Growing Together Wednesdays

Wednesdays at First Pres

No matter where you are on your faith journey, we have something for you on Wednesday evenings at First Pres. We call them Growing Together Wednesdays, or GTW, because we want you to grow in discipleship. We have offerings for kids and students to make friends and learn. Stop by between 5 and 6 p.m. for fellowship time with beverages and cookies!

Daytime Discipleship Opportunities

Wednesdays, September 2 – October 7 | 3:30-5 p.m.


An In-depth Study of the Cross of Christ

Pat Hartsock

The purpose, position, and power of the Cross in our lives as believers. Topics include substitutionary atonement, the conquest of Satan and evil, the justification of believers, the ultimate love of God, and the Lord's Supper.

Deuteronomy and the Constitution after 250 Years

Jeff McCrory

Begins September 9. Deuteronomy is Israel's founding document, summing up the story from Genesis to Numbers and setting the course for God's people from Joshua to Kings. We will read it as a constitutional document and reflect on the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers.

Genesis: Past and Prologue

Jim Edwards

The first book of the Bible sets the stage for the whole story. Genesis introduces the major theological themes resolved in the gospel of Jesus Christ: sin, salvation history, covenant, the sending of God's Son, the Trinitarian nature of God, and substitutionary atonement.

Lessons on Faith and Life from the Book of Ezra

Dave Freehling

How do you prosper as a believer in a society hostile to your faith? After 70 years of captivity, God called Ezra to return to Jerusalem and rebuild. Despite lost hope and hostile opposition, God's people ventured forth in faith and accomplished something extraordinary. Bring a Bible with an Old Testament.

The Invitation of a Lifetime

Mateen Elass

What did an invitation from Jesus look like among the people he encountered, and what might it look like in our lives today? We will walk through key passages in the four Gospels to discover what kind of life Jesus is inviting us to, and what RSVPing to that invitation entails.

Why God Became Man

Junior McGarrahan

An exploration of St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation with accompanying passages from the Gospel of John. The format is engaged discussion, and reading is highly encouraged. The book is available from Amazon, or free online through Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive.

Evening Discipleship Opportunities

Wednesdays, September 2 – October 7 | 6:15-8 p.m.


2 Peter: A Men's Study

John Moe

Reflecting on the Second Letter of Peter and how we can trust Scripture, using a six-session video study by Pastor Kyle Idleman. Our culture is filled with voices that lead us away from the truth of God. How do we avoid false teaching and live lives that conform more and more to the image of Christ?

An In-depth Study of the Cross of Christ

Pat Hartsock

The purpose, position, and power of the Cross in our lives as believers. Topics include substitutionary atonement, the conquest of Satan and evil, the justification of believers, the ultimate love of God, and the Lord's Supper.

Daughters of the King: A Women's Study

Wendy Chase

Runs fall and winter, 14 weeks. Biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland invites you into the world of Jesus, exploring the lives of the women who encountered Him in powerful and life-changing ways. Gain a richer understanding of Scripture and deepen your connection to Jesus. Workbook cost is $25.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

Linda Boyles

6-8 p.m., 8 weeks. To feel is to be human. To minimize or deny what we feel distorts what it means to be image bearers of God. Pete Scazzero unpacks core biblical principles to guide you into lasting, beneath-the-surface transformation in your relationship with Christ. Purchase the three-book pack at Amazon.

Free of Me: A Women's Study

Suzanne Gradin

We live in a culture that is all about self, becoming the best "me" I can be instead of becoming like Jesus. Sharon Hodde Miller invites us into a bigger, Jesus-centered vision that restores our freedom and inspires us to live for more. Discover a purpose bigger than "project me."

The Incline Evening Fellowship

Sara Wilkerson

5-7:45 p.m. An evening gathering for young families, meeting earlier to accommodate bedtimes. We will study Raising Emotionally Strong & Worry-Free Kids by Sissy Goff and David Thomas. Expect lively conversation, real-life scenarios, and community with others in a similar life stage. Teaching starts around 5:30 p.m.

The Invitation of a Lifetime

Mateen Elass

What did an invitation from Jesus look like among the people he encountered, and what might it look like in our lives today? We will walk through key passages in the four Gospels to discover what kind of life Jesus is inviting us to, and what RSVPing to that invitation entails.

Union With Christ

Jeff Sperry and Malcolm McQueen

The beautiful truth that believers are spiritually united with Christ as He dwells in us and we dwell in Him. We will explore Scripture, discuss theology, contemplate art, listen to music, practice lectio divina, and celebrate communion, all to better understand with the head and more deeply experience with the heart the beauty of life in Christ.

GTW Kids & Youth

Wednesdays, January 14 – February 25

We have offerings for kids and students to make friends and also to learn!


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Nursery

6-8:15 p.m.

Infants through kindergartners enjoy our fun and safe Nursery rooms with loving caregivers.
No registration needed.

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GTW Kids

6-8 p.m. 3rd-floor Gym

1st through 5th graders to focus on deepening their faith and relationship with God in a small group and a discipleship-focused program.

Register Now!
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Youth Group

6-8 p.m.

6th-12th graders meet at the Weber Street Center for At the Table, an intentional time where the youth gather for dinner, fellowship, and Bible study.
No registration needed.

Kids Choir

5-6 p.m., every Wednesday on the 3rd Floor

Kid’s Choir at First Pres kicks back off beginning September 3. students will explore classic and modern worship styles. This choir will encourage 1st-5th graders in their musical development while growing in faith together. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for this new addition to our Kid’s and Worship ministries!

Register Your Kids!

Sanctuary Choir

6:15-8 p.m., every Wednesday in the Adult Choir Room

The Sanctuary Choir welcomes all who love to sing and praise God through worship. We enjoy singing a wide variety of music, not only for weekly worship services, but also for concert settings during the special seasons of the year. Led by our Sanctuary Worship Lead, Chris Owenby, this community of all ages enthusiastically prepares music and leads worship while gaining a depth of understanding of Scripture through music.

Brass Ensemble

4:30-5:30 p.m., every Wednesday

The First Pres Brass Ensemble is open to experienced adult and advanced high school brass players. This group performs in worship and seasonal activities September through May. Contact Steve Hock at 719-488-9791 or stephenhock@comcast.net for further information.

Fall Lecture Series: Life Together

Wednesdays, October 21 – November 11 | 6:15 p.m.

Worship Center

Our Fall Lecture Series supports the final sermon series on the Book of Romans. In the final chapters of Romans, Paul writes about how we live in a community of believers as we “present our bodies as a living sacrifice.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about this in Life Together, and reflecting on his teaching is the core of this series. We will be reminded of the necessity of Christian community, the Christo-centric nature of our relationships, and the spiritual practices that nurture our life together. Fellowship Hour runs from 5-6 p.m. with a light supper served for $8. The lecture begins at 6:15 p.m.

Lecture 1: Oct 21

Community

Christian community is a gift of grace

Speaker: Mateen Elass

Lecture 2: Oct 28

The Day With Others

Shared spiritual practices shape community life

Speaker: Jeff McCrory

Lecture 3: Nov 4

The Day Alone

Solitude is necessary for the community

Speaker: Jim Edwards

Lecture 4: Nov 11

Ministry

Service to one another expresses true community

Speaker: Tim McConnell

Recommended RightNow Media Studies

Find recommended studies by clicking the First Pres Church tab on the RightNow Media app. Own your faith by leading yourself and those close to you through a RightNow Media study. As an active participant of the First Pres community, you have full access to RightNow Media, an online and on-demand library of Bible studies and videos for kids, students, parents, married couples and more. This service is offered for free to our congregation. To register for RightNow Media, follow this link: rightnowmedia.org. If you have any questions, please contact Ina Meyer at imeyer@firstprescos.org or at 719-884-6117.

Contact Ina Register

2026 Lecture Series Audio

Jesus and the Jews

Speaker: Mateen Elass

Feb 25


Hebrews and Hellenists

Speaker: Tim McConnell

Mar 4


Whose Story Is the Bible?

Speaker: Jeff McCrory

Mar 11


A Christian Witness to Jews

Speaker: Jim Edwards

Mar 18




2025 Lecture Series Audio

What Do Humans Want?

Pastor Tim McConnell

October 29


The Drama of Disordered Desires

Junior McGarrahan

November 5


The Discipline of Desire

Jim Edwards

November 12


WHAT IS CONVERSION?

Pastor Tim McConnell

March 12


SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS

Speaker: Mateen Elass

March 19


MEETING JESUS IN THE GOSPELS

Speaker: Jim Edwards

April 2


CONVERSION TESTIMONIES TODAY

Host: Michael Thornton

April 9




2024 Lecture Series Audio

Martin Luther

Pastor Tim McConnell

October 16


Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Pastor Jim Edwards

October 23


C. S. Lewis

Brad Hale

October 30


Amy Carmichael

Pastor Junior McGarrahan

November 6

Work Entry

Fall 2026 | GTW Session 1 Class Sign-Up