Ministries:
First Presbyterian offers many ways for adults to interact and build relationships with one another as they grow in their faith. Whether it’s a Sunday morning Christian education class, a midweek Bible study or a discussion group, there’s something for everyone. We hope you will dive right in and get involved. For more information contact Rev Kristine Aragon Bruce at [email protected].
For questions about any of the offerings below please contact the office at [email protected].
How to Read the Bible: God, the Bible, & Gender
Beginning the Sunday after Easter, April 7, the How to Read the Bible group will, by popular request, begin discussing the interrelated themes of gender and 1) leadership in the church and 2) how we talk about God. Why for example do we have women pastors in the PC(USA) when the Bible has such statements as: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent” (1 Tim. 2.11)? Do we reject such verses or pretend they aren’t there? Of course not! So how do we understand them as Presbyterians? Related to this is the question of how should we talk about God? The Bible often refers to God as “he,” yet God does not have a body and therefore is neither male nor female, at least in the sense that we normally think of gender. Moreover, many people today struggle to refer to God as their “Father” or to think of God as male because of difficult experiences in the church, harmful relationships, and even abuse. How can we both stay faithful to the historic Christian faith and worship the God we love, while also speaking of God in ways that invite all people into a loving relationship with the God who loves us?
How to Read the Bible meets in the Rec. Room on Sunday mornings after the 9:00 service. Please contact Matt Aragon Bruce with any questions:
If you aren’t able to attend classes, you may watch the recordings below:
The Wired Word
The Wired Word is a group that discusses the intersection of our faith and the latest headlines. If you wonder where Jesus Christ is in the midst of a pandemic, political divisiveness, or a mass shooting, the Wired Word is a great place to ask these questions.
Class meets on Sundays between worship services (10-11 a.m.) in rooms 16/17 on the lower level. All are welcome!
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Wired Word will meet only when the “How to Read the Bible” class is on break. If you have a question about the schedule, please contact the church office (616-842-6760).
Sermon on the Mount
Our Lenten sermon series is based on The Beatitudes, the eight declarations of blessedness spoken by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. This class continues the worship lesson and allows participants to ask questions and join in discussion. Instructor: Dr. Matt Bruce.
This class is being recorded and can be watched via the links below.
Watch class videos here:
YogaFaith
Led by Melisa Overway
What: Whole body worship, yoga through a Biblical lens, meditation, prayer, rest
Who: All are welcome
When: The 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7-7:45 p.m.
Where: In the Chapel
Bring: Yoga mat, water (optional: block, pillow, blanket, eye pillow)
Participants will transition slowly from posture to posture, typically finishing with deeper, more static stretching as we surrender our hearts to God and create space for rest and worship.
Small Groups
There are various small groups that meet on a weekly basis, such as a women’s group that meets on Monday afternoons and a men’s group that meets on Tuesday evenings, just to name a few. All are welcome to any of them! Questions? Please contact Rev. Kristine Aragon Bruce [email protected].
P.W. (Presbyterian Women) Bible Studies
Various groups within P.W. known as “Circles” meet monthly. In Conjunction with a Bible Study there is also a mission focus for each P.W. Circle. All women are welcome! Please contact Sue, the PW Chairwoman, for more information: PW Chairwoman.
The circles are always glad to welcome new participants. Consider joining one of the circles that fits your schedule:
· Jane Bottje Circle, 10:30 a.m., first Monday of the month, contact Margaret Wiegert: 616-842-7161
· Ferry-White Circle, 10 a.m., first Thursday of the month, contact Pat Elenbaas: 517-290-0625
· Eight Founders Circle, 1 p.m., first Thursday of the month, contact Nita Pellegrom: 616-846-1805
· Albee-Duverney Circle, 7 p.m., first Thursday of the month, contact Lynn VanderMeer: 616-842-7037
Discussion Groups
There are various discussion groups that meet during the week.
Monday Afternoon Bible Study – Grow in your faith and learn more about God’s Word in a supportive and welcoming small group setting. This group meets from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. The focus of study this fall is based on the video and book by Amy Jill Levine, Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study, Come and discuss the featured book with fellow friends and meet others who are all on journeys to learn more about faith and what the Bible tells us. The group is open to all and meets in the lounge on Tuesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. The group will be using N. T. Wright’s Bible Study on Acts.
Tuesday Night Men’s Group – This group is open to all men and meets in the Conference Room on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m.
Thursday Morning Breakfast Discussion Group meets from 7–8 am at Russ’ Restaurant in Grand Haven to discuss the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday worship service. If possible, please contact the church office or Bob Day at [email protected] to let us know if you plan on attending. This will help us plan ahead for table space.
Thursday Night Discussion Group The group meets on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 in Fellowship Hall. This group provides an opportunity for each of us to learn from noted authors, as well as from each other within an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding.
From January 16 through February 27, we will be discussing The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics by Curtis Chang and Nancy French. You are invited to join the discussion! Please contact Sally Dunn for more details.
Earth Care Team
First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven is a certified Earth Care Congregation. The Earth Care team is committed to offering educational resources and service opportunities for people to actively care for God’s creation throughout the year. The ECT also works with the session to maintain and upgrade our facilities to ensure our buildings and our grounds will use energy efficiently and conserve resources. To learn more and to get involved please email us. To learn more about what it means to be an Earth Care Congregation please see the following links: (listed from the original doc).
PCUSA Earth Care
Here are several links to the PCUSA websites that give more information about the PCUSA’s concerns about Earth Care and the environment.
Presbyterians for Earth Care
Summary of PCUSA Programs
Sustainable living and Earth Care
