For centuries, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist, best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts for his coming.

In each of the Gospels, the story of Jesus is intertwined with that of his cousin John, the one whom the prophets foretold would come to “prepare the way of the Lord.” When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it makes us and our world ready to receive Christ.

Chapter topics include:
1. A People Prepared for the Lord
2. God Is Gracious
3. The Fruit of Repentance
4. Witnesses Testifying to the Light

In “Cultivating Kindness,” groups will build on the “Do Unto Others” sermon series and kindness campaign.

The four-week study will explore the scriptural call to bless others; and wrestle with what this looks like in our day-to-day lives. Specifically, we’ll look at why we struggle so much with loving our neighbors, and how the complexity of the world can challenge our most basic assumptions. All the while, we’ll explore how to engage with people both inside the congregation and outside our church on a journey toward practicing the Bible’s great love ethic: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)

The second 5 sessions of “Sweet Jesus is it June Yet?” will take place on Thursday nights at 6:30 PM from September 5 – October 3 (room TBD). Registration is open to all, not just those who were part of the first 5 sessions.

“Sweet Jesus is it June Yet?” is a 10-week Bible study for teachers to reduce burn-out and stress.  The first five sessions of the study took place during Lent, February 15 – March 14.

The study examines 10 ways that the Gospels can help to combat burnout; and is based around the book of the same title by Amy Cattapan.

Group facilitator Jeff Dutt says “if you are an educator in need of revitalization, this Bible study is for you!”

In “The Third Day: Living the Resurrection,” Tom Berlin uses his gifts of storytelling and understanding the Scriptures to connect the reader to the experiences of several individuals around Jesus in his final days, focusing on new life and redemption rather than loss.

Join Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they feel the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study traces events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives.

“An Unlikely Advent” is a four-week Advent study focusing on the experiences of four sets of often overlooked characters in the Nativity story. During this Advent season, Rachel Billups guides readers through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace by sharing the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah, Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Each set of unexpected characters has something to teach about living faithfully on the journey to Christmas.