Sunday Morning Offerings

Church School classes meet from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The beginning and ending dates of each class vary. Childcare is available during the church school hour.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS...KNOW HOW TO MAKE LEMONADE
Have you ever had one of those experiences when you've felt alone in the world and you were certain that no one could ever understand how you're feeling?  I'm here to say we've all been there.  At one time or another, we've all been in that boat, alone at sea without food and potable water.  How could we ever get ashore in one piece?  Somehow, whether it's through our faith or our friendships we make it through.  This class will help you find biblical references that relate to your challenges to help you make lemonade when life gives you lemons.  Some of the many topics are family and career challenges, forgiveness, relationships, adversity and others.

LEADER: Kym Lowe      PLACE: Room 127      DATE: February 3
RESOURCE: Where Is God When It Hurts?  by Philip Yancey

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES: Acts, the Epiphany for the Early Church and Us. Come, join Dave and Steve in the adventure as they walk through Acts, just as the early apostles came to understand what Jesus meant to them 2,000 years ago.  We will seek to understand the Jesus phenomena and what Jesus means to us today.  The apostles' journey from ignorance to understanding Jesus' vision and path is similar to the journey all of us are on.  As Garrison Keillor said on December 24, listing his FIVE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS, The Acts of the  Apostles is number one.  "The flames lit on their little heads and bravely and dangerously went they onward," observed Keillor.

LEADERS: Steven Pennington, Dave Unnewehr 
PLACE: Room 225   DATE: February 3                                              

THE OLD TESTAMENT IN A NEW LIGHT
During each class, we will watch a video lecture by Professor Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D of Vanderbilt University Divinity School, covering history, literature, archaeologic research and religion of ancient Israel.  We will follow each video with discussion.  We will not be able to cover each book of the Old Testament, but this class should give an overview that will help us interact in the Bible in a new way.

FACILITATOR: Jim Wiedman with rotating leadership 
PLACE: Room 26  DATE: Feb 3

SPIRITUALITY: READINGS BY ALAN COHEN
Come join us in the Spirituality class as we start to read a series of essays on spirituality by Alan Cohen called "The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore: Living Fully, Loving Freely."  Although these short articles are loosely grouped in themes like overcoming limitations, the flow of life, the vision of freedom, transformations, the path, and love, each class session will stand on its own and all are welcome any time. 

Alan Cohen writes of his spiritual odyssey from a conservative Orthodox Jewish background to the exploration of the wisdom of spiritual masters including Jesus. Originally printed in 1981, it is thought-provoking and generates discussion.

LEADER: Beth Obear              If you have questions, call Beth
PLACE: Room 23                   New participants welcome: Class started January 20

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New Members' Classes 
Classes to prepare persons for membership in St. Matthew's United Methodist Church will be offered as needed throughout the year. The first class of five sessions will begin in the Fall.  Please call the church office (301-262-1408) for information.
Leader:     Reverend Richard Stetler

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Weekday Offerings

Disciple Bible Study Classes

If you're interested in a Disciples class, please contact Irene Schneider by email (disciples@stmatthews-bowie.org).  There are 31-week studies and 8-10 week study programs which assist persons interested in in-depth Bible study.

Pastor's Bible Study:  Mark and Hebrews
We are studying the gospel of Mark, the earliest of the four Gospels, which presents the person, work and teachings of Jesus.  Nearly all of the verses of Mark are found in the other Gospels.  Join us as we discuss the major themes of this book probably written between A.D. 55 and 65.

As our weekly study continues we will explore the book of Hebrews written to Jewish people who were struggling with the concept of Jesus as Messiah.  These classes are designed so that people can drop in and out.  Group discussion is encouraged.  Anyone available during this hour is welcome.
Leader:         Rev. Dick Stetler 
Resource:      The Bible 
Location:       Room 126 
Date & Time: Tuesdays, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

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The "Angel Gang"  
This group's mission is to draw on their common experiences as they assist others who are faced with challenges to their wellness. The group's focus is laughter, fellowship, and story-telling.  Everyone is welcome.
Leader:         Rev. Dick Stetler 
Location:       Room 126 
Date & Time: Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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United Methodist Women's Circle Studies

An invitation to attend any of the circle meetings is extended to all women. For specific information, please call the leader of the circle in which you are interested or contact Jody Kelley.

AGAPE CIRCLE  
Leader:          Jane Anderson 
Resource:        TBA
Location:        In members' homes 
Date & Time:   First Thursday of the month, 9:30 a.m. 

EVENING CIRCLE 
Leader:          Sally Stumpf, Jo Ellen Thompson
Resource:         When All Else Fails, Read the Instructions
                          by James Moore
Location:        In members' homes 
Date & Time:   Second Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m. 

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
Leaders:         Mickey Fisher 
Resource:         If You're Going the Wrong Way, Turn Around
                          by James W. Moore
Location:        St Matthew's, Room 223 
Date & Time:   Second Thursday of the month, 12:00 noon 

MARTHA CIRCLE
Leader:          Beth Cammie
Resource:        Discovering God's Will for Your Life
Location:       St Matthew's, Room 102 (Parlor)-Babysitting provided
Date & Time:  Second Friday of the month, 9:30 a.m. 

KOINONIA CIRCLE
Leaders:        Karen Laumoli
Resource:       TBA
Location:       St Matthew's, Room 102 (Parlor)-Babysitting provided
Date & Time:  Third Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m. 

SUSANNA WESLEY CIRCLE 
Leader:         Pat Bond 
Resource:      Listening for God
Location:       In members' homes 
Date & Time:  Third Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m.

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