Education

Emanuel is invested in serious study of the Bible, Christian tradition and issues affecting daily life.  We encourage everyone to participate at some level in the life-long growth in knowledge and understanding that marks the life of Christian discipleship.

Thursday Morning Prayer Group and Bible Study.  This group prays for the people on our prayer list and studies the Bible lessons appointed for the following Sunday.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study.  During the summer, when there are no confirmation classes, an adult scripture study is offered, usually followed by some form of Evening Prayer.  Recently we have offered a summer study of the Parables of Jesus and a study of the violence in the Old Testament in light of the mercy and compassion we have been taught by Christ.  See the calendar for times and themes.

Occasionally we offer a more extended study that meets monthly over a meal for most of a year.  We recently looked at the book of Revelation this way.

Ruth Circle, our women’s group, offers various educational programs during the year.  Some examples are: a study of the book of Ruth; Mary Magdalene in the New Testament; a Seder Meal; and a look at the situation of Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem.  Meets on the first Tuesday evening of the month.

Financial Peace University: several lay leaders run regular sessions of Dave Ramsey’s FinancialPeace University.  In addition, the Stewardship Mission Team sponsors period workshops on the Spiritual Discipline of Generosity and Tithing.

Mom’s Faith Group offers a wide variety of discussions on contemporary issues and provides a nurturing environment for women to share deeply about their faith journies.  Childcare is provided.

ELCA Document Study: Documents produced by the ELCA are regularly studied usually in cooperation with our neighboring parish, Concordia Lutheran Church.  A Sexuality document and a proposal for Full Communion with the United Methodist Church have been two such discussions.

Global Justice: Our congregation is the site for on-going education that serves the wider Church.  Two recent programs of this type were related to world hunger and confirmation curricula.  The Mexico Mission Team sponsors speakers  and films relating to issues of world poverty, global economics, and has also sponsored speakers from the ELCA Center in Mexico City.

Annual Retreat: There is usually an annual retreat which includes an educational component.

Baptism, Early Communion, and Marriage are all preceded by an educational segment related to the milestone being celebrated.

Lay Preachers: Our lay preachers group meets monthly to study the scripture in preparation for sermon delivery.

Emanuel Library: Emanuel has a lending library that has many resources for continuing adult Christian education.

Emanuel Publications: Our newsletter, the Visitor, and a monthly publication called Pastor’s Perspectives both offer a number of educational articles for adults.