The Power of Small Groups

October 1, 2013

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

For the past few weeks, I have encouraged you to sign up for one of our upcoming Disciple’s Path small groups, which begin next week.  Rather than give another sales pitch, I thought I’d offer a testimonial, from a member of the church who experienced first hand the power of being a part of a small group.  She gave me permission to share her message, and it is well worth reading:

St Paul’s is going to be starting a number of small groups in the next several weeks.   Some of you may be feeling as I did before I joined my first small group/ Bible study.  I was born into a Methodist family.  I did all the things you do as you grow up.  I went to Sunday school, Bible School, MYF, sang in the choir when I got older.  I got married and had children and made sure they did all those things too.  And yet, I didn’t know what it meant to be a Methodist, and I certainly didn’t know the Bible.  I couldn’t go to a small group, I didn’t know enough about religion.  And I didn’t want anyone else to know that. 

Three or four years ago St. Paul’s had a number of small groups.  I finally decided it was time I went.  I was a little nervous the first week, but it went fine.  We were given an assignment to read and a few questions to answer in our workbooks, but nothing too bad and I actually learned some things about the Bible and “other stuff” relating to religion.

My small group was made up of a few people I knew a little bit, others I know better and even a couple of people I had only seen at church and had never talked to.  I got to know everyone better in my group, and I learned that at various times in their lives they had had doubts about their beliefs, and they didn’t know as much about the Bible or being a Methodist as they would like to either. 

The group went so well we agreed to have another group at a later time.  We did have another group and expanded it to include other church members.  It went just as well as the first group and I learned more about my beliefs, religion in general, and the Bible. 

I would like to quote from last week’s Mid Week message: “Linnaeus once said, ‘Nature does not proceed by leaps and bounds.’  It is rare, if not impossible, for organisms to develop new characteristics with any degree of suddenness or spontaneity.  For life to advance to greater levels of complexity and achievement, it must do so with had work, gradual change, and steady commitment.”  I grew so much from my small group experiences and would like to encourage each of you to consider joining one also.  

Together, and with steady commitment, we can continue to grow in our faith.

Really, I can’t say it much better than that.

This Sunday, we begin what I really believe will be the most important sermon series I have preached in my six years here.  It is called “A Disciple’s Path,” and its power will rest in part on your attendance at one of the weekly small groups.  Here, once again, are the options for you to choose from:

·      Connie Hankens and Meribeth Adams:  Tuesday afternoons, 1:00-2:30pm, Church Library

·      Bruce Dagel and Magrey deVega: [CLASS FULL]  Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00pm, Church Library

·      Dave and Linda Appleby and Linda Burkhart: Wednesday afternoons, 12:00-1:30pm, Church Library

·      Laura Benson and Missy Jenness:  Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:30pm, Church Library

·      Sheree Hausmann and Jenny Burroughs:  Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:00, Home of Sheree and Louis Hausmann

Sign up by responding to this email or contacting the church office.  Workbooks are now available for $7.00, and you can pick them up today to get started on the initial daily readings, in preparation for your first session next week.  For those who have already signed up, please come by the office to pick up your book.  And join us this Sunday as we begin this very important, six-week series.

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVegaSt. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
Email:  mdevega@sp-umc.org

To view past editions of the Mid-Week Message, visit http://mdevega.blogspot.com. 

To unsubscribe from this e-mail distribution list, please reply to this e-mail and write "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.

Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/cherokeespumc.