Highland Park United Methodist Church Fellowship Class: Recent Episodes
HPUMC Fellowship
All Class Members have answered God’s call and, through the guidance of The Holy Spirit, will achieve their full potential as active Disciples for Christ. As a result, we will change the world and continue to support each other through the joys and hardships of life.
From the website: "Because family takes care of family. This is what West Dallas teaches me."
A truly inspiring story of God's grace, mercy and healing from speakers who have served the community and HPUMC
Perspectives from a successful career in the Oil and Gas industry, as well as an IT professional.
She built a career in global development working with the World Health Organization and other government partners to strengthen health, education, and economic development across 25+ countries. Then she went back to divinity school.
Updates on numerous court cases involving religious freedoms, including some that have come before the Supreme Court.
This service was established by John Wesley in 1775 to be an annual opportunity for focused self-examination, reflection, repentance and dedication for the purpose of renewing our covenant with God.
The series about Solomon's teachings concludes on an interesting turn, focusing more precisely on our relationship with God as opposed to more verses on practical ethics.
I’ve observed the task which God has given the sons of man to be concerned with: He made everything beautiful in its time; He’s also put an enigma into their minds so that man cannot comprehend what God has done from beginning to end. Thus, I perceived there is nothing better for them to rejoice and do good in his life. Indeed, every man who eats and drinks and finds satisfaction in all his labor – this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:10-13
C. S. Lewis once explained that a miracle is something unique that breaks a pattern so expected and established, we hardly consider the possibility that it could be broken.
Historical context to the current debate over homosexuality in The Methodist Connection.
Historical context to the current debate over homosexuality in The Methodist Connection.
How Paul, Luther, Calvin and Wesley Understood the Human Side of the Faith Equation and What do We Mean by Arminianism
How Grace Was Understood by Paul, Luther and Wesley including Prevenient Grace, Justification and Sanctification
Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven, and our Brains: How Growing Up Turns Seeing into the Precondition for Believing
Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven, and our Brains: How Growing Up Turns Seeing into the Precondition for Believing
This service was established by John Wesley in 1775 to be an annual opportunity for focused self-examination, reflection, repentance and dedication for the purpose of renewing our covenant with God.
Part one of a series based on the book, “The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent”.
Perspective from the founder of the only 100% privately funded charity healthcare clinic in Dallas, providing medical and dental services to underserved individuals in Dallas and beyond.
We know it well. We repeat it by rote, often without thinking about what it means. We say, “I believe…”, but do we truly believe every line and phrase? Bring your questions.
Describing the path from leading mission trips with her husband, to Perkins, to staff positions at HPUMC, to First UMC-Dallas, and back to HPUMC.
Revelation 19-22
What do you learn here about Jesus? What do you learn about God’s intention for His people?
What does this magisterial and mysterious book say to us right now? What truth does it show us about God and the world and about His justice and mercy? How does this inspired letter to believers direct us to live?
The story of the dedicated efforts over the years in West Dallas, and the future need for service there.
Featuring the leader of a national network of professional Christian women committed to faith, family, work and each other.
"What the Bible Says About Growing Older, and the Exciting Potential for this Season of Life"
“Life goes all too fast. Let’s purpose to finish well so that our life will bear witness with our Lord Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 12.1,2)
“Investing in the soil leads to healthy plants. Investing in the soul leads to healthy people."
James said, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds”. Why would he say that? Maybe he’s trying to tell us God does His best work when we’re in our darkest hours and there are just some things….only a trial can do.
What's your new post-Easter Call?
How are you, yourself, resurrected to new love, new service, new sacrifice on behalf of the Resurrected Savior?
If you live it out each and every day moving forward, powered by the Holy Spirit, you'll enter newness in Christ which will revolutionize your life!
John 13: 34-35
It's easy to love the lovable, isn't it?
But how about those who hate you, put you down, purposely ignore you? And how do we actively love a stranger? Care for them?
And what about those we'll never physically meet but care about mightily?
Christ's love is our guide, and as disciples we are called to love as He loved. Let's talk about how to do that best!
“Let the Power of Christ propel you . . . .”
John 15: 1-8
As you know, you and your life are a vital part of the Body of Christ. How you use that privilege each and every day to serve the Lord is essential to His Kingdom coming to this earth!
Context and perspective on the cultural and Jewish religious establishment during the ministry of Jesus and leading up to His crucifixion.
Second in the series.
Suggested reading for those of us who want to dig deeper into St. Augustine: Augustine and Science, Edited by John Doody, Adam, Golstein, Kim Paffenroth, Lexington Books. The Biologos website is also suggested: https://biologos.org
Finally, the recorded sermons from HPUMC's Kerygma are another very rich resource. There isn’t an easy way to filter by preacher and subject, so you’ll need to scroll through the archived pages to see what most interests you. Happy browsing!
https://www.hpumc.org/sermons/speakers/rev-walt-marcum
An overview of St. Augustine’s teaching that God speaks to us two ways (i.e., the “Two Books”), referring to Scripture and Nature or the created world. Since God can’t and wouldn’t contradict Himself, if we see contradictions, that is simply a reflection of where our human understanding is incomplete.
Discussion of the book Present Comfort, described by Methodism's Bishop Janice Huie: "Present Comfortis a rich exploration of the sacred space of grief . . . With deep spiritual insight and her own personal experience, (the author) leads her readers through the 'valley of the shadow' into the bright hope of God's love, joy, and new life."
Is forgiveness of those who have wronged us a suggestion or a command?
Is forgiveness conditional on repentance, or is it a matter of grace? Who benefits most when you forgive someone, you or the person you are forgiving?
An overview of the church's Impact Ministry, what's happening, and how you might get involved if interested
An expansion on the presentation "A Father's Day Perspective on Intergenerational Issues" from 6/20/21.
An interactive conversation on matters of faith and family with four young couples who are members of the Knot Class, which is a generation removed from us.
Our speakers lead the class in selections from their famous Christmas songbook, which they have compiled over several decades.
ANGELS have to be one of the iconic symbols of Christmas... and yet... what do we really know about them, or the circumstances surrounding their coming? What do we believe today? What does the Bible tell us about them? DOES an angel get it's wings "...every time a bell rings?"
This Advent, we’re taking a page from one of the key symbols of Christmas—the tree—tracing this theme through the story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible actually compares humans to trees a lot! In fact, aside from God and humans, trees are mentioned more in the Bible than any other living thing. You’d be hard-pressed to find a major story of the Bible that doesn’t have a tree present in some form, whether that be mention of a seed, branch, fruit, stump, root, vine, or some other tree-related word. And when Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, trees, seeds, and fruit were his go-to metaphors. So, we'll break down how trees are used in the Bible, stopping at some key points along the way.
Introduction to Our Study - What the Book of Proverbs Is,
Its Purpose, When and By Whom It Was Written, and Why It
Has Great Value for Us.
Faith journey and perspectives on the relationship with historic St. Luke Community Church.
Second in the series: Some straight talk about the class formation and core principles dating back to the founding of the Fellowship Class 36 years ago.
FRAN AND DON'S THlNGS TO PONDER
from Fellowship Class teaching, September 2021 From Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning:
"When we cannot change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves!"
"The last of the human freedoms we have is how we respond to any given set of circumstances [no matter how dire!]."
"Those who have a 'why" to live can bear with almost any 'how."
From Paul Tillich, Dynamics of Faith: (what we called "Big G, little g"):
What he described as God or the god of your life is whatever is "the object of ultimate concern in your life ....
which promises total fulfillment and offers complete satisfaction
even if all else in your life goes away."
And so....who, Who or what, What is the God or god of your life? (That's easy to name, if you'll just be completely honest about what in your life makes you completely happy even though it/they are all you have.)
Our faith demands all of us to be centered on it- body, mind, soul, spirit -now and forever, our emotions and feelings, both conscious and unconscious, ego, superego, etc. - and encompasses our decisions, choices, behaviors, promises, and follow-through - with total fulfillment and complete satisfaction.
Who/what is the God/god of your life right now? And do you live out that ultimate concern each and every day?
From Leon Kass on the meaning of God's word "good" in Genesis 1: "A being is good insofar as it is fully formed and fully fit to do its proper work...Precisely in the same sense that man is in the image of God, man is not yet "good" - not determinate, finished, completed, or perfect. It remains to be seen whether [each person] will be able to complete himself (or be completed).............................................................................. Man is capable enough of deviating widely** from the way for which he is most suited or through which he - and the world around him -will most flourish." Leon Kass, The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis, p.39.
FELLOWSHIP CORE BIBLE VERSES Acts 20:24 - "I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." [give God glory]
Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives within me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me." [let Christ live through me]
Romans 12 - the entire chapter, especially vs. 6 ff: "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them." Verses 9-21 spell out the ways we can interact with others with Christian love.
John 5:19-20, 30b - "Truly, truly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does likewise." And, remembering that when Jesus was on Earth He was fully human with His own strong will, "I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent Me." Can the same be said of each of us?f
Philippians 1:27,2:5-8,12-13 - "Only let your manner of life be worthy of he gospel of Christ... standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel...Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality of God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being found in human form, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death upon a cross...Therefore, my beloved,...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
Philippians 1:6 -- "And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion."
"Blest Be the Tie That Binds":
Foundational Principles of the Fellowship Class
What Does 'Christian Love' Mean, Anyway??"
It's one thing to circle up and sing it;
The question is, "Can we actually LIVE it as God asks us to?"
Part 2: The Modern Synthesis and the history of the conflict, including major events such as the famous Scopes Monkey Trials and reactions of both the scientific and faith communities.
In our Faith Journey, sometimes we have to deal with what might seem like an inconsistency between the Bible vs. science, for example Biblical Creation vs Evolution. How do we understand and reconcile these issues? Are we armed to discuss this with our children, grandchildren and friends?
A discussion of the consequences of fatherlessness internationally and across cultures, including here in the US.
In this highly informative and thought provoking presentation we: * Understand the factors that influence the values of those younger and/or older than themselves. * Discuss characteristics of the emerging Homelander generation. * Garner a generational perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our speaker shares how choice and commitment helped her to create the family she always wanted --- “A Heart Family”
Our speaker shares how choice and commitment helped her to create the family she always wanted --- “A Heart Family”
From our speaker: "My paternal grandmother is the inspiration for who I am today. She encouraged me towards authentic worship and to be in community with people of various backgrounds. If she were alive today to view my life and our world, what would she be in prayer for? Would she be pleased with the progress our world has made in the area of equity or would she be surprised...or both?"
From our speaker:
"My paternal grandmother is the inspiration for who I am today. She encouraged me towards authentic worship and to be in community with people of various backgrounds. If she were alive today to view my life and our world, what would she be in prayer for? Would she be pleased with the progress our world has made in the area of equity or would she be surprised...or both?"
Continuing the series on Exploring the Pandemic’s Effect on our Health and Coping Capabilities.
Continuing the series on Exploring the Pandemic’s Effect on our Health and Coping Capabilities
Continuing the series on "Exploring the Pandemic’s Effect on our Health and Coping Capabilities."
Continuing the series on "Exploring the Pandemic’s Effect on our Health and Coping Capabilities."
Based on Psalm 119:59 - “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”
For many centuries, Lent has been a time for Christians to examine themselves in the light of scripture (Jesus' sacrifice and then his triumphant resurrection), to engage in repentance, and to experience renewal through the Holy Spirit. Let's think together about what biblical Christian self-knowledge looks like and encourage each other together.
Based on Psalm 119:59 - “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.”
For many centuries, Lent has been a time for Christians to examine themselves in the light of scripture (Jesus' sacrifice and then his triumphant resurrection), to engage in repentance, and to experience renewal through the Holy Spirit. Let's think together about what biblical Christian self-knowledge looks like and encourage each other together.
Focus on understanding prayer not just as a Christian “practice” or something we just “do” as part of our Christian life, but as of way of “being,” as the basic way of living out our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Focus on understanding prayer not just as a Christian “practice” or something we just “do” as part of our Christian life, but as of way of “being,” as the basic way of living out our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
These last few weeks we have examined prayer as a way of being, prayer as a relationship rather than ritual and have heard inspiring stories from fellow class members about their personal prayer journeys.
These last few weeks we have examined prayer as a way of being, prayer as a relationship rather than ritual and have heard inspiring stories from fellow class members about their personal prayer journeys.
Three areas to help us make our prayer time about the relationship, not just a ritual: (1) understand the purpose of prayer, (2) remove the hindrances to prayer, and (3) embrace the impact of prayer.
Three areas to help us make our prayer time about the relationship, not just a ritual: (1) understand the purpose of prayer, (2) remove the hindrances to prayer, and (3) embrace the impact of prayer.
How we can take a more “hope-full” approach to pandemic living in 2021, by deepening and strengthening our prayer life.
First in a five-part series.
How we can take a more “hope-full” approach to pandemic living in 2021, by deepening and strengthening our prayer life.
First in a five-part series.
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 10:39
Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 10:39
The Unexpected, Extraordinary, Scandalous, Challenging and Utterly Wonderful Humility of Jesus
The Unexpected, Extraordinary, Scandalous, Challenging and Utterly Wonderful Humility of Jesus
Personal and professional impacts of a prominent Dallas businessman's journey with Christ.
Lessons from King David’s last days and a recap of the themes from the class retreat earlier in the year.
Lessons from King David’s last days and a recap of the themes from the class retreat earlier in the year.
An interview with journalist and former ABC News religion correspondent Peggy Wehmeyer.
An interview with journalist and former ABC News religion correspondent Peggy Wehmeyer.
Fellowship again joins the First Light and In His Step classes for the third in the series. The conclusion focuses on “Reaching the Hard to Reach” - friends, children, seekers, antagonists, and how to "plant the seed."
Fellowship again joins the First Light and In His Step classes for the third in the series. The conclusion focuses on “Reaching the Hard to Reach” - friends, children, seekers, antagonists, and how to "plant the seed."
Fellowship joins the First Light and In His Step classes for the first in a series of lessons.
Fellowship joins the First Light and In His Step classes for the first in a series of lessons.
Either God is particularly present in the wilderness or human beings are hard-wired to find God in the frail space outside the comfort of day-to-day life. As Union has carved a path in the wilderness of social enterprise, the woods of millennial culture and now the COVID landscape, we have become particularly attuned to the ways that God refines us and church in these times. By exploring Union’s past and present wilderness moments, the Fellowship Class will consider a robust theology for navigating unexpected challenges with humor, joy and room for a couple tears along the way. We may even peer around the corner to see how God may shape us through pandemic resilience.
Either God is particularly present in the wilderness or human beings are hard-wired to find God in the frail space outside the comfort of day-to-day life. As Union has carved a path in the wilderness of social enterprise, the woods of millennial culture and now the COVID landscape, we have become particularly attuned to the ways that God refines us and church in these times. By exploring Union’s past and present wilderness moments, the Fellowship Class will consider a robust theology for navigating unexpected challenges with humor, joy and room for a couple tears along the way. We may even peer around the corner to see how God may shape us through pandemic resilience.
Part 2 of the series titled Life After the Pandemic in a Post-Racist/Politically Conflicted Culture
Part 2 of the series titled Life After the Pandemic in a Post-Racist/Politically Conflicted Culture
The series is titled Life After the Pandemic: Why Every Christian is Now a “Startup”. The first lesson Preparing for “The Little Ice Age” will introduce the idea that the novel coronavirus is not just something for individual Christians to “get through” for a few days or weeks; but rather an economic and cultural blizzard, winter, and beginning of a “little ice age” – a once-in-a-lifetime change that is likely to affect our lives for years. How does this change our lives as Christians and how do we prayerfully consider a new way of living in the post-pandemic culture?
The series is titled Life After the Pandemic: Why Every Christian is Now a “Startup”. The first lesson Preparing for “The Little Ice Age” will introduce the idea that the novel coronavirus is not just something for individual Christians to “get through” for a few days or weeks; but rather an economic and cultural blizzard, winter, and beginning of a “little ice age” – a once-in-a-lifetime change that is likely to affect our lives for years. How does this change our lives as Christians and how do we prayerfully consider a new way of living in the post-pandemic culture?