Learning Communities
Do you have questions? What are you struggling with this week? What is your spiritual health like right now?
At Zion/Peter's Porch, we are learners, who are passionate about Jesus and His mission. We invite you to join us in a process of learning, growing, and maturing in faith. Like following a path that has been walked before, we follow the wisdom and practices of other faithful disciples who learned by walking in the footsteps of the master, Jesus.
This page provides opportunities for connection to the learning communities we have developed to support the journey of faith. We hope you enjoy the gift and opportunity to learn more about God and God's world.
At Zion/Peter's Porch, we are learners, who are passionate about Jesus and His mission. We invite you to join us in a process of learning, growing, and maturing in faith. Like following a path that has been walked before, we follow the wisdom and practices of other faithful disciples who learned by walking in the footsteps of the master, Jesus.
This page provides opportunities for connection to the learning communities we have developed to support the journey of faith. We hope you enjoy the gift and opportunity to learn more about God and God's world.
First and Third Sundays - Study Group (11:15 am)
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The Sunday Morning Learning Group will be studying Brian McLaren's book, "We Make The Road By Walking" beginning Sunday, September 29th at 11:15 am at Jennifer and Brian Frey's home at 623 Buchanan Drive, Ephrata. Following the 29th, we will plan to meet every first and third Sundays of the month.
As McLaren comments on this book "Christian faith is still “in the making”. It continues to grow, evolve, learn, change, emerge, and mature … in and through us. What we will be as Christians in the 21st century, for better or worse, will surely change what Christian faith will be in the 22nd century and beyond. So, with that in mind, I wanted to introduce people to a vision of the Christian faith and the biblical narrative not as a box, set in stone, and not as a parking lot (where we await the ferry to heaven), but as a road … that is extended into the future by all of us, walking forward in the Spirit together." Through scripture, reflection and discussion we will explore Christian faith and our own spirituality. Come join us as we walk wisely and joyfully into the future of our faith together, learning, growing and changing, journeying together to make the road. |
Wednesdays - Morning Meditation (Weekly, 8:15 am -9:30 am)
A contemplative learning community that practices meditation, listening, conversation with many voices and thought partners, and readings from sacred texts, and spiritual writers. Next study material being announced soon.
Racism Recovery and Resistance
We are in a cultural moment in which silence on matters of race and racism is not an option for a church in the public square. White church silence makes us complicit with systemic racism, bias, and racial inequity all around us. We are called to exercise a public, prophetic voice for change in our time. Jesus calls his church to love the neighbor, even love the enemy. We must stand against any unjust suffering that exists to oppress people because of their race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or health status.
We support the faith-based antiracism work of POWER Interfaith as a founding member congregation of POWER Interfaith Lancaster County. We take part in protests, rallies, and direct advocacy.
To learn more or to get involved in antiracism contact Pastor Matt at mlenahan74@gmail.com
We support the faith-based antiracism work of POWER Interfaith as a founding member congregation of POWER Interfaith Lancaster County. We take part in protests, rallies, and direct advocacy.
To learn more or to get involved in antiracism contact Pastor Matt at mlenahan74@gmail.com
Spiritual Gifts
"Spirit given gifts are special abilities that God gives every Christian to be used cooperatively for the strengthening of the body of Christ so that it might fulfill its purposes." -David Ewart, Spirit Given Gifts, 2008.
What gift and calling has God given you? Discover today. Download the PDF on the left and take the questionnaire.
What gift and calling has God given you? Discover today. Download the PDF on the left and take the questionnaire.
How can we teach our children to be faithful to God?
There are 168 hours in a week; If we subtract 70 hours for sleep and 40 hours for school, we are left with 48 hours a week. TV time accounts for another 24 hours a week! What will be more effective in raising faithful kids; One hour on Sunday or 23 hours at home? We have one shot with our kids. How will we use it?
FAITH 5 is about bringing church into the home. It’s a short daily practice that any family can implement.
FAITH 5 is about bringing church into the home. It’s a short daily practice that any family can implement.
- Share highs and lows for the day
- Read a bible story or verse
- Discuss how the bible connects to our highs and lows
- Pray for each other's highs and lows; pray for others.
- Bless each other with the sign of the cross.
Everyday Disciples: Living a God-centered Life 24/7
Being faithful to God means to recognize God's presence in the world.
God is not far away or inaccessible to you. God is near. God sees and hears you at all times.
God has spoken in ages past through the ancient prophets. Now God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth is God's message to the world. In the New Testament, Jesus' story is shared with the world. We can access God, the source and meaning of life, through Jesus.
Christians are people who have come to see and know God through Jesus, called the Christ. He was anointed as God's Son and was raised from the dead as a sign of God's power and promise to renew and restore a decaying world.
After he died, he was resurrected and appeared to his devoted followers. Then, he left. He said he was going to the Father. He said he would send an advocate, a helper, a spiritual guide. And the result was a gathering of inspired servants sent out to share His compassion, mercy, and grace with the world. He was gone and they were left behind. Over 2,000 years have past since the time of Jesus. As his people, the church shares his story. Church is a people who are coming to trust and believe that God is in Jesus Christ and that we are called to follow His way. His way is practiced by disciples who devote themselves to faithful living everyday. His way includes:
God is not far away or inaccessible to you. God is near. God sees and hears you at all times.
God has spoken in ages past through the ancient prophets. Now God speaks to us through His Son, Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth is God's message to the world. In the New Testament, Jesus' story is shared with the world. We can access God, the source and meaning of life, through Jesus.
Christians are people who have come to see and know God through Jesus, called the Christ. He was anointed as God's Son and was raised from the dead as a sign of God's power and promise to renew and restore a decaying world.
After he died, he was resurrected and appeared to his devoted followers. Then, he left. He said he was going to the Father. He said he would send an advocate, a helper, a spiritual guide. And the result was a gathering of inspired servants sent out to share His compassion, mercy, and grace with the world. He was gone and they were left behind. Over 2,000 years have past since the time of Jesus. As his people, the church shares his story. Church is a people who are coming to trust and believe that God is in Jesus Christ and that we are called to follow His way. His way is practiced by disciples who devote themselves to faithful living everyday. His way includes:
- Baptism
- Prayer and Meditation
- Keeping Sabbath
- Nonviolent Resistance to oppressive and unjust rule (peace-making)
- Feeding hungry people
- Forgiving sins
- Healing bodies
- Opposing religious authorities
- Telling stories
- Walking
- Weeping
- Identifying with women, children, and other vulnerable people
- Inviting others to come along
- Eating and Drinking, giving thanks
Visit Pastor Matt Lenahan's blog by clicking on the image.