At Seattle First, Life Groups are one of the most important ways that we grow in relationship to God and one another.  Life Groups are a place to study God’s word together and practically apply it to our lives. Life Groups are a place to be real with one another, share life together, and allow Jesus to meet us where we are and make us like he is.

Life Groups come in many shapes and sizes, times and places. You might find one to try on the list below. You might form one that we will add to the list. Either way, your pastors and other leaders are here to help find a form a Life Group that works for you.

To Form a New Group:

• Contact Jeff Schulz, 206-624-0644, jschulz@firstpres.org

Sunday Morning: Gospel of Mark

• Time: Sunday, 9:15 – 10:15am
• Place:  Seattle First, Room 302
• Status: Open to everyone any time, come as you are
• Contact:  Ron Reese , 206-683-1812 , rreese1601@aol.com           

Sunday Noon: Conversational English Group

• Time: Sundays after worship/lunch, c. 12:30 p.m.
• Place:  Seattle First, Whitworth Room
• Status: Open to non-native English speakers to discuss Sunday sermons and scripture
• Contact:  Lindsey McDowell, 425-647-4037,  Lindsey.McDowell@gmail.com

 Sunday Evening: Dessert and Discipleship for Couples

• Time:  Sundays , 6:30 pm
• Place: Home of Nathan and Joy Orona, Newcastle (South of I-90 off I-405)
• Status: Open to couples with or without children
• Contact:  Joy Orona, 206-290-7075, oronas@comcast.net

 Tuesday Evening: Women Walking Together

• Time:  Tuesday,  every other week
• Place:  Seattle First, Room 302
• Status:  Open to women any time
• Contact:  Michelle Perrigo, 269-352-2626, michellecperrigo@gmail.com

 Wednesday Evening: Paul’s Letters: In Depth Bible Study

• Time:  Wednesday evenings, 6:30 pm
• Place:  Seattle First, Room 302
• Status:  Open to new participants any time
• Contact:  Mark Cassady, 425-260-8837,  mkc@blarg.net

Wednesday Evening:  Men’s Circle (Wednesday Evening Homeless Shelter)

• Time:  Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm
• Place:  Seattle First, Campbell Hall (basement)
• Status:  Open to homeless men from shelter and others who wish to join them
• Contact:  Ron Reese , 206-683-1812 , rreese1601@aol.com           

Saturday Morning: Quest: A New Kind of Christianity

• Time: Every other Saturday, 10:00 am
•  Place:  Seattle First, Room 302
• Status:  Open to new participants…recommended that possible new participants contact the leader before attending to get a general sense of the kind of questions being explored and potentially sensitive subject matter. 
• Contact:  Julie Gustavson, , 206-714-3961 (evenings), julietgus@msn.com

Sermon Series on Genesis 1-12

January 8 – Feb 19, 2011

 As the New Year begins, what better time to look at new beginnings? Genesis, Chapters 1-12, is full of new beginnings, not just the beginning of creation, but of humanity, sin, redemption, families, cities, covenants and the beginning of God’s mission in the world. These new beginnings come through colorful characters like Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah and many more. These new beginnings set the stage on which the entire Biblical drama unfolds. These new beginnings set the stage on which the dramas of our lives unfold. Looking for a better understanding of the Bible?  Looking for a new beginning? Looking for a foundation on which to build the rest of your life? Join us as we explore what a new beginning looks like in God’s word and in your life!

 1/8       Genesis 1        God: Creator                                    

 1/15     Genesis 2        Adam and Eve: Cultivators

 1/22     Genesis 3        Satan: Destroyer

 1/29     Genesis 4        Cain: Wanderer

 2/5       Genesis 5-9     Noah:  Follower

 2/12     Genesis 10      Shem, Ham and Japheth: Builders

 2/19     Genesis 12      Abram: Missionary

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

10:30 a.m.

Come join us for Christmas Brunch Service (in place of our ordinary Sunday service).   We’ll enjoy brunch together, along with carol singing and a Christmas homily. Bring your favorite Christmas cookies or other holiday goodies to share. Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 24th, 7:00 p.m.

Join us for a Christmas Eve service of “Lessons and Carols,” including scripture readings of the birth of Jesus and classic Christmas carols, concluding with “Silent Night” by candlight.

Sunday Sermon Series

November, 27 – December 18, 2011

            Hard to believe, Christmas is just around the corner. On the way there, we pass through the season of Advent.  Advent means “coming,” the coming of Christ. Advent is an opportunity to prepare to receive once, or perhaps for the first time, God made flesh, in the person of Jesus.  This Advent season we will prepare in a unique way, by exploring the meaning and message of some sacred Advent and Christmas Carols along with related Biblical texts. Join us as we journey through Advent and prepare for a Christmas that brings, in the words of a great Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World!”

Sunday, Nov. 27:  Yearning

Texts:  Job 19:25-27, Revelation 21:1-6

Hymn:  O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Sunday, Dec. 4:  Trembling

Texts:  1 Chronicles 16:23-36, Habakkuk 2:20

Hymn:  Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

Sunday, Dec. 11:  Receiving

Text:  John 1:1-18

Hymn:  O Little Town of Bethlehem

Sunday, Dec. 18  Celebrating

Text: Luke 1: 39-56

Hymn:  Joy to the World

 Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Saturday, December 24, 7:00 p.m., Chapel

A Service of Lessons and Carols

 Christmas Day Brunch

Sunday, December 25, 10:30 a.m., Campbell Hall

Brunch with carol singing and a Christmas meditation

(In place of our regular Sunday service)

Six-Part Sermon Series- September 25 – October 30, 2011

Everyone has neighbors. They may be in the apartment upstairs, the house next door, or a thousand miles away.  Social media connects so many people from every corner of globe that the whole world is our neighborhood.  Know them or not, like them or not, everyone has neighbors.  What is your neighborhood? Who are your neighbors? How should we relate to them? The Bible has a few things to say about it.  In fact, next to loving God, Jesus said loving your neighbor is the most important commandment of all. That’s worth thinking about. Join us as we explore how to be a “Church in the ‘Hood” – a Christian in your own neighborhood.

September 25, 2011- Leviticus 19: 17-18

October 2, 2011- Leviticus 19: 33-34

October 9, 2011- Micah 6: 6-8

October 16, 2011- Luke 10- 25-37

October 23, 2011- Acts 1:8 and 2: 1-13

October 30, 2011- Acts 8: 26-40

Dreaming the Future of Seattle First Presbyterian

July 31, 2011

Summary of Dream Team Work

Who: The Dream Team consisted of seven church members, male, female, younger and older, supported by the Co-Pastors and consultant Brad Smith, President of Bakke Graduate University.

Why: The Session (Seattle First’s leadership board) appointed the Dream Team to seek God’s direction for how we can best fulfill our mission given the present people and resources with which we are blessed.

What:  The Goal of the Dream Team has been to listen to our city, congregation and God’s Spirit to identity specific needs and goals, resulting in strategic initiatives on which we will focus over the next two to three years.

How:  The Dream Team has divided into two groups, one focused internally on how we can grow more Christ-like as a congregation, the other focused externally on how we expand our ministry in the city.

When:  The time is now to receive these strategic initiatives, reflect on how God might be calling you to participate, and then do something!

Task Forces will be forming soon to get to work on these initiatives.

To find out more about how you can participate, please contact:

Elder Mike Bennett, michael.bennett10@gmail.com , 206-714-0719

Elder Julie Gustavson, julietgus@msn.com, 206-714-3961

Co-Pastor Jeff Schulz, jschulz@firstpres.org, 206-624-0644

Summary of Strategic Initiatives

Internal

1. Transformation

Need: Stronger culture of life transformation

Goal:  Cultivate holistic discipleship in Life Groups

1.   Discernment

Need: More accurate measure of strengths/weaknesses

Goal:  Assess church health using our congregational covenant

1.   Leadership

Need: Expanded leadership of ministries

Goal:  More intentionally equip servant leaders

External

1.   Participation

Need: Broader participation in mission

Goal:  Connect people where God is already working

1.   Community

Need: Deeper sense of community with neighborhood

Goal:  Create more opportunities to build relationships

1.   Sustainability

Need: Stronger financial/facility sustainability

Goal:  Develop plan to maximize material resources

Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation

Sermon Series

August 7 – September 18, 2011

             The Book of Revelation is everything we would expect apocalyptic literature to be:  a mysterious, futuristic, provocative account of the final victory of good over evil. Yet, it is also surprisingly practical, offering every day exercises for creating a healthy church and healthy life.  That is no coincidence: One of the best ways to prepare for the future Kingdom is to focus on creating it today. This sermon series explores letters written to seven churches, recorded in chapters two and three of Revelation. The letters identify some common spiritual sicknesses, and the remedies God offers to make us well, both in church and life.

 August 7

Revelation 2: 1-7

“First Love”

August 14

Revelation 2: 8-11

Letter to Smyrna

August 21

Revelation 2: 12-17

Letter to Pergamum

August 28

Revelation 2:18-29

Letter to Thyatira

September 4

Revelation 3:1-6

Letter to Sardis

September 11

Revelation  3: 7-13

Letter to Philadelphia

September 18

Revelation. 3:14-22

Letter to Laodicea

Does Christ really make a difference in relationships? Can He really bring healing and resolution to relational conflicts? Does Christ really effect change in social and economic status? Join us as we dive into the Apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon, which offers powerful evidence that the power and presence of Jesus can and does transform us, our relationships, and our culture.

Philemon Sermon Series

June 19 – Philemon 1-7 (Father’s Day)
June 26 – Philemon 8-16
July 3 – Philemon 17-25

 Summer Life Group Study of Paul’s Letter to Philemon

 Wednesday Evenings

June 15^th – July 20^th

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Room 302

One floor up from the ground floor  (just follow the signs)

            Interested in getting connected?  Curious about Christianity? Hungry for God’s Word?  This summer join other members and friends of the Seattle First community as we dig into Paul’s letter to Philemon.

            At Seattle First, Life Groups are one of the primary ways we seek to spiritually grow. The purpose of Life Groups is to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ as we learn from scripture and share life together. If you are a part of a Life Group already, your group is welcome to participate. If you are curious about what it means to be a Christian, or are not part of a Life Group yet, the summer series is a great opportunity to get to know more about Christianity, get acquainted with some new people, join an existing group, or be part of launching a new one.

            There will also be a Life Group specifically for people for whom English is a second language. This group will study Philemon and also provide a safe place to practice English.

            The Summer Life Group Study will be an inductive conversational approach to learning the message of the text and practically applying it to our lives. Paul’s letter to Philemon, about a slave owner and his runaway slave, is his shortest, but packed with powerful insights for breaking free from chains that bind us and redeeming our relationships with God and one another through Christ. An inductive study of Philemon promises to provide powerful insight into God’s word and its application to real life relationships.

            Please RSVP by contacting Michelle Perrigo at michellecperrigo@gmail.com or 269-352-2626, or Pastor Jeff Schulz at jschulz@firstpres.org or 206-624-0644.   For more information feel free to contact Michelle or Jeff as well.

Come join Pastor Jeff after worship on May 15th for lunch and conversation.

Whether you are interested in becoming a member or just finding out more about the church, this is a great opportunity to meet some new people and find out more about what God is doing at Seattle First.

For more information, contact Pastor Jeff at jschulz@firstpres.org or 206-624-0644.

Jonah was in and out. He was in and out of a boat, in and out of a whale, in and out of Ninevah, and in and out of himself. Jonah was in and out of the will of God. It was a little crazy-making for him and those around him. We know what it’s like to be in and out of commitments, on the fence in life, double-minded about discipleship – about following Jesus. It can be crazy-making for us and those around us as well. Thankfully, God knows just what to do to get our lives back in sync with who we are called to be and what we are called to do. It may take a whale… along with the practice of some key spiritual disciplines to get us there. Whatever it takes, the book of Jonah reveals what it means to fully and joyfully participate in God’s purpose and plan for our lives.

Jonah Sermon Series

May 1                                            Jonah 1: 1-6

May 8                                            Jonah 1: 7-17

May 15                                         Jonah 2

May 22                                         Jonah 3

May 29                                         Jonah 4: 1-5

June 5                                           Jonah 4: 6-11

Good Friday Worship Service: Friday, April 22nd at 7pm in the Chapel

Good Friday is an essential part of the preparation, the day on which we remember the death of Christ on the cross. At Good Friday service we remember the Last Supper of Jesus with the sacrament of communion, followed by scripture and mediation focused on the seven last words of Christ.

Easter Sunday Worship Service: Sunday, April 24th at 10:30am in the Chapel

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!  Come celebrate the joyous resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday.

Reverend Gib Martin and Seattle First Presbyterian invite you to this life-changing opportunity led by Dr. Larry Richards.

Dr. Richards comes to us by way of Rev. Martin, retired pastor, member and teacher at Seattle First, whose friendship with Dr. Richards began in their seminary days.

Dr. Richards, a prominent Christian educator and theologian, has been called “the most prolific and influential evangelical Christian educator during the last half of the 20th century.” Dr. Richards has a heart for setting people free through the power of God’s word. Based on the book of Ephesians, the “Freedom Workshop” is a unique opportunity to experience new liberation in Christ.

For more information please contact Jeff Schulz, 206-624-0644 or Larry Richards,  206-847-1536.
Reservations: Contact Jeff Schulz, 206-624-0644.

Schedule for the workshop:

Friday Evening, 6:15-9:30 p.m.

Registration
Freedom from Oppression
Freedom from Inadequacy

Saturday Morning, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Freedom from Anxiety
Freedom from Bitterness

Saturday Afternoon, 1:00-3:30

Freedom from Addictive Sins
Freedom from Family Failings

The Freedom Workshop is free of charge.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:13).

The Freedom Workshop exposes the strategies Satan uses to keep believers in bondage to inadequacy, to fear and anxiety, to bitterness, to discouragement, hopelessness and to addictive sins. Participants enter into the freedom that Christ has won for them as the Holy Spirit energizes God’s transforming Word.

Friday, April 8, 2011, 6:30pm

Seattle First Presbyterian Church: Chapel

Come celebrate the Easter season with Allen Belton, featuring the award winning University Presbyterian Church Gospel Choir, Mannfreid Funk, Russ Johnson, the Seattle First Presbyterian Praise Team, and others.

A free will offering will benefit Allen Belton’s Reconciliation Ministries with Breakthrough Partners

Questions: info@breakthroughpartners.org/425-775-3362

No two Life Groups at Seattle First are the same: Some are defined by age, others by gender, mutual interest or geography, and they meet in different times and places. What they do share in common is the purpose of growing more deeply in relationship with Christ and one another.

We encourage each and every person connected with the Seattle First congregation to find or form a Life Group. For more information on existing Life Groups, or forming a new one, please contact pastors Jeff or Ellen Schulz: jschulz@firstpres.org (206-624-0644 ext. 226); eschulz@firstpres.org (206-624-0644 ext. 227).

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

7:00 p.m. in the Chapel

 We invite you to join us for Ash Wednesday service, Wednesday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.  Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, 40 days of preparation for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day.  Ash Wednesday service is a shorter, reflective, meditative service, including scripture readings, Lenten music, and a brief meditation on the meaning of Lent. The service concludes with participants coming forward to receive the “imposition” of ashes on their foreheads. The ashes remind us of our mortality and sin, and our need for repentance and renewal. 

 The service will conclude by about 7:45 followed by light refreshments in the Gathering Room.    

For more information please contact the church office at 206-624-0644.

The annual Urban Poverty Forum exists to deepen the dialogue about the systemic issues surrounding urban poverty and to unite a diverse community of care working together to address the problems faced by the poorest among us.   This year’s Forum will include a dramatic piece on discrimination, presenters on discrimination in law enforcement, immigration, and resourcing of neighborhoods, plus a faith perspective from Kris Rocke of the Center for Transforming Mission .  More information at: www.urbanpovertyforum.org

(Suggested donation $5 [no one turned away]. Reservations at www.brownpapertickets.com)

Presenters:

Sharon Williams of the Mahogany Project will offer a dramatic presentation of the experience of racism.  The Mahogany Project produces social justice films and dramas.

Tim Thomas of the University of Washington will speak about the inequalities of neighborhoods exposed by demographic research, special analysis and mapping.

Pramila Jayapal, writer, lecturer, and Executive Director of One America, will explore the systemic causes of illegal immigration in the U.S., such as the effect of globalization on Mexico’s farmers.

A. Daktari Alexander of Seattle University’s Department of Criminal Justice, will explore racism in the criminal justice system.

Dr. Kris Rocke, Director of the Center for Transforming Mission, trains those who work with youth and families in areas of extreme poverty and violence.  Kris will provide a theological perspective on the issue of poverty and racism.

Tim Harris, Founder of Real Change, the nation’s first weekly street newspaper, will moderate a question and answer period.

Sponsors:

Seattle First Presbyterian Church

Town Hall

Real Change

F.A.I.T.H. (Faithful Action in Transforming Homelessness)

Seattle Presbytery

Mark Sermon Series

Preparation

1. Jan 2                                            Mark 1:1-15

2. Jan 9                                            Mark 1:16-40

3. Jan 16                                         Mark 2

4. Jan 23                                         Mark 3

Power

5. Jan 30                                        Mark 4

6. Feb 6                                           Mark 5

7. Feb 13                                         Mark 6

8. Feb 20                                        Mark 7

Perserverance

9. Feb 27                                        Mark 8

10. Mar 6                                        Mark 9:2-13

11. Mar 13                                      Mark 9:14-50

12. Mar 20                                     Mark 10

Passion

13. Mar 27                                     Mark 11: 11-32

14. Apr 3                                         Mark 12

15. Apr 10                                      Mark 13

16. Apr 17 (Palm Sunday) — Mark 11:1-10

Apr 22  (Good Friday) — text from Mark 14-15

17. Apr 24 (Easter) — Mark 16

Friday, December 24^th, 7:00 p.m.

Seattle First Presbyterian Church: Chapel

Come celebrate the eve of Christmas in a candle light service of “lessons and carols.”

We’ll read selections from the Gospels recording the birth of Jesus, and sing classic Christmas hymns, concluding with “Silent Night” by candlelight.

For more information contact the church office at 206-624-0644.