Dear Church family and friends,
Behold! The link to the next sermon in our Advent series on the promises made by God in the book of Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQbuTmL4vX0. In it, Pastor Johannes explains that ‘to behold’ something goes beyond just seeing something, but truly understanding, or getting into depth with what you’re supposed to be focussing on. His sermon text comes from Genesis 28, a story of Jacob and the dream that he had.
This week in Church…
Praying Moms meet via Zoom tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 7:30pm. Next week, their prayer session is on Monday (22nd) morning 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.
Worship Service this Sunday at 11am promises to be full on Christmas! We will of course light the fourth Advent Candle, as well as hearing about the next promise in Genesis – but the remainder of the time we will be singing Christmas Carols and reflecting on the meaning of the season. Those who play instruments, or have song suggestions should get in contact as soon as possible so that you may be added to the running order! If you are not able to make it please do join us on our livestream. Afterward, there will be a wonderful spread of cakes, sweets and snacks in the cafeteria where people usually gather after the service – but there will only be something to eat if you bring it! Please do not bring anything that needs to be re-warmed prior to serving.
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.
Christmas is very close indeed…
Next Wednesday, on Christmas Eve (24th December) at 5pm, we will be holding a short service celebrating the birth of Jesus. The children will have a special sermon, and, to close, we will be singing a song about the light that we have and what we should be doing with it. Unfortunately we are not allowed to use proper candles in the Chapel Room at the FTH, so to imitate their light we ask you to bring a flashlight or have enough battery on your phone to use its inbuilt torch. You are more than welcome to stay with us at the end of the service to enjoy some food and chat with others! Again, we ask that you bring finger-foods which are ready to be served without being re-heated.
While we are gearing up for Christmas, Hanukkah has already begun. These are supposed to be festivals of light and peace, but there are those who wish to remain in darkness and attempt to spread the fear and hate that they have. We are sure that you have seen the news of the attacks that have happened in the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia. Please join us in prayer as we lift up the victims’ families and friends to the Lord, and petition Him to end violence of any kind, but particularly that which is hate- or religiously motivated.
Have a blessed week!