November 2021

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
James 1:17

The last golden leaves have fallen from the trees. A cold wind is blowing. Gray clouds dot the sky. November is here, and she invites us to go inside.  She moves us to sit by a glowing fireplace and sip on apple cider. She encourages us to prepare warm, hearty meals and invite family and friends to share a cozy evening. Maybe that is the reason Americans chose November to observe Thanksgiving.

And, oh, the feast! Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and pumpkin pies are on the holiday table. Family and friends spend hours traveling to join in the celebration. Everyone looks forward to the food-filled fun! Americans are grateful for the blessings of food, family, fellowship, and freedom.

Yes, we are grateful for our blessings, but are we grateful to the Lord who provides it all? Let’s remind ourselves why we are thankful to the One who provides all our blessings—our Heavenly Father. The prophet Malachi reminds us that we wouldn’t even be alive without our Creator.  Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? (Malachi 2:10) Since he is the perfect Father, God richly and daily provides for all our needs. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. (Acts 14:17) More importantly, God sends his holy angels to protect us from harm and danger. He also provides his holy Word so that we can fight all temptations and strive to lead lives as his dear children.

How did we become children of God? Why can we call him our father in heaven in our daily prayers? The answer is simple: Jesus! You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)  The gift of Jesus, our Savior, is the Heavenly Father’s greatest blessing. In fact, this month also marks the beginning of Advent when we remember when God sent his greatest gift to the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Galatians 4:4-5)

As Thanksgiving celebrations give way to Advent devotions, our hearts will continue to overflow with gratitude to our Lord for all our blessings. Praise God that he loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son. Praise God that he has made us part of his family through faith in him.  Praise God that he continues to provide all that we need to sustain our bodies and preserve our souls.

 

Praise to God immortal praise,
For the love that crowns our days.
Bounteous Source of every joy,
Let your praise our tongues employ.
All to you, our God, we owe,
Source whence all our blessings flow.

CW 612

News From Our Worship Groups

Farewell and Godspeed

 

We say goodbye to CJ Milewski from the worship group at Rose Barracks in Vilseck. God’s blessings to you, CJ, in your next chapter at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

 

 

 

 

Call to London issued

WELS has called Michael Hartman to be a missionary in London. He has shared the following bio:

Missionary Mike Hartman grew up a missionary kid in Puerto Rico and along the US/Mexico border. Upon graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1999 he was called to serve as a missionary to Mexico City. In 2013 he was called to serve as team leader for WELS’ Latin America mission team. In 2018 he relocated to Miami. Mike has been privileged to participate in beginning four ministry efforts. The most recent is Academia Cristo: a ministry that reaches millions with the Gospel, teaches hundreds, and is currently counseling dozens working to plant confessional Lutheran churches throughout Latin America. In 2019 Mike obtained a Doctor of Ministry in church planting through Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. 

 

Mike and his wife Rachel met in Mexico City. Rachel is a freelance writer with a degree in business. They have four children ages 4 to 14. Fun family activities include regular Spanish only days in the home and Thursday international meal day. During the past three summers the family enjoyed supporting the ministry effort, accompanying Mike on extended mission trips to South America. 

Please pray for the Hartmans as Michael considers his call. Pray for the success of the Gospel in London and Great Britain.

Schedule adjustment for January

Please note that in January we will shift our worship schedule back by one week. Worship will be as follows:

  • London, January 9
  • Wicker, January 16 and 30
  • Ramstein, January 16 and 30
  • Munich, January 20
  • Vilseck, January 22
  • Zurich, January 23

We will return to the old schedule in February.

 

Our Offerings in October.

€120.00, £480.00, $120.00 and CHF180.00 were received in basket offerings. €1740.00 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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