GOODNEWSletter JANUARY 2009 ******************************************************************************* THE NARROW PATH For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Dr. David Livingstone was a famous missionary working in uncharted areas of Africa. A group of friends and supporters wrote him: "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?" Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." Our human nature desires to know what the future will hold. People in centuries past have sought sorcerers, peered into crystal balls, and even examined the entrails of dead animals in an attempt to gain access to the unknown. It is no different in our world today. The psychic hotline is alive and well as people try to gain control over one thing they never will - the future. As Christians, we see the folly of such things. We cannot know what the future holds beyond what God has revealed to us. What God has revealed is all that we need. He has given us a Savior who leads us down the narrow path to salvation by faith in him alone. Through this faith in Jesus' work, our final destination is no longer a mystery. We will have eternal life in heaven. That is secure. Although our final destination is secure, the path before us remains uncharted. There will be bumps in the road and twists in the path which are still unknown to us. However, Jesus again reveals to us all we need to know. He has charted our path and will be with us wherever we go….always. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9) In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus reveals even more to us about this narrow path. He tells us that the path to heaven will be less populated than the path to destruction. Do you see that in your life? Do you feel like the only one in your office who follows the rules? Do your friends belittle you for not joining in their sinful lifestyle? Take heart Christian, God is by your side and is using your life as a witness to bring others to this narrow path. What challenges lie ahead of you in this New Year? Will you face another move or deployment? Will you receive relief from your health problems? Don't let obstacles and doubt keep you from moving forward. Be willing to venture into uncharted territories knowing full well that your Savior is by your side. May God fill you with peace as you continue your walk even when the path ahead isn't visible. May God bless you and your family in 2009! ******************************************************************************* January Schedule Northwood, England - Northwood Methodist Church January 4, February 1 - Worship at 13:00, Bible Class at 14:00 with fellowship following Savior of the Nations Lutheran Church Wicker, Germany (Frankfurt Area) - At the Evangelische Gemeindehaus January 11 and 25 - Worship at 11:00, Fellowship, Bible Class and Sunday school following the service Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany - At the Southside Chapel January 11 and 25 - Worship at 16:00 with Bible Study, Sunday school and fellowship to follow Vilseck, Germany - Main Chapel on Vilseck Army Base Saturday, January 17 - Worship at 10:00, Bible study at 11:00, potluck meal to follow Switzerland - Home of Sigmund and Sarah Bachmann Sunday, January 18 - Worship at 11:00, Bible study, Sunday school and fellowship to follow ******************************************************************************* Drop Us a Line! If you have need of pastoral assistance or just want to talk, please contact us. Your e-mails, phone calls, & letters are welcomed. Pastor Joshua and Katie Martin Im Holzweg 4a 55288 Spiesheim Telephone: (+49) 6732-965-9813 Email: WELSChaplain@gmail.com www.welseurope.net ******************************************************************************* Prayer Chain Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7) God in His Word encourages Christians to pray continually. It is such an important gift that our loving God has given us in which we can communicate with him and he blesses us. As a Christian congregation that is spread out across an entire continent, we may often find it difficult to know what is going on in the lives of our brother and sisters in Christ in order that we may offer prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for each other. In an effort to keep us united in prayer to our loving God, we are beginning a prayer chain. Melinda Gribble has volunteered to help put this together on a weekly basis. At the beginning of each week, you will be sent an email asking if you have any special prayer requests for yourself or a loved one. At the end of the week, the prayer will be sent out to all members with email addresses. Please feel free to submit all prayer requests to Pastor Martin or directly to Melinda Gribble at rmgribble@aol.com. If you do not have an email address but would like to add a prayer request, please don't hesitate to call Pastor Martin directly. ******************************************************************************* Our Gift of Thanks The amount of offerings gathered in Europe in the month of December was the equivalent of EUR 3,722. For the year of 2008, we collected the equivalent of EUR 41,870. Thanks for supporting the Lord's work in Europe! ******************************************************************************* Easter Retreat 2009 Mark your calendars! The dates have been set for the 2009 Easter retreat. It will take place on Thursday, April 9 - Sunday, April 12. The location has not yet been determined. Keep checking the newsletter for updates! ******************************************************************************* England Retreat We are in the preliminary stages of planning a retreat in the British Isles. Although an exact location has not yet been determined, it is being tentatively planned for the first weekend of September in 2009. If you live in mainland Europe and would consider attending a retreat, please contact Pastor Martin so we can assess what kind of facility would best accommodate our group. ******************************************************************************* Congratulations to Brandy Rael On Saturday, December 20th, Brandy Rael was confirmed and also received the Lord's Supper after completing Bible Information Classes. We pray that God would be with Brandy and her family as she continues her walk of Christian faith and also in their upcoming move to North Carolina. God be with you! ******************************************************************************* February Fellowship On Saturday, February 7th, we will have an opportunity for fellowship. We plan to get together for bowling and pizza in Alzey. We will bowl at the New Galaxy Massa Sportzentrum which is attached to Oki Doki Kinderland and behind Real in Alzey. The address is Karl-Heinz-Kipp Strasse 11-13, Alzey 55232. Meeting time is 3 p.m. We look forward to the chance for fun and Christian fellowship. ******************************************************************************* JANUARY 2009 BIBLE READINGS Attached to this newsletter, you will find a calendar that contains Bible readings for each day of January as well as questions for each text. The answers to the December questions follow the new January study. Please give Pastor Martin any feedback that you have on such a Bible study program or offer any suggestions on how the church can offer you more spiritual growth resources throughout the year. 1. Lk 2:39,40 Questions: - What is ordinary about what this family did? - What is extraordinary? 2. Lk 1:1-4 Questions: - How does Luke imply that he talked to Mary? - Why are eyewitnesses so important? 3. Mt. 2:1-6 Questions: - What strikes you about the coming of the Magi? - How did they know where to look for Jesus? 4. Mt 2:7-12 Questions: - What was the response of the Magi to Jesus? - What is yours? 5. Mt 2:13-18 Questions: - What does the gruesome murder of these children tell us about the human heart? - Has it changed? 6 Mt. 2:19-23 Questions: - How did God protect his only begotten Son? - Does God warn us by dreams too? - Why or why not? 7. Lk 2:41-52 Questions: - Why did Jesus have to be in his Father's house? - Why was he obedient to his parents? 8. Heb 1:1-3, 6 Questions: - How has God revealed himself to us in these last days? - Where can you learn God's lessons? 9. Heb 2:14-15 Question: - For what two reasons did Jesus have flesh and blood? 10. Php 2:5-11 Questions: - Who was Jesus? - How did he become like a servant? - Why? 11. Isa 55:1-2 Questions: - In this marketplace, why do people receive what is free? - Why do these free gifts satisfy us? 12. Ps 150 Questions: - How many ways of praising God are listed here? - List what causes you to praise God. 13. Ac 2:29-39 Questions: - What has the coming of Jesus accomplished? - What should we all do? 14. Isa 40:6-11 Questions: - What is the contrast here? - What comfort does God give to you and all his people? 15. Isa 43:11-13 Questions: - Are there different ways to salvation? - Why or why not? 16. Isa 44:6-8 Questions: - What activity of the LORD proves there is no god but the LORD? - What comfort does it give you? 17. 1 Jo 1:1-4 Questions - Why is the message of John reliable? - What does it mean to have fellowship with Jesus? 18. 1 J 4:9-12 Questions: - Why couldn't we love God first? - What should God's love move us to do? 19. Col 1:15-20 Questions: - How did the Apostle identified Jesus? - Why does such a description bring us comfort? 20. Mt 3:1-6 Questions: - Who else was dressed as John was? (See 2 Ki 1:8). - Whose way was John preparing? 21. Mt3:7-12 Questions: - Why did John call some a "brood of vipers"? - What does "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" mean for us? 22. Mt 24:30-35 Questions: - What is different about the coming of Jesus described here? - Why are you sure that this will take place? 23. Jo 1:15-18 Questions: - What blessings have we received because of Jesus? - Why is the message Jesus spoke reliable? 24. Eph 1:3-10 Question: - List as many reasons from this passage as you can to praise God. 25. Lk 4:1-4 Questions: - By what was Jesus tempted? - Are we tempted in the same way? - How did Jesus resist? - Can you do the same? 26. Lk 4:5-8 Questions: - By what was Jesus tempted? - Are we tempted in the same way? - How did Jesus resist? - Can you do the same? 27. Lk 4:9-13 Questions: - By what was Jesus tempted? - Are we tempted in the same way? - How did Jesus resist? - Can you do the same? 28. Isa 61:1-3 Questions: - What was the anointed one sent to do? - Who do you think he was? 29. Lk 4:14-21 Questions: - What passage did Jesus read in the synagogue? - Who did Jesus say the anointed one was? - Why is that important? 30. Lk 4:22-27 Questions: - Where did Elijah go when people did not believe him? - What warning does Jesus give if he is not accepted? - Why is that a problem? 31. Lk 4:28-30 Questions: - The people turned on Jesus. Why? - Do people still turn on Jesus today? - Give an example. ******************************************************************************* DECEMBER 2008 Responses to Bible Study Questions 1. Isaiah 25:6-8; Questions: - Why is this feast so much better than any we have attended? The feast celebrates the destruction of death which will be swallowed up forever. - Why can we be certain of these promises? Two reasons: 1) the Lord will do all these things and 2) the Lord has spoken the promises. 2.Isaiah 26:17-19 Questions: - What can no human produce? No human can produce salvation for the earth; we give birth to the wind. - Who must provide the blessings described? Only the Lord can provide these blessings. 3. Isaiah 35:3-10 Questions: - What do you think is the "Way of Holiness"? The path of forgiveness where God wipes away all sin. - Who walks on it? All believers in Jesus walk on this path; the redeemed - What promises do they have?\ They have e joy, peace, refreshment. Sorrow disappears. 4. Isaiah 11:1-3 Questions: - How is Jesus like the shoot? He was a little baby who grew up; the stump of Jesse is God's people who once were powerful but had been reduced to occupation by the Romans. - Can you think of a time when the Spirit of the Lord did rest on Jesus? The Spirit descended upon Jesus at this baptism. 5. Isaiah 9:6-7 Questions: - List the names given to the child? Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - In what way has the kingdom of this child endured forever? Jesus reigns in heaven forever and all who believe in him reign with him forever. 6. Isaiah 11:10,12 Questions: - Does the root of Jesse bring blessings only for the Jews? No. He brings blessings for all nations and for the Jews. - Why or why not? Explain from the text. The passages say the banner is for the nations and the exiles. 7. Micah 5:2; Questions: - Why is this passage repeated so often at Christmas time? It identifies the place where Jesus was born. - How does this passage help us when we feel small and insignificant? God did choose a small insignificant place for Jesus to be born; he also chooses us though we may be small and insignificant by the standards of this world. 8. Matthew 1:1, 17 Questions: - Why did Matthew include a long genealogy? The coming of Jesus was planned long ago and occurred as God planned it; he came from those God identified in the Old Testament. - How does it show that Jesus is both God and man? He was born like all other humans, but his birth was long foretold and he was the "Christ" or the Anointed. 9. John 1:1-4, 10, 14 Questions: - Why does the term "Word" apply to Jesus? Jesus is the message communicated to humanity by God; he the Word. - What does the world think of Jesus? Why? The world does not recognize Jesus and many of the Jews did not receive him because they do not believe in him. 10. Luke 1:5,6 Questions: - Why do you think Luke mentioned Herod? This is an historical event. Luke places this event in the history of the region. Everyone in the first century AD would know who Herod was. - How is the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth described? They were upright and observing God's commands blamelessly; high goals for us to follow. 11. Luke 1:7-22 Questions: - What caused Zechariah to doubt Gabriel? Zechariah was old and so was his wife. He could not imagine how two old people could finally have a child. - Why is it better to believe than to doubt God's Word? God's power is beyond our ability to understand. We doubt to our own peril. 12. Luke 1:23-24 Questions: - What do these two little verses say about the faith of Zechariah? Zechariah had overcome his doubt and unbelief; he shared the vision with his wife and she became pregnant. - What about Elizabeth? She believed what God promised through the angel even though she heard the promise second hand from Zechariah. 13. Luke 1:26-33 Questions: - How does Luke identify Mary? She was a virgin. - How does David fit into the story? Why is that important? God promised that the Messiah would come from David's family; Mary was a descendant of David. It is important because it is all as God said it would be. 14. Luke 1:34-38 Questions: - Why was Gabriel's message difficult to believe? Mary could not be pregnant in the normal way; she was a virgin. - What do Mary's final words here teach you? Mary humbly accepted the role God had chosen for her; we should have the same humble acceptance of God's direction for us. 15. Luke 1:39-45 Questions: - Elizabeth greets Mary as "the mother of my Lord." What does that say about Elizabeth? Elizabeth knew the Scriptures and her own need for a Savior. - Mary? You? Mary also knew the Scriptures and her need for a Savior; so do we all. 16. Luke 1:46-56; Questions: - Mary senses her role in history. Yet who does she praise? She praises the Lord and rejoices in God her Savior. - How can you have the same attitude? We can marvel at God's grace and what he does through us. We can't take credit for any of it. 17. Matt. 1:18-25 Questions: - How does this passage prove Mary was a virgin? Joseph knew that he was not the father of Mary's child; Matthew writes, "He had no union with her." - What attitudes of Joseph should we adopt? Humble service to God and his wife; quiet obedience to God. 18. Luke 1:57-66 Questions: - How does the naming of the baby reveal faith in the Lord? Gabriel had told Zechariah to name the child John. He obeyed. Doubt replaced faith. - Why do you think John's birth was so special? Specially announced and born to parents who were past the normal age of child bearing. Other reasons? 19. Luke 1:67-80 Questions: - How many OT references can you find in Zechariah's words? There are many. Among them: David, covenant, Abraham, horn of salvation, God of Israel. - What would be John's role in life? He was a prophet. 20. Malachi 3:1 Questions: - How are these words similar to Zechariah's yesterday? John was the messenger sent to prepare the way. - Why do you think people seek the Lord? Why do you seek the Lord? For the peace of forgiveness and the hope of life. 21. Psalm 2 Questions: - Who is the Lord's "Anointed One"? This refers to Jesus the Christ, which means "Anointed." - What advice does God give to the nations? To you? Kiss the Son; embrace him in faith. 22. Psalm 8 Questions: - Why is the Lord so "majestic"? Consider the majesty of the night sky with all its stars; he created it all. Consider the majesty of the mountains or any part of God's creation - Why does God care for us lowly creatures? Only one reason: He loves us. He has no reason to love us; it's undeserved-a gift. 23. Gal. 4:4,5 Questions: - How had "the time … fully come"? All God's plans had come to fulfillment. The stage was completely ready for the coming of Jesus. - What does it mean that we have the "full rights of sons"? We are heirs of all our heavenly Father has prepared for us; we have special standing with God as his children. 24. Luke 2:1-3 Questions: - What do the historical names add to Luke's message? These are real historical figures all knew. Including them assured people that the story of Jesus was not simply a made up fable or myth but a real story that took place in human history. - How did pagan rulers carry out God's plan? Caesar Augustus wanted to carry out a census but in the end he served God's purpose of bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. 25. Luke 2:4-7 Questions: - So familiar, yet so wonderful. What strikes you as wonderful about Christmas? All of us have answers to this question. Among the answers is that we have a Savior from sin and death. 26. I Tim. 1:15-17 Questions: - Why is Paul's saying trustworthy? He wrote the same message found in the entire Bible. He knew those who knew Jesus. Jesus had also appeared to him. - Why does Paul think he is "the worst of sinners"? He had persecuted the early believers, and was even present at the murder of Stephen. 27. Luke 2:8-14 Questions: - Why did the angels say, "Do not be afraid?" The appearance of such bright glory suddenly was bound to create fear in the hearts of the shepherds. God comes in grace and love not to strike terror in our hearts. - What is the peace the angels sing about? It is the peace of knowing that God loves all nations and provides forgiveness of sins through the work of the Babe born in Bethlehem. 28. Luke 2:15-20 Questions: - Why did the shepherds want to talk about this child? He was their Savior, Christ the Lord, and they had seen him. - What lesson does Mary have for each of us? She treasured the wonder of her Savior's birth-a lesson even for us today. 29. Luke 2:21-24 Questions: - Why did Luke record this event? Jesus fulfilled all the Jewish laws. He was perfect even before he became a man. - Can you remember what "Jesus" means? (See Matt. 1:21) "He shall save his people" Jesus means Savior. 30. Luke 2:25-35 Questions: - What does Simeon mean "dismiss your servant in peace"? Simeon is ready to leave this life and depart because he knew the peace of forgiveness in Jesus. - If Simeon was young, does that change anything? Explain Whenever the Lord decides to take us home-young or old-we are ready as long as we have the peace of forgiveness in Jesus. 31. Luke 2:36-38 Questions: - Why did Anna give thanks? She knew this Child was her Savior. - Why should we give thanks our entire lives? How can we? We should give thanks for the same reason. All our lives are one long opportunity to thank God for his Son by what we say, do, and think. *******************************************************************************