In Christ Jesus

Dear Friends,

It is good to be back!

As a quick update, I was able to get the necessary documentation, and was also in the States in time to take care of my dad. I had just arrived in California, when Shirin called to let me know that my dad had fallen and hurt his back and shoulder. Apparently, Dad got dizzy while in the garage and fell backwards. As I was still several hours away from him, I persuaded the local police to visit him and call an ambulance. The ER checked him out before I could get there. Another story. Anyway, as my dad continued to experience excruciating pain, I took him to his doctor and the diagnosis was fractured vertebrae (broken back). We visited a specialist who performed a “Vertebroplasty,” a procedure of gluing the vertebrae. Thankfully that took care of the pain and he’s doing much better.

This whole experience once again impressed on me that God is faithful no matter where we are or where he takes us. As ex-pats living in Germany, many of us new to the area are adjusting to life that is supposed to be normal, but in some ways doesn’t feel that way at all. It’s a typical phase of culture shock—something that our family has been through before, but now Europe feels just as much home to us as the USA. The one constant in all the moving and traveling is God’s grace and care. It’s as expats that we find the church to be an anchor during our transitions and we feel very blessed as we meet and worship together each Sunday at Starnberg Fellowship.

This Sunday, I’ll be beginning a new sermon series entitled “The Real Thing.” What is it? We’ll be considering the different aspects of Christian life: reading of Scripture, prayer, Christian witness, importance of worship, and so forth. Tomorrow, we’ll be focusing on hearing God’s word through Scripture.

A few important changes to note:
-Change in time of worship service: Beginning tomorrow, 18 October, our worship service will be held at 16.00 hrs (4:00 p.m.).
-“Brotzeit” following worship. This is a time for a simple meal and fellowship before we start another fast-paced week. If you’d like, please bring something for 8-10 people (bread, cheese, salad, dessert) to share.
-25 October, Daylight Savings Time in Germany ends (http://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/germany/munich)

Things to look forward to:
-A Thanksgiving meal
-Special events for Christmas for the entire family
-Bible studies
-Women’s fellowship groups

Opportunities to serve and to get involved in the life of Starnberg Fellowship:
-Helping with set up and clean up for worship services and after
-Fellowship Hour
-Sunday school
-Music (children, adults, youth), please see Sarah or Stephanie
-Special events help
-It’s not too late to join our 100 Days of Prayer (check our church website)

As always, please invite a friend to join us, or forward this email to them. If you haven’t yet, visit our website: https://starnbergfellowship.de.

Finally as we move forward in building God’s church here in Starnberg, let us recall his promise to us in Ephesians 3:20-21:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

If you have any questions, have a prayer need, or are seeking to find your place in the life of our church, please feel free to contact me.

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor John