Bakerstown United Methodist Church
5760 William Flinn Highway, Gibsonia PA 15044
Phone: 724-443-3184
Day School: 724-272-6032
Small Group Opportunities
Digging Deeper | Sundays | 9:45am | Wesley Room
The Bible With and Without Jesus
How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently
DIGGing Deeper is currently studying this book by Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt, and Marc Zvi Brettler, a Jewish professor of Judaic Studies at Duke University, discusses 6 stories in the Bible where Jews and Christians read those stories differently. It begins with the second verse of chapter 1 of Genesis. What was it that blew across the waters? In the Hebrew Bible the word ru'ach can be translated as wind, breath or spirit. Jews interpret this as wind and do not see this as a reference to the Holy Spirit but for Christians this is the first time the "Spirit of God" or Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Bible.
The last session studies the passage "My God. My God. Why have You forsaken me?" We will study this passage the last Sunday before Lent and it makes a fitting introduction to our Lenten study which is described in another portion of this newsletter.
While it may not be important for us to understand how Jews interpret these passages, this book does give us an opportunity to take a fresh look and perhaps gain a new understanding of the passages.
Lent with Digging Deeper | Sundays | 9:45am | Wesley Room| Feb. 22
Do you remember those 3 hour Good Friday services where the pastors in the local ministerial association would speak on the seven last words of Jesus from the cross? That memory is what prompted our choice for a Lenten study, the book "Seven Words: Listening to Christ from the Cross" by Rev. Susan Robb.
Each Sunday during Lent we will be looking at one or more of the words. it’s from the cross that Jesus speaks and shows his deepest love for us. It’s from the cross that Jesus' full humanity draws us closest to him. It’s from the cross, as Jesus breathes his last breath and speaks his last words, that his deep trust in the Father and his divine glory are revealed. Those who listen to Jesus' last words from the cross will discover what he most wants them (the world) to hear and will experience an intimate and divine awe only available to those who are willing to draw near his cross.
Ongoing Small Groups
Women's Bible Study| Thursday, 9:00am |Fellowship Hall
Luke in the Land by Kristi McLelland. The four written Gospels describe Jesus's time on earth: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Land-the place Jesus walked and taught during His earthly ministry-is often referred to as the 'fifth Gospel'. The land speaks in its own way and reveals deeper understanding to the life of Christ.
Through seven sessions revealing snapshots mostly from the Gospel of Luke, join Kristi McLelland to explore the fifth Gospel together. Challenge the way you read the accounts of Jesus in video teaching sessions that take you to locations in Israel like Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, and the road to Emmaus, to see where the stories of the Bible actually took place. See how Jesus brought true hope to the world by following His footsteps in the Holy Land, and gain a deeper understanding of the stories of Jesus's life from a first-century point of view. Workbooks are $20.00.
GriefShare | Wednesday | 7:00pm | Wesley Room
**New Session Series begins again weekly March 4th.
Griefshare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to offer you help and encouragement after losing a loved one. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult days ahead. We know it hurts, and we want to help. Our GriefShare program is co-led by Rev. Bill Dambach, Marcia Shipley, Tim McDermott, Judy Moore, and Marge Kirkpatrick.
GriefShare is a drop-in anytime group and open to anyone in the church or community. All are welcome.
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Tuesday Night Bible Study| 6:30-7:30pm| Fellowship Hall
Join together in a study of "The Holy Spirit"
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How many times have we said that? Yet, what do we really know about the third member of the Godhead? The value of studying the Holy Spirit can be seen in noticing His prominence in several areas.
The prominence of the Holy Spirit is seen in the Bible, in the life of Christ, in the Christian life, and in the importance of recognizing biblical truth and error.
Join us as we go on a journey to discover the deity of the Holy Spirit-The One who is the third member of the Godhead and who is so involved in our everyday lives as Christians.