The First and Third Monday Morning Bible Study for Women has begun its “Spring Semester.” Marie Mainard O’Connell and Jeannie Ford are co-leading a study of The Beatitudes for Today by James Howell. This book is part of the “For Today” series, written by experts who are committed to providing engaging means to study texts and practices that are familiar to laity in churches. In this volume James Howell leads us on an exploration of the Beatitudes. In this study he considers each of the well-known phrases in these passages from Matthew (“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” etc.) and creatively applies Jesus’ teachings to our contemporary world and Christian lives today. The study meets on the first and third Monday mornings of each month, with the following schedule:
- February 6: Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2 (“What Jesus Didn’t Say” and “What Jesus Did Say”) – Marie Mainard O’Connell
- February 20: Chapters 3 & 4 (“Why It Matters Who Said These Words” and “Blessed”) – Jeannie Ford
- March 6: Chapters 5 & 6 (“Poor in Spirit” and “Those Who Mourn”) – Marie Mainard O’Connell
- March 27: Chapters 7 & 8 (“The Meek” and “Hunger and Thirst”) – Jeannie Ford
- April 3: Chapters 9 & 10 (“Merciful” and “Pure in Heart”) – Marie Mainard O’Connell
- April 17: Chapters 11 & 12 (“Peacemakers” and “Persecuted”) – Jeannie Ford
- May 1: Chapter 13 & 14 (“Saints and Heroes” and “Presence of the Future”) – Marie Mainard O’Connell
The chapters in the study book are not long and they are very “readable.” Books will be available in the church office for $10.00 each. This group meets 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. in Second Hall. Please contact Jeannie Ford (jeannieford@secondpreslr.org, 227-0000) or Marie Mainard O’Connell (mariemo@secondpreslr.org, 227-0000) if you have question about this upcoming study. All women are invited and welcome to join us for this time of fellowship and biblical exploration.