Anyone can join in any study at any time. There is no need for you to wait until new studies begin. In addition to being blessed by the study itself, you will be blessed by getting to know many other wonderful people.

At various times during the year there are special offerings of classes and workshops. These are publicized through the Cross Currents on Sunday mornings and as well as the monthly Messenger. In addition to Sunday mornings, there are various studies available during the week at different times and locations.

For more information email Chuck Bahn or call (309)834-3203.

Winter Quarter Bible Study Series:
Beginning December 4, 2011(unless otherwise noted)

Here is what you can look forward to this winter and the times they will be offered.
Questions? Email Chuck Bahn or call 828-7233, #203

Register in advance so materials can be ordered and prepared for everyone. Five (count ’em: 5!) easy ways to register: Fill out the online form below Download a printable form here fill it out and return the to the church office Email Chuck Call Chuck, 828-7233, #203 Talk to Chuck. You know Chuck!

8:15 Classes

The Power of a Praying Woman

Leader: Dianne Lehner

Theme: Growing in our relationship with God and others through prayer.

Books will be ordered when you sign-up.

Bring Bibles. As women, we usually look after the needs of others-friends, co-workers, family, and spouses-before we look after our own needs. Our prayer lives may be just as "other" focused. There are certainly strengths to that but who will pray for us?

Goals of this study:

• Enjoy regular conversations with God in prayer.
• Better understand God's plan and purpose for our lives.
• Receive comfort, help and strength for everyday living through prayer and His Word.
• . Grow in our relationship with God and others through prayer.

What God Does When Men Pray

Leader: Chuck Bahn

Theme: Through study, discussion and practice we will grow in using prayer as an effective resource in our roles as men.

Books will be ordered when you sign-up. Bring Bibles. "Prayer" sounds so simple yet can be so complicated. Anyone can "pray", but praying can be difficult. Through this study with other men, we will see what God's Word says about prayer and learn more about how we can make prayer a more regular part of our lives. We will also experience ways we can grow in our personal prayer lives while praying with and for others. Who knows what God might do when the men of Trinity pray?

Goals for this study:

• Discover God's open invitation for us to talk to Him.
• How to break through personal barriers toward prayer.
• Learn tools to make prayer a more consistent part of your life.
• See the joy of watching God at work.
• Experience the blessing of praying with and for others, while others pray with and for you.

Adult Information Class

Materials will be provided.

This class is for anyone interested in knowing more about the beliefs of the Lutheran church and the ministry of Trinity. Anyone interested in taking steps towards membership at Trinity will want to be part of this class.

Likewise, if you are currently a member and are interested in reviewing the core teachings of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, this will be an excellent opportunity for you as well.

This class will give the participants an overview of the six-chief parts of Luther's Small Catechism. The biblical foundation of these teachings will be a key focus of the class. During class time, opportunities to discuss the real life importance of these teachings will also be encouraged.

Goals for this study:

• To gain understanding of the core biblical beliefs of Trinity Lutheran Church as part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
• To share in fellowship with others in the class.
• To experience a Bible study if you haven't been part of one before.
• To review the biblical foundation of Trinity if you are currently a member.
• Upon completion of this class, those wishing to become members of Trinity will be received through adult confirmation.

9:30 Classes

Christmas Prayers and Pray-ers

Leaders: Pastors

This study will meet December 4, 11 and 18.

Bible Characters and their prayers they either in anticipation of Jesus' birth or as they experienced it in history.

Bring your Bible; Handouts provided

God's people of old anticipated Jesus' birth and all of the gifts that were promised through Him. As we anticipate Christmas this year, we will study some of them and their prayers as they awaited the arrival of the Savior. With them we will rejoice in the Savior Jesus born into this world-as we study their prayers after his arrival. Maybe we'll even sing a few of those Christmas prayers together!

Goals of this study:

• Appreciate the prayers recorded for us in the Bible
• Appreciate the pray-ers who prayed them
• Be prepared again to celebrate our Jesus

Our Lord's Prayer

Leader: Pastors

This study will begin January 1.

Our Lord Still Teaches Us to Pray

Bring your Bible; Handouts provided

Our Lord Jesus first taught His people His prayer two thousand years ago. We believe it has never been more relevant to the needs of God's people than it is today. We will look at the nine sections of the Lord's Prayer.

As we do so over a nine-week period, we will dig around in the Scriptures, looking into the lives of real people of God as they talked to Him in prayer and as they received good things from Him-many times, even before they asked. Together we will be refreshed by God's care for us and the truth that He has always been more ready to give than we are to ask.

Goals of this study:

• Appreciate Jesus' gift of The Lord's Prayer
• . Realize the relevance of Jesus' 2,000 year old gift
• Recognize ourselves and our own life-situations in different Bible characters we meet along the way.

Psalms

Leader: Wally Bergmann

This study will begin January 1.

Conversation With God

Bring your Bible; Handouts provided

Most people know a few "literary gems" from the Psalms. But if you are not satisfied with a few oft-quoted verses, you are invited to enjoy the spiritual messages found in the Psalms. The Psalms were written by real people, with real problems and joys. Just as God spoke to the writers of the Psalms, so He speaks to you today.

Goals of this study:

• Identify the message of the psalm.
• Use the psalmist's words to express your own moods, needs, and joys.
• Use the Psalms to praise and thank God.
• See the Psalms through the light of the Gospel of Christ.

Winter Quarter: Begins December 4 unless otherwise noted