October 2010 Opportunities
Special events, annual events, and once-monthly events appear first by date. On-going weekly events follow by day of the week.
Newly Relaunched Ongoing Event . Multiple Schedules
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
Each small group consists of between six and ten church members, all ages. All groups are autonomous, and the members decide among themselves when, where, and how to share their time socializing and becoming friends. Every September, the Board of Deacons scramble members of all small groups so that new friendships form among different groups of people.
| Schedule | Jan–Dec according to each group's preference |
|---|---|
| Location | varies according to each group's preference |
| Invitation | open to all, no age, gender, or membership requirements |
| Purpose | familiarity, fellowship, and fun |
| Format | groups of 6–10 people meet as they wish |
| Options | adult-only groups or adults plus children groups |
| Cost | each group determines if activities are free or require expense |
| Join a Small Group | Email Ron Moody or Email Jan Smith |
Monthly Event . Thursday, October 7
In 1952, the U.S. Congress designated the first Thursday in May as National Day of Prayer, a day for Americans to join together to pray, especially for their country. Unite in Prayer continues this group-prayer effort throughout the year and focuses on the Coronado community. Our own Pastor David and several of our church family members often join this interdenominational opportunity to call upon God’s guidance corporately.
| Schedule | first Thursday monthly 5:30–6:30pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Living Waters Fellowship Calvary Chapel Ministry 1224 Tenth Street, Suite 103, Coronado |
| Invitation | open to the community men and women of all ages |
| Purpose | interdenominational community prayer |
| Child Care | provided on the premises |
| Contact | (619) 435-8233 |
| More Details | National Day of Prayer |
Monthly Event . Thursday, October 14
Female friendship, fellowship, fun, and philanthropy. Committees rotate responsibility for refreshments, devotional, and program for each meeting.
Every year, members select and sponsor a community ministry. In the spring and at Christmas, the Friendship Circle joins forces with the Women’s Coordinating Team to plan and co-host two festive events for all the women in the congregation.
| Schedule | second Thursday monthly Sep–May |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:20–10:00am social 10:00–11:00am business |
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community, women 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | fellowship and prayer |
| Refreshments | complimentary |
| Contact | Email Wilma Mack (619) 435-5901/td> |
Monthly Event . Sunday, October 17
Formed in 1958 to provide young-family fellowship activities, the Crown City Mariners also charted a steady course of church-campus renovation service through the years. Now in retirement, they focus on strengthening their friendships and extending fellowship to newcomers to the group.
| Schedule | third Sunday monthly Sep–May |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:30–6:00pm social 6:00–7:00pm dinner |
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to all men and women, typically 55 years of age and older |
| Purpose | fellowship guest speakers and special topics |
| Food Service | some catered dinners, some potlucks |
| Cost | annual dues $5/person catered dinners no more than $10/person |
| Contact | Bob and Helon Oder (619) 435-3937 |
Monthly Event . Monday, October 25
Evening Circle. A sewing group? Nah. A quilting group? No way. A weight-loss support group? Not on your life! Evening Circle is a fellowship of Christian women who gather to support one another in love and kindness, and to praise, worship, honor, and learn more about God and the precious gift of his son Jesus Christ.
The group meets the last Monday of each month September through June, usually in Parish Hall. The designated hostess for the month brings salad greens and salad dressings. All the other members bring a beverage of choice and something to add to the community salad. The group dines for the first half hour then engages in an hour of conversation prompted by the previous month’s reading. At the end of the evening, members head for their respective homes and family responsibilities feeling renewed, refreshed, and rejoicing that they had a special fellowship together. Doesn’t Evening Circle sound like your kind of group?
The Evening Circle is beginning a new inspirational book entitled Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love by Jerry Bridges during the 2010–11 season.
Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God's Unfailing Love attempts to help readers find a biblical basis for understanding their individual pursuit of holiness. In particular, the book tries to explore our role versus God's role then expands exploration beyond what we should be doing to what our approach and attitude should be in order for our efforts to be effective. This is a difficult area. Teachings on personal holiness range from a God-is-in-control-so-don't-worry-about-your-own-conduct approach to a legalistic rules-and-regulations approach that leaves holiness entirely up to the individual. Bridges spurns both approaches in favor of a balanced approach that seems very biblically responsible. That approach? That God, indeed, is in control, and that His grace is the ingredient that empowers our efforts to become more holy.
| Schedule | last Monday monthly Sep–Jun |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:30–6:00pm dinner 6:00–7:00pm discussion |
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado occasionally the group meets at a member's residence— call to confirm location Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Sep 27 Location | Manion residence |
| Invitation | open to the community, women 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | interactive book study and spiritual conversation fellowship prayer |
| Food Service | the month's hostess provides salad and dressings each guests brings her own beverage and something to add to the communal salad |
| Contact | Sherry Manion (619) 435-4744 |
Weekly Event . Sundays
A comfortable environment that students themselves help to arrange, Sunday AM offers both middle school and high school students a collective co-ed opportunity to hang out, build friendships, support one another, worship their own way with their own music, and grow stronger in their faith. Attitude and dress casual.
At 10:00am, members often visit Coffee Connection to pick up a light snack before attending the 10:30am blended worship service in the sanctuary with adult family members.
| Schedule | Su 9:00–10:00am year round |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community grades 7–12, ages 12–18 |
| Purpose | fellowship, entry-level Bible study prayer, and musical worship |
| Format | youth-director delivered sermon fellowship among youth Youth Band performance group songs of praise |
| Group Size | averages about 40 |
| Cost | free-will offering |
| Contact |
(619) 435-6860 x 13 |
Weekly Event . Sundays
Building momentum since 2006, this friendly multi-generational, mixed-gender group offers Bible study, discussion, and prayer in the homey surroundings of the Kirk House parlor.
Summer 2010 study includes Charles W. Colson’s Loving God, a classic that covers the cost of being a Christian, how to love God, and how to love others as God commands.
| Schedule | Su 9:00–10:00am Jan–Dec |
|---|---|
| Location | Kirk House parlor 959 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to men and women in the community 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | time spent equally among
fellowship, Old and New Testament Bible study, discussion, and prayer intercession |
| Food Service | complimentary coffee |
| Contact | Email Brian Bernados (619) 559–8999 or (619) 429–0159 |
Weekly Event . Tuesdays
Many sixteenth-century cathedrals had tower bells, some as many as six, to ring in different sequences to signal times of day or the starting of events. To provide convenient practice for those responsible for ringing the patterns—called bell changes—churches employed use of small hand-held bells.
So successful was this method and so pleasing to the ear was the music produced during these hand-bell practice sessions that someone, unrecorded by history, decided to tune the handbells to the musical scale. Thus was the birth of handbell choirs that toured throughout Europe in the 1500s.
Although the single bell in the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church belfry doesn't require bell change practice, we have a beautiful set of handbells and a talented group of players who confess to having a ball ringing bells to glorify God during special worship services each year.
Sit in on any rehearsal session. We're pretty certain you won't be able to resist chiming in!
| Rehearsal Schedule | T 8:30–9:30am Sep–Jun Su 8:00–8:30am before worship service performance |
|---|---|
| Performance Schedule | Su 9:00–10:00am Traditional Worship Service Christian and select other holidays |
| Location | Center for Christian Education 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | members of the congregation 15 years of age and older no audition no prior choir experience necessary |
| Purpose | glorify the Lord through musical worship |
| Advantages | good ear for pitch ability to read musical notation |
| Contact | Teres Byrne, Director of Music Ministries Email or (619) 435–6860 x 17 |
Weekly Event . Tuesdays
The Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church youth ministry mission is to share the good news of Jesus and to teach Coronado youth to follow Christ and share Christian faith with others. Vibrant and growing, our Big Five youth group offers middle school students an ever-evolving event schedule that keeps pace with the quick-change interests of its members.
Big Five also offers leadership opportunities to qualified high school juniors and seniors. These junior staff positions require an application and training to prepare the leaders for helping to share the love of Christ with members of Big Five.
| Schedule | T 5:00–6:45pm Sep–May T 5:00–6:15pm Jun–Aug |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community middle high school grades 6–8, ages 11–14 |
| Activities | fellowship, prayer, and entry-level biblical study |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | Sep–May, dinner in Parish Hall Jun–Aug, snack |
| Cost | no admission fee |
| Contact | |
13-Week Event . Tuesdays Through December 14
In a recent study, the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic that continues to reverberate throughout the evangelical world: only nine percent of professing Christians have a biblical worldview. Today's believers live very similarly to non-believers. We don't experience a personal sense of significance, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy, and we begin to wonder about life's ultimate purpose. In short, we are losing our bearings as a people and a nation.
To counter this slide within the body of Christ, Focus on the Family launched one of the most ambitious and powerful projects in the history of its ministry—The Truth Project—a DVD-based small-group curriculum comprised of 12 one-hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett. This home-study series looks at life from a biblical perspective. Each lesson reveals in great detail the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview daily.
Since The Truth Project opened to our congregation in the fall of 2008, more than 120 teens and adults have completed the training. A perpetual waiting list accepts names of people who want to join future Truth Project groups, scheduled around the needs of as many as 15 people per group.
| Schedule | T 6:00–8:00pm Sep 14–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Location | to be announced |
| Invitation | open to all, class limited to 15 |
| Purpose | explanation of biblical worldview and its application to every area of life |
| Format | 13-part DVD presentation and interactive discussion |
| Child Care | no |
| Cost | no fee |
| Leaders | Reed and Jan Smith |
| Join the Class | Email Jan Smith or call (619) 435–2433 |
Weekly Event . Tuesdays
"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Attempting to follow the words of Luke, Crosswalk harnesses the high energy level of senior high school students to power growing relationships with Jesus Christ in safe and friendly environments where students feel free to connect with their friends, influence their peers positively, serve the community, and experience the reward of personal ministry.
| Schedule | T 7:00–8:30pm year
round |
|---|---|
| Location | Center for Christian Education, Youth Room 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to youth in the community senior high school grades 9–12, ages 14–18 |
| Purpose | community service, contests, games, prayer, Scripture lessons, worship bands |
| Group Size | averages around 30 |
| Refreshments | snack |
| Contact |
(619) 435-6860 x 13 |
Weekly Event . Tuesdays . Beginning September 14
Dress casually, bring friends, and prepare for a quick-paced joy ride as Pastor David “unplugged” drives home Scriptural lessons, applies them to today’s life in the fast lane, and invites passengers to rock the rumble seat with challenging questions. Every meeting covers way more territory than you’d expect in just 90 minutes. Test drive this multi-passenger educational vehicle, and get your faith in gear. Seat belts recommended.
| Schedule | T 7:00–8:30pm Sep–Jun |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to men and women in the community 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | fellowship New Testament Bible study prayer |
| Food Service | complimentary coffee, dessert |
| Child Care | available with 48-hour advance request |
| Leader | Pastor David H. McElrath |
| Contact | Email or (619) 435–6860 |
Weekly Event . Wednesdays, Beginning September 8
| Schedule | every Wednesday Sep–May |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:50–11:45am |
| Location | St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 700 D Avenue, Coronado |
| Invitation | open to all women 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | discipleship through interdenominational studies of Old and New Testaments |
| Format | 30-week at-home reading, small group study, large-group lecture |
| Cost | materials fee |
| Child Care | openings for ages 0–5 |
| Pre-Register | Beth West (619) 435–4658 |
Weekly Event . Wednesdays . Beginning September 15
Coronado's highest rated MPG—Men's Prayer Group—is at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The Lord spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, seeking men of character, integrity, and commitment to stand and pray for their nation. A small group of men has answered the call at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Men's Prayer Group gathers in the quiet of the church sanctuary each Wednesday morning before business hours to focus prayer on the nation, community, church, and themselves.
Are you a man of character? Join MPG!
| Schedule | W 6:00–7:00am Sep–Jun |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church sanctuary 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community, men 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | fellowship and prayer |
| Food Service | none |
| Contact | The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath, Pastor Email or (619) 435–6860 |
Weekly Event . Thursdays
The Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir is a group of talented volunteers who use their musical gifts to sing for the glory of the Lord and bring people into His presence, where lives change and needs find fulfllment. Whether by choir, special guests, or instruments, our music ignites the congregation into worship.
If you can hum a lullaby or sing the national anthem, you’re capable of filling the sanctuary with audible joy each Sunday morning. Our director of music ministries creatively draws the best from every choir member. And our fabulous state-of-the-art audio/visual system enhances Chancel Choir sound and records the worship music for everyone to sample online.
Please join us at any rehearsal, and voice your interest!
| Rehearsal Schedule | Th 7:00–8:30pm Sep–Jun Su 8:00–8:30am before worship service performance |
|---|---|
| Performance Schedule | Su 9:00–10:00am traditional worship service Christian and select other holidays |
| Location | Center for Christian Education 949 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to members of the congregation 15 years of age and older a heart for worship no auditions no prior choral experience necessary |
| Purpose | lead the congregation in musical worship |
| Advantages | good ear for pitch ability to read musical notation |
| Training | get-started class available |
| Cost | sheet music and choir robes provided at no cost |
| Contact | Teres Byrne, Director of Music Ministries Email or (619) 435–6860 x 17 |
Weekly Event . Fridays
It’s a guy thing. Once a week, men meet over coffee and bagels to explore God’s Word and, occasionally, solve world problems as Pastor David facilitates the often-rousing discussion. At the session’s end, the men pray for one another, seeking to be men of integrity and holding one another accountable during the next week. From wise guys to wise men in a flash of 90 minutes. A great opportunity for male bonding and an all-around good time of fellowship.
| Schedule | F 6:30–8:00am year round |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community, men 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | fellowship Old Testament exploration prayer |
| Refreshments | complimentary bagels, coffee |
| Contact | The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath, Pastor Email or (619) 435–6860 |
Weekly Event . Fridays
This group holds appeal for and welcomes women of all ages who want to learn practical ways to apply biblical truths to daily life through interactive study of the Bible. The 2010–11 season, beginning September 10, will introduce a technique taught in seminaries—homiletics. Using the Book of Isaiah, class members will learn to outline Scripture passages to create a homily—a lesson or sermon, with personal application.
| 2010–11 Schedule | F 9:30–11:00am Sep 10–May 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Parish Hall 975 C Avenue, Coronado Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community, women 20 years of age and older |
| Purpose | discipleship through Bible study fellowship prayer |
| Bring | favorite Bible, paper, pen or pencil |
| Cost | no fee |
| Refreshments | complimentary coffee |
| Child Care | available at no cost to ages 0–preschool 5 |
| Child Care Location | Kirk Cottage, 969 C Avenue, Coronado |
| Child Care Policies | drop-off 9:20–9:30am child care givers cannot accept children brought after 10:00am |
| Child Care Registration | registration form must be on file no later than Aug 27, 2010 Downloadable Child Care Registration PDF» |
| Contact | Barbara Bartroff Email» (619) 435–3646 |