Adult Christian Formation
It's long been said that one of the strengths of the Episcopal Church is that you don't need to check your brain at the door. In fact, we encourage you to bring your brain, to use it, exercise it, even stretch it. A variety of opportunities to grow in faith and understanding, or to explore ideas about God and issues in the world are available at Saint Mark's. Below you'll find information about our Emmaus program, the Sunday morning 10 am Forum for adults, Wednesday evening Bible Studay, and more programs as information is available.
Emmaus: The Way of Faith
This course looks at what Christians believe, how Christians grow, and what it means to live a Christian life. The program is intended for those considering Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, but it is just as much intended for any Christian who would like to deepen her or his walk of faith in a unique, social, open environment. Emmaus begins in January and continues into the Spring of 2008. More information can be found here.
The group meets at 1pm in the Rectory on Sundays, over a light lunch.
Session 1 (1/6): Is there really a God out there? How do we know that we need God?
Session 2 (1/13): Who is Jesus?
Session 3 (1/20): What is the meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection?
Session 4 (1/27): Who is the Holy Spirit, and what is the Spirit's work in our lives?(2/3) - Break - Super Bowl Sunday
Session 5 (2/10): How do we pray? What forms of prayer are there?
Session 6 (2/17): Why is the Bible so special?
Session 7 (2/24): What does it mean to be called a Christian? How important is it that I belong to the Church?
Session 8 (3/2): What is the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and why do we celebrate it?
Session 9 (3/9): What are our gifts of ministry? What are the best ways to give back?
Session 10 (3/16): Relationships: learning to love and be loved
(3/23) - Break - Easter Sunday
Session 11 (3/30): Why should we share our faith with others? How do we do it, and who do we tell?
The 10:00 am Adult Christian Education Forum –
A year of Christian Vocabulary
Sunday Mornings at 10 am in the Parish Hall
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
6 pm in the Library (Top Floor of the Parish House) Led by Jay Blossom
Questions? Contact Jay Blossom at jsfblossom@yahoo.com or 215-922-6892
December 26, 2007 • No Bible study
January 2, 2008 • No Bible study
Elijah and Elisha, Part I
January 9 • I Kings 17 • The widow of Zarephath
January 16 • I Kings 18 • Showdown on Mount Carmel
January 23 • I Kings 19, 21 • Elijah on Mount Horeb, Naboth’s vineyard
January 30 • II Kings 2 • Elijah ascends to heaven • Poststudy dinner and yak session
February 6 • Ash Wednesday • No Bible study
Passion Week and Resurrection in the Gospel of John
February 13 • John 11–12 • Jesus in Bethany, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem
February 20 • John 13–15 • Final teaching (first part)
February 27 • John 16–17 • Final teaching (second part) and the High Priestly Prayer
March 5 • John 18 • Betrayal, arrest, trial
March 12 • John 19 • Crucifixion, burial
March 19 • Holy Week • No Bible study
March 26 • John 20–21 • Resurrection
David Becomes King
April 2 • I Samuel 28 • Witch of Endor
April 9 • I Samuel 31, II Samuel 1 • Saul’s death
April 16 • II Samuel 5–6 • David establishes Jerusalem
April 23 • II Samuel 7, 10 • Nathan’s oracle, David and Mephibosheth • Poststudy dinner and yak session
April 30 • II Samuel 11–12 • Bathsheba, Nathan’s parable
May 7 • II Samuel 13 • Amnon and Tamar
Teaching on the Holy Eucharist
May 14 • Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–23
May 21 • John 6:22–59
May 28 • I Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:17–34
June 4 • End-of-year party • The Church Fathers on the Eucharist
Elijah and Elisha, Part II
June 11 • II Kings 4 • Elisha and the widow’s oil, Elisha raises the Shunammite’s son
June 18 • II Kings 5 • Elisha heals Naaman
June 25 • II Kings 6–7 • Arameans attack Samaria • Poststudy dinner and yak session
Summer Interval: Short Books of the Bible, Part II
Bible study meets only three weeks during the summer:
July 9 • Colossians
July 30 • Lamentations
August 20 • I John
September 3 • First Bible study of the new academic year
Coming up in 2008–09: Song of Solomon, Acts, Job, and more…
Questions? Jay Blossom, 215-922-6892 or jsfblossom@yahoo.com