Maple Grove United Methodist Church

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

What is prayer? How does it work? Does it actually work? Does prayer really help with physical healing? How can I make prayer more satisfying? Join us as we explore and experience the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing and deeply rewarding aspect of our relationship with God: prayer. Together, we will read and discuss Philip Yancey's book Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference. Each week's meeting will include a short video by the author. Pastor Jeff will lead this seven-week study on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:30pm starting 3/25 and on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00-3:30pm starting 3/26.

Extending the Table

We have had such a wonderful time on Tuesday evenings learning about God's earth, our consumption, gardening, food production that we have decided to offer it on Sunday mornings following Easter. The 6-week series will run from March 30 - May 1. Presenters will include: Jonathan Meier presenting "Discerning God's Will in the Midst of Crisis: Food Production, Peak Oil, and the Kingdom of God," Rev. Beth Weisbrod leading us in a discussion of our consumption, Neil Drobney discussing recycling in Columbus, Dee Stickley-Miner sharing information about "Extending the Table," David Rutter discussing the condition of the Ohio streams and the impact on our food, Shira Elder talking about greening efforts around the home and church, and Ben Sippel will explain to us what a share in organic farms can look like.

Growing to Green: Gardening Basics

Get your hands dirty and learn some basic practices in vegetable and flower gardening for homeowners and apartment dwellers. This hands-on workshop will include information on planning and preparation, conditioning your soil, checking light, planting seeds, growing from cuttings, weed control, planting raised beds and container gardening. The workshop will be held on Sunday, 4/27 from 12:15-1:15pm and will be led by Marlin Languis, a retired elementary school teacher and professor at Ohio State, and a Franklin County Master Gardener since 1995.

A Study in Caregiving: Share My Lonesome Valley

More than 44 million Americans are responsible for the care of a family member or friend. If you play a role in the care of another adult please consider joining this class to read and discuss Doug Manning's book Share My Lonesome Valley: The Slow Grief of Long-term Care. Suffering in silence is over-rated. Cathy Davis will facilitate this class April 6th and 13th during the Sunday school hour.

Childcare is available for all of these studies upon request. To register for a study, please contact the church office, sign up after worship, or register below.

Sunday School

The following three classes meet during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45am) from September through May. New participants and visitors are welcome at any time during the year.

Word Among Us (Room 4)

This class studies one or more of the lectionary texts for the week, with an emphasis on group discussion of the historical context as well as contemporary applications for living faithfully. Contact Sherri Scholl or George Davis for more information.

Kitchen Class-Serendipity Class (Kitchen)

This class engages in topical Christian conversation and occasional book study. Class time always includes time to share individual cares and concerns. People are welcome to be regular or irregular attendees of this class. The class is led by Dave & Ann Elder and meets in the kitchen.

Adult Bible Study-The Seekers (Parlor)

This class is a study of the Bible that follows the International Sunday School Lesson (or Uniform Series) scripture texts. Therefore, the same Bible reading studied by this group is also being studied that same day through out the world. The class participants discuss how the lesson applies to our daily lives. This group is led by Dick Igo.

Weekday Groups

Beginners Bible Study
This beginners Bible study meets at the church on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Men's Breakfast Group

This fall the group is reading the book titled From Eden to Babel by Richard D. Nelson, which covers the most fascinating stories from Genesis 2-11. This group meets on Friday mornings at 7:15am at Bob Evans on Busch Blvd and Rt 161. For more information, contact Bill Tenney.

Calling All Christians!

Rev. Bill Croy will lead a six-week course to help us explore our giftedness and God's call on our lives.

From the Edge of the Crowd

Rev. Jeff Allen will lead a 40-day journey of individual daily devotions and weekly group discussion based on the book "From the Edge of the Crowd" by Jim Sargent, a United Methodist pastor in the West Ohio Conference. The daily devotions will stir our imagination each day during Lent as we follow the fictional Eli, an initially wary disciple, as he recounts his impressions of Jesus in letters to a close friend.

Healthy Food From God's Good Earth

An additional opportunity for our spiritual growth this Lent will be a course being offered on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The course will involve our spending time learning about God's earth and the healthy foods we glean from God's earth while at the same time considering how eating healthy is a God-thing, a matter of stewardship of God's gifts. The first session will be led by Jonathan Meier who currently works for City Farms helping people garden in some of our poorest neighborhoods. Jonathan's presentation will be "Discerning God's Will in the Midst of Crisis: Food Production, Peak Oil, and the Kingdom of God."

Spring of Christian Life (Oct. 7 - Nov. 18)

This class is a seven-week study based upon issues of faith that may be faced during young adulthood. You don't have to be a young adult to participate in this class. It will be led by Jon Bennett and will meet in the kitchen.

Christianity and the Environment (Sep. 9 - Oct. 21)

What does Christian faith have to do with humanity's relationship with the creation? No matter where you fall on the environmental debate spectrum scripture, doctrine, and faith do provide some guidance. Come join us in a 7 week Sunday school exploration of the church's historical perspectives on the relationship between man and nature and examine what God may be calling you to in your own faith journey.

Remedial Christianity (Oct. 2 - Nov. 20)

What every believer should know about the faith, but probably doesn't! George Davis and Dawn Nauman will lead this fun and engaging study. The only requirements to participate are a copy of the book, a little faith and a sense of humor!

Strengthening Our Marriages (Jan. 13 - 27)

Rev. Bill Croy will lead this three-session class about the big three of married life: communications, intimacy and finances.

What Does United Methodism Say About...? (Jan. 8 - 29)

This four-week Tuesday night study led by Rev. Jeff Allen will review the Social Principles (the official statements) of The United Methodist Church on all sorts of topics, including human relations, political and economic issues, medical and scientific concerns and so on. We will explore how these statements are created and discuss our individual reflections on them.