During this Advent Season we are called to support the Christmas Joy Offering, to open doors for those we might not be able to meet face to face with but who need the support that our gifts provide. We receive this offering at Grace on December 19.

We support the potential of students of color who will become our leaders, and we seek to come alongside them, to encourage them, to open doors for them. And we support church workers and their families who have critical financial needs, and we come alongside them, to assist them — we open doors for them. We thank God for being “with us” through the gift of Jesus and for joining us together as the Church and, through our gifts, with those who have need.

The story of God, as we tell it, is not about a barrier, but about a gift. It’s not about the separation, but about the gift of “being with.” Please give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering, in celebration of God’s perfect gift to us. Give because it brings us together, to open doors of relief and opportunity and to relationships that are part of God’s story, a part of God’s perfect gift to us.

Our gifts reflect our generous God. Our gifts support leaders in our Church and world — past, present and future.  – PCUSA Special Offerings

This January you are invited to learn more about the Gospel of John.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels. These three share many stories and traits. John is different. It’s a beautiful and intriguing book. It’s only in John where we hear Jesus’ “I am” statements, and it is in John where we do not get a birth story for Jesus but instead poetry.

The Christian Discipleship Team invited Dr. Stan Harstine from Friends University to teach on John for four weeks, January 9, 16, 23, and 30, at 10 am in the Great Room. Dr. Harstine serves as Professor of Religion at Friends.

Dr. Harstine is originally from El Dorado. He did his undergraduate work at Kansas State University and his Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before pursing his doctorate work, he taught and pastored. He completed his Ph.D. at Baylor University and has taught at Friends since 2002.

Stan is the author of three books on the Gospel of John. His most recent book explores how paying attention to themes introduced in the Prologue when they are repeated throughout the Gospel identifies places of emphasis in the story of Jesus.

He and his wife are active in the First Baptist Church of Towanda, Kansas. Their three sons are married, and they are blessed to have two amazingly cute grandsons.

The class itinerary is this:

Week One – January 9: History and Overview of the Gospel of John

A look at the earliest manuscripts, various descriptions frequently used of John and an overview of the entire Gospel.

Week Two – January 16: The Importance of the Prologue for Understanding the Gospel of John

A look at John 1:1-18, various approaches to recognizing the structure of John that aid in its understanding and essential themes to attune to throughout the gospel.

Week Three – January 23: Testimony as a Thread in the Johannine Tapestry

An examination of various internal witnesses and how their testimony move John’s story forward

Week Four – January 30: Comments on Confusing Characters

A look at various male and female characters in the Gospel and understanding their contribution to our reading the gospel.