The session will provide a general history and overview of the eight mainline Christian denominations: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican/Episcopalian, Baptist, Pentecostal and United Methodist.

Each chapter provides a short (3-4 page) discussion into the beliefs and practices of that denomination and a model diagram of how that denomination might see itself in Christianity's history.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to better understand Christian beliefs and why they vary

Wrestling with Questions People Ask

At some point in our lives, each of us will be confronted with the claims of persons of other faiths – coworkers, neighbors, and friends.  Our children will study other faiths in school, have friends who are of other religions, and live in a world that is increasing diverse.

Many Americans know very little about Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or even Judaism.  But the likelihood today is that one of your neighbors, one of your co-workers, or one of your children’s teachers at school is a person of another faith.

The study group begins with dinner at the Parsonage on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm, with Bible study starting at 7:30.

Genesis will be studied through a video presentation and discussion

Please speak to Reverend Melius if you are interested in attending

Sunday Morning Study Group (first Sunday of the month)

We’ve all been there. Someone, obviously poor or homeless, approaches you and asks for money. What do you do? Do you give money, knowing it may be used on drugs or alcohol or do you say “no” or even ignore the person as you walk by? No one wants to be a sucker in these situations but at the same time Jesus’ call to help the poor echoes in our hearts and minds.

Servant or Sucker? Wise and Compassionate Ways to Help the Poor helps viewers discern appropriate, Christ-centered actions when it comes to addressing poverty on a personal or organizational level. Included are realities of poverty such as the concepts of time, relationships, money and values; a “poverty tour”; interviews with those who are homeless or poor; interviews with those who have helped and/or have been suckered; and steps viewers can take to be an effective servant without getting suckered.

By EcuFilm

“Eight Life Shaking Moments with Jesus”

The Monday evening and the Tuesday morning study groups will be looking at “Eight Life Shaking Moments with Jesus,” a Bible study that uses scenes from the film “Matthew,” starring Bruce Marchiano as Jesus and Richard Kiley as Matthew, to explore how eight events in the life of Jesus impact our lives today.  The events include Jesus’ baptism, healing a leper, calming the sea, feeding the 5,000, and the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life. 

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian, by Rob Bell was the focus of discussion for the Tuesday Morning Class, .

From Publishers Weekly
This introduction to the Christian faith is definitely outside the usual evangelical box. Bell wants to offer "a fresh take on Jesus"—a riff that begins with the assertion that Jesus wanted to "call people to live in tune with reality" and that he "had no use for religion." Bell invites seekers into a Christianity that has room for doubts (his church recently hosted an evening where doubters were invited to ask their hardest, most challenging questions).  

Parables from the Back Side

Ellsworth Kalas provides new insight into twelve of Jesus' parables by entering them through the "back side" - through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. By approaching the stories in this way, Kalas releases new meaning and clarifies basic teachings.

The Thirteen Apostles, a study book by Ellsworth Kalas, January - April 2008 

You may have thought there were only twelve apostles.  Who was Jesus' thirteenth apostle?  And what about the other twelve?