Dear Members and Friends of IBCZ,
This week I want to touch on a few topics important for our church life.
First, I want to thank all the members who participated via Zoom in our Business Meeting last Sunday. This was our first online Business Meeting, and it seemed to work quite well. Special thanks to our Elders – Adrian for making the financial presentation, Oliver for setting up the Zoom account, and Fritz for sending out both the packets of materials and the Zoom link instructions. As we said, ballots must be received by Friday, March 26, so we will announce the results during our worship service this Sunday and in next week’s newsletter.
Second, this Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week. We will have our traditional Good Friday Service (April 2nd) at 10:30. If you cannot join us then, the service will also be recorded so you can watch it when you are able. As is our custom, we will observe Holy Communion at the conclusion of the Good Friday Service, so please have some bread or crackers, wine or juice available if you would like to take part. (This will take the place of our regular Communion service for April.) Of course, we will then join in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. I know we would all love to be able to meet together for worship on these very special days, but we can also be grateful that are able to worship online.
And then, speaking of worship, the Covid situation has not yet improved enough for us to be able to offer in-person worship. As you probably know, the infection rate has actually increased the past few weeks in Switzerland as well as the neighboring countries. The Elders and Deacons are monitoring this carefully, and you can be sure that we will resume in-person worship as soon as we can responsibly do so.
Finally, I encourage all of us to take some time during this coming week to read the accounts in Scripture of the events of Holy Week, beginning with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the drama of Maundy Thursday (especially chapters 13-17 of the Gospel of John), the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, and culminating with His resurrection on Easter Morning. Let us prayerfully reflect on these powerful events that have brought about our forgiveness and reconciliation to God.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob