grouplife catalog What is a Small Group?

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1 grouplife catalog What is a Small Group? A Small Group is 8-12 people who get together weekly to pursue spiritual growth and healthy relationships. Each group has a trained leader to guide the group. An average meeting lasts for an hour and a half and usually includes light refreshments. What do Small Groups do? Most of our small groups are sermon-based. We study Sunday s message together using the notes page provided in the Sunday bulletin. It takes about minutes per week to prepare the homework that is used in your group. You will be encouraged and encourage one another to live out the truth that you discover in the Bible. What is the required commitment? Most groups meet weekly for 10 weeks. Obviously, allowances are made for sickness, vacation, work conflicts and other special events. You have the first three weeks to attend the group to make sure it is a good fit for you. At the end of 10 weeks, you will have the choice of staying in the same group, trying a new group or even taking a break. Most groups stay together throughout the entire year. Which group should I join? We suggest you join a group based on what stage of life you are in rather than the most convenient night of the week. Sometimes it might take trying a couple of groups before you find the perfect fit. MORE LIFE through Small Groups...Winter 2013

2 WHAT IS A SERMON BASED SMALL GROUP? Most of the Small Groups at Community Church are based on the Sunday s sermon given the week of the meeting. If you imagine the weekend sermon as a lecture on Christian living, then the small group meeting is the lab where you get to discuss how the sermon works in real life. Each week there will be a series of Bible passages and questions to study and complete before your meeting. This homework is included on the back of the sermon note sheet found in your bulletin. Sermon Based - Married Couples Curt & Heather Wager SUNDAYS, late afternoon or early evening Mt. Pleasant / Rosebush Looking for twenty, thirty and forty-something couples that are interested in studying the sermon notes and how it applies to them as individuals and families. The group is seeking a couple willing to open their home to host weekly meetings. Ideally there would be an area for the small group study and a separate area for children so that on-site childcare could be provided. Curt and Heather have been married for 10 years and have a pre-schooler and second grader. We hope you can join us! Sermon Based - Mixed Singles & Couples Wendy Hoyle/Raquel Fruh WEDNESDAYS 7:00pm Mt. Pleasant This is a group of mixed singles and couples in our 20s/30s (postgraduates and professionals) that meet once a week in my home to discuss the sermon topic.

3 Specialty Topics Alpha Tom Dennis Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church Childcare available with your confirmed RSVP The Alpha course for anyone wanting to explore the Christian Faith or deepen your existing faith. It s relaxed, low key, friendly and fun. Listen, learn, discuss, and discover. Ask anything. What s involved? The Alpha course consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as Who is Jesus? and Why and how do I pray? After each talk we divide into small groups for a time of discussion. Who is Alpha for? Alpha is for everyone, especially: Those wanting to investigate Christianity New Christians Newcomers to the church What will it cost? There is no charge for the Alpha course.

4 HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A GROUP Write the name of the group that you are interested in on the tear off from the bulletin and place it in the offering basket. You can talk to someone at the Small Group Sign Up table in the lobby. The leader of your chosen group or someone from grouplife will contact you as soon as possible with more details. We will do our best to help you join your first choice of groups. However, groups that become full will be closed and we ll help you to find a different group. GROUPS WILL BEGIN THE WEEK OF January 27th UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED West Broomfield, Mt. Pleasant, MI

5 Sermon Based - Mixed Singles & Couples John & Barb Tousley, Chuck & Lillian Griffin THURSDAYS (2nd and 4th of the month) 2:00pm Maplewood Assisted Living center, dining room Churchill and Broomfield St., Mt. Pleasant Griffin/Tousley Care Group is a group of seniors (ages 64 to 99), who meet every second and fourth Thursdays, from 2 until (approximately) 4 p.m., in the dining room at Maplewood Assisted Living (near Mission and Broomfield). We share a time of fellowship and refreshments, a short hymn sing, a Bible Study time, and a closing time of prayer. Though we are all advanced in age, some of our folks are brand new Christians, while others have walked with the Lord for many years. What we all have in common is a desire to seek the truth of God's Word and to keep our walk with the Lord challenging and meaningful. Jeff & Crissy Huisjen MONDAYS 7:00-9:00pm Shepherd Jeff and Crissy are a fun young couple with an 11 month old baby girl. Their guilty pleasures include; One Direction, Disney Movies, Chicken McNuggets, and American Ninja Warrior. They'd love for you to join them! Larry & Evie Koehler SUNDAYS (every other) 5:00-8:00pm Bluegrass and Meridian Rd., Mt. Pleasant Pot luck at our house. Review the pastor s topic of the week. We love to share the joys and challenges of life with prayer. A great mix of seniors and almost seniors! Sarah & Mark Carson THURSDAYS 7:00pm Mt. Pleasant We enjoy eating and meeting together as a group. We ve been married for 24 years, have two children ages 12 & 18. We love to homeschool our 12 year old son and we love working with children.

6 Sermon Based Guys Only Brad Stutzman and Ed Hoolehan Men - College through Retirement THURSDAY EVENINGS 7:00pm Community Church, Mt. Pleasant Intergenerational group who support and guide one another while walking through life together. We are all about finding out what it means to seek God's heart. This is a Sermon-Based group. Come join us! Sermon Based Women Only Bethany Juen & Vanessa Hoogeboom Women - THURSDAY MORNINGS Tim Horton s, Mt. Pleasant We both are graduated from college and have leadership roles at the church. We want to form a group of women in their mid-twenties to get together, share God, breakfast, coffee and life. Whether you are a student, graduated or newly married, you are welcome to our Thursday breakfasts! Childcare not available. College & Young Adult ulife TUESDAY EVENINGS 8:00-10:00pm Community Church Youth Center/Loft Join us for an evening of small groups, worship and fun. Small groups will allow you to connect and grow with others your age and tackle those age specific faith topics you're wrestling with. In addition to a student leader, there will be an 'inter-generational' leader in EVERY group as well! mitch@mpcc.org for other questions.

7 Specialty Topics Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire for God, Not Food Kati Mora Thursdays 8:00pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church This six week study is designed to help women who are struggling with their eating habits. We will be going through Lysa TerKeurst's book to discover how a healthy relationship with God and food can exist. By the end of the study, women should feel confident in their food decisions and grow closer to God along the way. Books are available for purchase on Amazon. Operation Christmas Child Doris Lucas Day and Time to be Determined We will be using the Sermon Based Curriculum BUT I m looking for people who are willing to help with the year-round activities of Operation Christmas Child (shoeboxes with Samaritan s Purse). We ll do our study first then get some business done for Operation Christmas Child. There s a lot of work to do, but we ll have fun doing it together! Campus Connections for Christ Mark & Pat Cwiek 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 4:30-5:45pm Meets at: His House Church, Basement Meeting Area, 211 West Broomfield (across from Seven Eleven) This is a new special purpose small group made up of Christians who have a heart for college students and who want to support Christian outreach to students and others on campus. We will provide prayer and relational support for the various front-line ministries to college students and others on campus including Church sponsored ministerial staff, ulife, Cru, Intervarsity, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc. This is a group that will focus on prayer, joyful meetings, relationship building, and spiritual growth.

8 Specialty Topics FRESH START Divorce Recovery Jeff Riemersma THURSDAYS 6:30-8:00pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church Divorce can be more emotionally difficult than the death of a loved one. This 12 week group series addresses many issues such as anger, denial, loneliness and depression with the help of well done video segments. We hope that you will come to know that there is "No such thing as a broken home when God resides there. We will start meeting on Thursday, January 24th. Christian RECOVERY Group MONDAYS 7:00pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church An anonymous, Christ focused, addiction recovery group for anyone suffering with an addiction or anywhere on the life long road of recovery. This group embraces the 12 step recovery program of AA/NA in a more informal, personal, and Christian atmosphere than the typical AA/NA meeting. Join us if you have the desire to get or stay sober. For more information, contact Jeff at or complete the tear off slip to sign up. FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Steve & Ronnie Langlois Sundays Mt. Pleasant Community Church Teach you and your family how to get out of debt. You ll watch the video lessons and participate in discussion and accountability that will change your whole attitude about money. There is a cost associated with getting the supplies for this group. Please join us to get more information.

9 WHAT IS A SPECIALTY TOPIC SMALL GROUP? Specialty groups use a different curriculum for their studies. Their focus can include everything from marriage enrichment materials to Bible study methods or financial freedom to Christianity 101. Other Specialty Topic groups are bound together by a common station in life such as students, seniors, parents of teens and others. Some other groups are specially suited to provide a safe place for dealing with tough issues, old hurts, broken relationships and destructive patterns within an encouraging atmosphere. Specialty Topics Guys Only Brad Fahr TUESDAY MORNINGS 6:30am-7:30am Community Church room 152 Early morning. Men of any age can drop in any time to this group of early birds to study the Bible before heading out to work or your busy day. Specialty Topics Women Only Redemption Book study Shana Dodge & Mackenzie Sheahan WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 7:00-8:30pm Community Church Youth Center/Loft Women of all ages are welcome to join us as we look into our hearts and address things such as addiction, abuse, and other intense experiences of suffering and sin that have lasting effects on our lives. Together we will be covering the book Redemption by Mike Wilkerson, which will help us to face these trials and bring them into the light of Christ who is our ultimate Redeemer.

10 Specialty Topics Women Only momlife Morning WEDNESDAY MORNINGS 9:30-11:15am Mt. Pleasant Community Church, 2nd floor (kidlife) Childcare is available for $3 per child. This is a ministry devoted to the needs of mothers as we journey through all the stages of raising children. There are several small groups from which to choose. momlife meets as a large group in the Chapel on weeks that small groups are not meeting. momlife Evening TUESDAY EVENINGS (bi-weekly) from 6:15-7:45pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church, Room 152 Childcare is available for $3 per child. For women of all ages and stages of motherhood. We encourage and support each other in small group experiences, large group events, and outside connection and serving opportunities. Do you want to be equipped to raise children who are mature 21st century disciples of Jesus? Join momlife Evenings this winter as we study Revolutionary Parenting. Begin crafting an action plan to guide you in raising an irrepressible follower of Jesus Christ. This 8-week study begins January 15 and will continue bi-weekly thereafter. RSVP to momlifeevenings@gmail.com to reserve your book and workbook (cost is $20; full/partial scholarships available).

11 Specialty Topic Married Couples Fireproof Your Marriage, based on the movie FIREPROOF, will challenge you to love better, to love first and to love for a lifetime! Founded on Biblical principles for strong, God-centered, lifelong marriages, this 6 session study uses video clips from FIREPROOF, along with thought-provoking discussion questions and individual and couples devotionals. 2 Fireproof groups to choose from: Fireproof - Ann & Duane Ellis Monday evenings at 7:00pm Their home in Mt. Pleasant We love helping to make a difference in couple s lives! We have led several Fireproof groups and are always amazed at how God works through them. Fireproof - Cindi & Craig Machuta Wednesday or Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30pm Their home in Mt. Pleasant We can honestly say that using the Fireproof study has been a blessing to us and other couples who have gone through it with us.

12 Specialty Topics Wounded Warriors Judy Layfield 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 1:00pm - 2:30pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church If you have a chronic illness you may feel like God has given you more pain then you can handle. You are not alone. God is always present and in this small group we, with chronic illnesses, will come together to explore the ways God has blessed us and given us strength. We will share with each other our journey in learning more about the plan God has for us. Sunday Morning Bible Study Jon Porta Sunday mornings 9:30am Mt. Pleasant Community Church Chapel This group is a Bible study group that meets during the first service on Sunday mornings. We meet in the Chapel and are studying the book of Ephesians. We are not a small group as we follow more of a teacher led format. We do however enjoy some discussion and enjoy getting to know one another before and after our study time. H.O.P.E. Home of Prayer Everyday Judi K.B. 3 Sundays per month at 12:30pm Mt. Pleasant Community Church Library Geared for individuals with cognitive or developmental impairment. A year-long study of the book Why Pray by John F. Devries. We will seek to develop compassion for one another and develop a relationship with God through intercessory prayer.