Inward and Outward Together: Join Us On the Journey
At First Pres, adults in all stages of life and faith find avenues for deepening relationship with God, self, and others through exploring Scripture and spiritual practices in authentic community. Small and larger groups meet throughout the week.
We invite you to join us in journeying inward and outward together this year through our Adult programming. You can find brief descriptions of our spring offerings below. More information about each opportunity is available on our calendar.
Summer Institute
Summer Institute | All Things Made New
Join us this June in one of several four-week gatherings as we explore the many ways Christ is reforming, renewing, and recreating our lives and world. Together in community, our conversations will build in us resilient hope and give us renewed purpose to join Jesus in his work of making all things new. To see all available Summer Institute gatherings, click here.
Navigating the Journey
Common Ground | Exploring Questions about Faith
Let’s be honest. We have questions. Lots of them. Join us in creating Common Ground where those of us new or returning to church can ask, explore, wrestle with, and ponder those questions that brought us here to begin with. Summer session will be offered Sundays, June 5–26, 2022. To register by May 29, click here.
Starting Point | Exploring Connections, Engagement, & Membership at First Pres
Whether you are just getting to know First Pres, are interested in taking a next step to become more engaged here, or are ready to explore making this your home church through membership, Starting Point is for you. Postponed until fall 2022
Exploring Scripture in Community
Sundays
Emmaus Communities | Adventures with Scripture
Emmaus Communities are groups of 20 to 60 adults at varying stages of life and faith. We meet every Sunday for conversation and study, engaging the deep questions of faith and looking beyond pat answers to a fuller understanding of how God’s wisdom shapes our lives.
The Open Door Community Group gathers for a time of connection, prayer, and conversation using the weekly Questions for Reflection based on the Sunday message. We welcome all to come and join our community at any time.
We explore one book of the Bible at a time, alternating Old and New Testaments, using questions that help us to more fully understand what God is saying to us and where God beckons us outward.
Weekdays
Coffee & Conversation with Pastor Tom | New Testament Gospels
Grab a cup of coffee and join Pastor Tom and others as he guides us in looking carefully at each of the Gospels, comparing their unique portrayals of Jesus, and examining the significance for the New Testament canon and our discipleship that each co-exist. Watch past conversations on our playlist here.
Men’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) | The Unexpected King: Matthew’s Account of Jesus
Men of all ages are invited to be a part of this community that pursues God—wrestling with our questions and seeking God’s wisdom for today’s challenges through the story of God’s people. BSF is a global, interdenominational Bible study dedicated to nurturing commitment to Christ, God’s Word, the Church, and service in the community.
Women’s Bible Study | Hope: Your Heart’s Deepest Longings
All are welcome to join our diverse community dedicated to sharing our lives and studying God’s Word. This season, we explore hope. Sometimes hope becomes so real that it’s almost tangible. But at other times–especially when tragedy or hardship intrudes–you wonder whether your hope will fail, leaving you exposed, vulnerable and overwhelmed. Join us in exploring both sides of hope as we confront doubts and fears, and anticipate the great joy that awaits us in Jesus Christ.
Each year, the Berkeley Palmer Lectureship examines, through current biblical theology and scholarship, issues of concern to the church and academy. Dr. Uriah Kim, President of the Graduate Theological Union and Professor of Biblical Studies, presents this year’s Berkeley Palmer Lecture, In Search of God, Identity, and Home with/in Others.
Journeying Together
Winter and Spring Community Groups
During the winter and spring, Community Groups (CGs) meet to encourage one another and explore how God’s word inspires, shapes, and directs our lives. Learn more about CGs here.
This Is Crucial: Healing Justice and Racial Equity Conversation Groups with First Pres Dallas | Conversations that matter enough to make us uncomfortable
This is Crucial, a monthly podcast focused on healing justice and racial equity, is hosted by Charlene Han Powell and Amos Disasa, Senior Pastor First Pres Dallas. These facilitated groups of 6–8 people meet twice after each month’s podcast. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Janet Sanders, [email protected].
Moms Together is a caring and supportive community of mothers with children of all ages. Hosted by First Pres moms, we gather to share life’s joys and challenges in the context of faith in Jesus Christ.
Connect(Her) | Nothing to Prove: A Study in the Gospel of John
Connect(her) is a gathering space for women of all ages and circumstances to deepen our relationship with Christ and one another through small-group conversation and prayer.
Engaging Spiritual Practices
Responding to God’s Call
God is always calling, inviting us to the inward journey of deepening relationship with Jesus and discovering our authentic selves, and beckoning us to the outward journey— to work with God and others as partners in God’s mission of creation, redemption, and restoration.
We are uniquely created by God, in this particular time and place, with particular talents and temperaments, skills, experiences, and passions to partner with God in building a more just and loving world. This 6-week journey focuses on affirming our skills, naming our passions, discovering spiritual gifts, and identifying personality types.
Upcoming Opportunities
Faith and Film Series
Starting May 13, 7 – 10 pm
Register now!
Summer Institute
Sundays from June 5–26
Registration is open now!
Open Door Community Group
Sundays, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Coffee and Conversations, ongoing through May 12
Register now!
Contact
Michelle Vecchio-Lyzenga
Associate Pastor for Christian Formation
[email protected]