April 2023
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6
ALLELUIA! JESUS LIVES! On Sunday, April 9th, the whole Christian church on earth will join once more to sing the praises of our victorious Savior. We will hear the good news of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil declared from the pulpit. We will hear choirs and musicians proclaim the message in song. Colorful altar flowers will reflect our praises, our joy, our victory.
Yes, by faith we claim Christ’s victory as our own. He crushed the serpent’s head, removed sin’s guilt forever, and destroyed the sting of death—once and for all. For us! We rejoice because we can tell Satan to get behind us with his temptations. We rejoice because we live in the peace of sins forgiven. We rejoice because the fear of death has no power over us. We rejoice that Jesus kept his promise. As the angel declared on that first Easter morning: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” (Mt 28:6)
Easter joy IS the cornerstone of our lives. We have the joy that overcomes all our worries, doubts, and fears. We have a living Savior who comforts and cares for us on our earthly journey until we conquer death and join the saints and angels in eternal joy. Until then we live as reconciled children of God, living a new life. St. Paul tells us that because “Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom 6:4)
In our new life, we share the glorious news of the resurrection. We tell others of the joy we find in Christ our Savior—the joy that can be theirs, too. May our Easter hymns of praise give all glory to Jesus and uplift us as we worship together. May God grant us the desire to tell others why Easter joy is so important to us. Let us share the gospel news, repeating the simple, but powerful message of Easter: I know that my Redeemer lives! (Job 19:25)
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head!CW 152
Easter Retreat Information
Our retreat is just around the corner and it will be well attended with 45 people signed up. If you have not signed up but would like to attend, you are most welcome, but you will have to find your own accommodation since the youth hostel is fully booked. Others are staying at the Mercure Hotel Wuerzburg am Mainufer .
If you can’t attend the full retreat but want to worship with us at 9:00 on Easter Sunday, please come!
Jugendherberge Würzburg, Fred-Joseph-Platz 2, 97082 Würzburg Hostel info.
Cost: €90.00 per adult, €45.00 per person aged 6-16, ages 5 and under free. This includes Thursday supper, 3 meals on Friday, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Sunday breakfast. Saturday evening we will eat at a restaurant (Alte Mainmühle) at our own expense. (For those coming Friday-Sunday: €60.00 per adult, €30.00 per person aged 6-16, ages 5 and under free.) (For those staying elsewhere but wanting to eat the noon and evening meals at the hostel, the cost is €9.50 per meal.)
What to bring:
- A Bible for our study of 1 Peter.
- Please bring your own towels. The hostel can provide them but you will have to pay.
- Children should bring their own Easter baskets for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday.
- Candies to fill the Easter eggs.
- Treats for our evening social gatherings.
- Games you might want to play.
- We will gather an offering on Easter Sunday
Schedule:
Thursday, April 6
Check in after 15:00
18:00 Dinner at hostel
19:30 Maundy Thursday worship followed by fellowship
Friday, April 7
7:30-9:00 Breakfast
9:00 Bible study and children’s activities
10:00 Break
10:30-11:30 Bible study and children’s activities
12:00 Lunch at hostel
Afternoon free time
18:00 Dinner at hostel
19:30 Good Friday worship followed by fellowship
Saturday, April 8
7:30-9:00 Breakfast
9:00 Bible study and children’s activities
10:00 Break
10:30-11:30 Bible study and children’s activities
12:00 Lunch at hostel
Afternoon free time
18:30 Dinner at local restaurant
Easter Sunday
7:30-9:00 Breakfast and check out
9:00 Easter worship followed by group picture and Easter egg hunt.
April Schedule Change
Because of the retreat there will be no worship in Munich, Vilseck, and Switzerland in April. There will be no worship at Wicker and Ramstein on April 9. Regular worship will resume on April 23 with services at Wicker and Ramstein.
Pastor Hartwig Retirement
I had expected and hoped to be able to share information about the call, but Pastor Weiss has not yet announced a decision. So all I can say is “stay tuned…”
Our Offerings
In March €127.00 and CHF450.00 were received in basket offerings. €27,505.07 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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