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FUMC ALPHA COURSE
What is the purpose of Alpha?
Alpha is an
eleven-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the
Christian faith for our lives today. It is a practical introduction to the
basics of Christianity with loads of opportunity for debate and
discussion. The style of Alpha is informal, friendly and non-pressured.
Alpha is
enjoyed and appreciated as much by those who have never set foot in a
church as it is by those who once attended and by the regular churchgoer.
No matter what their background, whether investigating Christianity for
the first time or revisiting their faith, participants gain a great deal
out of an Alpha Course.
Each
week people meet together t- for a meal, a talk on topics such as
"Who is Jesus?", "Why Did Jesus Die?", "How Can I
be Sure of My Faith?", and "Does God Heal Today?", followed
by a small group interaction. There is a day or weekend retreat midway
through the course, which focuses on the person and work of the Holy
Spirit. Child Care is available for all meetings except the weekend
retreat.
There
are more than 3000 Alpha courses running in the US and about 500,000
Americans have already participated.
Churches of
every different type and background, including Anglican, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Salvation Army, Free
Church and House Churches are running Alpha. Because Alpha covers the
basics of Christianity, all churches provide the same material, making
alterations only to suit the local culture.
Alpha
originated at Holy Trinity Brompton - an Anglican church in London,
England over twenty years ago. The syllabus of the course is contained in
the Book "Questions of Life" by Revd Nicky Gumbel. Thousands of
Alpha courses are running in many countries and it has been translated
into many different languages.
Church
leaders from all denominations report the astonishing impact the course
has on nonchurchgoers and existing Christians in their areas. And, it's
spreading to many secular locations - prisons, university campuses,
businesses and schools.
Who is Alpha for?
Those
wanting to investigate Christianity
New
Christians
Those who
feel that they have never really progressed as a Christian
Newcomers to
Church
Those who
want to brush-up on the basics
For more information
contact Clifford and Lailani Noble at (512) 392-1502 or Kim Burke at the
church office (512) 392-6001.
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