Adult Sunday School

Enrich your faith by participating in an adult class (opportunities described below) Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45. Contacts: Jane Nicholson, 625-1953 and Sam Ross, 489-1024

Bible Study Class
New Testament Community will look at the New Testament through the lens of the early Christian Community and its beginnings, work, ministry, struggles, growth, persecution, and witness. In December through February we will consider Human Commitment, How will we respond to God’s call? The Bible Study Group meets year-round in the Conference Room on the second floor. Coordinator: Don Lundquist.

Worldly Topics in Our Faithful Lives
This class will be meeting Sunday mornings in Strickler Hall with a variety of topics being discussed. The first two are listed below.

Human Sexuality - The dialogue on human sexuality in our church (ELCA) is coming to its culmination. A final draft of a social statement on the topic has been sent to every congregation, and our response to it is earnestly requested! Dr. Paul Jersild will lead a class during the Sunday School hour on September 14, 21, and 28, in which the draft will be read and discussed (free copies will be available). Take this opportunity to inform yourself on Christian thinking concerning a most important and challenging subject.

Fundamentally Speaking is a series about fundamentalism as it applies to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Begins October 5 Leader: Sam Ross
• Historic Growth of Fundamentalism as a concept
• 20th century development of Christian fundamentalism
• Jewish orthodoxy and concentration of Jewish law
• Muslim Fundamentalists from 7th century until today
• Worldwide society and the impacts of fundamentalism

Religion in American Politics
This lecture and discussion style course will examine the issues of religion in America yesterday and today. The lecture material will be taken from Steve Waldman's new book, "Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America.” Waldman focuses on the five founding fathers who had the most influence on religion's role in the state - Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Adams and Madison - and untangles their complex legacy. The discussion portion will relate issues from this historical context with the current geopolitical environment. Chris Cook will teach this course which will meet in Room #206.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds
All children must master certain developmental tasks in order to live and love well as they grow into productive adults. The interplay between a child and their parent affects the growth and development of both throughout a lifetime. As children struggle to master different developmental tasks, such as the beginning of separation that fuels the “terrible twos,” the child also effects and shapes the emotional world of the parent. Join us as we travel through the complexities of early infancy (0-12 months), separation-individuation (12-36 months), pre-school (3-6 years), latency (6-10 years), pre-adolescence and adolescence (11-16 years), late adolescence and early adulthood (16-20 years), adulthood and the senior years. This will be an eight week class beginning on September 14 in Room #102. This class will be led by Susan Stones, LCSW and co-led by Jerome Blackman, MD, certified and adult Psychoanalyst. Bring your experience, stories, and questions for lively discussion!

Lutheranism 101 is a short process leading to membership in First Lutheran. Participants explore fundamentals of Lutheran Christianity. Classroom seminars led by Pastor Trexler October 5 – November 16 in the Fellowship Hall (third floor) and are open to anyone who would like to learn about Lutheran beliefs. Contact to register: Lindsay and Yolanda Reavis, 486-4847, HLReavis@aol.com

Youth Sunday School and Confirmation Classes

Ninth through Twelfth Grade will meet in the Youth Room (second floor). This fall we will dive into the book of faith as we journey through the Gospel of Mark. Come read and ask questions as we figure out who Jesus is in the gospels and who Jesus is for us. Teachers: Pastor Gragg and Kat Kussart

Confirmation Classes for our seventh and eighth grade students and all other participants in the confirmation program will be held in Room #211. This fall we will study the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. Teachers: Jen and Wil Thompson

Children's Sunday School

Akaloo is the curriculum that our children engage in during Sunday School. Our goal is to have our children become active disciples of the faith. The name Akaloo is inspired by the Greek word akalothein which means “to follow.” Each age group also includes music as a part of their Christian Education experience.

9:45 – 10:05 Kid’s Praise
-3 year old through Kindergarten will be in the Children’s Gathering Room (second floor) with Carol Farpour
-First Grade through Fourth Grade will be in Room #209 with Janine Brown

Classroom Learning
-3 year old Room 203 Kaye McGinnis and Joy Kelly
-4 year old Room 202 Jeff Hood and Paula Brothers
-Kindergarten Room 204 Carol Robinson
-1st Grade Room 209
-2nd & 3rd Grade Room 302 Rhonda Springer and Merrie Jo Milner
-4th Grade Room 207 Bob Masters, Sally and D.T. Hurdle
-5th & 6th Grade Room 301 Paula Cook and Julie Ware, (9:45-10:45)
-Ginny Fox and handbells in September/October

Midweek Daytime Studies

Men’s Bible Study – This group meets each Wednesday for breakfast at 7:00am in the Fellowship Hall, third floor of the church. Join us each week for a hot breakfast and a fantastic discussion of the Bible lessons for the coming Sunday. Contact: John Faircloth 238-3863.

Province Place Bible Study – This group of men and women meets each Wednesday morning at 10:30 beginning September 10 at Province Place in the Prayer room, 6403 Granby Street, Norfolk. Participants include residents of both Province Place and members of First Lutheran Church. We study the scripture related to the lectionary for the coming Sunday. Contact: Vicar Nicholson