Connections

If you are looking for a church that provides fresh and relevant programming in an atmosphere of family and spiritual growth, then we hope you will consider Living Word as your family’s church!

You are invited to the Connection Lunch on the 4th Sunday of the month from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. Allow us to treat you to lunch while you meet the church staff and other prospective members!

All youth are encouraged to participate in the sessions with their family, and childcare is available for ages 10 and under.

In addition to our Connection Lunch, we offer Connection classes the first three Sundays of every month that cover the following topics:

1) What is Christianity?
2) What is United Methodism?
3) Who is Living Word?

To register for a Connection Lunch or New Member class, please contact Chris Shank, Director of Adult Ministries at cshank@livingwordumc.org.

Sunday School Studies

8:00 a.m. Sunday School
- Discipleship
Verse by verse Bible exploration & Christian discussion. Ongoing. All ages welcome!

9:15 a.m. Sunday School
- Open Door
Bible and book study format with Christian living focus, for adults of all ages and stages (mostly persons in 30's-50's) 

- Getting Out of the Boat
Sunday morning group for adults of all ages and stages, especially beginners. Visit us online at
www.gettingoutoftheboat.com.

- Active Faith
Bible and book study format with lots of fellowship for adults of all ages and stages of Christian growth.

- Connection Class (9:15 a.m. in May, July, September, November)
This class is for visitors and guests who are interested in learning about membership at Living Word, and culminates with the opportunity to take the vows of membership.
(1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays only)

10:45 a.m. Sunday School
- Christian Journey
Enjoy studies, discussions & social events. All are welcome!

- Fellowship Class
Follows a Cokesbury curriculum called Adult Bible Studies that is updated every quarter (adults mostly over 50).

- Connection Class (10:45 a.m. in June, August, October, December)
This class is for visitors and guests who are interested in learning about membership at Living Word, and culminates with the opportunity to take the vows of membership.
(1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays only)

Small Groups

The small group community at Living Word is as diverse as it is expansive! Our church is teaming with small groups, and there are many that remain continually open to your involvement! Our small groups are divided into what we call Affinity groups and Study Groups.

Affinity Groups

BRIDGES Group
BRIDGES (Busy Retirees Involved Doing God's Exciting Service) is a group of persons aged 50 or more serving God and our Living Word church family by ministering to people through service, prayer and fellowship. The BRIDGES senior adult group at Living Word is very active and has a full calendar of trips, luncheons, health classes and services. The group is growing by the month, and is a friendly environment for new people to join. Watch the Beacon and bulletins for the next event, or call Iris Koprivica at 636-391-8892 for more information about the next time you can join the activities!

Quilters
Every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. and on Thursday evenings during the summer at 7:00 p.m. in Room 209, the Quilters meet and work on their current project. Anyone who enjoys quilting and fellowship is invited to share their talent with this group of needle crafters.

Young Adults
If you’re interested in a young adults small group for study, friendship and fun, contact Chris Shank for more information at cshank@livingwordumc.org.

Covenant Groups
Small groups formed specifically for small circles of people looking for a safe place to share in confidentiality, pray for each other, and uphold each other in encouragement throughout the week.

ESP - Empowering Single Parents
If you are a single parent who feels the need for an alliance of parents who face similar challenges as solo strongholds in their family, ESP is here for you! ESP is a group of single parents who are interested in gathering together on a regular basis for studies, social gatherings, support, and service! Come share this wonderful opportunity to unite with others in a mission to honor God and provide the best care for your family and yourself that God has intended! To sign up or for more information contact Wendy Sain or Chris Shank at 636-821-2800

First Place Healthly Living
First Place is a 13-week Bible study/wellness program that focuses on healthy lifestyle choices and giving Christ first place in every area of our lives. Sessions are offered throughout the year. Call Merri Eklund at maeklund@charter.net for more information, or visit www.firstplace.org.

Study Groups

Stepping Up
Sundays: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Starting September 7.
Facilitator – Della Jenkins

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things

Mondays: 7:00-8:30 p.m. Starting September 8.

Facilitator – Traci Kelly

 

When Godly Poeple Do Ungodly Things

Tuesdays: 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. Starting September 11.

Facilitator – Wendy Sain

 

A Women's Heart

Tuesdays: 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Starting September 9.

Facilitator – Ann Lindemann

 

Stepping Up

Tuesdays: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Starting September 9.

Facilitator – Nancy Davis

 

Breaking Free

Wednesdays: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Starting September 3.

Facilitator – Jill Rector

Men on the Grow
Wednesday's, 6:00 - 6:45 a.m. Pastor Michael McIntyre facilitates this Wednesday morning Bible study.

Men for Christ
Friday’s, 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. at the Chesterfield Bread Co.  
Is there a disconnect in your faith life and your work life? Learn how God is calling you to have deep fulfillment and sustaining significance in your jobs and careers. For more information contact Todd Wahl 314-518-3172 or toddwahl@sbcglobal.net.

For questions about the groups listed or other group options please contact Chris Shank at cshank@livingwordumc.org.

Our Adult Ministries at Living Word exist to help strengthen the faith of adult believers and their families by providing opportunities for education and spiritual growth, fun and fellowship, and outreach to our community.  We believe that it is a principal of life that anything living ought always to be growing, and we do everything we can to foster an atmosphere of learning and loving by which growth in Christ is made possible.

Disciple Studies

Disciple classes are in depth 30-34 week Bible studies which meet weekly. Disciple 1 has to be taken first as an overview of the Bible, then any class can be taken thereafter. Disciple classes are closed once they begin. All require pre-registration. Watch for next year's schedule in summer 2009. Contact Director of Adult Ministries, Chris Shank at 636-821-2800 with any questions.

Disciple I - 34 weeks: overview of the Bible
Disciple II - 32 weeks: Genesis/Exodus, and Luke/Acts

Disciple III - 32 weeks: Old Testament prophets and Paul’s letters
Disciple IV - 32 weeks: the OT Writings (OT books), and John’s NT books
Disciple Next Generation - 30 weeks: Jesus and the Gospels
Christian Believer - 30 weeks: traditional doctrines and beliefs of Christianity

Men's Ministries

In our culture men have often been reduced to the over-male caricature of mindless brutes that are testosterone-ruled, sex-crazed, and who live only for selfishness and instant gratification.

Men Ministries stands to defy the world’s definition of a "Man’s Man" by countering this grotesque image. We do this with character of passionate followers of Jesus Christ who have taken up his cross to follow after the higher ideals of loving God, family, and serving the community in a way that radiates the love of Christ.

To this end Men’s Ministries offers a wide array of events and studies that help to promote spiritual growth and leadership skills that honor God. Studies and activities include:

• Retreats
• Men At the Cross conference
• Bible studies
• Prayer breakfasts

To learn more about our Men’s Ministry events, contact Dan Kraus at 636-938-9127.

Women's Ministries

Women's Council
This is a group of women who plan and promote spiritual growth opportunities for the women of the congregation by way of fellowship, Bible studies and conferences.

Mary/Martha Circle
Meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The focus of this circle is mission-outreach work. Their projects include support for United Methodist missions as well as local groups and individuals. The monthly meetings are interesting and informative. Please contact Barbara Steurer at 636-536-2183 for more information.

Quilters
Every Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. and on Thursday evenings during the summer at 7:00 p.m. in Room 209, the Quilters meet and work on their current project. Anyone who enjoys quilting and fellowship is invited to share their talent with this group of needle crafters.

Mother's Connection
Mothers' Connection is an outreach program for mothers of children of all ages to provide fellowship and support. Our membership includes members of many denominations. Our group meets every Thursday as follows:

  1st Thursday
We meet at Living Word from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. for fellowship and then 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for our book study. Childcare is available.
2nd Thursday
Our playgroups are generally held on the second Thursday of the month. In the past we have met at local parks, the pumpkin patch, Museum of Transport, and the Magic House.
3rd Thursday
We meet at Living Word from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. for fellowship and then 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for crafts and informational programs. In the past we enjoyed speakers on gardening, self-defense, and fire safety. Our crafts have included handmade cards, scrapbooking, gingerbread houses, and brag books. Childcare is available.
4th Thursday
We are excited that 2008-2009 is our fifth year for our Moms & Kids in Mission events. We feel it is never too early to help children understand Jesus' desire for us to help others. Our Moms & Kids in Mission events include even the youngest kids through events such as a baby shower for Nurses for Newborns, visits from pets to support Granite City Animal Shelter, making cards for sick and grieving children and adults, and collections for Epworth Children's Homes. Generally these events are held at Living Word on Thursday mornings.

We also hold Mom's Night Out events during the 4th week of the month. In the past we have shared fellowship with other moms by dining at restaurants or in members homes, cooking classes, movie nights and spa nights.

We are always eager to have new women join us! Even if you can only make one or two events each month, we would love to meet you. For more information, please contact Patty Durfee at
psedurfee@charter.net

 

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17315 Manchester Road, Wildwood, Mo 63038 * Main Phone: 636-821-2800 * Preschool Phone: 636-230-0089
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