Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Sundays
Spiritual Formation is back and in full force! This is a dedicated time to connect with one another, build community, and grow in our faith together. Whether you’re new or returning, we invite you to explore the various offerings designed to support your spiritual journey. Let’s grow together!
Spiritual Formation
Alternative Gift Faire
Join us after worship for the Alternative Gift Faire on November 2nd, running from 10:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
This meaningful event raises funds to support charitable agencies through thoughtful and purpose-driven shopping.
Shop with a purpose this holiday!
In past years, the Faire has featured a variety of sellers, including:
- Local artisans offering handmade jewelry, pottery, quilts, linens, cards, and photographs
- Charity booths representing organizations like Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity, Church World Service, and Inland Valley Hope Partners
- Youth-led tables selling delicious taco salad to support holiday outreach efforts
Location: Fellowship Hall
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025 | 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Alternative Gift Faire: Baked Goods Needed
The Alternative Gift Faire is in full swing, and we’re so grateful for all the delicious treats you’ve shared so far!
If you’re planning to donate baked goods or homemade candies, please drop them off in the Fellowship Hall before worship this Sunday morning, November 2nd.
To help us serve everyone safely:
- Clearly label items that are gluten-free or contain eggs, nuts, peanut butter, or chocolate.
- If you’d like your containers returned, please write your name on them.
Thank you for sharing your delicious gifts and helping make this event a sweet success!
Location: Fellowship Hall
Donated Goods: Before church on Sunday November 2, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Taco-Bout a Lunch Prep for Alternative Gift Faire
All middle and high schoolers are invited to help prepare and serve a taco salad bar for the Alternative Gift Fair. All proceeds from this lunch will go toward the youth’s yearly tradition of adopting a family for Christmas.
This meal is offered on a donation basis. You’re welcome to contribute whatever feels right for you, whether it’s the typical cost of a lunch out, a few dollars, or simply what you can. Every contribution helps support the youth’s efforts and the family they’ll be adopting this Christmas.
Middle and high school students meet in the kitchen this Sunday, November 2nd at 8:30 a.m. to prepare a taco salad for the Alternative Gift Faire.
Location: Church Kitchen | Fellowship Hall
Ages: All
Cost: This is offered on a donation basis.
Day/Time: Sunday, November 2. 2025 | Youth Prep 8:30 a.m. | Taco Salad open at 10:45 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Friendship Class
Friendship Class will address three exciting topics condensed in two days on November 9th and 16th. On November 9th, the focus will be on Mary Magdalene, an important Biblical figure who has gotten an unfair bad rap over the centuries from jealous commentators. No, she wasn’t a prostitute, nor was she married to Jesus.
Come and find out more about this prominent yet mysterious woman. We all know of her, but what do we know about her? On November 16th, the discussion will turn to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Was Jesus a Pharisee? Is our uncomfortable opinion of them justified? Who were they really? Come and find out.
Friendship Class discussions begin with prize winning, recorded lectures by Professor Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt U. She speaks rapidly, but she is both knowledgeable and charming. Come to one session or both. The class will be friendly with you.
Location: Social Hall
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 9 and 16, 2025 | 10:45 a.m.
Spiritual Formation in Action
Spiritual Formation isn’t only about study or reflection; it’s also about service, hospitality, and care. Join us for two mornings of meaningful connection as we tend to our shared spaces and community.
You might help organize a classroom, write a card for someone on the prayer chain, help refurbish the Little Free Library, or take part in another act of care. Come, enjoy coffee and conversation, and put your faith into action together.
Location: Various Places
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 9 and 16, 2025 | 10:45 a.m.
Hope 4 Home
We are a Matthew 25 Movement congregation, seeking to protect and defend the vulnerable in the name of Jesus. One way we work at this pledge is by providing meals to Hope for Home, a local transitional housing center in Pomona. All ages are invited to participate in meal preparations. For questions, email our kitchen ministries coordinator, Tron Passmore at kitchen@lavernecob.org
Led By: Tron Passmore
Location: Church Kitchen
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Love Feast
Love Feast is a special time in the life of our congregation when we come together to share a simple meal, wash one another’s feet, and celebrate communion together. The focus of this service will be gratitude and is designed with all ages in mind. After worship, as our spiritual formation offering, the congregation is invited into the courtyard to share in the elements of Love Feast.
Location: Fellowship Hall
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 23, 2025 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Advent Adventure
Sunday, November 30th marks the first Sunday of Advent and thus Advent Adventure, a time when we gather across generations on the courtyard for advent activities. The first Sunday of Advent will include preparing the greens.
Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities for the event. And mark your calendars for Advent Adventure for each Sunday in Advent.
Location: Courtyard
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 10:45 a.m.
Volunteer Opportunity: Help Us Deck the Halls!
We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare and hang our beautiful garlands for Advent! Join us on Sunday, November 30th to create and carry the garlands after church (no sign-up needed to participate, but we need 15–20 committed helpers). Then, on Sunday, December 7th, we’ll need about 20 volunteers to help hang the garlands during worship.
Printable sign-up forms will be available as bulletin inserts starting mid-November, or you can download the form online and return it in the usher plate or the bin on the Welcome Table. For questions, contact Amanda Cruse at acrusemsw@gmail.com or Beth Snowden-Ifft at b.snowdenifft@mac.com.
Let’s make this season festive together!