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. $9 per adult • $6 per child (under 12) • $30 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 776-5305 or jstallings@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 – Starts at 6:00
Eric Reebals, A202 • 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
Olan Stubbs, G103 • Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Tertullian in the third century said, “Beautiful the marriage of Christians, two who are one in hope, one in desire, one in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice. They are both servants of the same Master. They are two in one flesh, and where there is one flesh there is also one Spirit.” Our goal is to help shape, from God’s Word, what a Christ-honoring marriage and family looks like and to practically show how we can strive to have one.
Warrior
Mike Wheeler, A105 • “The world is no friend to grace; our own flesh strives against the spirit; but ultimately, there is no man-hating enemy of the soul like Satan. Although he has no immediate power over the mind and soul of the believer, the devil knows how to use the world and how to play upon our fleshly propensities. He is the exquisite tempter; he knows how to snare souls and cause Christians to doubt the mercy of God.” -Thomas Brooks
The Warrior Series will continue to look at the Believer’s spiritual battle though the metaphorical lens of World War 2
Steven Willing, M200 • One of the strongest predictors of young people leaving the faith is premarital sexual involvement. Young people raised in the church know what the Bible teaches – many just don’t believe it. This course surveys the overwhelming evidence from medicine, psychology, and sociology that the Biblical paradigm of lifelong, heterosexual monogamy is the only sure pathway to human flourishing.
BRIARWOOD WOMEN
Colossians
Kristie Harrick & Elizabeth Bondurant, G101 • Join us as we study Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. In our study of Colossians, we will focus on the supremacy of Christ in both our salvation and our sanctification. We will encounter the heresies of ancient Colossae and recognize these same heresies seeking to gain a foothold in our own lives. Through the study of Colossians, we will continually be pointed towards the centrality of Christ as our Saviour and Lord.
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
BRIARWOOD MEN
Conquer Series, Battle to Overcome Lust
Joe Medlock, A205 • Men, join us as we explore some of the strongholds that keep men in bondage. This series offers proven principles and practical tools to help men live in victory over entangling sin. Whether you have a child, know a friend, or struggle yourself then this study will point you to God’s Word for the answers to how you can be conquers in and through the power of God’s Spirit. This study is for men 18 and up.
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
Counseling in the Local Church II/Lay Counseling II & Practical Ministry Training
(Starts 1/18) Dr. Howard Eyrich, A201 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. Counseling in the Local Church II/Lay Counseling II & 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. To receive credit for the course, you must have already taken Counseling in the Local Church I/Lay Counseling I. Contact Emily Hayes 205-776-5354, or emily@bts.education, for more details.
Adoption Connection
Carter Ralph, Bride’s Room (1/11, 2/8, 3/8, 4/19) • 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.
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.
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 January 11 then regular classes will begin on January 18.
Pastor’s Inquiry Class
Harry Reeder, A209 (1/18, 3/8, 5/3) • 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 II
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.