First United Methodist Church

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First Church places an emphasis on Christian Education and spiritual formation for all ages – children, youth, and adults.

• Sunday School classes for all ages are available during the time between worship services: 9:45 – 10:45 AM.

• Confirmation Classes (grades 7-12) are offered annually; watch this page for dates and times.

• Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children is offered once annually; watch this page for dates and times.

• Daytime and evening Bible and book studies for adults cover a wide range of topics and formats.

• Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University teaches you to manage God's money and resources in a godly way.

• Child of God Preschool, an outreach ministry of First Church, is a Christian preschool serving children ages 2 1/2 through 5 years.

• Men's and Women's Retreats are offered annually; watch this page or the Men's and Women's Ministries pages for dates and times.

See the entries below listing the current offerings and schedules.

The Annual Women’s Retreat will be Friday through Saturday, February 26^th - 27^th. The theme for the retreat is “A SPA Experience (Spiritual Power in Action).” Click here for a printable registration form; registrations are due by noon on February 22.

Pastors Barb and Bob Sholis are facilitating a class on the the book of Acts using the Interpretation Bible Studies series, authored by Reverend Charles Williamson, a pastor in Monroe, North Carolina. This 10-week study begins January 24.

Jeff Rings is facilitating a class on the International Sunday school curriculum. Currently focusing on Joshua, Judges, Ezra, Nehemiah, Mark, and 1 & 2 Peter, this group of people over age 50 enjoy in-depth discussion of the Bible. This class meets in the lower level, in the far end of the Social Room.

Todd Brooks, Tom Carpenter & Steve Gleeson are facilitating a study on the Beatitudes from the back side by J. Ellsworth Kalas. This is a laid-back group of people who are highly involved in the church and enjoy the diversity provided through open dialogue. This class meets in the lower level, in the Social Room next to the kitchen.

Jason & Christy Samples are facilitating a class on Your Time-Starved Marriage: How to stay connected at the speed of life. This class is designed to provide an opportunity for young couples to strengthen their relationships with God and each other in a community of faith. This class meets in the Parlor on the main floor, just inside the double glass doors off of the parking lot.

Jeff Walker is facilitating a class on the book What in the world is going on: Ten prophetic clues you cannot afford to ignore by David Jeremiah. This group desires to learn more about the Bible and how it can be used in everyday life, typically engaging in a lively discussion, so much so that they occasionally lose track of time. This class meets in the lower level, across the hall from the Choir Room.

Financial Peace University is a 13-week class featuring Dave Ramsey that helps people to take control of their financial future. Facilitated by Mary Lutz, this class will meet from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Sunday evenings starting January 17th.

Facilitated by Jeff Walker and Mary Lutz, this group meets from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings in the Parlor; on January 10, the group began a short-term study on the book of Exodus.

Mary Lutz is facilitating a class on the the book of Jonah. This class meets from 1:00 - 2:00 PM on Tuesdays starting January 19.

The men currently meet at 8:30 a.m. on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the month, and, on September 12^th, began studying the Gospel of Mark, facilitated by members of the group. This breakfast and study is in the lower level Social Room next to the kitchen.

This women's health and fitness group, facilitated by Juli Miracle, meets from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Current session began January 18.

This group meets in the Nursery on the 3^rd Friday of the month at 9:30 AM during the school year to focus on the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.

An ecumenical group of women meet from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons in the Chapel at the Inn at SharonBrooke to study the Bible.

This class is open to all, and will study the book Invitation to the New Testament. Facilitated by Pastor Mark Chow, this class will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings starting February 10^th. The class will meet in the Parlor (Room 102). To reserve your class materials, contact Gary Watson (gwatson(at)firstumcnewark.org).

Typically meeting from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evenings, the women’s Bible studies provide an opportunity for women in the church to enjoy fellowship while growing deeper in their relationship with God. Mary Lutz is facilitating an Erwin McManus study on the book Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment that meets in the lower level Social Room (Room 006).

Typically meeting from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evenings, the women’s Bible studies provide an opportunity for women in the church to enjoy fellowship while growing deeper in their relationship with God. Anita Snow is facilitating a Beth Moore study on Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman that meets in the main floor Chapel (Room 103).

The class meets from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on Monday evenings, facilitated by Mary Lutz. This 10-week study began January 11th.