April 2022

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Mt 28:6

Spring is here! The long, dark, cold days and nights are over. Purple and yellow crocuses pop up in the garden. Robins build their nests in among the leafy, green tree branches. Fluffy lambs and gangly calves romp in the fields and on the farms. It’s a time of renewal and rebirth.

Butterflies are a perfect symbol for this time of year. A lumpy, green caterpillar spends long, dark days in its chrysalis and finally emerges as a delicate, colorful creature. It’s no wonder that Christians have adopted the butterfly as one symbol for the resurrection of Jesus. Church windows, bulletin covers, and greeting cards have all used butterfly images. The message is clear. Butterflies remind us of new life, renewal, and hope. Above all, they remind us that Jesus rose from the dead.  But they are only symbols. You need to open the Scriptures to truly understand “the reason for the hope that you have” (1Peter 3:15).

All four Gospels declare that Christ was raised from the dead. St. Mark records the order in which Jesus proved himself alive to his followers. …he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons (16:9). Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country (16:12). Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating (16:14 ). Furthermore, St. Paul assures us that Jesus “appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time.” (1 Corinthians 15:6). Just imagine all the witnesses that carried the victorious message of the resurrection! We know that because Christ was raised from the dead, we too will be raised from the dead. We do have the sure hope of eternal life.  St. Peter says it this way: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4). 

Praise be to God that Jesus was “…raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:4). It is through those Scriptures that we know that Christ rose triumphant over sin, death, and the devil on that first Easter morning. Praise be to Jesus that he appeared to so many people to prove his victory. Praise be to the Holy Spirit that he has given us saving faith in our risen Savior.  May we continue to be witnesses of our resurrection joy so that many more may join our Easter hymns of praise.

 

Easter triumph, Easter joy!
This alone can sin destroy;
From sin’s power, Lord, set us free,
Newborn souls in you to be. Alleluia!

CW 141

 

Upcoming changes to our worship schedule

Munich, Vilseck, and Switzerland

There will be no worship on the 14th, 16th, and 17th because of the Easter retreat in Heidelberg. We will have the regular schedule in May (May 12 Munich, May 14 Vilseck, and May 15 Switzerland).

London

The June service will be held on May 29 instead of June 5 due to the Queen’s jubilee celebration the weekend of June 5. And looking ahead, the August service will move from August 7 to July 31 due to the unavailability of the facility on August 7.

Wicker and Ramstein

There will be no worship at Wicker and Ramstein on April 24 because of the Easter retreat the week before.

Easter Retreat in Heidelberg

Our Offerings in March

€250.00, £30.00, and CHF310.00 were received in basket offerings. €25,677.95  were received as direct deposits.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,  for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7,8

 

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