Update for Monday, October 21st
Dear Church family and friends,
Our relationship to or with someone informs how we might address a person. In more formal situations, we might use our or their surname, and in more familiar crowds we might use a shortened version of our or our friends’ names. Those with middle names might have experienced being given the ‘full name treatment’ when their parents have caught them doing something they really ought not to be doing. With God, we can call him by several names, but, as Daniel explained in his sermon yesterday, they are all loving, kind, close and personal. He does not stop allowing us to call Him by name just because we may have done something wrong, and He longs for closeness with His creation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCbv_72Cjv8
In a shake up to the usual format, we’d like to remind you of some events that require a little action on your side:
As the name suggests, our Potluck after the service on 3rd November, will have a large variety of foods and drinks for everyone to enjoy – but only if people sign up! If you’re still not sure what you will bring, that’s fine, but we would like to have an idea of numbers. Please write to office@ibc-giessen.org if you plan on being there, and tell us how many people you will bring with you, as visitors are always welcome.
Pre-registering also applies for the Men’s Breakfast this coming Saturday, the King’s Daughters event on 9th November, as well as the Women’s Christmas Brunch on 30th November 2024.
In previous announcements we have been searching for people to join our choir for the Christmas Cantata. Unfortunately we have had little feedback, and it is now a little late to start effective rehearsals. There will therefore be no Cantata performance on 15th December, but a Carol Service instead. Are there any Christmas songs from your home culture that you could share with the Church? You could either play it on Sunday 15th December for yourself, or get in touch (in good time!) with the Worship Team and they will give it a go for you. Perhaps you have a request for a song or Bible reading that really touches you at this time of the year. To get involved or make requests, you can use the e-mail address given above.
This Week in Church…
YABS goes back to ‘normal’ in their smaller groups this week. All meet up at 7pm, but in different locations around Giessen. If you’d like to find out which is closer to you, or which one is English-speaking, then please drop the team a line at yabs@ibc-giessen.org.
Our Mid-Week Bible Study on Galatians now enters its third week – but don’t worry if you haven’t made it to the other sessions yet! Just be at the FTH on Wednesday evening at 7pm – or online via a Zoom link which you can get by asking at office@ibc-giessen.org – and we will get you caught up!
We’ve already mentioned it once, but it is this week, so we’ll say it again: the next Men’s Breakfast takes place on Saturday morning at 9:30am in the Student Kitchen at the FTH. There will be food, fellowship, prayer and an input – and we are looking forward to seeing as many men there as possible. Don’t forget to write in your e-mail what breakfast buffet food item you will be bringing with you!
The clocks go back an hour on Sunday morning – the service will start at 11am, though! This week Larry Norman will be sharing the Word of God with us. If you are unable to make it for whatever reason, you can be part of our online congregation by clicking. Again, access to the livestream can be gained by writing to office@ibc-giessen.org
May God bless you richly this week!