MIDWEEK INFO
MidWeek Dinner
Join us for our dinner in the Fellowship Hall each Wednesday evening from 5:15–6:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on the fun and fellowship! All are welcome, even if you are not in a small group or another ministry opportunity. $8 per adult • $5 per child (under 12) • $25 per family maximum Please assist us in being good stewards of our resources by registering for the MidWeek meal each week you plan to attend. Registering ahead of time allows us to prepare the proper amount of food, and can be done easily online and all at once if you wish. Go to briarwood.org/dinner and fill out the online form, or call 776-5238. Register no later than Tuesday at noon prior to the Wednesday you plan to attend. Thank you!
Adult Classes & Studies
Wednesday night offers many new and exciting small group studies, so find the best fit for you and jump in! All ministry opportunities start at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Contact Eric Reebals for more information at 776-5338 or ereebals@briarwood.org.
Children and Youth Activities
Our Children and Youth will find activities designed just for them during MidWeek. Contact the Children’s Ministry at 776-5526 or pdollar@briarwood.org. Contact the Youth Ministry at 776-5269 or k.smith@briarwood.org.
Nursery
Be sure your nursery-age children have the best possible care by making reservations as soon as possible. Reservations can be made easily online on the Briarwood App, at briarwood.org/nursery, or by calling 776-5214. Please be sure the Nursery knows what study or class you are in each week.
EVANGELISM TRAINING
Personal Evangelism: The Bridge to Life
Olan Stubbs & Eric Reebals, FH E & F • Come investigate how to share your faith using “The Bridge to Life.” This training includes weekly class time as well as on-the-job training, contacting members of our community and answering their questions as they answer ours. Contact Leigh Ann Reese 776-5301, lreese@briarwood.org.
COMMUNITY STUDIES
CO-ED STUDIES
Be of Sound Mind
Ray Tucker, M202 • Does the Bible discuss mental health? Does it give us insights into how to address struggles like anxiety, addictions, anger, discontentment, depression, and the like with the truth of God? This study will explore how the Bible equips, encourages, and empowers us to face these challenges through the application of God’s eternal truth in real-life circumstances.
Warrior
Mike Wheeler, A105 • The Warrior series will continue to look at Spiritual warfare through the metaphorical lens of World War II. The 21st-century church is under assault by Satan, the world’s culture, and our own flesh. This fall, our lessons will focus on Jesus’ promised return in light of his messages to the churches at Ephesus, Laodicea, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Pergamum, Smyrna, and Sardis. Jesus’ messages of encouragement, exhortation, chastisement, commendation, and calls to repentance are relevant in the professing and true Church today. The battleground is real – but Jesus has promised that the “gates of Hell” will not prevail. His churches are the “lampstands”, that carry the light of the Gospel to a dying world.
Christianity Explored
Bobby Parks, G103 • 6:00 – 7:30. This course is for those who have questions about Christianity, especially those who are not yet Christian but who want to find out more about it. It is a 7-week discussion-oriented study of the gospel of Mark so you can investigate for yourself who is Jesus and what was his mission. You don’t need to bring anything with you, we will provide all the materials needed, including a copy of Mark’s gospel. We eat together at 6:00 and begin the study at 6:30.
BRIARWOOD WOMEN
The Attributes of God
Kristie Harrick, G103 • A.W. Pink states that “a spiritual and saving knowledge of God is the greatest need of every human creature.” “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you.” Job 22:21 Join us Wednesday evening as we unpack 10 ways that God is different from us. Each week we will explore one of God’s incommunicable attributes and ask the question, “Are we resting and rejoicing in this attribute of God or are we rivaling God in this area?” Recommended Books: None Like Him by Jen Wilkin and The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink
A Continuing Study in Genesis
Teresa Caldwell, M210 • We will delve into the lives of the patriarchs’ lives. Boice demonstrates how much they are like us and how easily we relate to them. Boice writes, “I trust that God will use their strengths and weaknesses, victories and failures, to guide you in the true path of discipleship and to strengthen your witness.” Required Book: Genesis: Volume 2: A New Beginning (Genesis 12-36) by James Montgomery Boice
CHILDREN & YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Infants Nursery (Up to 3 years old)
Nursery Hallway, 6:15–8:30 p.m. • Nursery reservations are required! Go to briarwood.org/nursery or call 776-5214.
CONNECT (K4–3rd grade)
Kid’s Auditorium, 6:30–8:00 p.m. • It is our desire for our children to connect to God through biblical teaching, to what God is doing in the world through missionary updates and stories, and to one another through fellowship and recreation. A parent must sign in their child.
IGNITE (4th–6th grade)
GYM, 6:30–8:00 p.m. • Ignite will have a time of Bible study, play games, have free play in the gym and hand out prizes! Drop off children in the Gym Lobby.
RAIDERS (7th & 8th grades)
The Barn, 6:30–8:00 p.m. • Raiders will continue their incredible MidWeek gatherings. Come and invite a friend. Parents, please pick up your Raider from The Barn parking lot at 8:00 p.m.
BYG (9th – 12th grades)
The Barn • 7:00–8:30 p.m. • BYG is a time for high school students to be challenged by God’s Word and to be equipped to impact others for Christ.
MINISTRY CLASSES
Adoption Connection
Carter Ralph, Bride’s Room (9/7, 10/5, 11/2) • This group ministers to families who have brought children into their homes via adoption, assists Briarwood families as they go through the adoption process, and promotes adoption within the church.
Chancel Choir & Briarwood Orchestra
Choir Room / Worship Center • Singers and instrumentalists, college age and up, join us as we prepare to lead God’s people in worship on Sundays, as well as prepare our Christmas program to be presented with a full orchestra. For more information, contact Penny Philley at pphilley@briarwood.org or 776-5229.
DivorceCare
Lance & Ruth Radbill, W203 • DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You will learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future.
ESL Classes
Caroline Brown, School Third Floor Lobby – E313 • Want to get involved in serving and welcoming internationals? Consider volunteering to help with our English class! From putting up signs and serving snacks to teaching or assisting in the classroom, we would be glad to have you join us! We train volunteers to teach and in how to welcome internationals well. Also, if you have a friend, neighbor, or co-worker looking for free English help- please let them know about our classes! Contact Caroline Brown at 776-5343 or cbrown@briarwood.org.
Financial Peace University
Dave & Linda Mace, A205 • Unwanted stress because of money issues? Do you want to save more, become debt free, start investing for retirement? Contact Dave Matthews for pricing and to register for class at dmatthews@briarwood.org
GriefShare
Mark Cushman, W202 • A 13-week seminar and support group for those who are grieving the death of a loved one. Each session includes a discussion based on video presentations dealing with grief. Participants are welcome to start attending any time during the quarter. Contact Tami Wells, 776-5227 or altadena@briarwood.org for more information. W202 is above the foyer to the Worship Center, next to the elevator. Cost: $15 for workbook.
New Focus
Chris Thompson, E003/005 • New Focus is an outreach of the Mercy Ministry that offers financial literacy for those who call for assistance and we also teach participants how to get and keep a job. Volunteers are needed to coach participants in applying the principles learned in class. Kevin Lott will lead a coaches’ informational meeting at the same time as the participants’ informational meeting on September 7 then regular classes will begin on September 14.
Pastor’s Inquiry Class
Harry Reeder, A201 • Like to find out more about Briarwood Presbyterian Church? Are you interested in church membership? This class explores: Connecting to Christ, What is a Christian; Connecting to the Church, What is the Church; and Connecting to Briarwood, What is Briarwood? If you are interested or want more information, please contact Wendy Long at wlong@briarwood.org or 776-5208.
Prayer for our Church
Joyce Ann Jackson, Prayer Room • Join us as we spend time in prayer for Briarwood Church and its ministries. God has been so faithful to our congregation and we want to spend this time acknowledging His goodness and lifting up the many ministry opportunities all over the world. Focusing on the spiritual vitality of prayer in the life of the believers, revival throughout our land and learning how to pray as Jesus taught His disciples will be our goal.
Sign Language Beginner Class
S205 • Our goal is to learn 400 signs (with daily practice), to be introduced to deaf culture, and be able to communicate using basic signs.
Sign Language Intermediate Class
S207 • This class builds on the Beginner class. Our goal is to learn 400 additional signs (with daily practice) and increase exposure to and communication with the deaf community.
Sign Language Intermediate Class
S209 • This class builds on the Intermediate I class. Our goal is to learn 400 additional signs (with daily practice) and increase exposure to and communication with the deaf community.
Sign Language Religious Interpreting
S203 • This class builds on the Beginner, Intermediate I, and Intermediate II classes. Our goal is to learn 1) religious signs (with daily practice), 2) practical interpreting techniques using expressive and receptive skills in a class room and “real time” setting, and 3) increase exposure to and have communications with the deaf community.
BIRMINGHAM THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CLASSES
Christ and Culture
Ike Reeder, A201 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. • The Christ and Culture course will explore a biblical theology of culture from a Reformed perspective. It will first survey the general development of cultural studies in the modern era, then introduce a biblical perspective on culture. It will next explore and evaluate different models of Christian cultural engagement and develop a biblical response to these models. Particular attention will be given to the application of cultural analysis and the concepts of contextualization and appropriation in ministry and vocation.
Counseling in the Local Church I / Lay Counseling I
Dr. Stephen Cloud, A209 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. • Counseling in the Local Church I/Lay Counseling I & Practical Ministry Training is a two-semester course that began in the fall. It not only equips you to begin counseling at the lay level, but it builds your knowledge base to more effectively conduct personal ministry whether over the fence, over coffee, or in various roles in the church. This is also a great opportunity to see if the Lord may direct you to become active in the counseling ministry. Visitors are welcome, but classroom space is limited. Contact Tami Wells or Julie Olmedo at 776-5281, or altadena@briarwood.org, for more details.
Preachers and Preaching
Harry Reeder, A202 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. • The Preachers and Preaching class will explore the topic: “What is Reformed Preaching?” It will cover the following questions from a reformed perspective: What is biblical preaching? What are the components of biblical preaching? How is a biblical sermon planned and executed? What are the primary hallmarks of reformed preaching? These questions will be answered through biblical study and by reading and reviewing historic sermons delivered over the span of historic Christendom, from sermons recorded in the Bible, to Augustine, to the reformers, and to the modern area.