Evangel UMC | Connect Groups

Spring/summer 2024 CONNECT GROUPS

Life is better CONNECTED!

Connected to Christ, Connected to Each Other.

You are invited to be part of an Evangel Church Connect Group.

Connect groups are short term spiritual growth opportunities to:

Gather in community, Explore faith, Make new friends, and Study God’s Word

Evangel Connect groups run from 4-12 weeks on a quarterly basis. We offer connect groups at a wide variety of times.

You do not need to be a member to participate

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REGISTRATION OPTIONS

• Call Church Office: 507-289-4817

• Email Office: office@evangelum.org

• Online: www.evangelum.org > Small Groups

Most classes low or no cost. Scholarships available upon request.

discover your spiritual Gifts

Click below to take a Spiritual Gift Inventory

Spiritual Gift Inventory

Spiritual Formation groups

April - June

Bible study 101

Host: Brian Nass
Date/Time: Wednesdays 6:30PM - 8PM
Room: 221(Fireside) & ZOOM
Duration: April 3 - May 15 (6 sessions)
Whether you’ve never done a Bible study before or need a refresher, you’ll learn something new! This introductory history of the Bible will cover how it came to be, how it’s organized, key themes, passages & verses for quick reference in specific times of need. This will be a good orientation for our all-church “Read through the Bible” starting in June.
There will be no class on Apr. 24.

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family bible discovery time

Hosts: Dale & Sandy Larsen
Date/time: Wed. at 6pm
Room: 132
Duration: Apr. 3—May. 15 (7 sessions)
Parents and young kids are invited to come together to explore the Bible and learn about God’s promises and how we fit into His story. We will use the colorful God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook. Paper, crayons, colored pencils and more will be provided to help kids engage in activities.

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Base ball before it was baseball

Host: Corky Gaskell
Date/Time: Sundays 6:30PM - 8PM
Room: 224
Duration: April 7 - May 12 (6 sessions)
We’ll explore the early origins and the subsequent development of “America’s Pastime” (previously known as “Base Ball”), including daily life applications from biblical themes. Did you know Jesus played the very first game of baseball? Come and find out! If you’re both “a follower” of Jesus and baseball, this group is for you! Note: There is an optional baseball making opportunity available (there
is a fee to cover cost of materials).

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Fruit of the spirit II

Hosts: Barb Schroeder, Kay Hess & Darlene Albrecht
Date/time: Wednesdays 10AM—11:30AM
Room: 221 (Fireside)
Duration: Apr. 10—May 1 (4 sessions)
Picking up from last fall, we’ll review and discuss the last three “fruits of the spirit” - goodness, gentleness and self-control. As an added bonus, we’ll conclude the fourth week discussing gratitude. The “fruits of the spirit” will become more real to you as you incorporate them into your life

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the power of the holy spirit's names

Host: Reese Werner
Date/Time: Thursdays 6PM - 7:30PM
Room: 221 (Fireside)
Duration: April 11 - May 16 (6 sessions)
The Holy Spirit is God with us...and God in us. And yet, we often struggle to fully access what that can mean in our lives. This group uses Dr. Tony Evans' study exploring some of the biblical titles of the Holy Spirit to not only understand better His characteristics, duties and mission among people, but to appreciate how He influences and inspires our faith in Christ. This study complements the April - May Sunday message series on the Holy Spirit. Workbook provided ($8)

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new membership class

Hosts: Pastor David & Jeff Lansdowne
Date/Time: Thursdays 6:30PM - 8PM
Room: 224
Duration: April 18 - May 9 (4 sessions)
This is for anyone curious about membership at Evangel UMC. Participants will be invited (but not required) to join the church as Professing Members after taking the class. We'll cover our spiritual journeys so far, the commitment to follow Jesus (being a "professing member"), the "Methodist" and "Wesleyan" way of discipleship, the history and overview of the Evangel congregation, spiritual giftings, areas of service and anything participants wish to discuss! Come if you are considering joining Evangel, or if you just want to learn more.

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refresh! A Spring retreat for women

Hosts: Reese Werner & Yours Faithfully Ministries
Date/Time: Saturday April 27 10:30AM - 3:30PM
Location: Faith Point Lutheran Church
1051 27th St. West
New Prague, MN
Cost is $45 (includes lunch and concert by Nikki Clark). For more information and/or to sign up, contact Reese Werner at dtwerner@msn.com

spiritual formation groups

(ongoing)

upper room bible study
(adult sunday school)

Hosts: Gary Hebrink & Susie O'Connell
Date/Time: Sundays 9:30AM
Room: 221 (Fireside Room)
Listen for God's message in our daily lives through the experiences offered by the devotional writers of the Upper Room along with our own experiences. The challenge then is how we can go forth to share God's love with others while supporting each other.
Parent Cafe

Host: Jen Hull
Date/Time: Sundays at 9:30 AM
Room: 202 (Pastor David's office)
Relaxed meeting of parents to talk about life issues (school, parenting, community, etc.) We will be exploring a Bible study of love languages.

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drop-in discussion group

Hosts: Rotating
Date/Time: Sundays from 9:45 AM to 10:15 AM
Room: Lobby
Drop into a different discussion each week about how our Christian faith shapes our daily lives. Hosts will provide the topic, a grounding Scripture passage, and then moderate a respectful conversation. Come ready to listen and share. Do "Drop-In!"

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young adults

Host: Desiree Morrison
Date/Time: Sundays 9:30AM - 10:15AM
Room: 128
Duration: April 7 - May 19 (7 sessions)
Experiencing God: God’s Invitation to Young Adults. This interactive Bible study invites young adults to join God in His work. We will focus on the application of biblical principles to young adult life issues, such as healthy relationships and God's plan for our lives.

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Confirmation

Hosts: Pastors David Werner & Susie O'Connell
Date/Time: Wednesdays at 6:15 PM
Room: 224
Two-year class offering a basic and fundamental understanding of the Christian faith. This understanding will help them prepare to confirm for themselves the vows to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and to commit their lives to following Him as a disciple.
Geared for students entering grades 7 - 9.
youth group

Hosts: Peter Kroneman & Andy McCright
Date/Time: Fridays at 7:00 PM
Location: Youth Room & lower level
This is intended for Middle school and senior high youth.
Snacks, networking, games, worship and study on how to grow as a Christian youth.

service groups

community dinner/Wednesday night meals

Host: Jackie Hall
Date/Time: Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Dinette
Duration: October 4 - May 29
kitchen fun each week: cooking, serving and cleaning up for the Community Dinner. If interested, please fill in the information form below.

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sewing circle

Host: Becky Pierce
Date/Time: Mondays at 1:00 PM
Room: 224
Pinning quilt squares provides the context for lots of great fellowship. If interested, please fill in the information form below.

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Evangel Tech Team

The Tech Team is the technical heart of worship at Evangel. There are opportunities for people to work the cameras during a service, run the slides for the big screens during the service, or run the sound during the service. Don't worry if you don't know how to do these things. We will train you if you think it is something you would like to do.
If you are interested in joining us, contact the office at office@evangelum.org, call 507-289-4817 or talk to Abe Burson.
Praise Team

Host: Jim Klepper
Date/Time: Wednesday at 6:15 PM
Room: Sanctuary
Rehearsals are also a time of worship, fellowship and spiritual growth. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

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Hospitality team/philemon hospitality

Host: Jim Gregoire
Date/Time: One Sunday a month at 11:30 AM
Room: 221 (Fireside Room)
The Hostpitality Team encourages, promotes, and builds hospitality. We will explore Bible verses related to welcoming, greeting, caring, and sharing. We will put our learning into action by helping the hospitality mission grow at Evangel. We meet on one Sunday morning a month at 11:#0 AM. Our next meetings are on September 24, October 22, November 19, and December 17. You may attend one or more meetings, as your schedule permits. All are welcome! If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

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Cut-ups at bethel lutheran church

Host: Brenda Gaskell
Date/Time: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9 AM
Location: 810 3rd Ave SE,
Rochester, MN 55904
Ecumenical group that meets twice monthly to cut out basic infant items for sewing. These bundles of items go to Minnesota families in need. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

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Kitchen Krew

Host: Mark Clark (occasional)
Cook, serve and clean up for the occasional meals Evangel hosts. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

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evangel Choir

Host: Pam Wright
Date/Time: Rehearsals are Thursday at 7:30 PM
Room: Sanctuary
Rehearsals are a time of singing, fellowship and prayer. The choir sings for almost all 8:30 AM services during the school year as well as some special services. If you are interested, please fill out the information form below.

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Bible Story time

Host: Jim Klepper
Evangel loves all kids! Every Wednesday Evangel staff and volunteers offer a Wednesday morning ‘Sunday School” for children of the “Good News” day care Center. Singing, Prayer, Bible stories and crafts are included along with a year end concert for families that draws about 100 people!

Fellowship groups

MN Twins game at target field

Host: Jim Klepper & Clancy Craven
Duration: 1 Time Event
Day & Time: Saturday, August 3, 6:10
Where: Target Field in Minneapolis, MN

Our Evangel Day at the ballpark is coming up August 3. We will take in a game at Target Field to watch our Minnesota Twins take on the Chicago White Sox. Buses are available for those who desire transportation to the game. The Bus will park about 1 block from the ballpark.

This particular game is a “hot ticket” as it will be the night the Twins honor Joe Mauer for his Hall of Fame induction into Cooperstown. Joe is only the 3rd catcher in major league history to be induced on the first ballot! Pregame activities will be historical and filled with pageantry and a “who’s who” of Baseball legends from the Twins and around the league.

This game is already a sellout… BUT because Evangel is a regular group attendee of Twins games, we have been able to secure 100 tickets!!!

Round trip transportation to the game by Charter bus and a ticket will be only $49. This is a significant saving on the bus transportation. If you would like to go to the game but drive yourself, tickets are $35. Prices are higher this year because ticket prices for this game are at a premium… 30 percent higher due to the Joe Maure Hall of Fame night.

Friends are invited!!! The more Friends the better, so please invite!! But we can only get 100 tickets so don’t delay in reserving your tickets for this historical game now! Busses will depart Evangel around 3:00 pm on Saturday. The game begins at 6:10 p.m.

To sign up, go to the bulletin board just off the lobby ,
call the church office at 289-4817
Questions? Jim Klepper or Clancy Craven at jklepper@evangelum.org or ccraven@evangelum.org
All those riding the bus to the game must be at church by 3:00 p.m.

Sign Up!
"Take a hike'

Leaders: Jim Klepper & Mike Aakre
Location: Quarry Hill, Indian Heights, & White Water State Park
Date/Time: TBD
Experience and enjoy God’s beautiful creation! We will be taking 3 hikes this year at Quarry Hill Park, Indian Heights (off Elton Hills Dr.) & Whitewater State Park near St. Charles. Dates & times TBD.
Intergenerational board games

Host: Reese Werner
Date/Time: Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Room: Lobby
Building intergenerational relationships over the fun of a board game. Bring a game or join in. It's fun!
Women of Evangel

Host: Becky Pierce
Date/Time: 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM
Room: Lobby
Monthly gathering of wemen for fellowship and devotions.
older folders

Host: Mike Aakre
Date/Time: Every Friday at 11:00 AM
Room: 221 (Fireside Room)
After the Sunday bulletins are folded, stick around for snacks and fellowship.