By Divine Appointment
When we read Acts 27, the question often arises: How did the apostle Paul end up in this unscheduled stop on the island of Malta on his journey to Rome? The easy answer is that his ship sank and he washed up on the beach. In this life “stuff like that just happens.” But the Bible’s view of history is that nothing ever “just happens.” Things happen for a reason and they take place not simply within a nexus of cause and
Weekly Invite – 10 February 2019
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This Sunday, 10 February, Philipp Meinecke will be preaching: "I am sure we have all been there at one point or another. Maybe you are there now, or you know someone who is. It’s this cloud that’s hanging over your head, which is accompanied by various other symptoms. Some call it “funk,” others call it depression. Call it getting down in the dumps or singing the blues, but what we are describing is this feeling that God has forgotten about
A Unique Kind of Happiness
As many of you know, our family currently lives in the center of Munich and we often find ourselves thinking, if happiness is measured by the looks on people’s faces, there apparently isn’t very much to go around. Of course, this could be any city, town, or village in any part of the world. Happiness isn’t the norm, nor has it ever been. This fact doesn’t keep our world from imagining that happiness is something that’s owed to them. But
Weekly Invite – 6 January 2019
Welcome to Starnberg Fellowship! Announcements: Happy New Year! This Sunday is Communion Sunday: Join us as we gather together to celebrate the beginning of another year of seeking God’s favor and direction. Pastor John will be preaching on “Born of the Virgin” (how does this apply to the new year?) and Scripture verses we’ll be focusing on are Luke 1:26-38. It’s the New Year! Here are “5 Surprising Scientific Reasons to Attend Church.” In addition to all the spiritual benefits of attending church, Laura
Christmas Carol Service – Sunday, 23 December at 15:30 hrs
This Sunday will be our special Christmas Carol Service. Pastor John will be sharing a message of hope. Scripture verses we’ll be focusing on are Matthew 1:18-23; Romans 15:12-13. Sunday’s offering is designated for the great ministry of Care in Action. Please note—there will be no worship service on Sunday, 30 December. As per usual, there will be no worship service the last Sunday of the year. Have a safe New Year’s Eve! Coffee and Conversations: We will celebrate the start of
Your Favorite Christmas Memory: Emotional Footprints and Traditions
I asked someone recently, “What’s your favorite memory or tradition of Christmas?” I was shocked by the reply, “None.” None. Not one. He went on to explain that Christmas was one of the worst times at his home. Anger, punctuated by moments of drunkenness on the part of the rest of the family were a living nightmare. He dreaded that time and couldn’t wait for it to be over. For him, there were no special Christmas worship services, no Christ-like behavior, no positive
Weekly Invite – 25 November
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Harvest and Thanksgiving Supper: Many thanks to all for making our celebration last Sunday a loving and memorable time! If you missed being with us last Sunday, plan now on attending our Advent Wreathmaking and Soup Supper event on Sunday, 2 December. If you were there last Sunday, you know that RSVPs are needed! This Saturday, 24 November! Jam Session will be meeting 14.30 to rehearse for Sunday. (You must be at practice to be part of the worship band!) Please
Harvest and Thanksgiving Service and Potluck Supper
Join us for our annual supper to celebrate God's grace and blessings on our lives. If you know anyone who'd be interested in joining us, please feel free to forward this email to them. For the supper, what we have so far: -Roast Turkey -Roast Chicken -Cranberry Sauce -Green Salad -Hungarian Goulash (with extra spice on the side!) -Sweet Potatoes -Fresh bread and butter -Pumpkin Pie And, if you haven't as yet, RSVP so we know how many to expect. See you Sunday! _____________________________ Starnberg Fellowship Christuskirche, Ammerseestraße 15 in Gauting Worship &
Weekly Invite – 11 November
Announcements: This Sunday, Pastor John will continue to preach on aspects of the character of God—God’s friendship, kindness, judgment, and his graciousness towards us. Scripture verses we will be focusing on are Deuterenomy 31:8, Psalm 98:8,9, Jeremiah 31:3,4, and James 2:23. Prayer and Bible Study Group on Tuesday. Meets at the Powells’ in Pasing. Please contact us for the address. JAM SESSION! Our next youth group Jam Session is next Sunday, 11 November following worship. We’ll be practicing for Youth Sunday, 25
A Gracious Offer
God offers us his friendship. How amazing is that? I remember hearing a sermon once where the preacher reacted uncomfortably to the idea of “God as friend.” To refer to God as “friend” was inappropriate or presumptuous, even derogatory. To him, God is “Almighty,” not “All-matey.” God in all his majesty, glory, power, purity, and awesomeness was not to be spoken of on the same level as just another person. Just to be clear, there’s nothing low or second-rate about friendship, or
