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 also. Stop by between 5 and 6 p.m. for fellowship time with beverages and cookies!

Register For GTW Register for GTW Kids

Daytime Discipleship Opportunities

Wednesdays, September 3 – October 15 | 3:30-5 p.m.


Hebrews

Dave Freehling

The Epistle to the Hebrews explores and explains the total sufficiency of Jesus as Lord, Savior, and High Priest for us before God. One word to describe the book is “better:”better power, authority, and relationship to God than angels, a better sacrifice for sin, a better Priest than the Old Testament covenant could provide. “Ultimate” actually describes “better” better, because Jesus is God’s ultimate expression of His love and grace. This Fall session will cover the first eight chapters of Hebrews, with the remaining chapters (9-13) being considered in the Winter GTW session. Come think with us together on the wonder and glory of Jesus Christ the Lord!

Register

Personal Experience with God

Jeff McCrory

How can I experience God and not just know about him? The Bible teaches that God is present at every place and every time. This means that God is present in times of joy and contentment and in times of loss and lament. If that is so, how do we experience God’s presence? We will look at texts from the Old and New Testament where people experienced God present with them, and by doing so learn how we also can experience the same God.

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Soundings from the Works of C.S. Lewis

Mateen Elass

The depth of Lewis' thinking on many subjects is legendary. We will benefit from a deep dive into his thoughts on central Christian doctrines, and will close each class with a series of readings from some of his private writings that reveal a bit of his humor, wit and charity. Join us to have your mind and heart stretched by one of the great Christian writers of the 20th Century.

Register

When God Prayed

Pat Hartsock

We will look at the prayer life of Jesus, delve more deeply into Jesus and the Holy Spirit interceding for us and spend a concerted amount of time studying John 17.

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You Are Invited To…

Junior McGarrahan

The first disciples were invited by Jesus to follow him and when they said “Yes,” there were more invitations. Saying “Yes” to those additional offers were the key to growing as a follower of Jesus. Join us as we consider some of those invitations as together, we learn more about discipleship, reflecting on what it means to steward the gospel, extend compassion, to worship and to think rightly about God. How will these things help us to become “conformed to the image of Christ”?

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Evening Discipleship Opportunities

Wednesdays, September 3 – October 15 | 6:15-8 p.m.


Healing Past Traumas

Christie Lee

Traumas and day-to-day stressors can create survival patterns that inhibit healthy relationships with self, others and God. Goals of this workshop include discovering how to identify the traumas that led to patterns that have interfered with healthy relationships, learning new ways to break free of the old, outdated patterns.

Register

Hebrews

Dave Freehling

The Epistle to the Hebrews explores and explains the total sufficiency of Jesus as Lord, Savior, and High Priest for us before God. One word to describe the book is “better:”better power, authority, and relationship to God than angels, a better sacrifice for sin, a better Priest than the Old Testament covenant could provide. “Ultimate” actually describes “better” better, because Jesus is God’s ultimate expression of His love and grace. This Fall session will cover the first eight chapters of Hebrews, with the remaining chapters (9-13) being considered in the Winter GTW session. Come think with us together on the wonder and glory of Jesus Christ the Lord!

Register

Navigating Womanhood

Suzanne Gradin

Join other women as we talk through and learn about navigating the ups and downs of a woman’s life. Through a Biblical lens, we will explore topics such as body image, changing life stages, anxiety, hormonal changes, boundaries and more. Come join other women for frank conversation, tools to help work through life’s complexities, seasoned wisdom and biblical insights.

Register

Soundings from the Works of C.S. Lewis

Mateen Elass

The depth of Lewis' thinking on many subjects is legendary. We will benefit from a deep dive into his thoughts on central Christian doctrines, and will close each class with a series of readings from some of his private writings that reveal a bit of his humor, wit and charity. Join us to have your mind and heart stretched by one of the great Christian writers of the 20th Century.

Register

The Jesus People Movement

Brad Hale

In this class we will consider the Jesus People Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. We will think about where it came from, what it was, what it meant, and its relevance for today.

Register

True Religion

Bill Rhea

What is true religion? How has the church defined true Christianity in ages past? The lives and writings of saints of old will likely challenge the way we think and live our faith in modern times. We may be familiar with some and others — not so much. Prepare to be challenged by followers of Jesus like John Bunyan, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards and others!

Register

When God Prayed

Pat Hartsock

We will look at the prayer life of Jesus, delve more deeply into Jesus and the Holy Spirit interceding for us and spend a concerted amount of time studying John 17.

Register

GTW Kids & Youth

Wednesdays, January 15 – February 26

We have Wednesday activities and opportunities for your kids as well!


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Nursery

6-8:15 p.m.

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

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GTW Kids

6:15-8 p.m. 3rd floor Gym

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

Try Alpha at First Pres

September 10 – November 5 | 6-8 p.m.

Alpha is a series of discussions which include a meal, a video and small group discussion. Alpha explores questions like, “Who is Jesus?” and “Why did Jesus die?” and “How can I have faith?” Alpha is especially helpful for anyone curious about the Christian faith, but anyone is welcome to attend, and all are encouraged to invite a friend who is exploring spirituality to try Alpha. 

Find Out More

Membership Class

Wednesdays, September 3, 10, & 17

Do you feel ready to put down roots in our community of faith? Our pastoral staff will help you explore your personal faith in Christ, the mission of First Pres and how the two intersect. Elders lead small groups through the sessions, and sharing our faith stories with one another is a key component of the course, which culminates in participants becoming members of First Pres.

Fall Lecture Series: The Desires of Your Heart

Wednesdays, October 29 – November 12

6:15-7:45 p.m.

Worship Center

It is no secret that we live in a culture that exploits our desires. The advertising industry constantly tells us that we will be happy if we have more money that we can spend on acquiring more things. Social media tells us the more “likes” we get on our posts, the more accepted we are. We are led to believe that if we spend more, accomplish more or look better we will achieve that elusive state of “happiness.” In this lecture series, our speakers will explore how our hearts are created to desire the right things.

Lecture 1: October 29

What Do Humans Want?

Speaker: Tim McConnell

Augustine noted that we are "desiring agents," full of longings and passions; in brief, we are what we love. According to Augustine, the heart is the seat of love and desire, but it is corruptible.

Lecture 2: November 5

The Drama of Disordered Desires

Speaker: Junior McGarrahan

As humans, we shift from appreciating a good creation to idolizing it. Is sin the desire and the act of wanting things in the wrong order? How do these disordered desires wreak havoc in our relationships and in our world? Where does grace come in?

Lecture 3: November 12

The Discipline of Desire

Speaker: Jim Edwards

The love Christians are to demonstrate is not romantic love or letting people do what they want. Properly ordering our desires does not come naturally. According to scripture, we must learn to discipline our desires and rightly order our lives.

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.

Recommended RightNow Media Studies

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, send your email address to Ina Meyer at imeyer@firstprescos.org or call Ina at 719-884-6117.

Contact Ina

2025 Lecture Series Audio

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