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Spiritual Transformation
We all have questions about God, prayer, spiritual disciplines, discernment, service, contemplation, and meditation and sometimes it's difficult to know where to turn to ask those hard questions like, "Will God really speak to me?" "How do I discern God's voice from all the other voices in this world?" "Is a spiritual discipline my punishment for not praying more?" "Do I have to be an otherworldly eccentric to be a contemplative?" "How am I to use my God-given gifts in service of others?"
First Lutheran Church so values your desire to grow in knowing and serving God that we have a full-time Director of Spiritual Formation who is a trained Spiritual Director offering one-on-one spiritual direction, leading Renovaré Spiritual Formation small groups, facilitating retreats, meeting with numerous small groups, planning and leading adult education classes, and equipping participants to be spiritual mentors and servant leaders.
You are invited to an exciting journey, one of knowing yourself and God better, one of forming deep friendships in a safe place with people you can trust, one of using your unique gifts in service of our Lord, a journey that can lead to wholeness and peace. Please read the spiritual formation opportunities below and say "Yes!" to all that beckon your soul!
For details on these programs, continue reading below. For more information about what Spiritual Direction is, please visit the Spiritual Directors International homepage at www.sdiworld.org. (Link opens in new window.)
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Renovaré Spiritual Formation Small Groups
How do people grow in the spiritual life? One major way is to do spiritual exercises, that is, to practice the spiritual disciplines within the framework of a balanced Christian fellowship. These exercises help us grow spiritually by creating space in our lives where God can begin to transform us.
Why do we need a spiritual formation group to do these exercises? First, God does not want us to isolate ourselves from each other. God desires that we embrace each other as real people with real problems and that we grow closer and closer together. The possibilities of sin still remain with us, no matter where we are in our life of discipleship, but traveling with kindred spirits will make those possibilities less appealing. Traveling together on the path of transformation will also help us avoid the pitfall of turning the disciplines into deadly, self-righteous practices.
Second, God understands that we have more strength to do what is best for us when we are involved in a loving fellowship. Isolated and alone, we yield easily to apathy; together and united, we can resist the forces that we allow to get in the way: busyness, indifference, and more.
Third, God knows that we need guidance. From time to time we all need help in discerning what to do. Sometimes we cannot hear an answer because we are too close to the situation. Since God often uses other people to give us guidance, quite often we find our answer in listening to others as they share their experiences of failure and success. The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Group process provides guidance and accountability.
If you sense God nudging you toward change and transformation and you value the fellowship of others who are ready and willing to enter into that process with you, please call to be a part of one of these transformational groups:
Mondays at 1:00 p.m. Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Marcie Watson, Director of Spiritual Transformation, 365-1494, extension 280 or marciew@firstlutherancr.org
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Spiritual Direction
Are you ready for a change? Spiritual direction, although a very gentle process, opens us up for everything to change. It doesn't jerk us into new life, but it allows us to pay closer attention to God in a very real way, to be available to God and to be changed by God.
Spiritual Direction is the art of Christian listening carried out in the context of a one-on-one trusting relationship. We all need a mirror to see ourselves clearly, and a Spiritual Director can be just such a reflecting mirror. Together the Directee and the Spiritual Director work to clear away some of the clutter that gets in the way of being fully available to God, find spiritual disciplines that work, learn new and relevant ways to pray, and seek God's purpose for their life.
Spiritual direction is available at no cost to members and friends of First Lutheran Church. Meetings are usually one hour sessions one time a month which focus on listening to and noticing the movement of God in a person's life. Call if you are ready to explore and deepen your relationship with God!
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Need-Oriented Spirituality
Do you, your small group, or your ministry team have questions about God, prayer, the spiritual disciplines, discernment, contemplation, or meditation? Don't move! First Lutheran Church's Director of Spiritual Formation will come to you! Whether you and your group are life-long church members or first-time seekers, Marcie Watson would welcome the opportunity to wrestle with those deeper questions alongside you. Give Marcie a call to set up a time when she can join you or your group within your own comfort zone to explore these topics together.
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The Creative Call
Often, as women find their way in the "real world," many discover they have lost something of themselves. The simple pleasures that were once cherished of being God's creation and doing God's will have been tossed aside. Some even feel their gifts are lost forever or begin to doubt the benefits of their special gifting. This year's women's retreat, The Creative Call, will help participants re-examine their creative selves.
This time apart isn't about becoming great artists, writers, or singers - it's about bringing into light a creative expression that naturally brings forth joy or peace or growth. Some of us will learn to call on the Holy Spirit as our source of inspiration. Some may reclaim their creative spirit through play. Others may find new life in expressing their creative gifts, and maybe some will develop the habit of journaling as a way to recognize the things that have blocked their creative expression. Others may learn to have a richer, deeper prayer life and a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
For any of the Spiritual Ministries above, contact Marcie Watson, Director of Spiritual Formation, 365-1494, extension 280 or marciew@firstlutherancr.org
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Worship Service Schedule:
Saturday
5:00 p.m. Traditional
Sunday
8:00 a.m. Traditional
9:30 a.m. Traditional
11:00 a.m. Contemporary
Summer Taize services
with Holy Communion
Wednesdays, June 4 - Aug. 20
6 p.m. in the Chapel.
Click here for more basic FLC information.
Winter Weather Cancellations
It is our practice to cancel Confirmation and children’s choirs if Cedar Rapids schools are closed or dismiss early due to weather. All other groups, events or services, will meet as scheduled. Use your best judgment. If you don't feel safe going out in inclement weather, stay home. We understand, and so does God. If there are additional cancellations, we will also post them at the top of our website, or you can call the church office to be updated.
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