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Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

Come and Share in the Ministry of Peakland United Methodist Church

Sunday, September 8, marks the kick-off for the new Sunday school year and a variety of Christian education ministries. With the coming of fall and the excitement of the beginning of a new school year, we seem to naturally begin our own form of hibernation.

Regardless of our age, our attention turns from trips, the beach, lazy summer afternoons, and swatting mosquitoes to more focused, structured activities.  We look forward to renewing friendships and meeting new faces; to catching up on news and making plans for the coming season.

Peakland’s Christian education leaders and staff hope their enthusiasm for the coming of fall and ministry opportunities is contagious, and that each of you can find at least one ministry opportunity in which you can serve and be served by others.

Join us as we kick-off the new school year.
 

Sunday School 2002-2003

Sunday, September 8, at 9:45 a.m., come and help us kick-off the fall Sunday school year for children, youth, and adults.  Children and youth classes begin on September 8.  Adults are invited to gather in the Sanctuary on September 8 for an overview of the offerings, to sign-up for the class of their choice, and then to join in the Fellowship Hall for fellowship and refreshments.  Since September 8 is the last day for the Reflections on God’s Great Gallery Art Show, this is the perfect time to take one last look at the many diverse entries.  Listed below are our course offerings and room assignments as of the deadline for the newsletter.

Children’s Sunday School

*Age 2 Class — Room 104.  Designed for children who are presently two or two by the end of September, this class serves as a transition from the nursery to the more structured age 3 class. The focus is on helping the child feel happy and safe.  Teachers will share Bible stories about God’s love and God’s gifts.  Bible story picture cards, which the child brings home each week, keeps the parents informed of what their child learned that day.  These cards include ideas to help parents reinforce the Bible lesson at home.

Parents are the best judges if and when their child is ready for the class.  Children with later birthdays are welcome any time during the year as the child reaches two.

*Age 3-4/PreK 5 — Room 107.  The Exploring Faith curriculum used in the preschool class is designed for nonreaders.  This class starts off this year with a look at the Bible. Their second unit is entitled Into the Promised Land.  This class is designed for children who are three by the end of September through our five year olds who will not have started kindergarten.

*Kindergarten — Room 103.  Like the other classes using the Exploring Faith curriculum, they will start with a look at the Bible followed by a unit entitled Into the Promised Land.  As the teacher resources explain, the Bible unit will “help children recognize that the Bible is a special book that helps people learn about God and God’s love.”  The Promised Land unit shows the children how God worked through Moses and that God cares when others are mistreated.  Focus will be placed on helping the children realize that God is with them in all they do and that they can trust God’s guidance and care.

*Grades 1-2 — Room 105.   The Exploring Faith curriculum will provide the children with an understanding of what the Bible is during the first unit of study.  This will fit in perfectly in preparation for our Bible Sunday in November. They too will study the life of Moses showing how God works through people.  Students will look at why we have rules and the importance of giving thanks to God.

*Grades 3-4 — Room 204.  Children in grades three and four focus on learning how to use the Bible.  Third graders receive Bibles on Bible Sunday (date to be announced) during the 11:00 a.m. service.  The class uses the Learning to Use My Bible curriculum and the Faith Files curriculum.  Faith Files challenges students each week to solve a mystery using their Bibles.  The focus is on how Scripture transforms our lives.  Each unit contains a lesson related to United Methodist heritage and practice.

Youth Sunday School

*Grades 5-6 — Lower Level.  Students in the class will use several resources this year including the Exploring Faith Preteen series and  selected topical materials.  Lessons incorporate youth-oriented games and activities designed to encourage analysis and thinking.  Students will have a chance to use their creative talents as they begin to explore their role in the life and ministry of Peakland Church.

*Grade 7 — Room 202.   Seventh grade is the year when our children participate in Confirmation Class.  Parents and students find having Confirmation during Sunday School a good scheduling time.  This also enables the Confirmands the opportunity to explore the many different aspects of the Confirmation process in smaller sections.   Confirmation during Sunday school, however, makes Sunday morning very hectic for Pastor Tim.   So, this year, Pastor Tim will team teach with the classroom teachers.

*Grades 8-12 — Lower Level.  Theme related studies, Reel to Real, a Bible study, and preparations for the Advent drama are some of the plans for the first part of the year.  With an emphasis on discussion and exploring our faith in today’s world, youth have the opportunity to help each other discover that being a Christian is cool while they examine faith and Christian values and how they relate to the life of youth.

Adult Sunday School

Teachers will present an overview of their class for the fall on Sunday, September 8, at 9:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

*Bible Study — Music Room.  This is a continuation of the class started this summer. The class is designed as a discussion class based on biblical study.  Focus of the class changes through the year.  Student material is available.  While the class appeals to all age levels, this is a great place for young singles and young couples looking for a bible based, nurturing environment.

 *International Bible Lesson — Lower level.  If you connect with the more traditional weekly bible study, this is the class for you! The class uses the International Sunday School Lesson as each week’s focuses.  These lessons follow the lectionary, a three year cycle designed to cover the entire Bible. Since Pastor Tim frequently preaches following the lectionary, this is a wonderful class connecting the Sunday school lesson with that Sunday’s sermon.

*Cokesbury — Dining Room.  Individuals interested in studying specific books of the Bible will find a home with Cokesbury.  The leaders use the Genesis to Revelation series in this lecture/discussion class.

 *Contemporary Issues — Fellowship Hall.  Our teaching team plans classes several weeks at a time in an attempt to keep the topics current.  This is a great class for those of you who do not participate in Sunday school because your professional life does not permit you to be here every Sunday and you have a hard time connecting with a continuous study type class.

*Sunday School Teachers Anonymous(SSTA) — Fellowship Hall.  Starting on Sunday, October 13, our Director of Program Ministries and coordinator of the Sunday school ministries, will start a class designed for our Sunday school teachers.  The class is offered in response to teachers’ comments that they only come to Sunday school when they teach because they are not comfortable walking in and out of the other classes.  This is a walk in and out off class designed just for YOU!  Class time will be spent in fellowship, prayer, a Bible focus, and teacher issue/discussion of the week.  By starting in October, teachers have the chance to get to know their students and their teaching team.

*Spanish Class—Media Center.  Designed for those who speak Spanish fluently or would like to increase their Spanish language skills.  Uses a variety of resources for the bases of study.  This class holds a wonderful potential of outreach ministry.

*Book Study — Parlor. The class is comprised of a group of persons who enjoy reading and discussing a variety of religious based books.  The group takes turns providing leadership.  Several books are read during the year.  While these books are ordered through the church, members of the class purchase the books for their own personal libraries.  The usual cost is around $10.
 

Disciple Classes Forming

Are you looking for a Bible study experience that does more than merely provide information but aims at transforming our lives?   Disciple provides adults and youth alike the opportunity to enrich their biblical knowledge, activate leadership skills, deepen their faith, and increase stewardship.

Disciple I & II classes will be offered this fall at Peakland and Court Street churches starting mid-September.  The orientation for both classes will be on Tuesday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 202.

Pastor Tim will teach the Disciple I classes which will be held Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m. at Court Street (childcare offered) and at 7:00 p.m.—8:30 p.m. at Peakland.
Disciple I will start on Tuesday, September 17.

Disciple II will also meet on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. at Peakland.  A Disciple I graduate will teach the class.  It is recommended that individuals complete Disciple I before taking Disciple II.

Due to the late hour of the evening classes, childcare is not provided.

If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact the church office at 384-2791.
 

September 11
A Remembrance Service

What were you doing on September 11, 2001?  Similar to other national tragedies, the day of September 11 will be permanently fixed in our minds.

I was at Clayton’s having a meeting with Doug Pillow.  On the way back to the church, I heard the news on the radio that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Towers.  Like most of America, I am sure that you spent the majority of the day glued to the television, watching the horror and the aftermath unfold.

What are you planning on doing on Wednesday, September 11, 2002?  More importantly, what are your family members, friends, and co-workers planning on doing on Wednesday, September 11, 2002?

For many of them who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they are probably going to be asking questions.

Why do bad things happen?
Did God fail on September 11?
How can I forgive God for letting September 11 happen?
Is there even a God?

There is Good News in Jesus Christ.  Even in the aftermath of such tragedy, God is giving believers an opportunity to reach out to those who are desperately seeking truth in chaotic times.

Our church will be holding a Remembrance Service on Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m., following our Missions Supper, to honor those who died and to hold out the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who live.  This evening will be a unique opportunity to invite those who would not normally attend church to hear a clear message of hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

Unlike very few other times in our history, people are more open than ever to the Gospel. Please prayerfully consider who God wants you invite to this service. Do not let them spend the night of Wednesday, September 11, with only questions and no answers.