The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.
Revelation 21:19

Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Gemstones have been held precious worldwide
throughout the ages. Museums are filled with priceless gems and jewelry. Sparkling, colorful
jewels are beautiful, rare, and expensive. They show the world that someone or something is
esteemed and honored. One unique example of this can be found in the Old Testament.

The Lord instructed Moses to design a special breastplate for the high priest. It was to contain twelve precious stones—each inscribed with a name of one of the twelve tribes. The
magnificent breastplate was a visual reminder to the Israelites that the Lord was to be honored and that each tribe was precious to him. This is what they saw:
The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. Exodus 28:17-20

God’s children today are also precious to him. He has given us his Word to show his loving concern for us. In that Word he speaks of the glorious beauty of our heavenly home. When St. John describes it in the book of Revelation, his Jewish readers would probably see a similarity between the high priest’s jewel-covered breastplate and his vision of heaven.

The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. Revelation 21:19-21

As we approach the final weeks of the church year. Our hearts and minds turn to thoughts of
Jerusalem the Golden, where we shall finally see our victorious Savior. We will join the throngs
of saints who have gone before us and join with them in hymns of praise. We will see our
names written, not on twelve precious stones, but in the Book of Life! May Jesus keep our
hearts and minds focused on the heaven he won for us as we sing:

 

Oh, sweet and blessed country, the home of God’s elect!
Oh, sweet and blessed county that eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest;
You are with God the Father and Spirit ever blest.

CW 214

 

Heidelberg Fall Retreat

On November 4-6 We’ll be in Heidelberg for the fall retreat. Twenty-five people are signed up! Watch your e-mail this week for final details.

November Worship Schedule Changes

Please note the schedule changes for November.

• November 4-6, retreat in Heidelberg. Even if you have not signed up for the whole retreat, consider joining us for our Reformation service, 9:30 Sunday at the Jugendherberge Heidelberg.
• November 13, worship in Vicenza, Italy. We will not worship at Wicker and Ramstein on the 13th!
• November 17, worship in Munich at 18:30.
• November 19, worship at Vilseck at 10:00. Note the new time, one hour earlier.
• November 20, worship in Switzerland at 11:00.
• November 27, we begin the new church year and will worship at Wicker at 11:00 and Ramstein at 16:00.

Christmas Eve Worship in Spiesheim

We plan to celebrate the Savior’s birth with a special service on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 14:00 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.

Welcome to Wicker

A warm welcome to Martha Balge in our Wicker worship group. Martha lives in Mainz where she is studying for a master’s degree in German.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Offerings

In October €150.00, $10.00, and CHF100.00 were received in basket offerings. €26,543.08  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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