Adult Education

Thoughtful people often have questions about God, the Bible, our Christian tradition and the world we live in.  Adult Education classes provide a place to explore a variety of issues in lectures and lively discussions. Bible Study gives us a chance to explore parts of the Bible for a deeper understanding. Book studies allow us to explore a piece of writing and discuss what we’ve learned with one of the pastors. Childcare is available in the church nursery from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Sunday, April 12, at 9 a.m. (Seminar Room)
Why does Grace’s paschal candle look different this year? Also, what’s a paschal candle and why do we have one? Learn more about this tradition and the paschal candle’s place in our worship life, then step behind the scenes of the making of this year’s candle with Liz Hanson.

Sunday, April 19, at 9 a.m. (Seminar Room)
As a follow up to Mark Bouman’s session on the Calumet Heritage Area, Laura Merwin will share some work she and her research collaborators, the Slag Queens, have done in the region. Their interest in the volunteer plants that have colonized old industrial dumping grounds has led to a growing understanding that while Calumet landscapes have been heavily impacted by human activities, they nonetheless still represent biodiverse, functional communities. The switch from “degraded, fit for restoration” to “novel, of value” has helped land managers make decisions about how to care for sites in ways that benefit human and no-human residents.

Sunday, April 26, at 11:30 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
We are welcoming back Rev. Angela Denker to share about her new book, “Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood,” and to share an update on the growth of white Christian Nationalism in American politics, and how the theological idol of the movement has shifted, since she first started her work and research in this area in 2018, with her first book “Red State Christians: A Journey into White Christian Nationalism” and the wreckage it leaves behind. Pastor Angela will share about how this movement has increasingly emphasized gender, and how the example of Jesus can counter a push toward violent masculinity, especially in online targeting of white, Christian men and boys.

Sunday, May 3, at 9 a.m. (Seminar Room)
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) will share about what their organization is doing in the community. After worship, there will be a reception in Fellowship Hall to recognize Pastor Dean and Beverly Lueking for their faithful service as foster parents.

Sunday, May 10 and 17 at 9:00 a.m. (Seminar Room)
Jonathan Stahlke, Professor of Music at Concordia University, will discuss his new work, Song of All Songs, on both May 10 and May 17. This piece is a setting of The Song of Solomon, and will be premiered in the chapel at Concordia University on Sunday, June 21, at 4:00 p.m.. Admission to this concert is free.