Adult Faith Formation
“The Acts of the Apostles: The Jesus Movement Morphs into a New Religion”
– led by Dr. Jim Butler
LPC Pastor Jim Butler leads a three-part series on the New Testament Book of Acts (aka “The Acts of the Apostles”) on Sundays, May 5, 12 and 19 in Wright Chapel following worship. The document is commonly understood as a memoir of the early years of Christian history, from the crucifixion of Jesus and the Easter “appearances” up to the martyrdoms of James, Peter and Paul (AD 62–68). Most scholars agree that it was written by Luke, a co-worker of Paul, as a companion volume to his Gospel.
Adult Faith Formation
“Discipleship, Relationship and Serving Others” – presented by Aliyah Kennedy
Lifelong discipleship requires an awakened and engaged commitment to God and to all people whom Christ loves. It is about the call to daily take up our cross and follow Christ. It is about striving to see all people the way Christ sees them, not from judgments or preconceived perceptions. It is about helping walk with others, responding to their needs, desiring their well-being. The way of discipleship and service helps us to create deeper personal relationships with those around us.
Adult Faith Formation
“Report on the Southern Border” – presented by Marie Andrews
On April 14, LPC member Marie Andrews reported on her recent Pilgrimage to the Southern Border. Hear what’s going on in another part of the country and the people providing assistance. Marie’s experiences included a drive to the wall, worship, music, art, lectures and building fellowship with like-minded Christians.
Adult Faith Formation
“Dances of Universal Peace” – led by Subhana Graf
An important part of congregational vitality is supporting each other’s God-given gifts and empowering one another to use those gifts for God’s good purposes. Another part is congregational and self-care. On April 7, LPC member Subhana Graf shared her gift to bring peace and unity with Dances of Universal Peace. This tradition uses sacred phrases, chants, movements, and music from the world’s wisdom traditions.
Tuesday Evening Lenten Series – February 20, 27 and March 5, 12
“A Potent and Volatile Mixture: Evangelical Christianity and Partisan Politics”
LPC Pastor Jim Butler presents a four-part series on the intersection of partisan politics and evangelical theology using the research of Calvin College history professor, Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez. In 2021, Dr. Du Mez published a New York Times best-selling book entitled, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, in which she carefully traces the actions of politicians and evangelical leaders to meld politics and evangelical religion into one powerful movement that began with Billy Sunday’s “muscular Christianity” and the iconic actor, John Wayne. The series will include a thorough discussion of evangelical and “fundamental” theology popularized by Billy Graham, James Dobson and Jerry Falwell. The rise of militant faith and a Christian America, by ignoring Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” and his other basic teachings, will also be discussed.
Adult Faith Formation
“The Pathway to Grief is Love” – led by Rev. Sue Pray
How we understand and address grief in our culture is in need of a complete and total makeover. Rev. Sue Pray, UCC Minister and Director of Spiritual Care at hospice will join us on March 3 and 10 at 11:20 a.m. to reflect on self-care and caring for each other during the difficult, but inevitable journey of grief. In this two-session workshop, we will explore how we understand grief, the myths our culture imposes on grief, and the reality of grief. Because if we have loved and lost, we have grief.
Adult Faith Formation
“Mission Malawi Update” – led by Karen Byrne
Commissioned Pastor Karen Byrne will return on February 25 to give an update on the Malawi Prison Mission that our church has recently supported. During her last update, we learned of the devastation of farmland due to cyclone Freddy and impending famine. With your help, seeds, fertilizer and other assistance was provided to create prison farms. Rev. Chimesya wrote in gratitude, “You have done great things for my life and the prison ministry.” By June, Zomba Central Prison was able to cultivate a maize and vegetable garden. One of the officers told him that apart from feeding the inmates with delicious vegetables like tomatoes and onions, they had extended this blessing to the mental hospital and central hospital kitchens.
Adult Faith Formation
“Loving Thyself and Neighbor” – led by Aliyah Kennedy
Aliyah Kennedy will lead a session focused on the importance of community and selfcare.
Adult Faith Formation
“Answers to Job: Coping with An Imperfect World” – led by Dr. James Butler
“There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was blameless and upright, revered God, and turned from evil…” And yet, Job’s life came apart at the seams. Foreign raiders stole his animals and murdered his servants; his children died together in a windstorm; and then he came down with a nasty, chronic skin disease. Job lost everything except for his unsympathetic wife and three friends who said it was all his fault — he sinned, and God was punishing him. The ancient Hebrew story of Job deals with the question of why otherwise decent, good, God-fearing people suffer and experience loss. Many people ask the same question Job asked: “What did I do to deserve this?”
Beginning Sunday, January 7 at 11:20 a.m. and continuing for three more Sundays, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore how people of faith have coped with suffering, loss and disappointment.
Adult Faith Formation Guest Speaker
“Caregiving 101” – led by Rev. Robert J. Machovec
What does it mean to be a caregiver? Nearly one in five Americans provide unpaid care for someone 50 and older. Caring for a friend or loved one can be one of the greatest gifts one can give to another person; it can also be one of the greatest challenges. On Sunday, November 12 at 11:20 am, we will explore the joys and challenges of caregiving. What are the issues, challenges and stress points? What are emotional and spiritual issues? What are some strategies for coping in being a caregiver? The discussion will be led by Rev. Robert J. Machovec, a United Methodist minister, Pastoral Psychotherapist, and trainer for Stephen Ministry. He is the Minister of Pastoral Care at the United Methodist Church of Kent.
Adult Faith Formation Guest Speakers
Greater Cleveland Congregations
Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), with more than 30 member institutions, is dedicated to promoting issues of social justice to improve our community. Nathan Self and Khalilah Worley-Billy from GCC will be our guests for Adult Faith Formation on November 5. Their presentation will give us an opportunity to learn what GCC does to challenge policies, practices and systems that perpetuate racism and poverty.
Adult Faith Formation Guest Speaker
Cynthia Rios, Executive Director, The Haven Home
The Haven Home — an overflow shelter for women and children — opened in 2017, and currently serves over 240 families each year. When space becomes available in more permanent housing, the families transition out on their journey to sustainable independence. The Board of Directors has made a decision that Haven Home will pivot from a temporary shelter to a family maternity home with a transformational environment designed to restore and build healthy family relationships and prepare them for independence.
Haven’s Executive Director, Cynthia Rios, will be our guest on Sunday, October 29 at 11:20 a.m. during Adult Faith Formation. She will share Haven’s new mission and vision and how LPC can help it become a reality beyond simply providing financial support.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Women in the Bible: Good, Bad and Fearsome”
Many of us are familiar with Sarah (aka Sarai) the wife of Abraham, and of course, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and perhaps Mary and Martha, the famous bickering sisters of Lazarus. But few of us know much of anything about the other women whose lives and activities were important enough to be recorded in scripture. Some were sneaky, cruel and murderous, but many more were good and faithful to God, to their loved ones, and to their communities. But all of them were human, played significant roles in God’s saving work, and they are part of our sacred library. On Sundays, October 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 11:20 a.m., LPC Pastor Jim Butler will present a four-part series introducing some of these less familiar but so very remarkable women.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“The Church: ‘We’re Not in Kansas Anymore…’”
On Sunday, September 17 and 24, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will lead presentations on the evolving nature of the church as an institution. It began as small groups of Jesus’ mostly Jewish followers, centered in the Jerusalem Temple, who worshipped in local synagogues and also met for prayer, study and fellowship in homes. Three centuries later, the imperial church emerged, centered in Rome, which eventually fractured into three major categories — Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and thousands of Protestant traditions. North American Christians in all three categories are wondering, sometimes in fear and trembling, what is happening to the church/denomination/tradition to which I belong? What is next for my local church, our denomination and Christianity as a whole? Are we headed toward a majority atheistic or agnostic culture in which institutional religion passes away? Will only mega churches and evangelicals survive? Come and get a bigger perspective on these issues. Hear the wisdom of astute observers of these trends in North American churches and rekindle hope, not in sustaining ineffective institutions, but in resurrection of life in the Spirit within gathered communities.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“In Touch with Titus”
Titus is not Paul’s shortest letter — flip the page in your New Testament to Philemon — yet in three short chapters, we will not only get in touch with Titus but with the challenges and hopes for our church and lives as well. Beginning Sunday, May 14, join Dr. Steve Gorman at 11:20 a.m. in Wright Chapel for a Bible study full of insights into the past and instructions for the present and future.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Mission Malawi Update”
Karen Byrne returns to give an update on the Malawi Prison Well that she spoke about at LPC last September. The well for the largest prison in Malawi was completed in January. Karen will give updates on the blessings that your gifts have provided for these impoverished inmates and their community.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Speakers from Project Noelle”
Project Noelle was founded by Kelli Clark to address the needs of the thousands of children who have suffered because of the opioid epidemic. On Sunday, April 23, Kelli Clark, along with the Cuyahoga County director, Sue Derov, will provide details about their work.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“And He Appeared…”
LPC Pastor Jim Butler leads a discussion on the nine stories in the four Gospels in which Jesus “appears” to his disciples followed by the major historic theories concerning the crucified physical body of the Lord.
Tuesday Evening Lenten Series
“Mouthpieces of God: the Weird and Weighty Lives of Prophets”
LPC Pastor Jim Butler leads a four-part series looking at the very special (and sometimes very weird) ministries of the Hebrew prophets. The word prophet means “one who speaks for and interprets God’s will.” Learn more about the series here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Allies for Justice – Part II”
After her impactful November series on recognizing racial injustice in American culture, we welcome back Patricia Wellborn to lead a four-part Sunday morning series on how each of us can support and work for racial justice in our ordinary lives. The series begins at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 5 and continues the following three Sundays. Patricia is a graduate of John Carroll University and the president of Lakewood Black Caucus.
** Link to homework assignments **
NOTE: Weeks 1 and 3 of the class are unavailable for viewing.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Bible Basics for Non-Thumpers”
Do you really have to believe that every word and sentence in the entire Bible is the “word of God” in order to be a faithful Christian? LPC Pastor Jim Butler will explore these and other questions regarding scripture and its role and authority in a three-part series beginning Sunday, February 12 and continuing on February 19 and 26. Learn more about the series here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“I Was a Stranger, and You Took Me In…”
This three-part series beginning on January 8, 2023 will take a look at the “stranger in our midst.” Learn more about the series here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“A Back Stage Look at the Christmas Characters“
Most everyone knows something about the main characters in the Christmas story — Mary, Joseph, and of course, the baby Jesus. On Sundays, December 4 and 11 at 11:15 a.m. in Wright Chapel, LPC Pastor Jim Butler will help us explore the lives and thoughts of the other figures sprinkled across the two Christmas stories in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Learn more about the series here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Becoming an Ally for Justice“
Patricia Wellborn, president of the Lakewood Black Caucus, will lead a four-part Sunday Faith Formation series on November 6, 13, 20 and 27. The series will help broaden our understanding of the complex challenges of racism in our culture, and how we can become allies with people of color in the struggle for equity and justice. Learn more about the series here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Opening Our Hearts to Those in Need“
As the weather turns cooler and long summer days turn to dark autumn evenings, let us turn our hearts and minds to those who may feel that chill a little more than others. In October, the Faith Formation Ministry invites you to learn how we can support those in poverty within our community. Four local organizations will share stories of faith and service to those who are most in need. Learn more about the speakers here.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“When I Was Thirsty: A Matthew 25 Mission in Malawi“
On September 25 our speaker was Karen Byrne, the Commissioned Pastor (C.P.) of Concord Presbyterian Church in Centerville, Ohio, a part of the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery. This past summer she spent several weeks in Malawi visiting prisoners, local church groups, and seeing the well that she helped to fund in Domasi Prison.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“Becoming a Faith Community that Cares for Neighbors“
As LPC adopts the Matthew 25 model for mission, Pastor Jim Butler leads a presentation and discussion about the possibilities for LPC to become more intentional about responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbors.
Adult Faith Formation Class
“What is a Matthew 25 Congregation?“
This past January our church Session approved a plan to become a “Matthew 25” church. What does this mean? What are the implications? These questions will be explored during a four-part faith formation series following worship on May 1, 8, 15 and 22. The series will be led by our Matthew 25 exploratory task force — Brian Case, Cindy Dugan, Cinda Gorman, Jeff Ritter and Tedd Roos. (Please note: Sessions 1 and 2 are not available for online viewing.)