Dear Members and Friends of IBCZ,
Let me begin by thanking everyone for your prayers for me regarding German. As most of you know, Switzerland requires religious workers to reach a B1 level of German. A big part of this past year was given to German study. I am happy to let you know that your prayers (and mine!) have been answered; last Saturday and took and passed the test. Thanks be to God! Obviously, that is a big relief! But more importantly, it means I will be able to give myself more fully to serving as your pastor.
Second, I want to encourage you to pray for the church camp this weekend. Whether you will be attending the camp or not, this is such an important event in the life of our church. It is a time to make and deepen relationships with one another, as well as to grow together in our faith and walk with Christ. Even if you will not be attending, what happens at the camp will overflow into the overall life of the church. In that sense, everyone benefits from it. So please pray that God will work mightily among us, and that what we learn and experience will be brought back to IBCZ to strengthen and encourage our life together.
Also, please be praying for John Coles as he will be giving the sermon this Sunday while I am away at the church camp. As we shared in the newsletter two weeks ago, John is retiring and heading back to the UK the end of November. It is appropriate that he has one final chance to share with the congregation from God’s Word. So, please pray for him for this Sunday as well as for his time of transition.
Finally, if you have not yet signed up for our Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 9, please consider doing so. Other than on Sundays, we do not have many opportunities to come together as a church family. The Thanksgiving Dinner is a chance to better know our fellow church members in the atmosphere of giving thanks to God for His many blessings. You can sign up at church, or send an email or text message to either Ophelia or me.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob