten studies


BY NANCY HOFFMAN


I wanted to share my story for those of you who might wonder if an Advent or Lenten small group is right for you. Three years ago, the Lenten study was about Night by Elie Wiesel. I had participated in a few of the previous Advent and Lenten studies and had always found them enjoyable. Little did I know when I signed up for this particular study that it would change my life.


For those of you not familiar with the book, Night is the firsthand account of Elie Wiesel’s experience during the Holocaust. Te material is heavy and dark, and can be uncomfortable to discuss.


Te Lenten groups meet for six weeks, and in that short period of time, our group really bonded. Te heavy material led to us share some pretty personal things with one another. We approached our last meeting with great sadness. Many said they didn’t want to give up the special bond we had formed. We discussed staying together year-round and finding new material to study.


It’s been three years now and our “Ladies of the Night”—or, as we prefer to be called, LOTN—group is still going strong today. During that time, we have continued to study and learn together. In addition, we have supported and prayed for one another in tough times and have celebrated the joys of our lives as well. I count these women as some of my closest friends and treasure their guidance about living as a disciple of Christ.


Te Advent study groups are upon us once more. You might want to sign up, because you never know whom you will meet or where it may lead you.


“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am


there among them.” —MATTHEW 18:20


Small groups meet once a week for about an hour and a half to enjoy fellowship, share joys and concerns from the week, discuss the weekly reading, and spend time together in prayer.


For more information, contact the church office at 610-395- 3781 or office@fpcallentown.org.


11


GROUPS NOW FORMING


ADVENT


The 2017 Advent small groups begin meeting the week of November 12. The four-week study continues in our church- wide theme of what it means to be “Rooted in Christ: Growing as Disciples in Community.” Groups will use the book Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study by Walter Brueggemann, which explores the Isaiah 9:6 Biblical text. It asks the questions:


• What were the expectations of the Messiah?


• Did Jesus fulfill those expectations?


• How do Christians today interpret Jesus as the Messiah?


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12