One of our goals for our members is to provide opportunities to learn and grow on their faith journeys. We offer several opportunities to read, hear, discuss and share information and experiences. Please explore these opportunities and join us!
Naomi Circle
The studies are written by Lutheran women clergy and theologians. Our membership is open to all who are interested in joining us.
The May meeting will be in person (Youth Room) and on Zoom Tuesday, May 9, from 9:15 – 11:00 a.m.
Join us on the second Tuesday of the month at 9:15 a.m. in the Youth Room and on Zoom
Contact: Linda H.
holstell@outlook.com
563-370-8464
Contact: Sue S.
suesmith512@msn.com
863-326-4000
Contact: The church office
Manna Bible Study
Manna Bible study would like to encourage new faces to join us. All are welcome! We look forward to exploring the scriptures together.
Join us on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m
Contact: Phyllis W. pkwright1360@gmail.com
303-772-1360
Contact: Pat W.
wilder.patr@eagle.uwlax.edu
608-385-1613
Table Talk
We are discussing The Universal Christ – How A Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, And Believe by Richard Rohr. If you have any questions, please contact Pr. Katie (pastor@bethlehem-lutheran.net), Jenny (jmtkelley@gmail.com), or Fred (fredfanton@aol.com).
Fred Fanton and Jenny Kelley had the privilege of seeing Fr. Rohr in person when he was the guest speaker at our 2019 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, and they will be leading the discussions of this book. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. “God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God–except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us and in everyone we meet. Please join us for what will be an interesting and thought provoking way of looking at Jesus, his ministry, and his relationship to Christ and our own faith journeys!
Books will be available for purchase from the church for $18.00. There will also be a few copies available for loan from our library. Please contact the office and let Nancy or Tiffany know if you would like a copy to buy or to borrow. You can pay by cash, check or online (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YXX6/home)–just be sure to mark “Universal Christ” on the memo.
Tentative Reading Schedule for Sessions
- 4/19/23 Session I: Forward, Before We Begin, Chapter 1 Christ Is Not Jesus’s Last Name, Chapter 2 Accepting That You Are Fully Accepted [xi–38]
- 4/26/23 Session II: Chapter 3 Revealed in Us–as US; Chapter 4 Original Goodness; Chapter 5 Love Is the Meaning [pg 39–80]
- 5/03/23 Session III: Chapter 6 A Sacred Wholeness; Chapter 7 Going Somewhere Good; Chapter 8 Doing and Saying [pg 81–108]
- 5/10/23 Session IV: Chapter 9 Things at Their Depth; Chapter 10 The Feminine Incarnation; Chapter 11 This Is My Body [pg 109–138]
- 5/17/23 Session V: Chapter 12 Why Did Jesus Die?; Chapter 13 It Can’t Be Carried Alone [pg 139–168]
- 5/24/23 Session VI: Chapter 14 The Resurrection Journey; Chapter 15 Two Witnesses to Jesus and Christ [pg 169–202]
- 5/31/23 Session VII: Chapter 16 Transformation and Contemplation; Chapter 17 Beyond Mere Theology: Two Practices [pg 203–230]
- 6/07/23 Session VIII: Epilogue; Appendices; Afterward [pg 231–252]; Wrap-up
BLC 