RSS

Tag Archives: Small Group

Week 1 Shift Happens Small Group Discussion Guides

Week 1
9/11/16

Let’s face it: everybody experiences shift from time to time. Jobs change, health declines, relationships turn and our emotional equilibrium is thrown off course. Yet, often in these moments God is preparing us for what’s next. How can we embrace God’s best next without successfully navigating change along the way?

Read: Exodus 16:1-3

God’s people started grumbling as soon as they stepped into the wilderness. Do you ever grumble? What causes your grumbling?

Read: Exodus 3:1-14

Moses had a holy encounter with God and in his fear gave God excuses. What is God asking you to do? What are your excuses?

Read: Psalm 23

Shift happens in our lives, and sometimes we are not prepared for it. What does God promise in this Psalm? What shift is happening in your life where you need to grab hold of this promise?

Read: I Chronicles 28:11-21

David gave his son Solomon a job: build the temple. What instructions did he give his son? What words of encouragement? What sources of motivation are you listening to that are helping you overcome hesitation and fear: people, podcasts, sermons, reading scripture, etc.? What are you hearing from God?

Read: John 14:23-31

Jesus gathered his disciples to speak into their lives prior to his death. What does Jesus promise in the middle of fear and anxiety? How are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you in the middle of change?

Read: Exodus 16:11-20

God provided daily bread for his people in the wilderness. How were the people to use God’s provision? Did they listen? God’s people struggled with trust—do you struggle to trust God for daily provision? Explain.

Read: 1 John 4:16-21

God’s perfect love casts out all fear. What keeps you afraid? How can God’s love rid your life of that fear?

Leave a comment

Posted by MaryO on September 11, 2016 in Bible Study, Get Involved!, Pender UMC, Small Groups, The Holy Bible

Tags: 1 John 4:16-21, Discussion Guides, Exodus 16:1-3, Exodus 16:11-20, Exodus 3:1-14, I Chronicles 28:11-21, John 14:23-31, Psalm 23, Shift Happens, Small Group

Upcoming Sermon Series & Church-wide Lenten Study

11 Feb

Upcoming Sermon Series & Church-wide Lenten Study

Beginning February 14th

The God We Can Know, by Rob Fuquay, is a 7-week study designed to explore the “I Am” sayings of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. This series will help you find and form an answer to an essential question in our Christian faith, “Who do YOU say I am?” One by one, Jesus’ statements grab our imagination, reveal more about His identity and purpose, and connect us to the God of Moses, who spoke the first “I Am.” Experience Jesus in insightful ways that point us to a God who wants to be known.

Please join one of our following classes:

Senior High Sunday School Class at 9:30am in the Youth Room, led by Mark Atwood, beginning Feb. 14th

Monday College-Age Bible Study at 7:30pm, led by Thomas Parker & other Facilitators, beginning Feb. 15th

Tuesday Youth Bible Study at 7:30pm, led by Carrie Cahoon & Beth Petty, beginning Feb. 16th

Wednesday Adult Study at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall, led by Sean Niehoff, beginning Feb. 17th

Thursday Adult Study at 6pmin the Fellowship Hall following our Lenten Dinner, led by Pastor Dan, beginning Feb. 18th

Thursday Uncommon Men’s Group at 7pm in Room 218/220, led by Ken Dieffenderfer, beginning Feb. 18th

Leave a comment

Posted by MaryO on February 11, 2016 in Bible Study, Get Involved!, Ministries, Pender UMC, Small Groups

Tags: I Am, Jesus, Small Group, The God We Can Know

Tonight at 7:00 pm ~ Dessert and Coffee with the Pastors

13 Nov

Dessert and Coffee with the Pastors & Open Mic Friday Night — Nov. 13th at 7pm

Join us this Friday evening, November 13, at 7pm, for dessert and coffee (and other beverages) as we celebrate the conclusion of our church-wide study and message series, “A Disciple’s Path.” We had a great turn out at the opening celebration, and if you attended that, we’d love for you to invite a friend this time!

If you didn’t sign up, please come any way!
Open Mic!

During our time together we will have an “open-mic” time of testimony sharing regarding your experiences through small groups and diving deeper into what it means to follow the disciple’s path through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. We will also share information about our upcoming Advent message series and group experience entitled, “Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected.”

Leave a comment

Posted by MaryO on November 13, 2015 in Bible Study, Get Involved!, Ministries, Pender UMC, Small Groups

Tags: A Disciple's Path, Advent, coffee, Dan Elmore, dessert, Open Mic, Pastor Dan, Pastors, Small Group, Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected

Why the Wesleys, and others, came to be called Methodists

23 Sep

Those who went to the kickoff for A Disciple’s Path heard part of this story from Pastor Dan.

For those who missed it or need a refresher, here you go…

Holy Club. Bible Moths. Methodists.

These are just a few of the names people called Charles and John Wesley and those gathered around them before anyone called their group a movement, let alone a church. Charles and John Wesley are considered founders of the Methodist movement that led to what is now The United Methodist Church.

It all began around 1728 with a few men at Oxford University, where Charles was finishing his studies. Charles Wesley had not always been very good at focusing on his studies or his faith. His first year at school was full of diversions like playing cards and enjoying music, theater and dancing. Nevertheless, by his final year, he was ready to devote himself to a more focused method of engaging study and faith.

Charles knew he could not do this on his own. He gathered with others in a small group, a practice common at Oxford in those days.

Read more at http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/why-the-wesleys-and-others-came-to-be-called-Methodists

Leave a comment

Posted by MaryO on September 23, 2015 in Get Involved!, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest, Videos

Tags: A Disciple's Path, Charles Wesley, John Wesley, Methodist, Pastor Dan, Small Group, video

Tonight! Dessert and Coffee with the Pastors

11 Sep

Attention All Small Group Leaders & Participants in our Upcoming Church-wide Study, “A Disciple’s Path”

Please join us for “Dessert & Coffee with the Pastors” on Friday evening, Sept. 11th, at 7pm in the Common Ground Worship center. This is our kick-off event for “A Disciple’s Path.” You will be able to pick up your participants books that evening.

If you would like to lead a small group or have not joined a small group yet and would like to participate, please contact the Church Office by clicking on this link.

For a list of all of our available classes participating in the study, click on this link to our website.