|
|
 |
 Education
St. Matthew's is dedicated to growth in Bible study and Christian education, for
pre-schoolers, children, youth, and adults. Each new church year, we have a unique schedule of classes to be offered for the year, featuring a dynamic and vibrant selection of
topics. We invite you to join our study.
Adult Education
The Christian Education Team continues the goal of providing a process for our members to have opportunities for developing their spiritual growth.
Courses of study are offered for spiritual growth and renewal on Sunday morning at 9:45 am and other times during the week.
Keep reading below for descriptions of these courses and when they met to get an idea of the type of spiritual growth and renewal commitment that we have at St. Matthew's.
Make a commitment to your spiritual growth and join one of our many study groups this year.
|
Course Title:
The Bible's Big Story: Our Story / Tell-Take Time-Line
Time: Sunday
Morning (weekly) 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Rm 117
Leader: Pastor Sam
Introductory course to prepare for personal in-depth Bible study
|
|
Back
to Top
|
|
Course Title:
Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships
Time: Sunday Morning
(weekly) 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Upstairs in McSwain Center
This DVD Series with Gary Smalley is an entertaining way to understand how men and women look at things differently.
|
|
Back
to Top
|
|
Course Title:
Daily Christian Living
Time: Sunday Morning
(weekly) 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Library
Leaders:
Cindy Antonelli and Janna Bauer
How do we as Christians approach our daily lives and what is our Christian reponsibility toward global issues.
|
|
Back
to Top
|
|
Course Title:
The Lutheran Handbook
Time: Sunday Morning
(weekly) 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Library
Leader:
Frank Howard
Frank began the course this summer and many people are enjoying this class on a regular basis. You can jopin this class anytime and enjoy the Lutherna anecdotes and fellowship.
|
|
Back
to Top
|
Course Title: Crossways
Bible Study
Places and Times: Wednesday
at 6:00 pm and Thursdays at 10:00 am in
McCombs Fellowship Hall
Teachers:
Pastor Sam Zumwalt
|
|
Course description:
Pastor Sam Zumwalt teaches the Crossways Bible Study
each Wednesday during the school year at 6 p.m. in
McCombs Fellowship Hall. Typically, the class
follows the same holiday and end of year schedule as
New Hanover schools.
Crossways is a four
semester class that covers the entire Bible plus the
intertestamental period. Students may audit the
class without purchasing materials; however, the $60
cost for 60 units is an exceptional bargain. Couples
or good friends may be willing to share a set of
materials. As students are able, they will be
encouraged to purchase a good study Bible.
Because Crossways
will be an on-going program at St. Matthew's,
students may begin anywhere in the cycle with the
knowledge that they will eventually be able to
receive teaching on all 60 units.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
Course Title: Prayer Group
Time: Tuesday Morning (weekly) 9:45 am
Place: Library
Teacher: Nan Phillips
Course description: The Prayer Group is open to everyone. The group studies an aspect of prayer and then shares prayer concerns of our church family, the community and the world. All prayer concerns are kept confidential.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
Course Title: Weekly Spiritual Formation Groups
Leaders: Mary
Horne and Zan Bramley
Times:
Monday morning group meets
at 9:30 am (Library)
Wednesday morning group at from 9:30 am (Library)
Course description: The secret of this course is the combination of three very important ingredients. The first is balance. To be spiritually healthy, we need a well balanced spiritual life, just as to be physically healthy, we need a well-balanced diet and exercise. The second ingredient is knowledge and the third ingredient is mutual encouragement and accountability. The Spiritual Formation Group is founded upon the six major areas of discipline found in the life of Christ and the
corresponding Six Traditions seen in the history of the church: the contemplative movement or devotion to God; the holiness movement or virtue in all of life; the charismatic movement or spirit empowered; the social justice movement or compassion for others; the evangelical movement or proclamation of the good news of the gospel; practicing the sacramental life or harmony between faith and work.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
Course Title: Via de Cristo (4th Friday each month)
Place: Various Churches - To Be Announced
Contact Person: Renate Gray and Via de Cristo Team
Course description: Literally meaning "way of Christ", Via de Cristo is a short course in Christianity that is designed to provide all Christians with a significant foundation for individual and community spiritual growth. Grace and Growth are combined in an exciting and energetic way. At Via de Cristo the participants become increasingly aware that they are part of a community abounding in God's grace. The three days are a triple encounter: with Christ; with Christian brothers and sisters; and with a Christian community.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
 Course Title: Stephen Ministry
Place: Room 117
Teachers: Bethel Paris
and Pat Mahl
Dates and Times: 1st and 3rd Tuesday
each month; Contact Bethel Paris at 256-2377
if you have questions
Course description: The Stephen Ministry program will prepare interested men and women to become Stephen Ministers, equipping them to care for
the many needs in our church. The fifty hours of training will include topics such as the art of listening, assertiveness training: relating gently and firmly, ministering to
depressed persons, ministering to older persons, ministering to those experiencing divorce, utilizing community resources, ministering to those experiencing grief, ministry
to the dying and their family and friends, ministering to those with addictions and their families and friends. Following training, the Stephen Minister will be commissioned by
our church into active, caring ministry. The Stephen Minister will work in continual consultation with Stephen Leaders and receive ongoing education in the helping ministry.
|
|
Back to Top
|
Youth Education
Here at St. Matthew's we offer Sunday School classes for children from age 2 through high school. This year we begin a new curriculum,
Treasures of the S.E.A., for classes of the
3-year-olds through 5th grade. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will have Confirmation classes and
Sunday School.
| Spark! Rotational Model:
3-year-old through 5th Grades |
| Confirmation Class and Sunday School:
Middle School, grades 6-8 |
| Sunday School:
High School, grades 9-12 |
|
Back to Top
|
|
Ages
3 through 5th Grade:
Spark! Rotational Model
Each Sunday begins with a Sunday
school opening from 9:45 a.m. to 10. Then students
from ages 3 through fifth grade meet from 10 a.m. to
10:45 a.m. weekly in age appropriate groupings to
learn one of the major stories of the Bible through
story-telling, drama, arts and crafts, games, and
music. The fall 2009 themes are The First Sin, Queen Esther, and Jesus is Born.
Amy Tucker-Morgan leads the Sunday
School opening and weekly music classes.
|
|
Back to
Youth
|
|
Middle School: Confirmation Class
The Confirmation class meets weekly on Wednesday
evenings at 7:00 p.m. in McCombs Fellowship Hall.
The sessions are devoted to learning and discussion. Topics include the Bible (Old and New Testament), Luther's Small Catechism (the Ten Commandments, the Apostle's Creed, Baptism, Holy Communion, Confession and Forgiveness, and the Lord's Prayer), the life of Martin Luther, the Lutheran Church and the church year. Other times during the year are devoted to two weekend retreats, one week of camp at
Lutheridge, mentoring, service projects, and community building activities.
Sunday School: The Divine Drama
Bible Study will continue, a 30-session introduction to the Old
and New Testaments. Classes meet in the McSwain
Center from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
|
|
Back to
Youth
|
|
High School
Sunday School
High School will study scripture and apply it to their real life issues. Later in the fall, Richard Chinn is offering a biblically basd money management class.
|
|
|
|
|
