Sunday School Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS (ABC)
Covenant Hall (Room 315)
Teacher: Sandy Sturch (210.494.7157), Chuck Bunn, Jerry Hardwick
Contact: Sheila Figueroa (210.822.4082)
ABC will divert from our usual in-depth biblical book study for a short time to teach topics that class members have requested, such as what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit, heaven, hell, spiritual warfare, prayer, spiritual gifts and other pertinent topics. After this interlude of topical studies, we will return to an in-depth study of a book of the Bible. This is a spirited class where all are welcome to come and participate. Refreshments are served every Sunday, provided by class members.
ARTHUR GRAY JONES CLASS
Room 312
Teacher/Contact: Blair Labatt (210.734.5934)
The Arthur Gray Jones class has been in continuous existence since the 1920s. Its most distinctive feature is that it begins with a vigorous hymn-sing in the choir room. The class then adjourns for a lesson using the “Present Word” curriculum, which alternates between Old Testament and New Testament books. This class has a long tradition of warm fellowship and good discussion.
BASECAMP: Grounded in Christ, Ready to Climb
Room 108
Contact: Anne Hiller (
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Basecamp is a fellowship of young adults parenting children (birth-5th grade). The class seeks to grow disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer, fun, relationships and service to one another in this congregation and the community. Sunday morning gatherings center on an interactive study. Monthly opportunities for fellowship include men’s golf outings, adult dinner parties, family swim parties and an annual family mission project.
BRIDGES: Connecting to Christ and Others
Room 302
Contact: Holly Youngquist (210.366.3222 /
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Susan and Dirk DeKoch (210.822.0367 /
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We hope you will join us this year as we dig into scripture and see how it applies to our lives today. Rob Shelton is our gifted lead teacher. He is entertaining with deep and profound insight into God’s word has a casual teaching style and is very gifted and. The class enjoys a time of fellowship and prayer before we begin and have service and fellowship opportunities throughout the year. Young or old, single or married, kids or grandkids … all are welcome.
CHRISTIAN THINKERS THROUGH THE AGES
Room 308
Class Leaders: Doug McNeel (210.695.9765), Karen Lyons (210.382.2962),
Beaux Gilliam (210.226-0215) and other class members
This fall, following the completion of our study of Romans, we will continue our study of the Confessions of St. Augustine (354-430), a remarkable autobiography which movingly recounts Augustine’s journey through temptation and sin culminating in his conversion. Assisted by Augustine’s perceptive insights into the human heart, we will explore and seek to appropriate the spiritual resources to which the Bible points us for our own journey out of sin into the heart of God. Please join us for soul-nourishing content, stimulating content and warm fellowship.
GENESIS II
Room 224
Teachers: Janet Anderson (210.861.4836), John Carter (210.499.4375)
Contacts: Janet and Greg Anderson (210.861.4836), John and Ann Carter (210.499.4375), Charlotte Milner (210.415.6704)
Genesis II is a warm and caring group composed of both singles and couples, with all ages invited and welcome. We are a Bible-focused class and enjoy learning the Word. This fall, we will study the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the “blessedness” that belongs to every Christian here and now. As we make our way through a complicated, frantic and ever-changing world, the Beatitudes impart a wisdom and peace that nurtures us. We see that Jesus’ teaching is fresh and relevant today, just as it was 2,000 years ago. We start with a time of fellowship and visiting with one another (snacks and coffee included), followed by a time for prayer concerns and praises, and then our study. We begin our class time by reading the pertinent Bible scripture, followed by an overview, with time for questions and group discussion. As a smaller class, we have the unique opportunity to get to know one another in a more intimate setting and group dinners are scheduled throughout the year. The “welcome mat” is always out.
NEW COVENANT CLASS
Room 301
Contacts: Becky and Ed DeWees (210.826.6666)
Moderator for reading and discussion: Don Crews
The New Covenant Class is a gathering of adults who want to learn about and discuss the Christian faith through a Bible-based lesson that connects with their own life experiences. Each week, the class reads the Bible together, verse by verse, chapter by chapter and discusses what they have read while seeking the meaning of the scriptures in their lives. Enjoy an opportunity to ask questions, engage in stimulating discussion and support one another as we seek to live lives that honor God. The group also enjoy dinners together at various times throughout the year. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
YOUNG ADULTS
Room 300
Teacher: David Mustol
Contact: The Rev. Ruthie Seiders (
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The young adults of First Presbyterian Church seek to enjoy God, grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and mature as children of God. Young Adult — what does it mean? We tend to be in our 20s or early 30s. We tend to be single or young marrieds. If this is you, join us! Young adults also participate in various activities and small groups throughout the year. Come visit us anytime — there is always room for more. www.facebook.com/groups/FPCyoungadults
THE UNCOMFORTABLES CLASS
Room 228
Teacher: Neil Williams (210.523.1653 / 210.601.2362)
The Uncomfortables is a discussion class exploring a multitude of issues of faith in our world. This year, we will continue our study of the history of our faith in Jesus Christ and how it impacts and affects our current faith journey and our daily lives. Our discussions sometimes have a wide-range of viewpoints (sometimes solely for the purpose of furthering the discussion) and are often quite lively. Attendees vary in age, generally 40s-70s — some employed, some retired. All are welcome.
Children
Our vision is to teach children that worship is an important part of their life even at a very early age (worship); equip families to study, pray and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ (grow) and give children and families the opportunity to serve and give generously (serve).
PRESCHOOL CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES
9:30-10:30 AM
Contact: Kathy Timberlake, director of Children's Ministry (210.271.2721 /
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Children’s Sunday school is for ages two-kindergarten. Bible story time, music, crafts and most importantly, play time, are offered. The classes offer Godly Play as a Sunday school option for ages 4 years through kindergarten.
Frogs
2 years old as of Sept. 1
Room 116
Turtles
3 years old as of Sept. 1
Room 115
Big Fish
4 years old as of Sept. 1 thru Kindergarten
Room 122
Godly Play I
4 years old to Kindergarten
Room 125
Godly Play II
4 years old to Kindergarten
Room 128
WEe Worship 11:10-11:30 a.m.
Contact: April Kuper, assistant director of Children’s Ministry
WEe worship is our preschool worship time on Sundays. Children who are in childcare during the 11 a.m. worship services participate in the class, held in the Guthrie-Bryant Chapel located on the second floor near the Sanctuary. Children are introduced to worship using age appropriate music, prayers and Bible stories for a short 20-minute service. Afterwards, they return to their preschool classrooms for crafts, playtime and snacks.
CHRISTOPOLIS SUNDAY SCHOOL Grades 1-4
9:30-10:30 AM
Contact: April Kuper, assistant director of Children’s Ministry (210.271.2732 /
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Because children learn in a variety of ways, FPC offers an exciting workshop rotation model of learning the Bible. Christopolis is a city where each classroom is a different venue such as drama, art, computer, multimedia, etc. Each room is an exciting place where a child learns major Bible stories and a faith lesson through the different child-friendly workshops. Students gather in town square for a short worship assembly with music, prayer and announcements before moving to the different classes. Parents are reminded to pick up their students promptly by 10:35 a.m. so teachers can attend worship on time.
highfive.5@fpc Grade 5
Room 132
9:30-10:30 AM
Contact: April Kuper, assistant director of Children’s Ministry (210.271.2732 /
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Our tween program is designed for the unique age group of 5th graders. The class begins with “hang out” time to talk with friends, old and new, while having snacks and playing games in the newly designed tween classroom. A gifted team of teachers interactively present the Bible lessons to engage students in seeing God’s work in a new light and equip them with a biblical world view. Special events and mission outreach opportunities are offered throughout the year.
JOY MINISTRY Room 114
Contact: Carrie Jowers, assistant director of Children's Ministry (210.271.2720 /
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We are delighted and blessed to be one to the few churches ministering to children with special needs and their families. We believe that every child is created in God’s image, and has a place in church. This ministry embraces children with special needs and provides a welcoming place for them to attend Sunday morning activities, where they hear God’s Word and enjoy fellowship. Special "shepherds" work one-on-one with our JOY students.
Youth
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP Teaching children that worship is a vital part of their lives, even at an early age, takes priority and intention. For that reason, the Children’s Ministry team encourages families to take the time to worship together at a service before or after Sunday school. Worship kits are available for young children when they enter a worship space. A yearly workshop is held for parents and children to talk about why we worship and how to worship as a family.
YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL Grades 6-8: New Covenant building, 2nd floor
Grades 9-12: New Covenant building, 1st floor
9:30-10:30 AM
Teachers: Adult volunteers
Contacts: Coby Cagle, director of Youth Ministry (high school)
(210.271.2724 /
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Katy Evans, assistant director of Youth Ministry (middle school)
(210.271.2722 /
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Youth Sunday School is for all students in grades 6–12. Our goal is to create a safe space where students can have fun, meet new friends, enjoy old acquaintances, interact with a loving adult mentor and dig into the Bible. All 8th graders are invited to participate in the Confirmation class.
CONFIRMATION FOR ANY YOUTH IN GRADES 8-12 New Covenant Building, 2nd Floor
9:30-10:30 AM
Contact: Ruthie Seiders, pastor for Family and Student Ministry (210.271.2714 /
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In the Presbyterian Church, we have a tradition of celebrating our young people when they are ready to make a commitment to the life of the church in a formal way. We do this through the process of confirmation. This class meets Sunday mornings during the 9:30 a.m. education hour and is open to all interested youth in grades 8-12. Through teaching of Old and New Testament surveys, Church history and worship, we explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus as Presbyterian Christians. Students learn through interactive large group teaching, small group discussions and one-on-one mentoring with an adult from the congregation. The 2011-2012 process includes a weekend retreat in early February. We celebrate our young people in May at a special dinner, joined by their parents, mentors and officers of the church. At this dinner, students read their faith statements and take their vows of membership. They will be received publicly in worship on Sunday, May 20, 2012.
University Ministries
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
Contact: Scott Fleming, director of University Ministry (210.271.2723 /
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While The Fire and The Well are our two ministries on the campuses of the University of Incarnate Word and Trinity University, on Sundays during the fall semester, we welcome college students to join us after the worship services at 12:15 p.m. for lunch and Bible study in room 226. We find students enjoy both venues of worship: Contemporary worship in Westminster Hall and Traditional worship in the Sanctuary, both at 11 a.m.
CORE GROUPS
Groups consist of four to six college-aged students which are led by FPC adults. The goal of these groups is to “do life together.” They walk alongside each other throughout the year, keeping each other accountable through community, prayer and Bible study. These groups meet at a mutually-agreed-to day and time.
Life Groups
Life Groups are an indispensable part of our response to God’s call to renew minds and redeem lives with the steadfast love of Jesus Christ. Our strategy to achieve this mission as a church is to worship regularly, grow intentionally and serve generously. Life Groups unite these three elements as we seek to develop genuine Christian community that goes beyond Sundays. Life groups are founded on four pillars:
1. Study the Sunday Scripture passage for deeper understanding and life application.
2. Support each person’s relationship with Jesus Christ by being a caring and loving community.
3. Pray weekly for each other and for our ministry partners in San Antonio and around the world.
4. Serve by participating in an outreach project beyond the walls of First Presbyterian, hopefully at least once a semester.
Grow 
