– We still need mentors and prayer partners! Confirmation 2025 is under way! We have 17 confirmands this year, and we need your help to make confirmation a time of deep spiritual growth for each one. Our confirmands are in small groups of three to four. We need two mentors and two prayer partners for each small group. We still have space for two female mentors and five prayer partners. We need your help to fill these spots!

A confirmation mentor:

– is an adult who acts as a guide and special friend to a confirmand
– is someone of mature faith who can serve as a guide and companion on this important part of their journey of faith
– is someone who will encourage confirmands to express his or her faith and questions openly
– is someone who actively listens and who recognizes that he or she is still growing in the faith, rather than an “I have all the answers”
– will commit to attend one meeting per month (Sundays, 5 – 7:30 pm)
– will attend the spring baptism and confirmation services

A confirmation prayer partner:

– is an adult who prays for the confirmands in their group
– is someone who prays daily
– is someone who will reach out to their confirmations regularly to let them know they are praying for them
– will attend confirmation events and meetings, to which they are invited, as often as possible
– will attend the spring baptism and confirmation services

Confirmation is not only a time of individual spiritual growth but one of forming a tight spiritual community, having loads of fun together, and sharing the excitement of loving Jesus, one another, and our community as Jesus loves us!

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of and you are interested in joining our confirmation team, please contact Laura Padgett as soon as possible.

Unless otherwise stated, contact the Church Office at 828-264-6090 to sign-up or for more information.

ONGOING STUDIES

Men’s Bible Study (Ongoing)
Led by: Donnie Miller | Happens: Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. | Location: Room 200
Drop in any week for this casual, thoughtful study and time of prayer with other men of the church.

Colossians Study — One Anothering
Led by: Pastors Ed & Kathy Beach
Happens: Second Thursday of each month, 5:30–7:00 p.m., through December
Location: Room 125
Explore the letter to the Colossians and what it means to live in authentic Christian community.

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ADVENT & WINTER STUDIES

Women in the Word Advent Bible Study
Led by: Judi Cramer | Happens: Thursdays, Nov. 13, 20 and Dec. 4,11; 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Location: Room 200
This is a four-week Advent Study, where we will explore Timothy Keller’s Hidden Christmas. Throughout this study, we will learn about the gifts God gave us at Christmas and reflect on how we can welcome and receive those gifts. To purchase the book from Amazon, click here.

Men’s Book Study
Led by: Ed Glaize | Happens: Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Begins: Nov. 19| Location: Room 134
This study will be on Brother Lawrence’s Classic, Practicing the Presence of God. The discussion-based group will read the modern translation by Peter Northcutt, which may be purchased on Amazon. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Ed.

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SPRING STUDIES

Disciple 1 Fast Track – Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Led by: Jon Beebe | Happens: Mondays, 10:00 a.m.–11:45 p.m. | Begins: Jan. 5 (through March 30) | Location: Room 134
This course is a 12-week survey of the New Testament, covering the life of Christ, the stories of the first disciples and the early church, the letters of Paul, and the mysteries of Revelation. Participants will read three to five chapters of the Bible daily.

Disciple 1 Fast Track – Becoming Disciples Through Study of Old Testament
Led by: Kelly Graeber | Happens: Mondays, 6:30-8:00 pm | Begins: Jan. 12 | Location: Room 134
This 12-week course explores the Old Testament and offers a study opportunity for people who prefer to meet in the evenings. Read three to five chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for weekly meetings.

Disciple 2 Fast Track – Luke and Acts
Led by: Jon Beebe | Happens: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.–11:45 p.m. | Begins: Jan. 7 (through March 25) | Location: Room 134
This follow-up to Disciple 1 explores the Gospel and ministry of Jesus and the spread of Christianity, especially through the adventures of Apostle Paul, as recounted by Luke. Participants will read three to five chapters of the Bible daily. Prerequisite is Disciple 1 Fast Track.

The Wisdom of God: Seeing Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Books
Led by: Judi Cramer | Happens: Thursdays, 9:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Begins: Jan. 8 (through March 12) | Location: Room 200
Wouldn’t you love to be wise and know the God who is Wisdom Himself? This 10-week study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon mines the Wisdom Literature not only for wise principles for living, but also for the wise person these books point to through their drama, poetry, proverb, and song ― Jesus.

Plenty Good Room: A Lenten Bible Study on African American Spirituals
Led by: Laura Padgett | Happens: Wednesdays, 5:30–7:30 pm |
Begins: Feb. 18 (through April 1) |
Location: Room 134
This six-week study includes a deep devotional experience contemplates African American spirituals as we  walk along with Jesus in the wilderness towards His final week before the cross.

GriefShare
Led by: Jon and Lynn Beebe | Happens: Thursdays, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Begins: March 12 (through June 18) | Location: Room 134
GriefShare is a support group that offers a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you will discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you will learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability — and gain solid support each step of the way. You are welcome to join this group whether your loss was a long time ago or very recent.

Join us as we pray for the 2023-2024 Confirmation Class. Following are their names:

Alice Rice
Anna Brooks Heistand
Asa Freed
Ava Holste
Eli Greer
Eliza Owens
Brynley Collins
Elizabeth Smith
Yates Hodges
Kathryn James
Lucy Krause
Maddie Marcum
Mia Kelley
Michael Wade
Norah McLaurin
Quinn Hovancik

Please join us as we pray for our young people and every adult who is accompanying them during this weekend’s retreat! Following is a list of youth and leaders who head out this Friday for Winter Weekend 2024:

Students
Lilly K.
Nate F.
Jane N.
Caleb S.
Cicily H.
Emma M.
Jonah N.
Alaina P.
Emma R.
Anna N.
Graycie C.
Gracie S.
Kayden K.
Bailey C.
Elizabeth C.
Kira B.
Brayden C.
Grayson E.
Anders N.
Honor C.
Nathaniel W.
Zeke W.
Asbury R.
Lydia D.
Mae M.
Gracyn P.
Ellie H.
Drew M.
Garrett M.
Lindsey W.
Caroline C.
Annabelle B.
Connor C.
Lucas W.
Athena E.
Promise C.
Benry O.
Annie W.
Cora S.
Mitch J.
Lucy W.
Iyla F.
Ellary S.
Sydney M.
Josie F.
Lilly W.
Elliot T.
Riley C.
Gracie B. 

Leaders
Caitlin R.
Nevin D.
Emily G.
Chassie S.
Spencer B.
Skyler V.
Lee D.
Raheim A.
Tucker S.
Danae K.
Regan D.

Band
Barret C.
Bailey M.
Gracie M.

Speaker
Dan K.