Dear Church family and friends,
“We’re not arguing, we’re just having heated discussion.”
Many must have heard this sentence as a child, usually said by an adult trying to diffuse an atmosphere which has been created by a conflict in opinion. Perhaps you’ve even been in an argument where both parties fundamentally agree, but each have a different way of expressing it, or feel that their viewpoint is slightly more nuanced than their counterpart’s. You might then say that a discussion aims to solve a problem, whereas an argument is there to serve the participants’ ego: they want to be right; the issue about which they are arguing is irrelevant. What does this have to do with Pastor Buddy’s sermon on Romans 12 : 9 -21? It’s a reminder to check yourself before entering a serious conversation – a reminder that satisfying one’s own desire to be correct neither shows grace and humility, nor does it keep the peace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts-NYMZHTe4
This week in Church…
Praying Moms will take place online tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7:30pm. Their next session after that will be on Monday 10th at 9:30am.
Young Adults’ Bible Study (YABS) meets on Tuesday evenings at 7pm. More information can be found in the WhatsApp group or by asking Pastor Johannes, Mona or Oliver. Another way you can get in touch is by writing to yabs@ibc-giessen.org.
Mid-Week Bible Study on Wednesday at 7pm is an online only session, not in-person as advertised during Sunday service.
King’s Daughters are starting their Christmas preparations on Saturday at 2pm. They will be meeting together in the Campus für Christus kitchen room to bake festive cookies. If you are a woman and would like to join in, please leave a thumbs-up in the WhatsApp group or write to the e-mail address given below. Don’t forget to bring cookie cutters, cookie decorations, rolling pins, baking paper and anything else you can think of with you!
Worship Service on Sunday takes place at the regular time of 11am at the Chapel Room in the FTH. Should you be ill, travelling, or otherwise not able to make it in time, you can be part of the congregation by joining in on our livestream.
For a full list of all upcoming events at IBC Giessen, please take a look at the Church Calendar on our website: https://www.ibc-giessen.org/calendar/. If you require a link to our livestream or any other online activity we have coming up this week, please e-mail office@ibc-giessen.org.
A full month ahead…
November is a packed month with something extra happening each weekend, kicking off with the already mentioned King’s Daughters event this coming Saturday:
The following weekend, after the service on 16th, we will be having a Pot-Luck. This is a time of extended fellowship, with the opportunity to share some things you are thankful for with the congregation, and will take place in the Student Kitchen at the FTH. It’s a great time of being together – just don’t forget to bring a dish to share with everyone!
The men will have their last Breakfast of the year together on the Saturday after that (22nd), but on the Sunday (23rd) there will be a Packing & Pizza Party for the Seamen’s boxes after the morning service. IBC Giessen will provide the pizza and drinks, so we need you to supply everything else – including the shoeboxes, wrapping paper and scellotape/glue. Of course, you may wish to pack your own box, and that day is also the deadline for handing that in. For more information about the shoebox gifts, including what to pack inside them, please write to office@ibc-giessen.org.
Then it’s the beginning of Advent. The women will be having their traditional Christmas Brunch on Saturday 29th November at Campus für Christus, at a time yet to be confirmed. There is already a sign-up sheet when you enter the Chapel Room on Sunday morning: even if you haven’t yet decided what you will be contributing to the buffet, but are sure you would like to attend, please put your name down on that list already – we like to make sure that everyone has a place set for them!
Have a blessed week!