St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

MINISTRY

Learning for Life Courses at a glance

Winter 2010

Wednesday night courses are held at St Andrew’s and start with dinner at 6:15; the studies are at 7:15 unless shown otherwise.

A donation of $5 per person per week for dinner is appreciated.

Starting Wednesday evenings Jan. 20

•     Don’t all Religions Lead to God

•     John’s Revelation

Mar. 26 & 27; Fri. 7-9 p.m. & Sat. 9-2:30

•     Silent Retreat

Sunday Morning study ongoing

Thursday Women’s group ongoing

To register please add your name to the course registration sheet on the bulletin board outside the gymnasium, or call the church office,

905-683 -7311

Note: We expect people will start with the Alpha course, move on to “After Alpha” courses, and then “And Beyond” courses.

Alpha

What is the meaning of life? Where is God in my life? What is so special about Jesus?

How do I make sense of the Bible? Alpha is for anyone who is interested in exploring the Christian faith. It has been tailored to people who have no church connection. Or perhaps your grasp of the Christian basics needs to be strengthened—then Alpha is for you.

How long: 10 weeks starting:

a.    Wed. morning, Feb. 3,~9:15 coffee and muffins

b.    Wed. evening, Jan. 13, 6:15

Retreat:    Fri. evening to Sat. late afternoon, Feb. 19 & 20

Cost: Various resources will be available at cost.

Don’t All Religions, Lead to God~

Buddha, Allah, Brahman, Jesus; are they all the same? Are they different pathways to God? Why is Jesus so special? Which faiths have personal Gods? What about people who have never had a chance to hear about Jesus?

Easy to read material, heavy thinking and lively discussion throughout the course. Do you have a spouse or friend who is sceptical or a non-believer? Bring them along.

How long: 8 weeks

Starting:   Jan. 20

Cost: $23.00 for 2 books

Facilitator:      Bob Sanderson 905-683-6071

Encountering the Old Testament

This course will deal with:

1.    Why study the Old Testament?

2.    Why do we not have more or less books as part of our Bible?

3.    How do we interpret the Bible?

4.    What is meant by “Inspiration”?

Why is the geography of the “Bible Times” important?

How long: 9 weeks

Starting:   Jan. 13—Mar. 10

Requirements:     Desire to understand God’s Word.

Facilitator:      Frank Schaper, 905-683-6638

John’s Revelation

What is it about the fantastic that is so appealing? John’s vision of Jesus and dragons and the new Jerusalem that’s been handed down to us in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, has frightened people, comforted them, and been the source of guesses at what the future holds and doctrine (church teaching) that in some cases has been pretty weird: What’s in it for ordinary people today?

We’ll try to make some sense of it by looking at the history of this kind of writing that’s preserved in the Old Testament, and how Jesus himself used talk of the end times in his own teaching. This “After Alpha” course will nevertheless demand an open mind of participants, because no single Interpretation can claim to be infallible.

How long: 10 weeks

Starting: Jan. 20

Facilitator:      John Bigham, 905-683-7311

Silent Prayer Retreat (2nd annual)

What do we say in prayers on the weekend before Easter? How do we acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice in our prayer life? Last year we studied Henri Nouwen’s The Way of the Heart, which taught that we connect with

God through solitude, silence, and prayer. The silent retreat we ended the course with was so popular that it’s back for this Spring on the weekend of Palm Sunday.

This “After Alpha” retreat is an ideal opportunity for everyone to grow closer to God as we find our quiet corners in the building and come back together to share what each of us has experienced.

Mar. 26 & 27; Fri. 7-9 p.m. & Sat. 9-2:30

Facilitator: John Bigham, 905-683-7311

Cost: $10 for continental breakfast and lunch on Sat.

Sunday Morning Bible Study

This study explores a biblical book in depth. After reading the passages together, we explore what it’s saying in the context of its day and then apply it to our lives. Sometimes we wonder what’s changed in 2000 years! You’ll be welcomed by this group any Sunday morning. No previous experience required—this is an “After Alpha” course.

How long: Meets weekly

When: Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the upstairs boardroom.

Sun., Jan. 10—June

Where:      The second floor meeting room

Leaders:    Shared by group members

Thursday Morning Study Group

Sharing and learning together. We come with broken relationships, aches and pains, and worries we’ve just got to get rid of. Book studies, encouraging talks, sharing, and prayer together. We’ll be listening to some Joel Osteen this winter. Topics include: Standing strong in difficult times, God works all things out for our good, embracing change, Activating faith instead Of fear and, Praying bold prayers.

How long: Meets weekly

When: Thursday mornings 9:15 —11:00

Contact:    Pam Sampath, 905-428-0632