Herald Newsletter

Wednesday Night Live

In the midst of your busy week, join us to refuel your body, mind and spirit with a variety of children, youth and adult programs

Faith Basics: Wednesday Worship 7:15-7:30pm

5 minute sermons on basic elements of our faith—like a super short Christianity 101. Pilgrim Hall

WNL Opportunities for Kids

In January, children will explore faith through music as they sing in choir, learn new songs, and begin preparing for Easter. New rotations invite kids to discover rhythm, movement, and joyful expression.

Adult Ministries

Contact Addie Vortherms, Program Director, addie@firstplymouth.org for info.

College Aged Bible Study – Moving to a New Time!

6:15-7:15pm, Otis Young Room. Connect and grow together!

When Someone You Love Is Struggling with Addiction

Jan 14, 6:15pm, Pilgrim Hall. Presented by Otto Schultz

One of the factors behind the stigma surrounding addiction is the belief that people with alcohol or drug dependencies simply make bad choices. Another is the mistaken assumption that family and friends have little power to help. Otto Schultz, a retired addiction counselor and pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), will share practical guidance for caring for someone who is actively struggling with alcohol or drug dependency. Schultz serves as Executive Director of the Center for the Restoration of (Behaviorally) Impaired Clergy and brings more than 50 years of personal recovery from alcohol dependence. This event is sponsored by First-Plymouth’s Faith in Recovery team.

The Old Life and the New

Jan 14, 6:15pm, Art Room. Led by Prof. Lisa Borchardt, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Participants in this class will explore highlights from The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, focusing on speaking truth to self and others, navigating the new year (including acknowledging feelings, healing, and letting go of what no longer serves us), and moving forward with intention toward a renewed self in God’s likeness. Biblical insights and secular perspectives will be shared to inspire reflection and, if moved, personal change.

Yoga

Wednesdays, 6:00 pm, Chapel. Led by Jessica Jewell. All ages and abilities—including beginners—are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat.

Parent Connect

Jan 21, 6:15pm, Art Room

January Topic: Parenting Together When We Don’t Always Agree

A monthly space to connect with other parents, share real stories, and explore practical tools for raising kids together. No lectures. No perfect parents—just community.

Death and the Afterlife

4-week series – Jan 21, 28, Feb 4 & 11, 6:15pm, Pilgrim Hall. Led by Dr. Dan Clanton, Assoc. Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Doane University

We exist—then we don’t. Or do we continue to exist in some way? Is death the end? And what is death, anyway? Join us as we explore how religious and nonreligious people understand death and the afterlife, before turning our focus to both traditional and alternative methods of disposition and visions of what may come after.

The Bible for Recovering Literalists

Jan 28, 6:15pm, Art Room. Led by Pastor Juan Carlos Huertas

Join Pastor JC, himself a recovering literalist, for an exploration of the Bible as sacred text, truth-teller, and authority within a non-literalist theological framework. Together, you’ll explore questions

such as: What is the Bible? How should we read it? What does it mean to interpret? Which version is best? How is the Bible true—and how do we approach difficult passages?