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"The Gospel of John"
Thursday mornings in Issaquah (80 6th Ave SE) 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday mornings in South King County (rotating between homes in Kent, Renton, Covington and Federal Way) 12.30 - 2.30 p.m. Yearning for more in-depth Bible study than can be experienced in a limited-length series? Seeking to let God's Word find a home deep in your heart and in your life? Join us for our ongoing, living-room based, small group study of John's gospel. This is a rare opportunity to take our time and move as the Spirit guides rather than as the calendar dictates. Each gathering takes time for coffee and greetings; prayer in silence, in song and in word; and an expansive period in which we listen with our minds, hearts and bodies to each word, phrase and verse of the gospel. Whether you can only join us once in a while or would like to come every week, consider taking a taste of this special way to be formed together in the Word. Donation only. For more information, call 425-369-8735 or email. |
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The Journey of Forgiveness Thursdays 7 -9 p.m February 7 - March 13, 2008 (skipping Valentine's Day) St Francis of Assisi Parish 15236 21st Avenue SW,, Burien The goal of this series is to lead participants into a deeper experience of God's love that prepares the soil of our hearts and lives to receive and offer forgiveness with God and one another. It is not a series about "learning about" forgiveness as a concept, but rather, experiencing God's holy and joyous invitation to be forgiving and forgiven people. Session 1: The pervasive need and transforming opportunity of forgiveness We all have known both the extreme pain of the experience of unforgiveness and the overflowing joy of the experience of being forgiven or of forgiving others. We’ll begin our journey with an invitation to consider our own experiences of such pain and joy and how God seeks to lead us, as God led Jesus himself, from suffering and death to the vibrant, glory of new life as forgiven and redeemed people. Session 2: The journey toward forgiveness The experience of forgiveness begins with one overwhelming and central reality: that each and every person is the Beloved of God. From the experience of this starting point, the journey can begin. We will explore what true forgiveness is and isn’t, and open up the ancient and holy practice of “Examen” as a means to allow God’s mercy to penetrate and shape us. Session 3: Forgiveness in relation to God Our relationship with ourselves and with others is often blocked by various fears that lead us to hesitate to come to God as we are, trusting in God’s mercy and love to heal and restore us. In this session, we’ll look at some of these fears in light of Scripture and seek to move ever more fully into the Presence of the God who is love. Session 4: Forgiveness in relation to others What do we do when people or social institutions are not willing or able to enter into forgiveness with us? We’ll consider how to forgive when the “other” isn’t with us on the journey toward wholeness and reconciliation. We’ll also look at how the biblical traditions of jubilee and the Lord’s Prayer call us to practice forgiveness in relation to a wide variety of “debts” owed to us. Session 5: Reconciliation We’ll conclude our series by considering the process of mutual forgiveness and healing known as “reconciliation.” Our tradition is rich with resources to inspire us and to help us move forward in specific situations in our own lives where there is an opportunity for reconciliation awaiting us. We’ll focus on Paul’s admonition to “speak the truth in love” in all things. For more information, please email. Download a PDF brochure about the class here. Register online now. |