Welcome to the River of Grace
A Season of Transformation: Lent – Easter – Pentecost, 2008
The River of Grace opens minds and hearts to God in new and transforming ways. The framework for The River of Grace was developed by a design team here at FUMCC which has been meeting since August, 2007. The River of Grace will lead us through the means of grace which were encouraged by John Wesley. These means of grace will be explored in ways that help give new insights to these disciplines.
| Listen to Come to the River - composed by David Marlette |
We hope that individuals and groups will uncover rich layers of scripture, practice new forms of prayer, and learn to walk daily in a fuller experience of obedience to God. As we journey through The River of Grace, we pray that we will all become more spiritually hungry for a deeper relationship with God.
The River of Grace will run from Lent through Easter to Pentecost, offering to us the “living water” that is found only in Christ. During the season from Lent to Easter, we will study and practice the “means of grace” of prayer, studying scripture, Holy Communion, fasting, Christian conferencing, and acts of mercy. After Easter we will focus on those “acts of mercy” as a means of grace by focusing each week on a different aspect of Matthew 25: 35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
What special events will there be for The River of Grace?
We will kick-off The River of Grace with our second annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 PM followed by an orientation to The River of Grace at 7 PM. There will be activities for kids and youth as well. Adults will be able to pick up their book which will be used in small groups, called “Explorer Groups.” Cost is $5.00 adults; $2.50 children under 12, to be collected at the door.
Register for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 5
What is an Explorer Crew?
An Explorer Crew consists of as few as two and as many as seven persons who meet together to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through mutual accountability and support. During the Lenten season they will meet once a week for 90 minutes to "watch over one another in love" and learn more about the means of grace. Explorers will share how God is working in their lives through (acts of worship and devotion) and works of mercy (acts of compassion and justice). Sign up for a crew>>
The emphasis of the weekly group meeting is on dependence upon God's grace. The first hour will focus on accountability and support and then move to that week’s focus on a particular means of grace, which will take an additional 30 minutes. After the Lenten season, we hope that groups will continue to meet for accountability and support. A daily devotional guide will be written by members of FUMCC which will be used for the season from Easter to Pentecost.
FAQ’s
Q. Are Explorer Crew facilitators required to attend training before they start an Explorer Crew?
A. Yes. Facilitator orientation and training will be held January 27 at 4:00 PM and again on January 28 at 7:00 PM.
Q. Are there separate materials for Explorer Groups and for Adult Sunday School classes?
A. Yes, the Explorer Groups are using Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition: A Workbook, and will be using a special Explorer Group Card for the support and accountability part of the session. In addition, there is a River Currents DVD which features FUMCC members describing their experiences in using the various means of grace. Special materials for Sunday school include a Sunday School Leader’s Planning Guide for The River of Grace, “Opening Ourselves to God,” a four session DVD that comes with a leader’s guide and participant guide that can be printed from the CD. The videos are to be used during weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Lent. On the last Sunday of Lent, Palm/Passion Sunday, we will be using clips from the DVD, “The Gospel of John” with What is are the topics of discussion questions from the Sunday School Leader’s Planning Guide for The River of Grace.
Q. How are the Explorer Groups structured?
A. First Part: Use Explorer Crew Card – (60 minutes)
Second Part: Means of Grace (30 minutes)
- Show River Currents DVD (8 minutes)
- Guided Discussion (20 minutes)
- Closing Prayer (2 minutes)
Q. What are the topics of the Explorer Crews?
A.
Week One: February 5-9, 2008
Means of Grace: Devotion
Chapter 1: John Wesley, Man of Devotion
Week Two: February 10-16, 2008
Means of Grace: Prayer
Chapter 2: Constant Company with Christ
Week Three: February 17-23, 2008
Means of Grace: Scripture
Chapter 3: The All-Sufficient Word – Scripture Study
Week Four: February 24-March 1, 2008
Means of Grace: Holy Communion
Chapter 4: Food for the Journey
Week Five: March 2-8, 2008
Means of Grace: Fasting
Chapter 5: Hunger for Righteousness
Week Six: March 9-15, 2008
Means of Grace: Christian Conferencing
Chapter 6: Life Together
Week Seven: March 16-22, 2008
Means of Grace: Acts of Mercy
Chapter 7: Into the World
Downloads
Explorer Crew Card Folding Instructions
Sunday School Participant Guide
Outflow: Sunday School Leader’s Guide for March 23 & 30
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for April 6
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for April 13
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for April 20
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for April 27
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for May 4
Outflow: Sunday School Leader's Guide for May 11
Sunday School Resources
Spiritual Type Inventory:
http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/test.asp
How to Have a Daily Devotional Time:
http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/articles/devotionallife.asp