Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed,
I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock
of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,
not under compulsion but willingly,
as God would have you do it – not for sordid gain but eagerly.
Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.
And when the chief shepherd appears
you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.
I Peter 5:1-4
Nuture
At First Church. "Nurture" refers to those activities and opportunities which support the care and growth of our members and friends. This includes all of our learning ministries, and the variety of ways we welcome people into the congregation and support them through good times and bad.
When we celebrate great events in our lives, or the life of the congregation, that is nurture. When we deepen our faith through Bible study, classes, various spiritual growth activities, or fellowship that is nurture. When we walk beside those in pain or sorrow that is nurture. In many ways, this even overlaps those activities particularly labeled Outreach or Witness, for Nurture deals with our whole lives presented before our Lord.
In this part of our web site you will find information about a number of the programs which occur at First Church in the various education areas, and in care for the congregation.
Adult Ministries
In the Adult Ministries area you will find small group opportunities to grow in our relationship with the Lord through Bible and spiritual enrichment studies, through fellowship and relational experiences, and in service activities.
At First Church there are many small groups from which to choose. In the green menu box to the left is a list of the Adult Mininstries programs. You are invited to explore them and find your place in the community. In the menu box to the left is a list of the Adult Mininstries programs. You are invited to explore them and find your place in the community.
Adult Faith Growth Classes
Adult Faith Growth classes are an important component of finding a place to connect with others in our congregation. Our congregation offers a variety of classes, and while anyone is welcome to attend any of the classes, many people desire to form a small group with others in similar life circumstances. With that concept in mind, we have grouped the classes by categories to help you determine which classes you might like to visit.
Classes meet at 9:30 am on Sundays since that is when we have full programming for children.
Bible Studies and Other Spiritual Growth Classes
A variety of short term classes will be offered throughout the year for those seeking to make a connection with God and other believers. The classes vary widely in their topics, formats, and time commitments.
Experiencing God
The Experiencing God ministry is even more vibrant today than when it began. As it continues to rise, and the world continues to change, the "Experiencing God "book has been revised and expanded with more than seventy percent of its material newly written. A modern classic that has sold millions of copies worldwide, "Experiencing God "is based on seven Scriptural realities that teach us how to develop a true relationship with the Creator. By understanding how God is working through us even as we try to fathom His ways, we can begin to clearly know and do His will and discover our lives greatly and gracefully changed. The class is taught by Hazel Rollins on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm and Carolyn Taylor on Thursdays at 1:00 pm.
Becoming a Contagious Christian
This new class series, which begins in January, will help participants discover their own unique evangelism styles and become confident in communication the world's most important message.
Disciple Bible Study
are small group in-depth studies of particular parts of the Bible. Registration is now open for traditional courses, which meet for the entire school year. Short-term classes are offered in the Fall and Spring. Registration for short-term classes is open for the fall classes.
Interested in Helping Form Some New Small Groups? If you are looking for a small group Bible study for during the week or if you would like to help start some new Sunday School classes at the 9:30 hour, please contact the church office (769-2878). We have training, curriculum, and support to help get classes started and to be successful. We just need to know who is interested! And if you are interested in attending but are not wanting to necessarily lead, please let us know of your interest, too.
Have an idea for a new class? If you have an idea for a class, please contact the church office (769-2878).
Walk to Emmaus
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and walked with them. -Luke 24:15
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."
The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The "Emmaus community," made up of those who have attended an Emmaus weekend, support the 72-hour experience with a prayer vigil, by preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and self-giving. The Emmaus Walk typically begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate weekends.
During and after the three days, Emmaus leaders encourage participants to meet regularly in small groups. The members of the small groups challenge and support one another in faithful living. Participants seek to Christianize their environments of family, job, and community through the ministry of their congregations. The three-day Emmaus experience and follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christian people as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body of Christ in mission to the world.
The Upper Room, a ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. Although connected through The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.
To get involved in Emmaus, each person must have a sponsor who has already attended Emmaus him- or herself. If you have a friend who has been to Emmaus, ask your friend to tell you about his or her experience with the program. Your friend can help you decide whether or not you would find an Emmaus experience helpful.
If you don't know anyone who has been to Emmaus, contact the Golden Triangle Emmaus Community leaders via http://www.goldentriangleemmaus.com
Congregational Care
Congregational Care at First Church is always a concern. We want to be able to lend our support and encouragement to all our members, in whatever ways we can. This means we are always listening for the needs expressed by our members and friends, and asking them to share needs with us when they are aware of them.
We have several programs which are currently seeking to meet a variety of needs.
- Our Hospital Ministry is a team of persons who visit those hospitalized for extended periods. We visit all the local hospitals, and solicit input on who might be hospitalized. For those in more distant hospitals, we try to arrange visits from pastors.
- We are developing a team of Visitors to Shut-Ins who will visit or contact those who are not able to be regularly involved in the life of the church or who live in nursing or assisted living facilities.
- We also have a group whose mission is a Meals Ministry for families attending funerals at the church, or who have just come home from the hospital or have other needs for a few meals.
For details about participating in these ministries, or communicating needs of our members and friends, please contact the church office at 409-769-2878.
