God Was Here and I Was Out To Lunch
9:45 and 11:00 AM Nov 22 - Feb 28 in the boardroom
Due to our preoccupation with busy-ness and routines, we often fail to sense or appreciate the presence of God, thus missing the chance to love Him and connect with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Hallmarks of the Christian faith can be ours if we learn to recognize God’s majesty and open our lives to the change He offers.

Yes Lord, I have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses:
9:45 and 11:00AM Mar 7 - May 16 in the boardroom
Why is it that we try to justify anything and everything we want to do? We use words, scapegoats, blaming others, circumstances, past events, even evil spirits in attempts to excuse bad choices we make with our own free will. This class challenges us to recognize such situations and grow beyond them.

Understanding the Old Testament:
9:45AM Aug 23 - Jan 31 in classroom 4
This video-discussion class explores prominent passages from the Old Testament, examples of how to apply particular methods of interpretation to the Bible. Participants probe the content of the books of the Old Testament, and explore debates over their meaning, the historical and cultural situations they reflect and the critical methods used to interpret them.

Who Wrote The Bible?
9:45AM Feb 14 - March 7 in classroom 4
Based on the popular A&E television series of the same name, the class offers a 30-minute video followed by a 30-minute discussion period. Learn and discuss what scientists and theologians offer as the possible origin of our sacred scriptures. Leading Biblical experts journey back to the land and times of the Bible's creation to probe its most profound mysteries: Did Moses really write the Pentateuch? What secrets does the oldest manuscript reveal? What can the Dead Sea scrolls tell us? Viewing and discussion guides will be provided.

100 Significant Non-Biblical Events in Christian History:
9:45AM beginning Sunday, October 4 in classroom 5
Learn about the 100 most significant and pivotal events that shaped the 2000-year history of Christianity.

Fireproof Your Marriage:
9:45AM Nov 22 - Dec 27 in classroom 3
Leaders: Chuck and Mary Will
Based on the movie Fireproof, this class was created to help build and strengthen marriage using biblical principles. The class includes movie clips, scripture lessons and group discussion.

Making Great Kids:
9:45AM Oct 4 - Nov 15 in classroom 3
Leaders: Gayle and Linda Morris
There are no formulas and guarantees for parents when it comes to raising children. The greatest Parent of them all, God Himself, has had rebellious children that give Him great heartache. And yet, the Bible is full of guidelines and principles that often yield amazing results.

Have a New Child by Friday:
9:45AM Jan 10 - Feb 21 in classroom 3
Leader: Kathy Bertani
Parents teach their children their ABCs before they enter school; now it’s time to teach them the ABCs of life: Attitude, Behavior, and Character. No matter your child’s age, this class encourages you to take a 5-day challenge to implement a new parenting strategy.

Membership Matters:
9:45 and 11:00AM February 14 for four weeks in the boardroom or classroom 3
This class is our pathway to membership. In it you will explore what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian and a member of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. The final class of each group of two classes includes the opportunity to join this church.


Wednesdays mean ... The Works!

Membership Matters:
6:00 - 8:00PM Oct 7 and 14 in the boardroom
6:00 - 8:00PM Nov 4 and 11 in the boardroom
This class is our pathway to membership. In it you will explore what it means to be a Christian, a Presbyterian and a member of Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. The final class of each group of two classes includes the opportunity to join this church.

Jogging Through The Bible:
6:00PM Oct 7 - Nov 18 and Jan 6 - Mar 10 in our fellowship hall
Jog through different books of the Bible and through descriptions, reflection, and context, learn how there is an overarching plot that binds all the varied writings of the Bible together. This class shows how the Bible isn’t just a collection of stories of the past, but our own continuing story of God and His relationship with the human race.

The Gnostic Revolution: A Christian Response To The DaVinci Code:
6:00PM Oct 7 - Nov 11 in classroom 4
The DaVinci Code story line is a creative merging of fact and fiction. This video series separates fact from fiction and then moves on to the larger question of the Gnostic Gospels. It then returns to the early days of Christianity and examines the various Christian communities that were contending with each other to achieve orthodox status.

Pastors’ Lenten Study:
6:00PM Feb 24 - Mar 24 in our fellowship hall
Curriculum for this class will be announced at a later date.

The Works Schedule: Dinner is on Wednesdays at 5:00PM in our fellowship hall ($5.00 donation) these dates:
Oct 7 - Nov 18
Jan 6 - Feb 10
Feb 24 - Apr 28

FaithWorks Classes follow at 6:00PM and MindWorks Classes are at 7:00PM.

DivorceCare:
The next session begins Tue., Sept. 15, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00PM in classroom 5
This class emphasizes a biblical approach to divorce and separation. Our team of trained leaders guides participants through 13 lessons, each designed to help them through one aspect of the healing process. Brochures and registration forms are at the information desk in the front entry way. Registration: $12 includes workbook for all 13 sessions. For more information, please contact Karen Bishop (637.1501).

GriefShare:
Two sessions are offered this fall beginning Wed., Sept. 9, 2009 at 10:00AM and 6:00PM in classroom 5.
The series of 13 lessons emphasizes a Biblical approach to grief and healing from the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Brochures and registration forms are at the information desk in the front entry way. Registration: $12 includes workbook for all 13 sessions. For more information, please contact Pastor Val or Karen Renninger (575.1066).

Events Especially For the Women ...
Bible Study: Every Tuesday morning at 10:00AM the women meet in our boardroom for the study of a particular book of the Bible or a book about the Bible.

Circles: Our women have five circles which, during the September–May season, meet monthly for Bible study either at the church or in a member's home. For dates, places and times, phone the church office.

Gatherings: Four times each year (March, June, September and December) the women enjoy a gathering which features a meal and a program. For dates, places and times, phone the church office. 
Mission–The women have an active missions effort with their annual Thank Offering and another large-scale event. In 2005 and 2006 that event was a shopping spree at Macy's. Tickets were sold permitting shoppers to enter the store very early and shop all day ... with the added bonus of an additional 20% off the ticketed price of any item. All of the proceeds of the ticket sales went toward the women's mission projects.

Events Especially For the Men ...
Breakfast and Bible Study: Every Wednesday morning at 8:00AM the men meet at a local Punta Gorda restaurant (Skyview Cafe ... at the airport) for Bible study and breakfast (dutch treat).