Adult Spiritual Growth Opportunities

Rector's Study - Summer 2013
Jun. 1-Aug. 31, 8-9am in the Fellowship Hall
Contact: Father Mark, x.10
The Saints of Summer - click here to download outline (pdf format)

ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES - Lent 2013

Praying the Hours
A daily prayer experience
Mon-Friday, Feb. 14-Mar. 22
Experience an ancient monastic practice of “Praying the Hours” during Lent. Come to the chapel at 9 a.m., noon, 5 p.m. and/or 8 p.m., a staff member or parishioner will be leading a short liturgical prayer every weekday during Lent. Come to one, pick a day to do all three, pick a time, or do them all! As many or as few as you like. This is a wonderful Lenten spiritual practice that will help you to know the power of prayer.

Sundays

A special opportunity to study with Dr. Amy Peeler, Assistant Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College ...
Bible Study: Boldly to the Throne
Prayer in the Gospels and Hebrews
Sunday, Feb 17-Mar 24, 9-10:15 a.m.
Contact: Amy Peeler
As St. Mark's studies prayer this Lenten season, this class will attend to lessons on prayer from the Gospels and Hebrews. In this six week study (Feb 17 through March 24), we will begin with the assurance that we can proceed boldly to the “throne of grace" as the author of Hebrews argues. The Gospels of Mark and John will allow us to learn from the example, teachings, and actions of Jesus, and finally, Hebrews and Gethsemane will prepare us for Good Friday as we realize the intensity of Jesus' final incarnate prayers. 

Read the Bible in a Year
Contact: Sonja Brazell
Sundays, on-going 10:30-11:30, Rectory
The Bible in the Year class continues to deepen our relationship with the Lord and transform us into the likeness of Christ.

Tuesdays

Dare2Pray: A Lenten Experience
Discovering God’s Power, Provision and Presence
Tuesday, Feb 19-Mar 26, 7-8:30 pm
Contact: Pastor Claudia Nalven
Feeling stalled in your prayer life? Wondering how to develop a vital connection to God? Join Fr. Mark and Pr. Claudia for a 6-week exploration of prayer, relationship, the Holy Spirit, Scripture and more. The format will include a talk, small groups, and prayer experiences that will help us to know Christ, his power and his presence in our lives.

Women’s Book Group
A great group of women who select spiritually helpful books for discussion.
Tuesdays, ongoing, beginning Feb. 26th, 7:15-8:30.
Contact: Carol Moshier
The women’s book group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, and begins again on Feb. 26th. All women are welcome to join this warm and encouraging group which meets at the home of Carol Moshier and is led by Pat Wright.

Wednesdays

Women’s Study: When God’s People Pray
Discover the ways God works through prayer
Wednesday, Feb 20-March 27, 9-10:30 am
Pastor Claudia, Kathy Morton et al. will facilitate this video series by Jim Cymbala, pastor of the famous-for-prayer Brooklyn Tabernacle Church. We will all be encouraged and empowered to pray for ourselves and others.

Wednesday Evening Supper
Enjoy food and fellowship from 6:30– 7 and then take one of these opportunities to learn and grow. These classes start on Feb. 27.

The Alpha Course
I’m new to St. Mark’s or I’ve been coming for a long time, and I have questions about Christianity. Where is a user-friendly class where my questions will be welcome? Alpha is the place for you. Participants can decide to be baptized or confirmed in May.

Come to the Alpha Re-union and Kick-off Party on Feb. 20, 6:30-8:00. It’s a low-key opportunity to meet people who have taken the class before, and a chance to invite friends to check it out.

Inquirer’s Class
I have a meaningful relationship with God, and have taken Alpha or its equivalent in another church. I want to know how I can live out my faith in an Anglican context. The Inquirer’s Class is for you. Participants may be confirmed or received in May.

A Life Worth Living
I have taken Alpha or any other Bible Study, and I want to keep growing. This study, based on the Book of Philippians, is a great next step. A series of 9 teachings by Nicky Gumbel, who popularized the Alpha Course.

Not sure which course is right for you? Wednesday evenings are taught by Fr. Mark, Pastor Claudia, Dan Palmer, Laura Byars, and a group of trained facilitators. Contact Fr. Mark, x.11 or Pastor Claudia, x.19.

Saturdays

Rector’s Bible Study
Healing in the Bible
Feb. 16-Mar 23, 8-9am in the Fellowship Hall
Contact: Father Mark, x.10
Father Mark will examine the healing narratives of Scripture in this 6-week study. The Rector’s Bible Study is always open to all.

Men’s Bible Study
On-going. Join any time.
8:00-9:30 am at John Temple’s Home
Contact: John Temple, 630.232.1912
This on-going study follows the lectionary readings each week.

The Power of Healing Prayer Conference
March 1-3, 2013

Speaker/Author
The Rev. Nigel Mumford

The Power of Healing Prayer is a weekend of teaching about Healing Prayer and an opportunity to experience the power of prayer to heal emotional, spiritual and physical hurts. Fr. Nigel Mumford is the Director of the Healing Ministry at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Green, New York, and a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. Cost: $15 until Monday, February 25; $25 at the door. For more information contact: HealingMinistry@theloweclan.net

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An Invitation Written in the Stars
Epiphany All-ages Party and Bible Study

The Feast of the Epiphany is the season of Christ’s light shining out into the world. We have Great Expectations of how will this light shine in and through us this year. Sunday, January 6th kicks off our sermon series, “Great Expectations,” our all-ages pot-luck celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 9th@6:15 pm, and our 4-week parish-wide Bible Study experience. There is still time to join the kick-off pot-luck celebration on Jan. 9th, and join one of the small groups that will be meeting to experience our 4-week Epiphany Bible Study, Great Expectations.

Watch this page for each week's devotional related to the sermon and Bible Study. The first one, “A New Year, A New Vision,” is available below.

With Great Expectations, we look forward to experiencing Epiphany together!

Email Pastor Claudia for more information.

Great Expectations devotional for Week 1 (PDF format)
Great Expectations devotional for Week 2 (PDF format)
Great Expectations devotional for Week 3 (PDF format)
Great Expectations devotional for Week 4 (PDF format)
Great Expectations devotional for Week 5 (PDF format)

Great Expectations Participants Guide for week of January 13 (PDF format)
Great Expectations Leaders Guide for week of January 13 (PDF format)

Great Expectations Participants Guide for week of January 20 (PDF format)
Great Expectations Leaders Guide for week of January 20 (PDF format)

Great Expectations Participants Guide for week of January 27 (PDF format)
Great Expectations Leaders Guide for week of January 27 (PDF format)

Great Expectations Participants Guide for week of February 3 (PDF format)
Great Expectations Leaders Guide for week of February 3 (PDF format)

Epiphany Party Exceeds Expectations

St. Markers enjoyed a wonderful outpouring of fellowship and fun at our Epiphany Party, which kicked off four weeks of Bible Study last week. Thank you to Bruce and Nancy Jones for organizing the event, to their team, and to St. Mark’s staff and lay leaders. Special thanks to the Paul Grizzell and the Choir, as well as Wrestling with Trees for providing the evening’s worship music. Congratulations to Pat Wright, who found the ring in the Epiphany Cake! The prize: A gift certificate to the Prodigal Café donated by Linda Palmer! And thank you to all who contributed to the most amazing potluck ever!

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The Adult Spiritual Formation Committee is a new group at St. Mark’s that is working to build our Adult Programs. We are committed to the belief that spiritual formation and education is essential for Christian growth.

General contacts: Amy Reynertson, Pastor Claudia Nalven, x19

Advisory Committee: Ron Gaston, Kathy Morton (Vestry), Craig and Jana Pressley, Alan Shackleton (Vestry), John Tusken, Bob Watson