CONNECTIONS

Newsletter June / July, 2015

M a r k Yo u r CALENDAR JUNE 14 Picnic in the Park & Camp Fun Run June 28 - July 4 Youth Summer Camp JULY 30 Barbecue & Fellowship

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. - Acts 2:42

JULY 12 Picnic in the Park AUGUST 19 Whole Church Barbecue AUGUST 30 Picnic in the Park EQUMENIAKYRKAN IN STOCKHOLM

www.immanuel.se Kungstensgatan 17, Stockholm

From the Pastor In the month of May, our messages have focused on the question: How can we “God show me what is the best get unstuck? How can we way for your love to reach out to gain traction in our lives? others. God allow me to One way that a congregation influence the church in a way can get stuck is by focusing that puts our focus on the needs most of its energy on internal of those outside our fellowship.” issues and programs. We gain traction as we focus our resources, prayers, and vision on reaching out to the world around us. I quoted a well know statement a few weeks ago “The church exists to give itself away for the sake of the world.” I think that statement supports the call of the New Testament that thrusts the church out into an often hostile and indifferent world. One way the church breaks out of an inward focus is to adopt the mindset of the Apostle Paul when he expressed his aim to the Corinthians: I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33. That’s a challenging perspective. The key is aiming to do what is best for others. It is always tempting to put our personal conviction or tastes or interests ahead of what may be best for others. But what we prefer is often not what will enable us to reach others with the love of Christ. So we humbly ask “God show me what is the best way for your love to reach out to others. God allow me to influence the church in a way that puts our focus on the needs of those outside our fellowship.” We need to be intentional about giving ourselves away for the sake of the world. If we make ministry decisions in an effort to keep everybody inside the church happy, we may end up with a church full of happy Christians, but such churches often loose the passion for mission and stop reaching out to meet the needs of the world around them. To reach people outside the church and outside the faith, we must be willing to be uncomfortable, willing to change, and willing to risk. Fact is that doing what’s best for

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others makes life, and ministry messy. But Jesus never promised that ministry would be tidy and neat. Actually he told us and showed us that giving ourselves away for the sake of the world is both uncomfortable and risky. The journey of revitalization in the church is both treacherous and adventurous. It demands laying personal preference aside and embracing a willingness to go all out for the gospel. To live as a Christian in the world today calls us to the risky place of setting aside preference, status, security and accepting loss and difficulty as part of our walk with Christ. It calls for a presence in the world, not a withdrawal from the world. It demands of us a life in which our weakness becomes our strength, so that the power of our loving God may flow from His church to the world. Please consider what you might do to help Immanuel International be outward focused. Pastor Steve Armfield

Congregational Meetings NEXT MEETING Sunday, 4 October 13.00 // Immanuel Church Strategic decision concerning the church square. Discussion in preparation of the budget for 2016. Choice of the nominating committee for the yearly meeting for 2016.

Wednesday, 21 October 18.30 // Immanuel Church Preparation for the budget process

Wednesday, 18 November 18.30 // Immanuel Church Focus on a new constitution with bylaws/statutes and church order.

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Preaching Schedule June/July 2015

Series Title: Soaring in the Spirit Looking into the Book of Acts

JUNE 7 Title: Get Ready Acts 1:1-11 First in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield Communion JUNE 14 Title: Powered Acts 2 Second in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield JUNE 21 Title: Alive! Acts 2:42-47 Third in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield JUNE 28 Title: Challenged Acts 6:1-7 Fourth in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield

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JULY 5 Guest Speaker: Rev. Lindsay Small Communion JULY 12 Title: Opposed Acts 7:54-60 Fifth in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield JULY 19

Title: Converted Acts 9:1-9 Sixth in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield

JULY 26

Title: Welcoming a Terrorist Acts 9:10-19 Seventh in Series “Soaring In The Spirit” Sermon: Pastor Steve Armfield

Prayer Counselors For Communion Sunday

On Communion Sundays, the Prayer counselors will meet at 10.00 in the conference room called Focus, across from the fika area. There will be both teaching on praying the Word, and a time of prayer for the service. Anyone who wants to learn more about praying the Word of God is welcome to join us. A time for personal prayer needs will be held during the communion and after the service.

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SPECIAL NOTE :

M i n i s t r y Summer schedule youth specific activities

The regular Faith Builders (Youth Sunday S chool) and youth ministry pr ogrammes will be taking a summ er break and will resume agin towards the end of August. Does th is mean there’s nothing going on during the summer?… No!

There will be an exciting programme of activities for the youth over the summer months, both alongside the whole-church events (see pages 12-13) and as special youth events.

JUNE 14: PICNIC IN THE PARK & FUN RUN! All youth are invited to join to help raise funds for our Summer Camp. You can sign up as a participant or as a volunteer to help on the day! Also, Don’t forget to BRING a lunch, blanket, running shoes and a smile. We will meet at 13.00 in Humlegården (see map on page 13 in Connections newsletter) after the service. For more information contact Ben Tatlow. JUNE 28 - JULY 4: SUMMER CAMP! Registration is now closed for Summer Camp: please keep the youth and leaders in your prayers for this important time away. SUNDAY, 12 JULY: PICNIC IN THE PARK! Bring your own picnic PLUS we will have our 7th Annual Immanuel Cup Soccer Tourney! We will meet at 13.00 in Humlegården (see map on page 13 in Connections newsletter) after the service. THURSDAY, 30 JULY: BBQ NIGHT! Youth Event at the International Barbecue. See page 12 for more information. WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST: AN ALL CHURCH BBQ NIGHT! Youth Event at the church Barbecue. See page 12 for more information. SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST: PICNIC IN THE PARK! Bring your own picnic. More information coming soon!

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Youth Conference

Come and be strengthened in your spiritual walk with Christ. We are excited to announce this year’s AICEME Youth Conference will be held in Frankfurt, Germany from 5th November through 8th November, 2015. All youth in gymnasium (ages 15-18) are invited to join us for a weekend of fellowship and worship led by our fantastic team of AICEME youth pastors! This conference has always been an incredible time of learning, building friendships and growth in the lives of our youth! If you are the right age, please plan now to attend!

REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN DURING AUGUST! ​If you have any questions about the y​ outh programmes or events, please speak with either Ben Tatlow or Anita Tatlow.

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Children’s Ministry

One of the highlights of the year for us here in the North are the summer months. We all look forward to the more relaxed time of year as we spend more time outside enjoying the lighter days. In children’s ministry, we take a more relaxed approach as well, as we tend to take a break from our normal curriculum somewhat, and offer other options on some Sundays. We still offer programs for our 2-8 year olds all summer long, but on occasion, allow our 9-11 year old group the opportunity to worship with the larger body as they remain in the worship service. Our younger children will spend the beginning of the summer hearing about how they can follow Jesus. They will learn how they can love others by being a cheerful giver. They will also hear what it means to be a true friend, and what a gift friendship is to us all. They will look at the example of Jesus, and the type of friend that He was. Following the unit on Jesus and friendship, the children will move to the Old Testament stories, and hear about creation. The children will spend each week hearing about a different part of the creation story. Our 6-8 year olds will start the summer with a four lesson series about the life and times of the Apostle Paul. As the children learn of the miraculous change in Paul’s life, and discover how courage, protection, and joy come from faithfully following Jesus, they will hear how those same qualities are available to them today.

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Jesus spent much of His time teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God and how to live godly lives. Lessons in this series cover some of the many teachings during Jesus’ ministry. We receive many blessings from God, but some are more precious to us. The children will learn about a few of these special gifts from God. While the 9-11 year olds will follow some of the same lessons as the 6-8’s, they will also delve into the book of James. The themes will teach them to become perseverant, doers, ‘tongue tamers,’ wise, and even submissive to God. The book of James is very applicable to our daily lives. His message is based on Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” Blessings, Geri Lindberg Children’s Ministry Director

As is usually the case in Children’s ministry, we are in need of new teachers and helpers. Being involved in the lives of our little ones is both a blessing and a privilege. If you are interested in becoming a part of this important ministry contact Geri Lindberg: [email protected]

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Weekly Events Wondering where you can plug-in to a smaller group for fellowship and learning? Take a look at these groups that are meeting regularly and find the place where you belong! The dates are listed.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP GROUP This group is open to all women who would like to join. You can drop in anytime. All women are welcome, and bring your friends! Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group is on a summer break and will resume on Tuesday, 25 August at 10.00 in the Youth room on K1. We gather at 09.45 for coffee and tea, and start the study at 10.00. Contact Geri Lindberg: [email protected] MOMS IN PRAYER We are a group of moms who meet for one hour every week to intercede on behalf of our children and their schools through prayer. Moms In Prayer is on a summer break and will resume on Tuesday, 25 August at 12.30 in the Youth room on K1. Contacts: Susan Fries: [email protected] and Erin Person: [email protected] YOUNG ADULTS BIBLE STUDY This group is geared for students and young professionals in their 20’s & 30’s. We gather for a meal followed by a Bible study. Suggested donation for the meal is 20 kr. Summer Gathering Dates: 30 June, 28 July & 11 August at 18.00 in the Youth room on K1. This group will return to its weekly gatherings starting Tuesday, 25 August at 18.00 in the Youth room on K1. Contact Nienke Kuipers: [email protected] 10

MEN’S MINISTRY The Men’s Ministry meets every other Tuesday at Pastor Steve’s apartment on Tegnérgatan 4 (one block away from church). We meet from 18.30 to 20.00, beginning with a short fika (coffee, tea, and a snack). Then, we focus in on a Bible based discussion that pertains to our lives as men. All men are welcome to join. Men’s Ministry is on a summer break and will resume on Tuesday, 25 August at 18.30 - 20.00. Contact Pastor Steve Armfield: [email protected] WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP THROUGH EXERCISE Any woman can attend who is interested in fellowship through exercise. You do not have to be well trained. All women are welcome to join this gathering. Friday Evenings at 18.00 in the small gym on K3. Friday, 12 June is the LAST gathering. Start date: Friday, 21 August Contact Hannah Akuffo: [email protected].

Music Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. - Ephesians 5:19

International Worship Music Team: The Worship Music Team is scheduled on a rota basis. The team for each Sunday meets to rehearse on Wednedays at 18:00 and then again on Sundays at 9:00. If you are interested in joining the worship team, please contact Anita Tatlow at [email protected]

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Summer Events Our regularly scheduled weekly Bible studies and fellowship events take a summer holiday but our church life goes on. When you are in town, plan to join the fun on these BBQ nights and Sundays as we seek to build up our relationship with God and others. Mark these dates and plan to join us for a great time together as we enjoy the summer months together! We need volunteers to lend a hand with these events. If you around and can help with set up, grilling, clean up, etc., please speak with Secretary Stephanie or call her at 587 503 62 // 0704 80 71 46. There will be volunteer sign-up sheets at the welcome desk at the end of June.

Barbecue & Fellowship! Thursday July 30th & Wednesday August 19th From 18.00 - 20.30 // Immanuel Church Thursday, 30 July: plan to bring something to put on the grill for you and your family. In addition, think about bringing a simple side dish to share with four others like salad, chips, or a simple dessert. No Soups. Wednesday, 19 August: we will have an all church BBQ and FUN! Plan to bring something to put on the grill for you and your family. In addition, think about bringing a simple side dish to share with four others like salad, chips, or a simple dessert. No Soups. Our grillmasters will exercise their expertise to cook your food to order. (If you like it raw- no problem. If you like it really well done no problem. If you like it somewhere in the middle...no promises!) And maybe, just maybe, this will be the start of a relaxing and joy-filled season of growth for you.

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SUMMER PICNICS IN THE PARK

Sundays after church

Join on these Sundays after church for a picnic in the park. Bring your own lunch, grab a blanket and wander over to Humlegården for a nice afternoon together. We gather in front of the playground that is alongside Karlavägen.

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SPRING RETREAT

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If you are interested in giving your offering via post-giro, please use the following information: Immanuelskyrkan Plus-Giro 9 21-7 or Bank-Giro 181-0936. Always indicate that it is for the International Fellowship. Thanks.