Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

June. The time for graduations and weddings. For new beginnings. For celebrations. Graduates decorate party venues with balloons, streamers, and photos sharing fondest memories. Of course, there will be lots of food, fun, and many more happy memories. The wedding couple’s venue also features elaborate decorations, beautiful flowers, and a special meal for the guests.  There will be dancing, toasting, and a special cake. Graduations and weddings are June’s joyous occasions!

We can’t find any graduation stories in the Bible, but there are many wedding references. The Old Testament speaks of gifts, songs, and bridal jewels. There are joyful accounts. Look on King Solomon wearing a crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced. (Song of Songs 3:11) There are also admonishments. Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. (Jeremiah 2:32) We can imagine that Psalm 45—’a wedding song’—became part of many Old Testament wedding celebrations.

The New Testament gives us a more detailed picture of wedding celebrations. We know there were banquets. Remember that elaborate one in Cana where Jesus miraculously provided about 120 gallons of wine? We know there were assigned seats and a menu. When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. (Luke 14:8) From the parable of the Ten Virgins, we learn that a bridegroom was escorted to the wedding banquet (Matthew 25).

Finally, we learn the kingdom of heaven is like a royal banquet where special wedding clothes are required (Matthew 22). All these New Testament wedding customs and parables point us to the ultimate wedding feast—the wedding supper of the Lamb. Jesus invites us to the best wedding celebration ever! His Father has prepared the banquet. Jesus’ righteousness has provided the wedding clothes that cover our sins and allows us to attend. It will be a glorious celebration and an unimaginable new beginning for all believers. Revelation 19 exclaims: Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (v7) And declares: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (v9).

At that wedding feast, we will sing Paul Gerhardt’s wedding song of praise.

Lord, when your glory I shall see And taste your kingdom’s pleasure,
Your blood my royal robe shall be, My joy beyond all measure!
When I appear before your throne, Your righteousness shall be my crown;
With these I need not hide me.
And there, in garments richly wrought, As your own bride I shall be brought
To stand in joy beside you.

CW 219

Chaplain Transition Schedule Changes

Pastor Hartwig will conduct his last services at Wicker and Ramstein on July 9. There will be no services at Wicker and Ramstein on July 23. There will be no services in Munich, Vilseck, or Switzerland in July. Pastor Weiss is planning to arrive in August, the exact date of his arrival is not set.

Ramstein News

We welcomed new members Anthony & Brittney Collier from Ramstein and Gitono Rossi from Spangdahlem.

We will be saying goodbye to Tana and Mark Waldschmidt, and Brooklyn, Ezekiel, and Otto, who will be heading to Honolulu, and Richard Young who is heading to Guam. Blessings to them as they transition to their new homes.

“In farewell to the Hartwigs, the Waldschmidts, and Captain Young leaving Germany this summer, we will substitute our monthly potluck for a dining out experience. Following the service on June 11, 2023, we will meet at the Fiesta Mexicana in Machenbach. Mrs. Waldschmidt needs a rough head count by June 6th. You can email her at [email protected] or text on WhatsApp 016099693239 for you or your party’s confirmation. Thank you, and hope to see you all there!”

Upcoming Retreats

Mark your calendars for the next retreats. A fall retreat is planned for October 27-29, 2023, in Frankfurt. An Easter retreat is planned for 28-31 March 2024, in Heidelberg. Watch upcoming newsletters for further details.

Direct Deposit Offerings

I will be closing the bank account in late June. If you are making automatic offering deposits to our account, please notify your bank to discontinue. Pastor Weiss will inform you of the new banking information when he has set up a new account.

Our Offerings

In May €203.80.00 and CHF220.00 were received in basket offerings. €1150.00  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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