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ALPHA Basic Christianity Course (Bilingual)

Alpha Course, a 10-week introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, Spring-Summer Session 2008, will begin on May 21! Contact: Rika Marubashi, or alpha@jauc.org.

SCHEDULE FOR Spring-Summer 2008 COURSE
Brochure (download PDF)

What is Alpha?
What does ALPHA stand for?
What are the Course topics?
What is a typical evening session include?
How can I sign up?

What is Alpha?
Alpha is a ten-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 get a lot out of an Alpha Course.

Each week people meet together 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 Still Heal Today?" , followed by 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.

There are over 5000 Alpha courses running in the US and about 1,000,000 people in America and Canada have already participated. Most Americans live within easy access of an Alpha course.

ALPHA means that
A: Anyone can attend;
L: there is Laughter and Learning in every session;
P: Pasta stands for food;
H: we Help each other in the small discussion groups;
A: and you can Ask Any question you like.

Course topics

Who Is Jesus? (5/21/08)
Why Did Jesus Die? (5/28/08)
How Can I Be Sure of My Faith? (6/4/08)
Why and How Should I Read the Bible? (6/11/08)
Why and How Do I Pray? (6/18/08)
How Does God Guide Us?(6/25/08)
Who Is the Holy Spirit? (7/2/08)
What Does the Holy Spirit Do? (7/9/08)
How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit? (7/16/08)
How Can I Resist Evil? (7/23/08)
Does God Heal Today? (7/30/08)
Why and How Should We Tell Others?(8/6/08)

Celebration Supper (TBA)
Supper, games, prizes, with the video Christianity: Boring, Untrue
and Irrelevant?
Invite your friends, family and coworkers!
Ask any question! Meet new friends!

Typical Evening

7pm Tea/Coffee
Tea/Coffee/Snacks are served and the people arrive.
7:20 pm Singing
7.30 pm Talk/Video
8:15pm Break
8:20pm Small Groups/Coffee Break
People split up into their small groups. The small groups consist of around 12 people. One person or a married couple lead and three others help. This is a time when the people in the group can study the Bible, discuss the talk, and ask questions. As the weeks progress the group may also feel that it would like to pray together.
9:00pm End

Spring-Summer 2008 course will start on May 21, 2008!
If you are interested, please email Rika Marubashi for more details and specifics.



Sunday School Bible Study	ALPHA Basic Christianity Course (Bilingual) Alpha Course, a 10-week introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, Spring-Summer Session 2008, will begin on May 21! Contact: Rika Marubashi, or alpha@jauc.org. SCHEDULE FOR Spring-Summer 2008 COURSE Brochure (download PDF) What is Alpha? What does ALPHA stand for? What are the Course topics? What is a typical evening session include? How can I sign up? What is Alpha? Alpha is a ten-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 get a lot out of an Alpha Course. Each week people meet together 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 Still Heal Today?" , followed by 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. There are over 5000 Alpha courses running in the US and about 1,000,000 people in America and Canada have already participated. Most Americans live within easy access of an Alpha course. ALPHA means that A: Anyone can attend; L: there is Laughter and Learning in every session; P: Pasta stands for food; H: we Help each other in the small discussion groups; A: and you can Ask Any question you like. Course topics Who Is Jesus? (5/21/08) Why Did Jesus Die? (5/28/08) How Can I Be Sure of My Faith? (6/4/08) Why and How Should I Read the Bible? (6/11/08) Why and How Do I Pray? (6/18/08) How Does God Guide Us?(6/25/08) Who Is the Holy Spirit? (7/2/08) What Does the Holy Spirit Do? (7/9/08) How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit? (7/16/08) How Can I Resist Evil? (7/23/08) Does God Heal Today? (7/30/08) Why and How Should We Tell Others?(8/6/08) Celebration Supper (TBA) Supper, games, prizes, with the video Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant? Invite your friends, family and coworkers! Ask any question! Meet new friends! Typical Evening 7pm Tea/Coffee Tea/Coffee/Snacks are served and the people arrive. 7:20 pm Singing 7.30 pm Talk/Video 8:15pm Break 8:20pm Small Groups/Coffee Break People split up into their small groups. The small groups consist of around 12 people. One person or a married couple lead and three others help. This is a time when the people in the group can study the Bible, discuss the talk, and ask questions. As the weeks progress the group may also feel that it would like to pray together. 9:00pm End Spring-Summer 2008 course will start on May 21, 2008! If you are interested, please email Rika Marubashi for more details and specifics.
	For more info: http://www.alphausa.org/ Alpha Japan's Rev. Nagai & Andy Game will visit NYC! February 19 & 20 at The Japanese American United Church Feb. 19 Schedule: 6-7 PM light supper and socializing. 7 PM Welcome and Introductions: Gerri and Dean 15 minutes live worship with Masayo and Chizuko leading singing with Yukiko on piano. We need to pick 3 upbeat songs. A-L-P-H-A letters: 5 minutes Introduce Pastor Tony Kaiser, regional alpha coordinator and his guest, a Korean pastor who is helping with a big alpha seminar for Korean churches in April. Introduce Andy Game and Rev. Nagai to talk for 20-30 minutes with 10-15 minutes for Q & A. Possibly 10-15 minutes for pastors to ask questions of JAUC alpha team and guests about how we do Alpha; people's experiences and feelings. Closing prayer and farewell. Clean up. Feb. 20 Schedule: Pastor's Luncheon with area Japanese pastors. All are welcome! Alpha NYC Presents: Live Music at the Knitting Factory You're invited... alpha.org September 13, 8pm The Knitting Factory (in the Main Space) 74 Leonard Street, NYC Tickets: $15 (bring a friend! two for $21) Reservations: 1-800-36-ALPHA or visit knittingfactory.com Featuring entertainment by musician Dusty Brown and actor Jeremy O'Grady. The Knitting Factory has been a cultural institution in New York City for twenty years, hosting jazz, rock, and eclectic musicians. Alpha Talk #1- Who is Jesus? 7:00-9:00PM Was Jesus more than just a wonderful man? Was He more than a great moral teacher? Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” – Mark 14:61-62 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #2- Why did JESUS die? 7:00-9:00PM What is the difference between the death of Jesus and the death of Socrates, one of the martyrs, or a war hero? What did Jesus’ death achieve? For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #3- How can I be sure of my faith? 7:00-9:00PM What evidence is there that faith is real? He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you many know that you have eternal life. – 1 John 5:12-13 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #4- Why and How Do I Pray? 7:00-9:00PM What is the value of prayer? If God knows our needs, why should we pray about them? “ Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 JJoin us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #5- Why and how should I read the bible? 7:00-9:00PM Why is the Bible so popular, powerful, and precious? What is so important about the Bible? “ Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #6- How Does God Guide Us? 7:00-9:00PM How can I know the will of God? In what ways should we expect God to speak to us? “ For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” – Philippians 2: 13 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. One Day Seminar-Holy Spirit Retreat Day at JAUC! 10:00-3:30PM Topics include: Who Is the Holy Spirit? What Does the Holy Spirit Do? How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit? Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #7- How Can I Resist Evil? 7:00-9:00PM How can I experience victory over Satan and his schemes? “ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..” – Ephesians 6: 11-12 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #8- Does God Heal Today? 7:00-9:00PM Should I expect God to heal people today? “ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”–Romans 8: 23 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #9- Why and How Should We Tell Others? 7:00-9:00PM How do I overcome my insensitivity and fear about sharing the Good News? “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”–Matthew 28: 19-20 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Talk #10- What about the Church? 7:00-9:00PM What is the church? What does God have to say about His relationship to the church? “ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”–1 Peter 2:9 Join us for refreshments, talk and discussion on the above topic. Alpha Celebration Party A chance to invite your friends, family and coworkers! Ask any question! Meet new friends!