On August 24th, we will begin "Confronting the Controversies" in a video presentation and discussion format.  We will explore some of the most controversial and divisive issues of our time by showing how to look at them from a biblical perspective in order to arrive at a faithful Christian response.  The video presentation will help us to understand the positions different sides hold in a fair and thoughtful manner.  This will also provide us with a model for how to dialogue about moral issues while maintaning respect for the persons on both sides of the debate.  We will follow up the video with a discussion on what it means to each of us as a Christian in a fallen world.

There will be no book for this study.  We will be using a video sermon series initially presented by Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of Church of the Resurrection in the Kansas City, MO area.  There will be 7 topics and we will attempt to cover one topic each week.  We would ask that people do some preparation for each class by investigating the topic of discussion that is planned in both Christian and secular publications.  And also try to find what the bible tells us on each of these controversial subjects.  Below is a presentation schedule:

August 24th - The Separation of Church and State
August 31st - Creation and Evolution in the Public Schools
September 7th - The Death Penalty
September 14th - Euthanasia
September 21st - Prayer in Public Schools
September 28th - Abortion
October 5th - Homosexuality

After studying the book of James, we discussed what we could do as a class to outreach and serve.  These were the brainstorming ideas that were captured.  They fall into 3 categories.

Broad
Feed the hungry/poor

Targeted, Long-term
Epworth Children's home
Financial education
Collect resource materials for other groups/churches
Adopt a struggling church

Targeted, Short-term
Adopt-a-Family
Natalie
Turkey Dinner on Movember 1st.

General postings for sharing personal issues, prayer requests, joys, concerns, etc.