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Part 1: The Coming of the King

Growth Group Study Booklet (Luke 1:1—3:20)

Living for By making, maturing and mobilising disciples For His Glory

Part 1: The Coming of the King

Welcome & Vision Update - Page 3 Introduction to Luke - Page 4 Suggested Reading - Page 5

Study 1 – Luke 1:1-4 - Page 6 Study 2 – Luke 1:5-25 - Page 8 Study 3 – Luke 1:26-38 - Page 10 Study 4 – Luke 1:39-56 - Page 12 Study 5 – Luke 1:57-80 - Page 14 Study 6 – :1-20 - Page 16 Study 7 – Luke 2:21-40 - Page 18 Study 8 – Luke 2:41-52 - Page 20 Study 9 – :1-20 - Page 22

The Genealogy of Christ - Page 24 Luke Overview & Map - Page 27 Diary Dates Thursday July 23 TGC Australia Launch Event Wednesday July 29 Senior’s Christmas in July Saturday August 8 GROW Women’s Conference Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group) Sunday October 11 Vision Series begins Sunday November 1 Commitment Sunday Sunday November 8 Luke Series Recommences Sunday December 13 Community Carols

2 Welcome

Welcome to our first Study Booklet for our major series the second half of 2015. In the of Luke we will come face to face with our Saviour King Jesus, and hear his invitation to stop living for ourselves and live for him as our Lord. We will see the beauty, majesty, and overflowing grace of ’s plan to redeem a people for himself through sending Jesus. And we will be called to commit our own lives to living out the gospel of Jesus in our own relationships and neighbourhoods on the Sunshine Coast. 2015: Disciples Making Disciples

In 2015 our focus is a year of ‘disciples making disciples.’ We are commanded by Jesus to go and make disciples in Matthew 28. This year we are going to put our energy into being better equipped and prayerful for that purpose. For this to happen, we need to be a church that is Christ-centred, -saturated, servant-hearted and mission driven. Christ-Centred As Christians we know that we would be lost without Jesus, our only hope in life and in death. We know that God’s entire plan, as we read it in the Old and New Testaments, is centred on Jesus. We know that if we leave Jesus out of any part of our lives or our church, than that part of our lives or our church will become unhealthy and dangerous. Because of this, Jesus needs to remain at the centre of everything we do. Bible-Saturated Jesus is the living Word of God, and the Christ-centred wisdom and plan of God is revealed in the 66 books of . Through the Bible, God provides everything we need for life and godliness. By his Holy Spirit, he graciously enables us to understand his Word and to live in response. The Bible must saturate all that we say and inform all that we do. Servant-Hearted The life of a Christian is to others as Christ has loved us. We know that Jesus has served us by dying for us, because he us. As a result, we can live lives of loving service, laying down our lives for those around us. As we do this, the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus is seen. Mission-Driven The greatest act of loving service we can do for any person is to introduce them to Jesus, through the same gospel message that has changed our lives. The purpose of God in all of history is to redeem a people for Himself. We are called, as individuals and as a church, to be part of that mission, as a costly priority in all that we do.

3 Introduction to Luke

Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle Paul (Col. 4:14). He wrote this Gospel and its sequel, the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Luke–Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in Acts 28, which would have been c. a.d. 62. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to “” (Luke 1:3; :1), about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus.

Luke informs us from the beginning (1:1–4) that his is not the only Gospel to have been written nor the only Gospel account that could be written (cf. John 21:25). Nevertheless, the church has always recognized the great gift that the third Gospel is to us. There are many beautiful and essential teachings of Jesus and pictures of the gospel that come to us from Luke alone.

While the historical and theological witness of all four contains many consistent themes, Luke describes for us the gospel and its application in several specific and important ways. At the broadest level we learn from this Gospel account that the gospel is multi-faceted and full-orbed. That is, the gospel is explained and applied as being about our whole lives, physically and spiritually, externally and internally, for now and for the future, in our relationship with God and with others. The gospel is not simply a message about religion and the “religious” portion of our lives. Rather, Luke’s presentation helps us see clearly that the gospel of Jesus is about the comprehensive blessedness of God available to us through Jesus Christ.

At a more specific level Luke retells the stories and teachings of Jesus in a way that consistently emphasizes that the gospel is a matter of the heart, the inner person, not mere external religion. Jesus constantly reveals the heart motivations behind our actions and pushes us toward opening our hearts in humility toward God. As a result, the gospel in Luke is often presented as a call to reevaluate everything in the world according to God’s perspective, not ours. This means valuing humility over prestige, over justice, favor with God over favor with people, and—especially challenging to us—valuing a rich relationship with God over the power of money.

To emphasize this comprehensive understanding of the gospel, Luke uses a variety of complementary images to describe it. The gospel includes the message of , the offer of forgiveness of sins through repentance, the promise of inheriting eternal life, the invitation to enter the kingdom of God, and the joy of being with Jesus as a disciple. In all of this, the gospel is good news because it announces the grace and peace that have now come to sinners in Jesus Christ.

From the Gospel Transformation Bible (Study Notes for Luke by Jonathan Pennington).

4 Suggested Reading

Some recommendations for further reading related to the content and themes of Luke:

Luke: An Unexpected God A Spectator’s Guide to Jesus By John G. Mason By john Dickson A helpful and readable introductory A great book to give someone who is commentary on the book of Luke, interested but doesn’t know much written by an Australian. about Jesus.

The Gospel: How the Church The Cross of Christ Portrays the Beauty of Christ By John Stott By Ray Ortlund A book for those who would like to A short, readable book that looks at think more deeply about the death of the way the gospel should be lived out Christ on the cross. in the life of a church.

Resources used in preparing this study booklet: - E. Garland, Luke, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the (2011). - Luke’s Gospel: Investigating the Man Who Is God, Community Group Study Guide, Mars Hill Church (2010). - Luke: The Saviour King, Small Group Discussion Questions, Christ Church Gladesville (2014). - Tom Wright, Luke, Bible Study Guides for Everyone, SPCK Publishers (2011). - The ESV Gospel Transformation Bible, Crossway Publishers (2013). - The ESV Study Bible, Crossway Publishers, 2008. - Websites: www.visualunit.me, www.challies.com.

5 STUDY 1 Luke 1:1-4

Kick Off: What things in life are you certain of? What gives you certainty?

Key Verse: Luke 1:3

Big Idea: You can be certain about your faith in Christ because it is based on historical facts we have reliable accounts for.

Investigate:

1. Read Colossians 4:14; Acts 16:10 and Acts 28:16 a) Who is Luke?

b) What aspects of his experience add to the credibility of what he has written?

Read Luke 1:1-4

2. How did Luke get his information?

3. How did he write his account?

4. Why did Luke write his account?

Think & Apply:

5. Luke assumes that believers have doubts and need help being ‘certain’ of what they believe in. How is this an encouragement to you?

6. a) What in your life right now calls for certainty, security and stability?

6 b) How do you think you might find it as you fix your eyes on Jesus in Luke?

7. If faith comes by hearing the Word, how are you going with your personal reading of the Bible?

Practical Action for the week:

The Parenting Seminar is coming up on Monday, August 17th (7:30-9:00pm at the church). a) Who can you invite? Use the postcards available at church. (This is a great opportunity to put into practice things you learned last term in “Five Steps to Talking About Jesus”.) b) Can you help serve on the night? If so, let LT know. c) Pray that the night will help connect people from our community to our church and to Jesus.

Prayer:

In your group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 1:5-25. Coming Up:

Thursday July 23 TGC Australia Launch Event Wednesday July 29 Senior’s Christmas in July Saturday August 8 GROW Women’s Conference Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar

7 STUDY 2 Luke 1:5-25

Kick Off: What kind of people have a big deal made about preparing for their arrival?

Key Verse: Luke 1:14-17

Big Idea: Remembering what God has done in the past, as recorded in the Scriptures, teaches us that God always acts to fulfil his promises.

Investigate:

1. Read Luke 1:5-25 a) What do we learn about Zechariah and Elizabeth?

b) What do we learn about the child that will be born?

c) What will be the result of this birth?

d) What is his role?

2. Read :4-6. a) What is the last word from God?

b) Why is the announcement of the birth of John so significant?

3. What is the core problem with Zechariah’s response? How is the consequence an obvious consequence?

Think & Apply:

4. Is there a particular time where you have been blown away by God’s faithfulness?

5. When are you tempted not to take God at His Word?

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6. What do you think you could learn about waiting from these verses?

Practical Action for the week: It would be great to read through the book of Luke, in preparation for studying it. Why not get a free copy of The Essential Jesus from church, and read it from start to finish like you would a normal book?

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 1:26-38.

Coming Up:

Wednesday July 29 Senior’s Christmas in July Saturday August 8 GROW Women’s Conference Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar

9 STUDY 3 Luke 1:26-38

Kick Off: Describe a time when you were asked to do something difficult or scary, but you knew it would be good. How did you initially feel about it? Key Verse: Luke 1:31-33 Big Idea: God directly intervened in human history to send a Saviour, who was both divine and human, through the creative miracle of the Virgin Birth.

Investigate: Read Luke 1:26-38

1. List as many contrasts as you can discover between the story of Zechariah (1:5-25) and Mary (e.g. kinds of people, sequence of events, responses, promises, etc). What do these reveal about the kind of Saviour Jesus will be?

2. List all the names, titles and ancestry of Jesus in this passage. What do these reveal about who this child will be and what he will do?

3. What is significant about the fact that Jesus was born of a Virgin? What would be lost if Christians stopped believing in this truth?

4. What do you learn about Mary in this passage? How does she respond to ’s announcement?

Think & Apply:

5. What difference does it make to you personally to know that God sent his Son to be born as a human in such humble circumstance?

10 6. What tasks or roles are you called to in following Jesus as your Lord and as part of His church? Are there ways you have responded more like Zechariah than like Mary? What action can you take to change this?

7. Even at a key moment in history like this, God still considers the needs, hopes and fears of ordinary people like Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary. What needs, hopes and fears do you need to trust him for in life right now?

Practical Action for the week: This week, dig out your Personal Growth Plan from late last year (which we also looked at earlier this year) and see how it is going. Bring it with you next week. If you need a blank one (for any reason), you can get a copy by asking your group leader or emailing Bill on: [email protected]

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 1:39-56.

Coming Up:

Saturday August 8 GROW Women’s Conference Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar Sunday August 30 AGM Forum

11 STUDY 4 Luke 1:39-56

Kick Off: What would make you celebrate wildly, without inhibition, right now? Key Verse: Luke 1:46-47 Big Idea: Since God has sent a Saviour, as he promised he would, our natural response is joyful worship.

Investigate: Read Luke 1:39-56

1. Given the age and situation of the two women, how would you expect each to respond to the other when they meet? What is surprising about the way they actually respond?

2. From Elizabeth’s speech and Mary’s song, list all those who are blessed or will benefit because of what God has done or will do. What is the reason for each blessing/benefit?

3. What characteristics of God does Mary’s song highlight?

4. What does it mean for your soul to “magnify/glorify the Lord”? What is it about Mary’s circumstances or experiences that motivated her to worship?

Think & Apply:

5. Do you enjoy worshipping through singing or praying in public? What can you learn from Mary and her song to encourage you to worship God in this way more joyfully?

6. Mary’s song describes what God is doing in the world through Christ. In what ways, even small ones, can you be involved in this mission?

12 7. What sections of Mary’s song resonate with your own heart and life right now and provide hope or encouragement?

Practical Action for the week: Have a look at your Personal Growth Plan from last year and earlier this year. a) What is one thing you hoped to do that has worked out well? b) What is one thing that you still need to work on?

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 1:57-80.

Coming Up:

Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting

13 STUDY 5 Luke 1:57-80

Kick Off: What does your name mean? How was it significant to your parents? Key Verse: Luke 1:68 Big Idea: In Jesus, God fulfills his promise to and brings to Israel through the long-awaited .

Investigate:

Read Luke 1:57-66

1. What do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth learned through this whole sequence of events? (Including earlier in Chapter 1).

2. How are the neighbours and relatives involved in this story? What do they make of it all?

3. Read Zechariah’s song in Luke 1:67-80.

a) What similarities and differences do you see between Mary’s song and Zechariah’s song?

b) What does Zechariah’s song reveal about who God is and what he has done?

c) What are the result and implications of God’s actions for God’s people? (Look at all the mentions of “us” and “our”.)

Think & Apply:

5. Have you ever had a “Zechariah experience” that awakened you to the reality of His activity in your life? Is there an area of life where you feel like you need this even now?

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6. God’s work in the life of the ordinary people in this story overflowed into the lives of their neighbours and relatives. How could that happen through your relationships with your own neighbours and relatives (or friends and co-workers)?

7. Which one of the implications for God’s people (the church) from Zechariah’s song is most meaningful or encouraging to you in your life at present? Why is that?

Practical Action for the week: Based on your answers to question 5, 6 or 7, decide on one specific action that you would like to do in response this week’s passage. Mention it to the group and pray for one another, both tonight and during the week

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 2:1-20.

Coming Up:

Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting

15 STUDY 6 Luke 2:1-20

Discuss Last Week’s Practical Action: As a group, share whether you were able to carry out your specific idea from last week’s study? (You might not have been able to, which is fine).

Kick Off: What is your favourite Christmas Carol, and why? Key Verse: Luke 2:11-12 Big Idea: The unexpectedly humble circumstances of Jesus’ arrival remind us of the upside-down nature of his kingdom.

Investigate: Read Luke 2:1-20

1. Caesar Augustus was the greatest ruler in the history of Rome, the adopted son of Julius Caesar who had turned the Roman Republic into an empire and was sometimes described as savior, lord and the bringer of peace and justice. What similarities and differences is Luke demonstrating in these verses between Jesus and Augustus?

2. What is the significance of Jesus being born in (read Micah 5:2) and being descended from David (read 2 7:12-16)?

3. Based only on this passage, how does the birth of this baby reveal the gospel? That is, why is it “good news” (verse 10)?

4. What are the main features of Christmas in our culture? How does that compare with the main features of this passage?

Think & Apply:

5. Luke calls us to put our trust in the World’s Redeemer and his kingdom, not the World’s Rulers and their kingdoms. What difference should this make to how you live as a member of society?

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6. Is there anything you could plan to do differently this Christmas in order to celebrate Jesus’ birth in the style of this passage rather than in the usual way our culture celebrates Christmas?

7. As a follower of this humble Saviour, how can you cultivate humility in your own life? (e.g. Are there habits you would like to stop or start, attitudes to repent of, people you could spend time with, tasks you could volunteer for, possessions you don’t need, etc?)

Practical Action for the week: At the time this booklet was being prepared, the Art.Coffee.Music night was being planned for Saturday September 5. a) Who can you invite to come with you? (This is another opportunity to follow up on the “Five Steps to Talking About Jesus” course.) b) Can you help serve on the night? If so, let LT know. c) Pray that the night will help connect people from our community to our church and to Jesus. d) Plan to come along and support the night even if you can’t invite or serve.

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 2:21-40.

Coming Up:

Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group)

17 STUDY 7 Luke 2:21-40

Kick Off: What traditions do you have in your family or culture for the birth of a child? Key Verse: Luke 2:30-32 Big Idea: In perfect fulfillment of God’s plan, Jesus would bring the salvation both of faithful Israelites and of Gentiles, but would also be rejected by other Israelites.

Investigate: Read Luke 2:21-40

1. a) What made this trip to the necessary?

b) Why is it important that Jesus, even as a baby, was characterized by perfect obedience to God’s commands?

2. What do you think the four statements in ’s song mean? (Verse 30, 31, 32a, 32b)

3. What do you think Simeon’s prophecies in 34-35 refer to? (See 1 Peter 2:4-10)

4. How would you describe the lives and character of Simeon and Anna?

Think & Apply:

5. Have you seen examples of the way Jesus is spoken against and reveals people’s hearts in talking to people you know? How might you respond to this?

6. What aspects of the Christian life require patient waiting? How does knowing Jesus make it possible for us to wait patiently for God’s plans to be fulfilled?

18 7. Read 2 Cor 5:21. Despite a lifelong record of perfect sinlessness (beginning at his birth), Jesus took on our horrible record of sin, so that we could be given his perfect record of righteousness. How do you respond to this, particularly when you still struggle with sin?

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 2:41-52.

Coming Up:

Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group)

19 STUDY 8 Luke 2:41-52

Kick Off: Have you ever lost someone or something, and finally found it when you looked in the most obvious place? Key Verse: Luke 2:49 Big Idea: Jesus knew exactly who he was with regard to God (the Divine Son) and other people (obedient to his parents)

Investigate: Read Luke 2:41-52

1. Where do you see indications of Jesus’ divine nature and Jesus’ human nature in this passage?

2. a) What was significant about the Passover festival for the Jewish people, and how would Jesus eventually fulfill and replace it in a new way?

b) What was significant about the Temple for the Jewish people, and how would Jesus eventually fulfill it and replace it in a new way?

3. What does Jesus know about his purposes that Mary does not understand?

4. What aspects of Jesus’ life and behaviour in this passage are unique to him as God’s Divine Son? What aspects of his life and behaviour are examples for us to follow?

Think & Apply:

5. Jesus knew that he must obey God as his Father, even if it caused pain for his earthly parents. Are there situations in your life where you need to obey God in ways that will cause inconvenience, distress or confusion for people that you care about?

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6. On the other hand, part of Jesus’ submission to his Father was obedient submission to his earthly parents. How does your first duty of submitting to God help you obey God’s commands to submit to parents, in marriage, to church leaders and to worldly authorities?

7. All Christians are called to grow in wisdom and understanding of God’s word, just as Jesus did. What is your plan to obey this call in your life at present?

Practical Action for the week: Is there something specific that you need to do to demonstrate your godly submission to parents, spouse, church leaders or the government? e.g. an action to take, a habit to stop, an attitude to change, a conversation to have, an apology to give? Make a plan to do what you need to do as soon as possible.

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read Luke 3:1-20.

Coming Up:

Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group) Sunday October 11 Vision Series begins

21 STUDY 9 Luke 3:1-20

Discuss Last Week’s Practical Action: Last week’s study encouraged us to take specific steps to express godly submission to others according to the Bible’s commands. If this has slipped off your radar during the week, this is simply a reminder not to forget about it. As we’ll see in the passage for this week, repentance has to be matched by action.

Kick Off: Do you know someone who often speaks the truth plainly and bluntly, but sometimes regrets it afterwards? (Maybe it’s you?!) What is good and bad about this? Key Verse: Luke 3:16 Big Idea: John’s bold calls to repentance prepared the crowds for the coming of Jesus.

Investigate: Read Luke 3:1-20

1. a) What does the introduction in verses 1-2 reveal about the historical reliability of Luke’s account?

b) In what ways are these rulers (see also verses 19-20) different to King Jesus?

2. How is John fulfilling or living out the quote from Isaiah he uses in verses 4-6?

3. a) How does John use the image of a tree in verses 7-9 to confront the crowds about their own lives?

b) What are the common themes in John’s specific answer sin verses 10-14?

4. Luke calls John’s message the “good news” (verse 18). How is it good news? What will Jesus add to this good news when he comes (verse 16)?

22 Think & Apply:

5. If John were to come down the main street of your town with a megaphone, what would he be saying?

6. How do you respond personally to John confronting and specific calls for repentance expressed in action? Is there anything specific you want to do in response?

7. Are you personally glad that Jesus came to complete the good news preached by John? Why?

Practical Action for the week: During the first four weeks of next term, we will be a doing a series on the vision of Lakeshore church, as we do each year. Over the break, take a moment to think about these questions: - What do you think the main purpose of a church should be? - What difference would it make to the Sunshine Coast if our vision as a church was completely achieved? - How can you personally contribute to helping our church fulfill the purpose that God has for us?

Prayer:

In the group prayer time:

1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group.

2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.

Coming Up:

Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group) Sunday October 11 Vision Series begins Sunday November 1 Commitment Sunday Sunday November 8 Luke Series Recommences Sunday December 13 Community Carols

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See www.Challies.com for a larger image

24 See www.Challies.com for a larger image

25 Notes

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27 Coming Up

Thursday July 23 TGC Australia Launch Event Wednesday July 29 Senior’s Christmas in July Saturday August 8 GROW Women’s Conference Monday August 17 Parenting Seminar Sunday August 30 AGM Forum Saturday September 5 Art.Coffee.Music Night Sunday September 13 Annual General Meeting Fri 18 – Sun 20 Sept. SPRING Camp (Youth Group) Sunday October 11 Vision Series begins Sunday November 1 Commitment Sunday Sunday December 13 Community Carols

Parenting Seminar Monday August 17 – see postcard for more details:

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