Adult Activities:
We have a very active adult Sunday School program. Various age groups meet together weekly with a study of their choice. People are encouraged to join any Sunday School class whose study material is of interest to them. Each class plans outside activities for social and work experiences. At present there are five adult classes. We have small groups available for prayer and sharing as well as Bible study.
Reflections: A Class for Young Adults and the Young-at-Heart
Reflections members seek Truth from God the Creator and from the Scriptures. We reflect on our insights in private meditation and through active, free, jovial, and thoughtful discussion. Our focus is on Jesus and how he lived his life. We are committed to making our own lives reflections of Jesus’ Way. Reflecting Jesus’ example, the class warmly welcomes persons from all walks and interests, with all levels of faith and doubt.
Children and Youth:
The spiritual nurture of our children is given high priority here at Goshen City church. We have pre-school child care for both morning worship and Sunday school. Child care is also provided for most special events of the church.
Sunday school meets for an hour, from 10:50 am to 11:50 am each Sunday. Grades K-5 each have a classroom experience on Sunday, plus a weekly club program on Wednesday evenings from October through April. They enjoy crafts, games, and Bible study.
The Junior High Youth are made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. They meet each Sunday morning for class and twice a month for social and work activities.
The Senior High Youth are made up of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. They also meet each Sunday morning for class and each Sunday evening for social and learning experiences. They plan trips, both for fun and learning, and enjoy district and national activities and seminars.
Our church has a strong camping program for ages 8 through Senior High and most of our members participate in these varied camping experiences. Beginner's Camp, Junior Camp, 6th Grade Camp, Junior High Camp, Wilderness Camp, and Youth Camp provide our young people with growing, learning times in the great outdoors close to God and nature.
A 7th-8th grade membership class is held each year. A part of this preparation for church membership is a Youth/Mentor Program, pairing youth with an adult member of the congregation who will then share in the youth's faith journey.
Music Program:
The Adult Choir rehearses in the sanctuary on Wednesday evenings, September through May, from 6:45-8:15 pm. All people, youth and adults, are encouraged to participate. The members provide beautiful music to enhance each worship service and special event. Chime Bell and Handbell Choirs are also offered to children, youth, and adults and meet on Wednesday evenings.
Music is an important part of our worship experience. We often have choir exchanges, guests, outside singers and groups, such as the Camarata Singers, Manchester College Choir and Band, district youth, etc. With a college located right here in our town, we often take advantage of the talent available.
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Deacons:
The Deacon Board (once referred to as the "Elders") is a body of caring individuals dedicated to enriching the spiritual, physical and emotional well being of the church congregation. They provide ministry through practical and supportive acts of service through prayer, visitation, and acts of kindness, reconciliation, and invitation. Deacons assist the Pastors with activities such as anointing, visitation and communion. The deacons also support the Licensed Ministers within the church.
"Deacons are called to be dedicated caregivers who use their spiritual gifts in a shared ministry of concern for the total well-being of God’s people. Deacons are to be Christ-like, welcoming, nurturing, reconciling, sensitive to the presence of God’s spirit in their lives and in the lives of others, witnessing for Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord within and beyond the Body of Christ, the church." The 1997 Annual Conference statement, "Deacon Ministry in the Church of the Brethren,"
Stephen Ministry: (“The after people”)
After the phone call that you hoped you’d never get. After the divorce papers have been signed. After the family has gone and you’re left alone. Goshen City Church has a growing Stephen Minister Team of individuals trained in conjunction with the Stephen Ministries training program in Saint Louis, MO. Stephen Ministers are members of the congregation who are trained, commissioned, and supervised by Stephen Leaders to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to persons in need on behalf of the congregation. Stephen Ministers typically are assigned one care receiver at a time and meet with that person for about one hour each week. Individuals are trained to "be there", to listen and to offer encouragement through some of life‘s difficult and seemingly hopeless situations. The Stephen Series is now in more than 10,000 congregations from more than 150 Christian denominations, in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 23 other countries.
For more information on Stephen Ministers at Goshen City Church, please contact the church office.
You can find more information online about Stephen Ministries at stephenministries.org
Koinonia Class:
The Koinonia class is an adult class comprised of individuals at different steps in their faith journey. Open to individuals and couples of any age, the group was originally formed to explore the complex questions about Christianity and the church and has continued to nurture spiritual growth and encourage others to freely ask questions and express their ideas. Study material varies from discussions about books by well-known Christian authors to in depth studies of books of the Bible.
The classroom is located on the main level, across from the pastor’s offices.
Our church has a strong camping program for ages 8 through Senior High and most of our members participate in these varied camping experiences. Beginner's Camp, Junior Camp, 6th Grade Camp, Junior High Camp, Wilderness Camp, and Youth Camp provide our young people with growing, learning times in the great outdoors close to God and nature.
A 7th-8th grade membership class is held each year. A part of this preparation for church membership is a Youth/Mentor Program, pairing youth with an adult member of the congregation who will then share in the youth's faith journey.
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