2008 Fall Sunday School Classes

Class titles, teachers, locations, and descriptions follow.
Class times begin at 10:00 am and end at 10:50.

“Newcomers…and Oldtimers”
The Rev. John Barrett with other teachers

How can we be saved and why do we need to be?  What is the ‘Church’?  How did it come to be?  What do we believe in at Christ Church?  Why do our worship services look the way they do?  How do I use the Book of Common Prayer?  What is my ministry?  How do I become a member of Christ Church?  How do I go on a mission trip?  Come and ask questions and learn about this place and what we do here.  This will be a welcoming time of learning about the mission of this church.  Participants will learn how to formally become members and will have a chance to be confirmed, received into our church, or rededicated in their faith by our bishop on October 19th.

Class is six weeks long, beginning September 14 and ending on October 19th

“The Gospel and the End of Time”
Scott Rose

"Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Mt. 24:3) Jesus' response to these compelling questions from his disciples provided them with specific signs to look for and express warnings to "be alert!"  The disciples and the leaders of the early church pondered these teachings and struggled with how to apply them to everyday Christian life.  In addition to the Gospel passages, we will study portions of Thessalonians, Revelation, Daniel and Zechariah. 

Class is six weeks long, beginning September 14 and ending on October 19th

"Prayer Book Collects, our Weekly Prayer Life--both heritage and practice"
The Rev. Rollie Polk

"This will be a time for you to look seriously at the special prayers assigned for the seasons of the year and for the particular Sunday of each class meeting.  Members will not only learn about the themes of the seasons of the church calendar, but also will spend time in actual prayer.  Member participation will be encouraged. "

Class begins on September 14th and will continue until December 21st.

“Studies in the Old Testament”
Patty Curphy 

Have you ever wondered...
             about the significance of Abraham's servant?
             about the location of God's footstool?
             why the ritual for cleansing a leper is a picture of Jesus?
             why  David chose 5 smooth stones?
             about the meaning of the third day?
Come dig into some significant details of the Old Testament. This is a Bible study/ discussion class. Each week will have a different focus.

The class begins on September 14th and  continues until November 23rd.

“Being Effective Disciples: So How is Business?”
The Rev. John Rayles 
The Parish Hall

Come hear John challenge us on how to be more effective disciples and be a more effective church.  A member of our church, John is most often on the road as a church planter and evangelist for the diocese.  He is a great communicator of the gospel, who has a wonderful and pointed sense of humor.  This class will look at contemporary problems in being a follower of Jesus and will exhort us to overcome them.   John will stretch us in creative ways to “think outside the box” in terms of how to “be” the church.

This class begins October 26th and ends November 23rd.  It lasts five weeks.

“Life in the Spirit”
The Rev. Jack Sheffield with Bitsy Rubsamen
The Parish Hall

Who is the Holy Spirit?  How does the Holy Spirit operate in the world today?  How can we be living in the Holy Spirit in our daily life?  Bitsy, chairman of the board of the Christ Healing Center and longtime Christ Church parishioner, will start off the first class on the 12/7 by sharing about the Center and bringing in a guest who will offer his own testimonial of healing. Then join Jack for two classes as he tackles the above questions and more.  This class will breathe new life into our life as Christians and revive our souls with the healing hope of the Gospel.  As a founder of the Christ Healing Center, Jack with his wife Anna Marie carries a contagious passion for sharing this powerful message of the Holy Spirit to many people around the country.  This pre-Christmas study will be short but powerful.

This class begins on December 7 and ends on December 21st.  It lasts three weeks.

 “The Parables of Jesus”.
The Rev. Scott Kitayama

Jesus communicated deep spiritual truths through simple and engaging stories. These parables of Jesus made the kingdom of God understandable and accessible to his listeners.  This series is in DVD form and is written and taught by several seminary professors. 

This is an eight week course, which begins on November 2 and finishes on December 21st.

“Show Us The Father” Conference Room
Mark Fowler

What is a father’s blessing? How do you get your father’s blessing (especially if he’s absent or dead)? How do you bless your children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews? A class for fathers-to-be, for fathers, and for anyone who has had a father. A father’s blessing is crucial for a child’s well being. Jesus shows us the Heavenly Father and their relationship is a model for our own father-child relationships. All human fathers fail; the Heavenly Father does not fail. How can you forgive your failed father (and find forgiveness from your children) and embrace the blessing of Abba?

The class begins on November 2 and finishes December 14, lasting six sessions.