Adult Study Groups

     Throughout the year we offer a variety of study groups for adults.  These include Bible studies, book studies, topical discussions, and more. 

 

The Present Word - In Person Class

Lectionary Bible Study - By Zoom ONLY

The Book of Acts Bible Study - Hybrid: In Person or by Zoom

The Wired Word - At Home ONLY

Making Sense of the Bible - Series Completed

Exploring Faith Series - In-Person - begins October 8, 2023

Heidelberg Catechism Study/Discussion Group - Series Completed (may offer this again in the future)

 

    If you have a particular interest or suggestion for a future small group topic, study, or resource, please contact any member of the Christian Education Committee, as we are always looking for ideas from visitors and members alike about what they would like to learn.

 

 

Lectionary Bible Study

Tuesdays from 9:00-9:45am

     This Bible Study studies scripture passages following the weekly calendar of the Revised Common Lectionary.

     You may use any version of the Bible.  The study goes from 9:00 to 9:45am most of the time (occassionally it may go a little longer).  No additional book is need.  There is no cost to participate, and there is no pre-registration.  This is by Zoom Only.  For more information contact the church office at 610-621-5770 or by email at office@sprucc.org.

     Zoom Login:  Call 1-301-715-8592 (Washington, DC) or 1-646-558-8656 (New York)

          Meeting ID: 874 5212 4156; Passcode: 783249

 

 

Bible Study - The Book of Acts

Wednesday Evenings at 6:30pm

No Bible Study on the 3rd Wednesday of each month

Hybrid: Zoom & In-person in the Miller Fellowship at church

     We continue to have our evening Bible study using the book, Acts 1-12: God Moves in the Early Church, written by Chuck and Winnie Christensen.  This study teaches about the beginning of the Christian Church after Jesus ascended into heaven.  It was a time when the disciples needed to begin making decisions and providing leadership without Jesus being physically there with them to lead the church.  We will soon be moving on to the next book in the series, Acts 13-28: A Study of the Apostle Paul, also written by Chuck and Winnie Christensen.

     All in our community are welcome to participate.  There is no fee to participate.  Although it would be nice to have the study book, it is not necessary to participate.  However, a Bible will be needed (any version).  If you do not have a Bible, come to the church to participate, and a Bible will be supplied.  The study is being hosted and led by Pastor Mary Etta Mest.  It will be a hybrid study and go from 6:30-7:20pm.  Those who would like to participate from home should use the Zoom information found below.  Those who would like to participate in person should come to the church.  

 

The same Zoom numbers will be used each week.
To join the Zoom meeting use the following:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87452124156?pwd=RzI3dTI4Uy8vWGpBQnRzOGV2bnlrdz09

 

Meeting ID: 874 5212 4156
Passcode: 783249

 

For people joining with telephone, choose one of these numbers:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

 

     For more information, please contact Terry Pastor, who provides leadership of our Christian Education Committee.

 

 

 

Heidelberg Catechism Study/Discussion Group

Sundays at 12:45pm - Online Only

Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Sunday, May 31, 2020

With enough interest, might resume in September 2020

     Pastor Bob Masenheimer will be leading a Zoom study/discussion of the Heidelberg Catechism, including the study of the scripture upon which it is based.  Since 1563, the Heidelberg Catechism has been used to teach the fundamentals of the Christian faith for those of the Reformed Tradition.  What is at the core of our beliefs?  Join in this study/discussion to expand and deepen your understanding of scripture and of our Reformed theological roots.

     The study will be held Sundays, beginning on May 17 from 12:45pm to about 1:30 or 1:45pm.

     If you have an interest in this, please contact Pastor Bob or the church office, so that we can give you the log on information.  Also, please let us know if you are in need/want of a copy of the Heidelberg Catechism in book form.  If ordering on your own, we recommend The Heidelberg Catechism; A New Translation for the 21st Century; translated by Lee C. Barrett, III; 2007; The Pilgrim Press, Cleveland.  This book has helpful commentary, scripture references, and the best theological interpretations and most up-to-date translation from the 1563 German and Latin orginal writings.

     You can find an online version of the Catechism on the UCC website by clicking on this Heidelberg Catechism link.  Unfortunately, this online version does not include the scripture references.

     An alternate version edited jointly by Reformed Church of America and the Christian Reformed Church can be found in pdf form by clicking on this RCA & CRC Heidelberg Catechism link. This version does include scripture reference notations.

 

Zoom Log On Information

     This group will be held online via Zoom.  The following is the log on information:

          Topic: Heidelberg Catechism Discussion/Study Group
          Time: May 17, 2020 12:45 PM Eastern Standard Time

           Link to Join the Zoom Group: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83000539547

          Meeting ID: 830 0053 9547
          Dial by your location
             +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
          Meeting ID: 830 0053 9547
          Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdMaU9dvFW

          To add this to your iCalendar (.ics) files, click on this iCalendar link.

 

More Information

     For more information about this study/discussion group, please contact Pastor Bob Masenheimer, the church office, or the Christian Education Committee (Elsa Wertz, Chairperson).

 

 

 

Adult Sunday School Classes

Sunday Mornings at 9:00am

     From September through May we offer one or more adult Sunday school classes on Sunday mornings from 9:00am to 10:00am.  Click on this Adult Sunday School Classes link for more information.

     Click on this COVID-19 Sunday School Precautions link for information about the social distancing precautions we are planning for Sunday school.

 

 

 

Electronic Study Groups

     Due to the social distancing needs during the coronavirus pandemic, we are developing electronic adult study groups (in addition to or in place of in-person study groups - depending upon health and safety recommendations).  For more information about these adult study groups, please contact Elsa Wertz, Chair of the Christian Education Committee or Geri Gammel, Vice Chair.

 

 

 

Next Adult Study Series

April - May 2020 - Electronic ONLY

September 2020 - Hopefully In-Person

     Our next adult Bible study was scheduled to begin the week of April 12 (after concluding the below Half Truths study).   However, due to the needs of social distancing, we will only be offering the above electronic studies for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

     We hope to begin our next in-person adult study series in the beginning of September 2020.  Please check back here for updates.

     If you have a particular interest or suggestion for a topic, study, or resource for this coming September, please contact Elsa Wertz (Chair), Geri Gammel (Vice Chair), or any member of the Christian Education Committee, as we are always looking for ideas from visitors and members alike about what they would like to learn.

 

 

 

Half Truths

Five Wednesdays in Lent at 6:30pm

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, & 25, April 1, 2020

A Combined St. Paul's - Zion UCC Lenten Experience

Wednesday, March 18 - click here for Online Option

Wednesday, March 25 - click here for Online Option

Wednesday, April 1 - click here for Online & Zoom Option

     Due to the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic we needed to make changes to our planned study.  Please note the changes below in regard to online participation for the last three weeks of this series (rather than in-person participation).

     Our focus for the Wednesday evenings in Lent* will be, "God helps those who help themselves, and other things the Bible doesn't say."

     There are common sayings that we hear, which perhaps we think are in the Bible, but actually are not, such as: "everything happens for a reason," "God won't give you more than you can handle," and "love the sinner, hate the sin."  We will be exploring sayings such as these, and learning more about what the Bible actually does say.  This is more than a book study and more than a worship service.  Each Wednesday evening will gather at 6:30pm for scripture, prayer, praise, study, discussion, and fellowship.

     We will be using Adam Hamilton's book Half Truths as our resource for study.  You can purchase the book on your own, or you can purchase it through the church for $7.00 by contacting the church office at 610-621-5770 or office@sprucc.org.">office@sprucc.org.  You can participate either with or without the book (having the book is recommended but optional).  We do not wish for the cost to prohibit anyone from participation; if you would like the book, but cannot afford it, there is limited confidential scholarship funds available on a first come basis through the church office.

The first video to the right is a video about this study series; the second video to the right is a preview video of Week #1.

     St. Paul's UCC in Robesonia and Zion UCC in Womelsdorf are sharing together in these five Wednesdays.  This will be hosted at St. Paul's UCC in the casual setting of the "Upper Room" (the upstairs gathering room, accessible by elevator and stairs); if the attendance is more than the capacity of that room, we will gather in the larger downstairs "Miller Fellowship Hall."

     *The season of Lent is the 40 days plus Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.  As Christians, during the season of Lent, we participate in additional spiritual disciplines, such as additional worship, prayer, study, fasting, service, and the like.  Lent reminds us of the sinfulness of humankind and the great love of Jesus Christ for us, which led to his crucifixion.  Lent especially reminds us that we continue to sin through those bad things we say and do, as well as those good and loving things that we sometimes neglect to say and do.  Out of repentance and thanksgiving to Christ, we engage in these additional spiritual disciplines over these 40 days.  These Wednesday evenings give us the opportunity to practice such a time of spiritual discipline and spiritual growth together.

     For more information, please contact any member of the Worship Committee (Lynelle Heimbach, Chairperson and Terry Pastor Co-Chairperson).   If you would like to help as a greeter/usher, lector, refreshment host, video operator, provide leadership for the youth discussion, or help in other ways, please contact any member of the Worship Committee.

 

Lenten Wednesday Evening - Week #3 Online Option

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

     Due to the need for social distancing, we are providing an adaption of

the planned worship/study service for you to be able to do in your own home.  We invite you to sometime on Wednesday (or another time this week) to follow along with the bulletin, perhaps sing along with Lauren Daigle's YouTube Music video (the link can be found in the bulletin), read

the discussion prepared by the Rev. Mary Etta Mest, and offer this

evening's prayers to the Lord.

     Bulletin: Bulletin for Wednesday, March 18, 2020

     Discussion/Reflection: God Won’t Give You More than You Can Handle

Lenten Wednesday Evening - Week #4 Online Option

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

     Due to the need for social distancing, we are providing an adaption of the planned worship/study service for you to be able to do in your own home.  We invite you to sometime on Wednesday (or another time this week) to follow along with the bulletin, perhaps sing along with for King and Country's Music video "Burn the Ships" (the link can be found in the bulletin), reflection on the discussion questions found on page 4 of the bulletin.

     Bulletin & Discussion Questions: Bulletin & Questions for Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Lenten Wednesday Evening - Week #5 Online Option

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

     Due to the need for social distancing, we are providing an adaption of the planned worship/study service for you to be able to do in your own home.  We invite you to sometime on Wednesday (or another time this week) to follow along with the bulletin, perhaps sing along with for King and Country's Music video "Burn the Ships" (the link can be found in the bulletin), reflection on the discussion questions found on page 4 of the bulletin.

     Bulletin & Discussion Questions: 200401_LentWedEvening5_Bltn.pdf

     We will also attempt to have a Zoom Conference Call this evening to discuss the book.  Please use the following log in information to join the video/audio call:

          Join Zoom Worship & Discussion: https://zoom.us/j/377421222

                or for just audio participation, call: 1-646-558-8656

          When prompted enter the following Meeting ID#: 377 421 222