2009 Jeanette R. Baas Teacher in Residence, Rev. Dr. Laura A. Smit January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, March 15, 2009 | to | Sunday, March 22, 2009 |
| Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, March 22, 2009 | ||
Where God’s Glory Flashes
March 15 - 22nd at Central Reformed Church
“Glory” is the name for the kind of beauty particular to God. Dr. Laura Smit will first share with us nine important things about the idea of beauty, and will then help us ask “So What?” and answer that question. How can an understanding of God’s beauty help me pray? How do these ideas influence our worship? What does beauty have to do with romance, and image, and media, and relationships? What does the glory of God have to do with justice? How does an appreciation of God’s beauty help us to care for the earth? Join us for two Sundays, March 15 and 22. Dr. Smit will preach on both of these Sundays, as well as lead education hour and evening classes at member’s homes. She will also lead the March 18 Wednesday Bible Study. Dr. Smit plans to help us better understand the beauty and glory of God and why an appreciation of God’s beauty is important for modern Christians, particularly during Lent.
Dr. Laura A. Smit is Associate Professor of Theology at Calving College. She is ordained in both the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Christian Reformed Church and has served in a variety of pastoral settings, and as the Dean of the Chapel at Calvin College. Laura teachers medieval theology. The Christian theology of beauty is one of her primary areas of research. Other major areas of interest for her are Doctrine of God and the Ascension. Laura has written several articles introducing the Doctrine of God to a general audience, and she has begun work on a book about the significance of the Ascension of Christ for everyday life and worship. More about Dr. Smit is on her webside at:
http://www.laurasmit.com/AboutMe.htm
The Psalms, In Honor of Jim Karsen January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, February 22, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, March 1, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, March 8, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, March 29, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, April 19, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, April 26, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, May 3, 2009 | ||
Lead by Rev. Karen Fitz La Barge and Seminarian Drew Meyers
Worship Center II. 11:00 am - Noon
Jim Karsen was a beloved friend and teacher at Central Reformed Church and his Bible Studies were a regular feature of our Adult Education program. Jim was in the midst of his research for a Bible study on the Psalms for the fall of 2008 when he died suddenly. This Bible study will honor Jim’s work and his categories of the Psalms and draw on some of his notes to explore the different ways in which the ancient Hebrews used these words in their songs. Our sessions include:
Week one: Praise Psalms.
Week two: Penitential Psalms.
Week three: Wisdom Psalms.
Week four: King/ Royalty/ Messianic Psalms.
Week five: Imprecatory Psalms.
Week six: Laments.
Week seven: Concepts of God in the Psalms.
Come join us as we utilize the poetry of ancient Israel to grow closer to God!
Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, March 1, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, March 8, 2009 | ||
Dr. Jeff Tyler, Hope College
In the Chapel from 11:00 until Noon
We will be exploring death and dying from the perspectives of culture and religion, medicine and Hospice. Central to our two Sundays is the idea that facing one’s mortality leads to a greater appreciation of life. Those with a great deal of experience with death and dying as well as those with very little will find these sessions valuable.
Reformed Basics January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, February 1, 2009 | ||
| Sunday, February 8, 2009 | ||
Tim Elzinga
Do you know what the Reformed Church in America believes? Do you know what YOU believe? Do you just want to know more? Come to our class on Reformed basics and learn about and discuss some basic theological concepts that you may just agree with!
Contemplative Prayer January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, February 22, 2009 | ||
J. David Muyskens
From 11:00 to Noon in the Parlor
Feb. 22 - This class will be on the fruit of Centering Prayer in everyday life. Practice of Centering Prayer wil be included. Centering Prayer deepens one’s relationship with God discovering God’s presence in daily life with a greater consciousness of God, awareness of the Presence of Christ in the moment, letting go of attachments and openness to the inspiration of the Spirit. We will explore how the attitude cultivated in Centering Prayer reaches all the dimensions of one’s life.
Contemplative Prayer January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events, static website , add a comment| Sunday, February 8, 2009 | ||
J. David Muyskens in the Parlor 11 am - Noon
Feb. 8 - In the class we will experience the simple guidelines of Centering Prayer and how we reduce obstacles that stand in the way of intimacy with God. It will discuss how we deal with the many thoughts that distract us when we are in silent prayer. We will practice how we give our consent to God’s presence and healing work in us, waiting on God and opening to the gift of contemplation. We will explore how we can be open to an awareness of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
Contemplative Prayer January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events, static website , add a comment| Sunday, February 1, 2009 | ||
Rev. J. David Muyskens
11:00 am in the Parlor
On February 1st, we will explore how we pray, and how prayer is expressive of our relationship with God. There will be a brief introduction to the method called “Centering Prayer.” and how it fits with Reformed tradition. Centering Prayer is drawn from the teachings of Jesus and the ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative tradition. It is designed for anyone who senses a call to be with God from a deep silence opening one’s mind and heart to God.
Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins January 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Events , add a comment| Sunday, February 8, 2009 | ||
Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung, Associate Prof of Philosophy, Calvin
The seven deadly sins are a distinctively Christian invention dating back to the 4th century. The list–gluttony, lust, wrath, greed, sloth, envy, and pride–originally arose as a rubric for self-examination and spiritual warfare. Is the traditional list still relevant or helpful to us today in thinking about sin? In this talk, we’ll trace the history of the seven deadlies–from Evagrius of Pontus through Thomas Aquinas and the Reformation to the film Se7en–and think about the ways this tradition can still illumine and enrich our own Christian practices of repentance and spiritual formation today.