Cafe: Adult Sunday School 9 - 10 AM
Everyone is welcome at TLC’s Café (aka grownup Sunday School). We study the Bible and how God’s word applies to our lives today. Join us downstairs, in the café, which is next to the kitchen.
Questions are encouraged. We look at different translations of the Bible, the historical and societal context of when the Bible was written, and protestant teachings from other denominations (some of us weren’t raised in the Lutheran church).
We always have coffee!
New to the café is a lending library of the book-club reads as well as other Christian books and Bible-study resources. Please look for the “Lending Library” signs on the book cases for books to share. Feel free to borrow at book anytime you're in the building.
Links & Docs for Discussion
August 7 & 21 Conversation
Do you remember washing your car 20 years ago? Insects were splattered over the windshield. Nowadays that doesn't happen so much, does it? Scientists associate the dramatic decline in insect populations with industrial agricultural practices, especially habitat destruction and pesticide use.
We'll discuss:
Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides on Produce
Lutheran Theology of Creation: A New Reformation
July 31 Conversation
More Bible stories we don't read in church, but which raise questions about faith, life and human behavior.
2 Samuel 13: Amnon and Tamar
Acts 5: Ananias and Sapphira
July 24 Conversation
Cafe combines coffee, tea and a "tasty" Bible story, one “never” read in church. Check out the oldest known story in the Bible: Judges 4 & 5.
Historial Context:
Why is Mount Tabor significant?
July 10 Conversation
Joy is the word for this day! Bring a happy memory: something that nurtured faith in God and humanity, something that made you laugh or cry with tears of joy.
July 3 Conversation
Last week, we began our discussion about abortion in the Bible, examining the history of abortion in both Testaments. This week, we will study the social statement of the ELCA about abortion.
ELCA Pastoral Message on Abortion
77 Shocking Abortion Statistics
Come listen, hear, share, laugh and cry. We do. Downstairs with coffee in hand. Tea if you want it.
June 19 & 26 Conversation
We continue our discussion of what the Bible says about violence. Homework: read this summary from Wikipedia about Christianity and violence.
June 5 Café Conversation
What shapes our/your response to violence for these Biblical people: Samson, Isaiah (II), Peter at Gethsemane, Jesus at the Temple, or in front of Pilate?
What does the Bible teach us about responding to violence?
April 10 Notes
Video: Nikole Hannah-Jones on the Case for Reparations
ELCA's Declaration to People of African Descent
TLC's Doin' the Work list of learning materials about white privilege, racism, and social justice.
Groups/Events working for racial justice:
Power - an interfaith action coalition with local chapters for Philadelphia and the surround metro area
April 3 (and March 27) Notes
Video: Systemic Racism in America
ELCA's Declaration to People of African Descent
TLC's Doin' the Work list of learning materials about white privilege, racism, and social justice.
Groups/Events working for racial justice:
Power - an interfaith action coalition with local chapters for Philadelphia and the surround metro area
History of Slavery & Main Line Faith Communities, sponsored by the regional Interfaith Racial Justice Group
March 20 Notes
ELCA's Declaration to People of African Descent
Video: Repairing the Breach: The Episcopal Church and Slavery Atonement
This introduction is free but precedes a documentary series on the slave trade in the North (for "rent").
March 13 Notes
ELCA's Declaration to People of African Descent
Video: Danger of a Single Story
March 6 Notes
Into the Wilderness - study of mark 1:9-15
February 27 Notes
A look at the Beatitudes - comparing the different versions from Matthew and Luke
February 20 Notes
The Lord's Prayer dialogue continues ...
Christian Art Steeped in White Supremacy
Paul's Letters & Modern Race Relations
February 13 Notes
The Lord's Prayer dialogue continues with a look at Jewish roots, and Gentile influences, as well as changes over the first four centuries. Also a comparison between Matthew and Luke and the influence of the Qumran community northwest of the Dead Sea in what is called the West Bank.
How do we "see" Jesus?
What did Jesus really look like?
The 7 Oldest Paintings of Jesus
Christian Art Steeped in White Supremacy
February 6 Notes
Debts, Trespasses, Sins - English translations for the same Bible Words. Which one is most compelling? Which does faith teach, or Jesus mean? What do we mean when we pray that our debts be forgiven, or sins, for that matter? Open discussion in Cafe. 9 a.m. Sunday.
From Bible Odyssey: The Lord's Prayer
January 30 Notes
From Bible Odyssey: The Love Passage (1 Corinthians 13)
January 23 Notes
From Bible Odyssey: How was the Bible formed?
