Brent Shaw, Director of Christian Education                                                                                 Ross Janovec, Assistant

(Click star for Permission/Authorization Form)

click here for message from Brent Children's Sunday School Classes: 9:30 - 10:30 AM. We start with SUNDAY SCHOOL  which meets on second level in the Christian Education building at 9:30  a.m. All children and youth welcome. From there classes go to their respective areas for the remainder       of their class. Parents are invited to enjoy some coffee and conversation during this time at                       our Coffee Hour in West Vestry.
	CHILDREN'S CHURCH happens at the 10:45 worship service when all children join the rest of the congregation for the beginning of the worship service in the sanctuary and a "Children's Time" led  by the pastor. The children are then dismissed for their own age-appropriate lectionary-based time of puppet shows, Bible lessons and crafts. They rejoin the congregation for the ending of the worship service  in the Sanctuary.
Preschool:                                                                                                                                                                      Older preschool children who are ready to move out of the nursery and are potty-trained are welcome in our exciting new preschool class! This group will have fun singing songs, playing games, doing crafts, and learning about how much God loves them! Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: This class learns about and experiences God through Old Testament Bible stories and characters using multi sensory learning activities. Curriculum includes music, prayer, crafts, games, dramatic expression and more to help children understand God’s love. 2's through 4th Grade:  Backyard Bible Camp - see end of this page!

3rd thru 5th Grade:
This class returns to The Frog Pond for a faith filled journey through Old Testament stories to learn about the connections between Faith and life. The curriculum will keep this group engaged through games, arts, storytelling, missions and more.

Youth Alive (UMYF) meets Sunday nights at 6:00 p.m. in  Fellowship Hall (lower level). Come for free food, games, hanging out and worship. The group also enjoys events out of the church such as local concerts, laser tag, eating out and other age-appropriate events. Contact Brent Shaw, Youth Director, at  466-1906 if questions. "Click for pics"

College Age Bible Study - Wednesday Night Life Light at 9:30 p.m. in Munden Parlor at the Church - Spiritual Life Reflection. This group of college age young people get together for Bible study, the sharing of life experiences, hopes and self-reflection. Self-led, with visits by pastors Larry Moffet and Jamie Norwich McLennan, this group discusses many of the issues surrounding this age group in today’s world and their relationship with God. This group is also invited to a student-led Taizé Worship Service on Wednesday evenings at 9:00 in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church. If questions or to offer to help lead the Taizé service, please contact Pastor Jamie at 466-1906.

Adult Bible Study Groups
Corinthians Class - Sundays at 9:30 a.m. - Room E103. Video series discussions based on missions, social justice issues, and religions of the world. This group is open to adults age 55+.

CrossTalk Class - Crosstalk is an adult Sunday School class that meets Sundays throughout the year in the Small Dining Room, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Members of the class facilitate discussions including short-term Bible studies, discussions of the sermons or current events, book discussions on works such as Rob Bell's Love Wins and Philip Gulley and James Mulholland's If Grace is True, or invite guest speakers.

Inside First Church, Crosstalk participants provide leadership in areas such as the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the committee on Stewardship and Finance, First Quilts, United Methodist Women, the Companions in Christ educational program, and the Board of Trustees. Some sing in the Sanctuary Choir, Inspirational Singers, and Early Service Choir, and some participate in FUMC's summer golf league.

Outside of First Church, class members, along with other FUMC members, prepare and serve lunch on the second Saturday of the month at Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach; volunteer at Fabulous Finds, FUMC's thrift store located west of the church on 49th; volunteer with the BackPack and other programs at near-by Huntington Elementary School; prepare snacks for the after-school program that meets at FUMC; and deliver Meals on Wheels. Sometimes Crosstalk leaves the building for social events or sets apart Sunday mornings for all-class projects such as making Quilts of Valor.

While many in the class have been together since their children were young in the church, Crosstalk welcomes visitors and new members seeking the goodwill and home base of a small church group.

"Open Table" - Sundays at 9:30 a.m. - Room B10.  Open to adults of all ages, but especially for couples with young children. This class invites all to come to the TABLE with thoughts and experiences that have transformed us into who we are and how we came to know Jesus. Come, share, it is a safe and open class for all who either strongly feel the presence of God working in their lives, or even those who are unsure who God is and what does it all mean. There is a seat waiting for you ... the invitation is open ... join the Table. Child care is available in the nursery. Once a month members from this class and other young adults, singles, couples and families meet for "Faith, Food and Fun." Contact Brent Shaw, Director of Christian Education at 466-1906 if questions.

Saturday AM Reading Group - Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. - Munden Parlor. Men & Women - all ages - study, share and connect. Little bit of a Bible study, little bit of a book study, and a little bit of good, old conversation. Stimulating small group discussions can awaken your spirituality, put "wow" into worship, and heighten awareness of God in your daily, sometimes mundane, activities.

Bible Study with Pastor Jamie - Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. - Munden Parlor. Our church uses the Revised Common Lectionary to order our worship experience, so this class looks at the biblical texts for the upcoming Sunday. Part is spent exploring the history of the lectionary as well as talking about our personal experience of the texts.

The class is open to all and has a “drop-in” format that does not require advance preparation. The intent is to enhance the Sunday worship experience by providing an experience of listening to, and living with, the text prior to attending worship.

Companions in Christ - Companions in Christ is a program of spiritual development produced by the United Methodist Church. First United Methodist has been offering the 28-week foundation course beginning fall 2009, and since then, follow-up studies from Companions in Christ.

The Companions foundation course begins in September and concludes in April, with a registration deadline of mid-August. Companions, and Continuing Companions (those who have completed the first-year study), meet weekly on Sunday afternoons at FUMC, child care provided, and with breaks for Advent and Lent.

A participant's study book, journal and book bag are provided new participants. For follow-up studies, participants cover the cost of their study guides. Laypersons, who have completed the first course, facilitate the 28-week foundation course as well as the Continuing Companions studies. Pastor Jamie provides pastoral support.

Registration information for the next foundation Companions in Christ will be available in the spring. For more information, contact Pastor Jamie, jamie@firstumclincoln.org or 402-466-1906.

NOTE: Please watch our monthly newsletter - The HAPPENINGS - for various Bible Study groups or other classes as they are offered.

Nursery: Infants through age 2 years Our Nursery Nanny will lead the care of our littlest friends in the Nursery. Care is available from 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon each Sunday morning and also Wednesday evenings for parents attending church sponsored events - Room E104. This  wonderful time of stories, music, and play activities is designed especially for the 1 & 2 year olds. Additional volunteer providers are in the nursery to assist with activities and care for children under 1 year of age.

Backyard Bible Club

This one-day "Vacation Bible School" type get-together is for all elementary school children and their families. Kids get together for a fun Bible Camp session while parents meet, visit and get to know each other. We have snacks too! For more information contact Brent Shaw, 466-1906 or email him at brent@firstumclincoln.org.

First United Methodist Church  •  2723 N 50th St., Lincoln, NE 68504  •  402-466-1906