Gütenbach & Brend - Beautiful Schwarzwald - July 9
Yesterday and into the night, St. Georgen hosted a "Stadtfest". I was hoping for something a little more cultural. It was really just a big bash complete with rock bands, techno-disco and beer tents ... a substantial drunk with a mostly college age crowd.
We managed to watch the 3rd place game between Germany and Portugal in a packed, smoke filled, noisy room on a large screen with some substantially rowdy youth. Some things are really universal .... that was somewhat disappointing to me, although Germany winning was a bonus. DEUTSCHLAND NUMER DREI!!!
Later that evening, Dieter and I discussed attending church somewhere in St. Georgen this morning. I had a strong sense that this could be a way to establish some important fellowship ties with a group of believers here. We hunted through the paper and telephone book until I spotted a Free Evangelical Fellowship in the middle of town that met behind a store, just a few blocks away. Holy Spirit gave me a bit of a nudge, and so we made plans.
Marliese joined Dieter and I this morning as we actually drove to church (we only had a few minutes). We also had plans to go into the "deep" Black Forest that afternoon for a hike and some lunch.
We were met by a man at the door who seemed somewhat "dour", and so I thought, "hmmm, have I made a mistake?". My first impression gave way to a sigh of relief as we went into a bright room decorated with colourful artwork and objects that celebrated a personal walk with Jesus. There was an area to the left at the front that was obviously for the worship band ... ahah! Congas, Electric Keyboard, Bass guitar, amps, Guitar ... ahhh, that's more like it!
More importantly I was struck by the natural friendliness of the small congregation as they filtered in ... a good cross-section of young and old, families, couples and single adults. Most, warmly greeted us ... gently and without questions or pressure ... that was noteworthy. They were a small, friendly, sweet group of believers that quickly embraced us.
We started with worship ... almost all the songs we sang were those we sing at home, only in German (I want to see Jesus lifted high, etc.). People seemed free to express their love to Jesus and yet there wasn't anything that was "over the top" ... Marliese said later that she was blessed watching me and others worship because she knew that it was real and not religious. She had remembered me describing my love relationship with Father and could see the heart expression.
During worship I felt the Lord say that I should give the little Gideons German new testament, that Mark Vincent gave me at the North Bay Airport, as a blessing to the church from the Body in North Bay ... complete with the 10 Mark bill that I found in it (worth about 5 Euros).
Selah ...
Next came testimonies, obviously unrehearsed. People spoke of real things that were happening in their lives ... it was very personal - very "live". The German term would be "Actuel".
The pastor gave a message that was basically about intercession for the townsfolk (especially in relation to the Stadtfest) ... he referred to the cost of things rising when there's less of it and the demand goes up, such as a loaf of bread, which he referred to as costing 10 Mark (he said he still thought that way) ... right away I thought of:
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Matthew 4:4
... Afterwards I gave him the bible (and the 10 Mark) with greetings, encouragement and blessings from the body of Christ in North Bay along with the above and Psalm 128:2. He was greatly encouraged!
Meanwhile, Dieter and Marliese were engaged in conversation with several people... ending with an animated exchange with one of the elders who was inviting them to one of their homegroups for a barbeque. I wandered over to the small book store they had in the corner and purchased a Bible - a "Hoffnung für Alle" (Hope for Everyone) translation.
I pray that God would connect Dieter and Marliese with this lovely group were they could feel at home.
That afternoon we hiked through a beautiful region of hills and forest, ate and drank amazing local fare ... so wonderful!
That evening I spoke to Marliese as Dieter and I prepared for our journey to Berlin ... I sensed that she was being strongly drawn by Father ... although a battle with fear was being raged and she was very troubled over her future. She mentioned however, that she had been wonderfully comforted by His words to her in the last few days ... I prayed over her and gave her the bible I had purchased that day (asked her if she wanted one and she said yes) with instructions to read - Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29:11-14, John & Phillipians while we were away. Dieter and I would be leaving for Berlin in 7 hours and so I was concerned that she would be protected and ministered to by angels as she responded to Holy Spirit tonight and during the coming week (as she's staying here in St.Georgen). I e-mailed intercessors at home with a request for prayer.
Click here for the complete photo collection of our hike in Gütenbach & Brend
Later that evening, Dieter and I discussed attending church somewhere in St. Georgen this morning. I had a strong sense that this could be a way to establish some important fellowship ties with a group of believers here. We hunted through the paper and telephone book until I spotted a Free Evangelical Fellowship in the middle of town that met behind a store, just a few blocks away. Holy Spirit gave me a bit of a nudge, and so we made plans.
Marliese joined Dieter and I this morning as we actually drove to church (we only had a few minutes). We also had plans to go into the "deep" Black Forest that afternoon for a hike and some lunch.
We were met by a man at the door who seemed somewhat "dour", and so I thought, "hmmm, have I made a mistake?". My first impression gave way to a sigh of relief as we went into a bright room decorated with colourful artwork and objects that celebrated a personal walk with Jesus. There was an area to the left at the front that was obviously for the worship band ... ahah! Congas, Electric Keyboard, Bass guitar, amps, Guitar ... ahhh, that's more like it!
More importantly I was struck by the natural friendliness of the small congregation as they filtered in ... a good cross-section of young and old, families, couples and single adults. Most, warmly greeted us ... gently and without questions or pressure ... that was noteworthy. They were a small, friendly, sweet group of believers that quickly embraced us.
We started with worship ... almost all the songs we sang were those we sing at home, only in German (I want to see Jesus lifted high, etc.). People seemed free to express their love to Jesus and yet there wasn't anything that was "over the top" ... Marliese said later that she was blessed watching me and others worship because she knew that it was real and not religious. She had remembered me describing my love relationship with Father and could see the heart expression.
During worship I felt the Lord say that I should give the little Gideons German new testament, that Mark Vincent gave me at the North Bay Airport, as a blessing to the church from the Body in North Bay ... complete with the 10 Mark bill that I found in it (worth about 5 Euros).
Selah ...
Next came testimonies, obviously unrehearsed. People spoke of real things that were happening in their lives ... it was very personal - very "live". The German term would be "Actuel".
The pastor gave a message that was basically about intercession for the townsfolk (especially in relation to the Stadtfest) ... he referred to the cost of things rising when there's less of it and the demand goes up, such as a loaf of bread, which he referred to as costing 10 Mark (he said he still thought that way) ... right away I thought of:
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Matthew 4:4
... Afterwards I gave him the bible (and the 10 Mark) with greetings, encouragement and blessings from the body of Christ in North Bay along with the above and Psalm 128:2. He was greatly encouraged!
Meanwhile, Dieter and Marliese were engaged in conversation with several people... ending with an animated exchange with one of the elders who was inviting them to one of their homegroups for a barbeque. I wandered over to the small book store they had in the corner and purchased a Bible - a "Hoffnung für Alle" (Hope for Everyone) translation.
I pray that God would connect Dieter and Marliese with this lovely group were they could feel at home.
That afternoon we hiked through a beautiful region of hills and forest, ate and drank amazing local fare ... so wonderful!
That evening I spoke to Marliese as Dieter and I prepared for our journey to Berlin ... I sensed that she was being strongly drawn by Father ... although a battle with fear was being raged and she was very troubled over her future. She mentioned however, that she had been wonderfully comforted by His words to her in the last few days ... I prayed over her and gave her the bible I had purchased that day (asked her if she wanted one and she said yes) with instructions to read - Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29:11-14, John & Phillipians while we were away. Dieter and I would be leaving for Berlin in 7 hours and so I was concerned that she would be protected and ministered to by angels as she responded to Holy Spirit tonight and during the coming week (as she's staying here in St.Georgen). I e-mailed intercessors at home with a request for prayer.
Click here for the complete photo collection of our hike in Gütenbach & Brend
posted by Christoph Hermann at 7/09/2006 03:46:00 p.m.
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