Did you know we have a small group that has been experiencing the love of Jesus in study and fellowship since 1988!? Living Stones is a Bible study lead by Bernie Gower. I had the pleasure of asking him a few questions about this ministry. His mission is simple and beautiful: Love God. Love People.

How did Living Stones get started?
The group was started back in 1989 when we moved to Md. from NY. Pastor Dick and Jane Long came to our door with a delicious pastry to welcome us to the neighborhood and invited our family to visit Walkersville Brethren In Christ church which was meeting in the High School Band Room. We had previously been Baptist, Methodist and most recently, Evangelical Free; and said that we would be looking for a a local Evangelical Free Church to visit. We were not familiar with the Brethren In Christ denomination. But we decided to accept their invitation for our first Sunday in Maryland, and ended up never going anywhere else. WBIC was a very small, but very warm and welcoming congregation. Teri and I had hosted a weeknight home Bible Study group for many years in NY, and asked if we might be able to start one at WBIC which currently did not have any home Bible Studies. Pastor Dick was thrilled, excited, and encouraging for us to start a home Bible Study. As we got to know the church community, we inquired if there might be any interest among members of the church. We found a few couples that were interested, and thus began our Monday evening studies in our home. We also often rotated the location to others homes and since we were mostly all families with young children, we took turns watching the children on a rotational basis in another room.
 
Living Stones is the oldest Bible study we have here at WCC: What do you think has made the study so sustainable?
Easy answer. We have always as a group strived to keep things informal, warm, and sustain a non-threatening atmosphere with people who are passionate about their faith, who love the Lord and seek to continue and desire to grow in spiritual maturity of Godly wisdom from God's Word. There are several of us that have remained the core group over the years. Many different people have also joined and left as the years rolled on. Not everyone has always been members of our WBIC/WCC church, and newcomers are always welcomed.

What is the culture of Living Stones?
I would describe our culture as an adult study and not necessarily couples oriented. We try to keep our session to one hour. We open and close with prayer. We have at times, spent the entire time in prayer if needed, and as moved by the Spirit. We currently do not have childcare available as an option. We share each others joys and carry each others burdens. We all learn from each other, and often rotate the leading and facilitating of the group sessions to anyone who would like to do so. We really are iron sharpening iron, and learning from each other based on our various spiritual gifts. Our studies are always Bible based and Christ centered.

What would you say to someone wanting to join a small group?
Please join one! Grow in Christ. Abide in Christ. Walk with Christ. Walk with others in a deeper relationship. Bible Study and Fellowship are necessary and vital parts of a Christian life; as are prayer, worship and Christian service. Join us anytime! You will be welcomed and loved! We are currently working our way through the Apostle Peter's First Letter.

When Living Stones completes a study, they discuss as a group ideas for their next study; sometimes based on a study guide, devotional study, or a book of the Bible. Living Stones is very participatory and group-centered.

Living Stones currently meets in person at WCC on Monday evenings from 7:15pm - 8:30pm, and Zoom is an option for anyone desiring to do so. Let Bernie Gower know in advance if Zoom is needed.

Father, we thank you for the Living Stones Bible Study and for Bernie Gower's heart for Jesus and spreading His love!