Christian Education for Adults
Adult Sunday School Classes meet each Sunday morning at 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM, September through May, in the Chapel building. All classes welcome visitors, guests, and new members.
Sunday School Classes
The Seekers
Room 201
January 4 - 11
Advent in Plain Sight: At Christmas, God came into our ordinary world in the form of a child, and still today, God is at work through the ordinary stuff of life, if we train our eyes to see. In this daily devotional for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Jill J. Duffield draws readers’ attention to ten ordinary objects that appear in the biblical narratives of messianic prophesy and incarnation - objects we encounter in our own lives. Through objects such as gates, trees, cloth, light, and water, readers will find new meaning in the biblical account of Jesus’ coming. By connecting everyday objects with biblical texts, Advent in Plain Sight prompts readers to see the near kingdom of heaven on earth and ponder what that divine proximity enables and asks them to do and be. Each daily devotional features a Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection, reminding Christians that God still dwells among us, even in the most ordinary places.
January 18—25
AI, Faith, and You: Artificial Intelligence, Christian Spirituality, and Morality. How should Christians respond to the rise of artificial intelligence? Over the next two weeks, the Seekers will explore how AI is reshaping daily life and how our faith invites us to respond. Together we’ll consider how this powerful technology comes with great responsibility in considering its limits and potential harms. Join us as we reflect on what it means to be faithful, moral people in an age of rapid innovation. This class will be led virtually by Andy Morgan from First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville.
Confessions of the Church
Led by Mike Lockaby - Room 101
Beginning January 4
Confessions of the Church: Nicene and Apostles Creeds
We are beginning to explore some of the basic creeds of the church, in their historical and biblical context and with regard to their meaning today. The Nicene Creed is the earliest confession of the whole Christian church about what it believes about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, their relationship to the world we live in, and God's plan for the world and us. The Apostles Creed is the final form of the ancient baptismal confession of Christians that God is their god, Jesus Christ is their savior, and the Holy Spirit is their guide. What do they mean, and why did they become so important, and why do nearly 2 billion Christians say them regularly? Are they truly biblical? Do they make sense in their original forms, or do we need to update the ideas to make sense in the modern way we think about our world and God? We'll look at these questions and more through the Spring.
Parent as a Verb
Room 102
This class will engage parents (who have the most important job in the world) around the numerous topics encountered through parenting. We will support one another weekly, as we strive to raise healthy, joyful children who are enriched by a life of faith. We will enjoy open discussion as we focus on family-centered practices, and as we build a community of parents, both future and present, within our church.
January 4 - 18 & February 1 - 8
Raising Awe Seekers by Deborarh Farmer Kris
Led by Isabella Fagiani
In the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic man, Luke sums up the experience of the crowd in this way: "Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:26. This feeling of awe is repeated in the Gospels in response to what Jesus is doing. And it's a feeling we're instructed to have throughout the Psalms in response to God.
However, Deborah Farmer Kris, a child development expert, former classroom teacher, author, and parenting journalist says, "awe is perhaps the most overlooked and undervalued emotion. Yet once you know what to look for, you'll discover awe-inspiring moments every day. And finding and experiencing awe with kids helps them thrive."
If we want our kids to be able to see God at work in the world, we need to help them become awe-seekers. We'll work through Kris' book, "Raising Awe Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps our Kids Thrive" to explore seven of the most common sources of awe connecting these sources of awe back to parenting and faith formation. Kris' book is available on Amazon for purchase for less than $10 and is a great resource to have on your shelf.
Discover RCPC
Led by Andrew Whaley - Room 202
Discover RCPC is a way to learn more about our life together as followers of Jesus. In these gatherings, we will get to know one another better. We will learn about how and why we worship and what is distinctive about being a Reformed Church. We will learn about how Presbyterians practice their life in covenant with each other, and we will learn the story specifically of the Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church: The Church of the Open Door.
January 11 - 25: During the Sunday school hour
(10:00 AM—10:45 AM)
February 1 & 8: Following the 11:00 Worship Service
(12:15 PM—1:30 PM)
April 12 - 26: During the Sunday school hour
(10:00 AM—10:45 AM)
Adult Small Group Bible Study
The Small Group lessons are based on the Sunday sermons and scripture. Being part of a Small Group is an experience rich in personal connection and spiritual growth. Small Groups discuss what is shared in worship, therefore the experience of worship is more deeply ingrained in our minds and hearts. As we contemplate it all together the concepts take root and our faith grows! For more informatoin or to sign up email Leigh Sackett.
Sermon Reflections:
Monday 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Additional Small Groups:
Women's Small Group on Tuesdays 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Men's Small Group on Mondays 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
20-Somethings Small Group on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Parents of Small Children Small Group on Thursdays at 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women is an organization for ALL women of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Our morning meetings occur during the months of September through May on the second Tuesday of every month from 10:15 AM-1:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Women gather to sign cards for shut-ins, collect donations for Turning Point, and leave a least coin offering for worldwide missions. The business meeting starts at 10:15 AM followed by a Bible study led by Ruth Marple. This year the Bible study curriculum is “Let Justice Roll Down" God's Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation by Reverend Dr. Patricia K. Tull. The morning ends with a time of fellowship over a delicious lunch provided by Lisa Goad.
This year PW is adding an evening circle to the options in addition to the daytime circle. The new evening circle will meet on the second Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 PM at RCPC.
In addition to the monthly morning meetings, a nighttime or weekend women's intergenerational event is offered on a regular basis to allow bonding and fellowship with the women of the church who work, have small children at home, or cannot attend morning meetings.
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Game Night at RCPC—Fellowship Hall
Friday, January 23 at 6:30 PM -
Line Dancing & Hors d’oeuvres—Fellowship Hall
Friday, February 20 at 6:30 PM -
Paint & Praise—Fellowship Hall
March: TBD -
Potluck Dinner & Steel Drum Concert—Fellowship Hall
Friday, April 17 at 6:00 PM -
Free Movie at Grandin followed by lunch
Saturday, May 16
Men of the Church
A men’s group has been meeting for several years from September through May for about an hour per week. Typically, the group is reading a book and taking time each week to check in with one another. Although most of the group attends RCPC, we have had others join us as well and they are welcome.
Young Adult Ministry
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Blue Ridge Axe Throwing & Dinner
Thursday, January 15 at 6:00 PM -
Mardi Gras Celebration at Alicha & Kristyn’s Home
Friday, February 20 at 6:00 PM -
E-Bike Tour with Roanoke Mountain Adventures
April: TBD -
Campfire Hangout & River Fun at Leigh’s Land
Friday, May 15 at 6:00 PM