April update

Dear Friends,
Sue and I recently had the joy of attending the installation service of Gerd Dyck, the new pastor of the Evangelical Free Church in Cologne-Porz, the first church that we were privileged to be a part of starting 26 years ago. After years of good shepherding, Hermann Fritz, my successor felt that God was leading him to move on last year. The Lord then led Gerd and the church together. God has blessed that church so much over the years and it was a joy for us to be there for this special service. In recent years some of their growth has been through refugees who have trusted Christ and been baptized. Integration is a challenge, but Jesus unites and there is a lot of joy in  their fellowship. Please pray for Gerd. He is very young but has an awesome grace-based posture and a desire to be a part of advancing the kingdom of God in Porz and Cologne.

Last Sunday we celebrated our monthly interactive worship service which includes brunch and hands on learning together. This time we did a bibliologue - where the participants assume the role of one of the characters in a bible story.  They are interviewed by the director but also interact with each other in their roles, talking about what they saw, heard, felt and experienced as the story unfolds. We read the Easter account from Luke 24 and then entered into the role of four characters at four different locations:

1.    The women at Jesus’ gravesite, early in the morning; location – a dark street corner under the train tracks just down from the church, which is a memorial site commemorating the execution of teenagers who led a resistance movement against the Nazis.
2.    Two disciples on the road to Emmaus who are joined by Jesus; location – the road to Venlo, i.e. Venloerstrasse, also around the corner from the church.
3.    The two disciples and Jesus in the house in Emmaus:  location – around the laden brunch buffet table in our church.
4.    Peter recalling his denial, running to the grave and finding it empty; location – around the painting of the cross at the front of the meeting room in our church.

Each scene, reflection and discussion were marked by a sadness, hopelessness, remorse and confusion which slowly turned into hope, light, understanding and joy.  No matter who you are or where you are this is the story of Easter, the power of the crucifixion and resurrection.

We had a new guest among us who remained quiet but witnessed our interaction with scripture and with each other. K is a Kurdish Yazidi refugee from Iraq. He is a kind, gentle man who has been attending our German and English classes at the Pastorenatelier. Please pray that what he witnesses will move him toward the Lord. Please pray for the rest of the refugees and German helpers who we see every week. We took time this last week to explain the events and significance of Easter to them.

May you be filled with the joy and hope of Easter!

Jason and Sue