Welcome to a special kind of stewardship, one of your time and heart that we will believe be a part of the way God will work in your life over the next twelve months.  Welcome to the Year of the Bible.

As Presbyterians, we have always been people who test and reform our common and personal lives according to Scripture.  This year, we will be orienting our worshp and educational life around a set of readings that will walk us through the entire Bible in 12 months.

If you do not already have it, you can download the list of readings right here at the website. You can also sign up for the weekly devotionals and reflections, written by members of the YOTB steering committee and our staff, by returning to the home page and entering your email address in the lower left hand corner of the page.

Listed below you will find a series of links to resources that should prove both helpful (online Bibles, commentaries, etc.), inspirational, and fun (occasional audio or video recordings of the readings).

For more about what Presbyterians believe about Scripture, visit the Presbyterian beliefs section of our denominational website, www.pcusa.org.

Upcoming Special Event

Join us on Saturday, September 26 as the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Bailey visits GPMC to speak about "Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes."  From 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., this former professor of New Testament from Beirut will raise to us the various nuances of the New Testament texts that we miss as North Americans.  This event is free and open to the public.  Dr. Bailey will also preach in worship on Sunday, September 27 at both the 9 & 11 a.m. worship services.

Adult Education Bible Study Opportunities

Sunday mornings: Middle Hour, 10:10 AM, beginning October 11th.
Overview of the Old Testament- In nine sessions, join Susan Mozena for an overview of the Old Testament, focusing on the historical and geographical context, the structure and major literary genres of the OT, the story of God’s covenant people, and the place of the OT  in our Canon of Scripture.  This class will seek to enrich the biblical understanding of those with varying levels of knowledge of the Old Testament, and will be helpful to anyone engaging in the Year of the Bible reading.

Sunday mornings: 10:55-11:15, beginning October 11th
Year of the Bible Q and A—Facilitated by Susan Mozena, this brief time period each Sunday will provide an opportunity for those engaging in the Year of the Bible reading to ask questions and gain further perspective on the week’s daily readings.

Sunday evenings: 6:30-8:30 P.M., first and third Sundays, beginning October 18th
Eclipsing Empire—Using a DVD-based curriculum from Living the Questions, this group will join scholars John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg as they lead us along Paul’s journeys through Rome, highlighting questions about the role of faith in a time of empire, questions they feel are applicable to this day.  Some biblical knowledge helpful.

Monday mornings: 10 A.M., beginning October 5th
The Preacher’s Workshop—Join Peter Henry for a discussion of the upcoming  Sunday’s preaching text, drawn from the Year of the Bible reading list.  No special expertise in the Bible is required!

Monday evenings: 7:30-8:30 P.M., beginning October 5th
Year of the Bible Study Group—Facilitated by the Rev. Peter Henry and the Rev. Jessica Salt, this group will provide support to those participating in the Year of the Bible reading, to answer questions and provide perspective on each week’s daily Bible readings.  Attendance is not required of those who are reading the Bible in a year, but may prove helpful from time to time.

Tuesday evenings: 7:30-8:30 P.M., beginning October 13th
New Testament Overview—Matthew Parker Wrzeszcz will lead an overview study of the New Testament.  The study will be geared for those with basic to intermediate knowledge of the New Testament.

Tuesday evenings, 7:30 P.M., second Tuesday of each month, beginning October 13th.
Presbyterian Women’s Evening Bible Study—This year’s Horizons Bible Study is on the Book of Joshua, and is written by Mary Mikhael, President of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, and one of our former Ecumenical Ministers.  Note: The group is having a soup supper on September 15th at 7 P.M.  Lois Ann Hernquist is the group’s facilitator.

Wednesday mornings, 7 A.M.
Men’s Bible Study—Join Peter Henry and Howard Hill in a weekly Bible study of books to be determined.  About 30 minutes per week of preparation is required.

Wednesday mornings: each week, 9:30-11:30 A. M., beginning September 23rd
Women’s Bible Study—Join women of the church in a Bible study of the book of Daniel, based on the Beth Moore curriculum.  The study guides are $18 each.  Any level of biblical knowledge is welcomed.  The group is facilitated by Lynn Fruehauf Wood.

Wednesday evenings: 7:30-9 P.M., first, third and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning October 7th
Discovering the Bible—a 30-week study of the Bible, using the well-known Kerygma program.  Facilitated by Susan Mozena, this course is a basic comprehensive introduction to the Bible as a whole.  It has been put together for those who have little experience reading and studying the Bible, and those who may have participated in some study groups but have never looked at the Bible as a whole. Personal preparation is essential to success; approx. 2hours of preparation per week will be required in order to get the most out of the study.  The fee for the course material is $28.

Sermon Workbench- Each week, Rev. Henry keeps a blog as he prepares for the upcoming sermon.  From biblical resources to contemporary analogues, he shares some of his thoughts that may help you with your readings.  http://www.gpmcblogs.org/workbench/

Library- The GPMC library has had its biblical section updated in preparation for the Year of the Bible.  From reference books on names, places, and issues in the Bible to a women’s Bible commentary and DVDs from our guest lecturer Ken Bailey, turn left when you enter the library to find the newest additions to our biblical section.

Bibles- A selection of Bibles will be available in the church library for perusal and for purchase.  Our preachers use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible and many people enjoy the New International Version.  If you have not bought a new Bible in the past few years, consider buying a new study Bible.  To get a flavor for the individual translations, visit the Oremus Bible Browser and enter in various verses, choosing different translations to get a sense of the readings.  To check out a selection of Bibles, visit Westminster John Knox Press or Cokesbury for a variety of study Bibles- from couples to families, there are study Bibles for all walks of life.

For more information about any of our courses of study or events, contact Susan Mozena in the Christian Education office. (ext. 123) 

* John 20: 30-31  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his 

disciples, which are not written in this book.  But these are written so taht you 

may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through 

elieving you may have life in his name