Questioning Jesus Study based on "Freeing Jesus" book
Wednesdays at 6:30pm beginning August 25
Facilitator: Pastor Steve, Conference Room & Zoom
Many of us have questions regarding Jesus and how he can still be relevant over 2000 years later. This study based on our fall worship series explores how Jesus can still be present in all facets of our lives---at worship, home, work and in the world! Join us as we explore different facets of how Jesus Christ can give us confidence in these turbulent, yet exciting times as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence. Questions encouraged!
Walk & Talk with Pastor Steve
Fridays 8:30-9:30am, August 27, September 3, 10, 17, October 1
Facilitator: Pastor Steve
Join Pastor Steve on Friday mornings for conversation and a walk around the church neighborhood. Meet in the Gathering Area at 8:30 am for this half hour Friday morning walk.
Discovering Jesus in Art: A Study of Modern Iconography
Wednesdays at 6:30pm beginning September 1
Facilitator: Pastor Jake, Parlor & Zoom
Iconography is the tradition of sacred art. For many Christians around the world icons are an integral part of the worship and mystical life of Christians. In the Eastern Christian tradition icons are considered a means of grace and are commonly referred to as “windows into heaven". This study will look at the principles of traditional Christian iconography and then apply those principles in the study of modern icons of Jesus. How might we reclaim the sacred practice of iconography for worship and devotion? As part of the study, participants will be invited to craft their own icon of Jesus using a variety of provided resources and materials.
This also serves as Pastor Jake’s ordination Bible Study, meaning that this Bible Study will be evaluated by the Board of Ministry for the East Ohio Conference. Come be a part of the ordination process by participating in this study!
Pursued: God’s Relentless Love for You
Tuesday PM Women’s Group, Tuesday’s at 6:30 pm beginning September 7
Facilitators: Sue Bell and Sue Schillings, Parlor and Zoom
Discover how God is pursuing you as you explore His relentless love from Genesis to Revelation. There is something in all of us that longs to be loved, to be desired, to be pursued—whether by a special someone, our friends, or others in our lives. This longing for love and acceptance is the underlying story of many of our lives, and it's the overarching story we see throughout the Scriptures. In this six-week study, Jennifer Cowart explores the main theme that runs throughout the stories in the Bible: God’s relentless love for us. Like Cain, Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah, David, the adulterous woman, Peter, and many others, we have broken relationship with God. Yet God runs after us anyway to bring us home. Together we will explore God’s love as evidenced in the stories of creation, the patriarchs, the judges and prophets, Jesus, and the early church. We will see the big picture of God’s love for us, discover that God wants a personal relationship with each one of us, and realize that God will never stop pursuing us.
Freeing Jesus: Faith Meets Life Sunday School
Sundays at 9:45am beginning September 12
Facilitator: Kim Reynolds, Room 16 & Zoom
Many of us have questions regarding Jesus and how he can still be relevant over 2000 years later. This study based on our fall worship series explores how Jesus can still be present in all facets of our lives---at worship, home, work and in the world! Join us as we explore different facets of how Jesus Christ can give us confidence in these turbulent, yet exciting times as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence.
Spiritual Seekers Sunday School
Sundays at 9:45am beginning September 12
Facilitator: Bob Snyder, Conference Room & Zoom
Spiritual Seekers will be a class for those who genuinely want to develop a deeper spiritual relationship with their Creator and Savior. It will be designed also to stimulate growth by using materials and studies designed to promote forward movement in our respective faith journeys.
Short Stories By Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi
Wednesday Women’s Group - Wednesdays at 9am beginning September 8
Facilitator: Linda Reynolds, Parlor and Zoom
Explore a fresh and timely interpretation of Jesus’ most popular teaching parables. Jesus knew how to tell a story. He knew that in order to get his message across he needed to relate to the people who gathered to listen—first century Jews—who lived in a very different world than the one in which we live today. In Short Stories by Jesus, author Amy-Jill Levine takes you back in time and explains how original audiences understood Jesus’ parables. You’ll learn how new interpretations of the parables continue to challenge and provoke contemporary readers two thousand years later.
Love Your Neighbor Walk: Widening the Table
Beginning September 13
The Love Your Neighbor Walk is a five week study by email designed to create dedicated time and space to delve into scripture and connect God’s word to our social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, and leadership. Participants will receive an email on Monday/Wednesday/Friday for 5 weeks with opportunities to reflect on scripture and prayer then select from a variety of activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast or music or watching a video. Weekly gatherings on Sundays at 6:30 pm beginning September 19 in the church Parlor and by Zoo will provide opportunities for discussion. For more information contact a member of the organizing team: Donna Benzing, Mike Howard, Pastor Jake, Teresa Purses, Kim Reynolds, Kathy Schmucker, or Tom Strauch.
Faith 101
Sundays at 9:45am September 19-October 24,
Facilitators: Pastor Steve, Pastor Jake, Kathy Schmucker, Parlor & Zoom
Review the Christian Faith, Methodism and Faith United. Join Pastors Steve and Jake and Spiritual Formation, Kathy Schmucker in the Parlor and via Zoom on Sunday mornings. Whether you are new to Faith United or you have been here for a while, this class is a way to rediscover the wonder and power of the Christian faith; the mission, history, and theology of the United Methodist Church; and the unique expression of both at Faith United.
The Minor Prophets Monday Night Bible Study
Mondays at 6:30 pm beginning September 27, in the Parlor
Facilitator Ron Luikart
The Minor Prophets are often overlooked. However, one commentator says this, “One theme that unifies the 12 prophets is Israel’s relationship with God. What does God demand of humans? How do historical events signify God’s word? These are questions that appear throughout Biblical prophecy. But nowhere in the Bible does a single book present as wide a variety of views on these subjects as does the collection of the Twelve Minor prophets. Even in a single time period, there is a remarkable diversity of views.” The Bible will be our primary text and we will use commentaries and online references to help us gain insight into these books.
Book Discussion Group
September 30, 2021 at 7pm
Faith United's Parlor
We will meet to discuss Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly. The book is wonderfully rich with characters, compelling events, and history. It is well-researched historical fiction about the Civil War told from the vantage point of women working for change.
Common Ground
Wednesdays at 6:30pm, October 13, 27, November 10, December 8
Facilitator: Kathy Schmucker, Parlor & Zoom
Learn to live at peace with others even when you disagree by studying biblical stories of rivalries. Conflict has always been part of our lives, but these days, disagreements seem ramped up, don’t they? Whatever the discord may be over, it feels as if we’re constantly having to choose sides. In Common Ground, a four-week study, author Amberly Neese shows us that the Scriptures hold the key to living at peace despite our differences. She combines stories of sibling rivalries from the Bible with personal experience, humor, hope, and her love of God’s Word to illustrate how we can have peace and reconciliation in all of our relationships—all while reassuring us that it’s possible to find common ground with everyone–despite our differences.
Sewing for Missions
Join us this Fall on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30pm!
Coordinator: Sue Bell
God has called us to use our sewing abilities to help many people and be a bright spot in someone's dark day. Join us on Wednesday nights to help sew the various projects we complete. We are always looking for ways that God is calling us to bless people through our sewing.
Friday Afternoon Study
Theology for the Times
Fridays at 1:00 pm by Zoom.
Contact Tom Strauch and Kathy Schmucker.
Theology for the Times"...with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other." This is how a 20th century theologian calls for followers of Jesus to discern and empower faithful living. Join this effort by engaging in a 'Theology for our Times' conversation to inform faithful living.
Thursday Afternoon Group
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Thursdays at 1:00pm in the Parlor at Faith United
Coordinator: Mike Flechtner
Prayer Shawls are the most heartfelt of gifts. They wrap, enfold, comfort, mother, hug, cover, shelter, beautify and give solace to our recipients. Our knitters and crocheters laugh, cry, love, and pray over the shawls while we make them. The official Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting is from 1-3 on the first Thursday of the month. Because we have so much fun, we meet the other three Thursdays to knit, crochet, and have fellowship. Please join us. We provide the hooks, needles, patterns and yarn.
Freeing Jesus: Men’s Life Study
Two Saturday’s a month at 8am at Beyesly’s Restaurant
Facilitator: Kim Reynolds
A men's group that typically meets at a local restaurant. We use resource books that provide opportunities for discussion focused on the content from the book we are reading. Discussion questions and comments are provided by the facilitator and other viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged. Books that have been the foundation for our faith based discussions have included topics such as expanding our faith journey, understanding other religions, serving others in the community, building relationships, deeper understanding of New Testament books, reaching out to those who are oppressed and exploring controversies within Christianity. This fall we will study the book, Freeing Jesus.
Faith and the Environment
Coordinator: Bob Kuchner
"People of Faith caring for our World"
Faith and the Environment Ministry here at Faith United is an expression of our congregations' need to put into action the gratitude we feel for this magnificent earth. The divine nature of our Creator bestows on all that is created as a sacred legacy. Collectively we commit ourselves to the task of under-standing and preserving this legacy.
Visit Faith and the Environment's page for more information.
Virtual lobby
Visit our YouTube Virtual Lobby playlist to enjoy all the great topics featured in Faith United's Virtual Lobby conversations.
Join us live via Zoom or Facebook on the 3rd Sunday in November!
United Methodist Women
The United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ: to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Circle of Faith, Circle of Love and Lydia Circle welcome new members!
What is the Emmaus Ministry?
Learn about Emmaus Spiritual Renewal Weekends and accountability groups.
Music Groups
Faith United offers a wide variety of music groups for all ages to use their gifts and passion for vocal or instrumental music in worship.
Learn more about discipleship at Faith United