“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2 :14

 

“Gloria in excelsis Deo!” On that first Christmas night, the heavenly choir of angels filled the shepherds with awe and filled the sky with their glorious hymn of praise. They returned to heaven where they continue to praise the Father for sending his Son Jesus to be our Savior. Now we continue praising God with a wealth of hymns and carols.

Martin Luther knew that putting the Christmas story to music would be a fabulous way to keep the Christmas message in the hearts and minds of his people. If we look closely at the hymn “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” we will see that we are singing a summary of Luke 2, and we are also singing our joyful response to God’s greatest gift to the world.

In the spirit of Martin Luther, here is a version of the Christmas message using the titles of some of our favorite hymns. May these, and all the songs we sing during the Christmas season enrich your celebrations!

 

Once again, my heart rejoices when Christmas morn is dawning because I know that of the Father’s love begotten, Christ the Lord to us is born! We see in yonder manger low where gentle Mary laid her Child and where shepherds lately knelt. Yes, once in royal David’s city, it was indeed a silent night, holy night! So we join the angels to sing, all praise to you, eternal God, and we go tell it on the mountain so many more will join us in singing Joy to the World! 

“Gloria in excelsis Deo!”

Heidelberg Fall Retreat

On November 4-6, thirty people enjoyed the retreat in Heidelberg. We share a few photos with you.

December Worship Schedule

• December 4, worship in London at Northwood Methodist Church, 13:00.
• December 11, worship in Wicker at 11:00 and Ramstein at 16:00.
• December 15, worship in Munich at the Jan Comenius Grundschule at 18:30.
• December 17, worship at Vilseck at 10:00. Note the new time, one hour earlier.
• December 18, worship in Switzerland at 11:00.
• December 24, Christmas Eve service in Spiesheim at 14:00.
• December 25, no services at Wicker and Ramstein.

Christmas Eve Worship in Spiesheim

We plan to celebrate the Savior’s birth with a special service on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 13:30 at the Saengerhalle in Spiesheim. Kaffee and Kuchen will be served after the service. Plan to attend and bring friends!  There will be no worship on Christmas Day at Wicker and Ramstein.

 

Our Offerings

We thank the Lord for his undeserved love to us. In November €40.00, $24.00, and CHF160.00 were received in basket offerings. €1,723.03  were received as direct deposits. The retreat offering was €975.30.

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

 

Newsletter Subscription

If you are reading this on our WELSEurope website and you would like to receive our newsletter every month as e-mail, please subscribe.