The Night Before Christmas

Josh and his friend, Adam, wrote the following poem as part of a class writing assignment. I think the poem captures the meaning of the Christmas season. We need to remember that the cultural elite did not recognize God's coming in flesh.

The first Christmas witnessed the miraculous birth of a King, but it took place in a lowly manger. Mary and Joseph came to a simple inn keeper who was willing to create space for one more weary traveler. The Christ of Christmas has always been present for those who make room for Him.

Christmas was not meant to be a cultural holiday with tinsel, decorations and gift giving. This cultural imitation of Christmas is under siege and we would do well to let it die a quick and painless death. As followers of Christ who celebrate His coming to earth, Christmas is the day that God remembered us and sent His only son to save us from our sin. Christmas is Christ in us, the hope of glory; and He lives in the heart of every Christ follower.

We worship Him who is worthy 365 days a year, but we will pause on December 25th to remember and celebrate once again the miracle of His coming. In our families and in our homes, let's make room for our King! Might we know the freedom we have in Christ as we serve Him this Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town
Not one room in the Inn, the couple left with a frown
Little did this innkeeper know he turned down The King
But God had a better plan, the angels did sing

They came across a manger; this is where they would stay
Unfit for a Savior, it offered nothing but hay
A humble baby was to be born that night
He would come to die for us without a fight

Word of a King soon traveled afar
Three wise men arrived, trusting God in the star
These men brought great gifts, for honor and praise
But we would worship Him in many other ways

Jesus didn't just come for the rich and the wise
But for the poor, the hurting, and even the ones we despise
He left a paradise in Heaven because of His love for us
To save us from sin, so we could give him our trust

Now this is what Christmas is all about
To give us life, without a doubt
Jesus is a free gift, if you choose to receive
God gave us a choice, to reject or believe

One Of A Kind Creations

We had a lot of fun this evening decorating Christmas cookies. Click on the above picture to see a short slideshow of our time.

What would Christmas be without decorating sugar cookies? Some of our cookie artists were exceptionally creative this year. I'm sure that you have never seen Christmas cookies like these! They are one of a kind creations fit for consumption. They tasted good too!

Silent Night

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

The Sojourners Adult Bible Fellowship had a Christmas social this evening. We enjoyed some great food, a "white elephant" gift exchange, and singing Christmas carols. You can click on the above picture to see a slideshow of the evening.

It was a great time of fellowship and time to connect with one another. The weather outside was cold and harsh. The climate inside was warm and comforting. The Christmas lights that brightly shine in the darkness reminds us that Christ is the light of the world. And tonight because of Christ, all is calm and all is bright.

New Friends

Friends Class

The Friends Class concluded yesterday. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of those who were in the class. Over 25 people attended one of the six sessions but there were about 16 who were present just about every week.

Every Friends Class is special, but this one was exceptionally so. You know that God is at work when you reach the end of the six weeks and you don't want the class to end. It never ceases to amaze me how you can grow to get to know and care for people in such a short time!

New Covenant is a family of growing disciples. God's hand is on our church in a special way. We want to make sure that we share that blessing with everyone God brings into our path. We are a family that is committed to making space for one more person. Help me welcome these new friends to our family!

A Wonderful Day

Children's Choirs

What a great time we had today. The children's choirs performed at the beginning of each worship service. The brass ensemble played Christmas carols in the lobby. And the Angel Tree was a bustle of activity with over 50 gift tags signed out today! It was a day with something for everyone in the family.

It was a day of worship and celebration. It was a day of service and sharing. It was a wonderful day!

O Christmas Tree

Our Tree

Our family enjoyed putting up our Christmas tree on Saturday. Click on the picture above to see a short Christmass tree slideshow. Our family tradition is to cut our tree and set it up on Thanksgiving weekend. Part of the fun for our boys is to run through the tree farm, playing catch with the football.

There is always healthy debate regarding which tree to select. It's mandatory to look for at least 30 minutes before settling on just the right tree. It's not unusual to hear, "How about this one" or "I like this tree" ten or fifteen times during our quest for the perfect tree.

But over the years, I have come to realize that trees are much like people - there are no perfect ones. The "right tree" somehow uniquely combines the things that are important to us - width, color, density, height, and character. It takes some time to select the "right tree," but once you find it, you know it's yours!

I have often thought that it would be easier to purchase an artificial tree. But then I recall all the great memories we have surrounding the selection of our Christmas trees. There was the time that the tree blew off the top of the car and landed in the middle of the highway! And the time that the football hit me in the face as I was cutting down the tree! And then there are the pictures each year with the boys in front of the chosen tree.

And so each year I have concluded that although artificial is easier, fresh is way more fun. And if I have to choose between convenience and memories, I will vote for memories every time. In January our Christmas tree will be turned into compost, but the memories of this Christmas season will live on into the future. There are some things in life worth the effort.

No Greater Joy

Thankful for family

It was the ultimate Thanksgiving for any father - all four of my sons were home to celebrate! Josh and Jon traveled to Chicago with me on Monday to spend time at Moody with Jason. We left Chicago on Wednesday and picked Ryan up in the Quad Cities on our trip back to Cedar Rapids.

As we were traveling together in the van on I-80, I realized that it just doesn't get any better than this! Reunited once again - we are connected at the heart even though we are physically separated by geography. It's an awesome thing to be moving through life together with companions you love!

And today we traveled together again. This time Sharon joined us and we made a trip to Waukon to be with Sharon's family. We visited Sharon's mother who is in the hospital recovering from a broken hip. It made me thankful all over again for my family and for God's goodness to us this past year.

Today we enjoyed the usual Thanksgiving pleasures - fabulous turkey, candied sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and football. But more importantly, we spent time together as family, reconnecting with one another, giving thanks to God for His many blessings. Today on this day of thanksgiving, I have no greater joy!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4

Chicago Visit

Moody Bible

I took Josh and Jon to Chicago to visit Jason and to make a campus visit to Moody Bible. Josh and Jon took in seven hours of class, chapel and Bible study on Tuesday. It was a good slice of campus life including sleeping with the guys on Culby 9! I forgot what it's like living in a guys dorm! We had a great trip. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our visit.

My Favorite Things

Pastor Bob

We had a great Membership Class this past weekend. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the class. It's always fun getting to spend uniterrupted time with new members, getting to know them better. And of course, I love sharing what God is doing at New Covenant, along with our mission, vision, values, history and structure.

The added bennefit is that I get to teach the Membership Class with Pastor Bob. A week ago Pastor Bob talked about 'teaming up' in ministry. We get to do just that in the Membership Class. Teaming up with Pastor Bob means twice as much fun and half as much work!

I was reminded of how much I enjoy teaching the Class with him this past weekend. Pastor Bob had a wedding rehearsal on Friday night, so he was unable to attend. I missed his enthusiasm and energy on Friday evening, which made me appreciate teaching with him all the more on Saturday morning.

Pastor Bob loves Membership Weekends. He tells me before each Membership Class, "Just think Kim, we get to do the Membership Class this weekend!" His enthusiasm and passion rubs off on me and helps remind me of the joy of serving together.

And Pastor Bob was in rare form on Saturday morning. He was full of energy and humor. He was excited because he was getting to do three of his favorite things - enjoy food with friends, help teach the Membership Class, and root for his Ohio State Buckeyes!

Young At Heart

Pastor Kim, Freddie, Howard and Pastor James

I was invited to attend the Young At Heart "potluck lunch" today. The food was fantastic and the fellowship even better! I always tell James that his flock does the best food!

After the meal we took the opportunity to honor Freddie and Howard VanderSchaaf. Freddie and Howard were instrumental in starting the Retired Adult Fellowship ministry over eight years ago. They have been a friend to many, and we appreciate the contribution they have made to New Covenant over all the years. We also recognized and thanked Waldo and Joyce Spencer for their help with the group. You can click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of our meeting today.

It was a great time with some great people. It was a great day to be young at heart!

Wholehearted Worshiper

Surrender

We had a great Friends Class yesterday with over 25 people attending either the morning or evening session. What a great group of people!

This week we looked at what it means to be a wholehearted worshipper. We talked about worship style and our philosophy that utilizes a blended approach. I love the diversity, variety and creativity of our times of worship. Every week is different and you never know what to expect! That's the way worship should be - fresh, new, and heartfelt.

How about you? What helps you connect with the heart of God? Where are you at on your journey of becoming a wholehearted worshipper?

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7

A Beautiful Weekend Continued

Jeff and Leah

We were able to help celebrate the wedding of Jeff Anderson and Leah Middleton on Saturday afternoon and evening in Rockford, Illinois. It was a wonderful time to be with family on this special occasion. Click on the picture above to see a short slideshow of the wedding.

Leah was everything you would expect of a new bride. She was absolutely radiant and deeply in love with Jeff. It was a day to remember. A day when family and friends gathered to witness the miracle of two becoming one. Two people coming together to commit their lives to Christ and one another. To love one another the way Christ loves the church. This kind of love is a beautiful thing. Two people - one faith, one hope, one love, one purpose, one Lord. It was a beautiful weekend.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31

A Beautiful Weekend

Elder, Deacon and Equipping Staff Retreat

We had an awesome Elder, Deacon and Equipping Staff Retreat this past weekend with over 25 people in attendance. We enjoyed the new Sill Barn meeting room at Camp Courageous. Click on the above picture to see a short slideshow of the Retreat

Each ministry area shared their vision and strategic goals for the next five years. This fall retreat is always one of my favorite meetings of the entire year! How exciting it is to hear 18 ministry areas share their vision of what the future of New Covenant could look like.

There is nothing more exciting and compelling than being around a group of people who love God, care for one another and are committed to a common mission. Our times of worship knit our hearts to God's heart. And our times of sharing knit our hearts to God's vision for our church. It's a powerful and beautiful thing when people live and move together in unity. It was a beautiful weekend!

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalms 133:1-3

Happy Birthday Sharon

Our birthday girl!

We celebrated Sharon's birthday tonight, complete with brownie cheesecake!

Sharon .... fun loving, committed, adventurous, seeker of truth, servant, multi-tasker, energetic, heart for God, generous, hard worker, faithful friend, caring, and enthusiastic. She is all this plus much more. I am a blessed man.

Happy Birthday Sharon!

A New Vision For Ministry

A new church home

What do you see when you look at the above picture? Some see an old building in need of repair. Others see a vacant structure that has out lived its original purpose. The Brethren Church in Trinec see a ministry hub that will help them reach their city for Christ!

What a joy it was to walk through the Brethren Church's new building last Thursday afternoon. Much work is needed before they can move in, but everyone is excited about how God can use this new tool for ministry. Click on the picture above to see a slideshow of the building and the many residential flats that surround it.

The generosity of the people of New Covenant helped make this vision a reality. We collected over $30,000 for the purchase of the building! One person who doesn't even attend their church contributed to the project. It's exciting to see how God has provided resources to fund His vision for ministry.

The church is committed to use this facility as an outreach center into the surrounding neighborhood. Pray that God would bless their efforts as they seek to bring Jesus to children and families in Trinec, Czech Republic. It's a privilege and honor to be able to come alongside this church as they seek to impact their culture for Christ.

The church in Trinec is being built one person at a time. God is building His church around the world. He is giving people a heart for the lost and a new vision for ministry.

Welcome Lunch

Even Bernice is welcome at New Covenant!

We had a great Welcome Lunch today with over 80 people in attendance. We had over 15 new individuals or families with us today. You can see a slideshow of our Lunch by clicking on the above picture.

Pastor Bob likes to describe New Covenant as a church of grace. I would have to agree. What other church would welcome Bernice with open arms the way we do! I am warming up to Bernice. I know that we are a casual, "come as you are" church, but I do think she could give a little more attention to what she wears. I think the red hat clashes with the straw and scarecrow look! Regardless, we are glad that Bernice is with us and we love her just the same.

Truth Prevails

John Huss

In a recent poll, the Czech people voted John Huss as one of the people they most admired. John Huss was born in Bohemia in 1371. He was a Catholic Priest and Rector of Charles University in Prague. He also preached to the poor in the chapel of Bethlehem in Prague. Huss translated Wycliffe's works into Czech; and exposed superstitions, fraudulent miracles and the sale of indulgences within the Catholic Church.

In 1414 Huss was summoned to the Council of Constance to answer false charges of heresy. Although guaranteed safety, Huss was burned at the stake in 1415 after a mockery of a trial. After Huss's martyrdom his followers organized military resistance to the Holy Roman Empire and fought under Huss's motto: "truth prevails".

Today, the Czech Republic has adopted "Truth Prevails" as their national motto. The Czech people pride themselves as being intellectual seekers of truth. Today, a new revolution is needed in the Czech Republic. Not a violent or velvet revolution, but a revolution of the soul. This movement is in need of a new kind of revolutionary - men and women who have had a life-transforming encounter with the God of Truth and who infiltrate business, villages, neighborhoods, cafe's and the public square with the message of freedom!

There is much work to do in the Czech Republic. Communism, secularism and materialism have a firm grip on the heart and soul of the Czech people. But planted strategically in this atheist country there is a small band of Christ followers quietly preparing an uprising. God is on the move and He is at work in the lives of people. The wind of the Spirit of Truth is beginning to stir. The battle is on. The enemy is engaged. Truth prevails!

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your law. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:30, 32

Partnering Together for the Gospel

Cindy Howard

It seems hard to believe that our time in Trinec has just about come to a close. How can that be possible? We just arrived. Once again, God has done above and beyond all that we could ask or think. We have absolutely loved seeing Cindy in the Czech culture. During a sharing time this evening with the Elders and their wives, Cindy expressed that she was going to be sad to see us leave. Three women immediately told Cindy, "You belong to us, you are now here!" Trinec is now Cindy's home. Pray that she will be able to learn the language as soon as possible in order to build relationships and make friends.

The Leadership Training seminar on Friday and Saturday was well received. On Saturday evening we had dinner with several people that Ed and Christine had met at the Business/English Camps. By the end of the evening two single women and one young couple told us that they would like to come to church with us on Sunday. This is quite unusual as most people do not attend church or value spiritual things.

All four showed up today at church. I preached on the life of Joseph. Over the course of the morning we learned that this was the first church service the one couple had ever attended. They were excited when I began speaking about Joseph, as they had see the Prince of Egypt movie! We pray that all four will come to place their faith in Christ.

This afternoon and evening we spent time with the Elders and their families. We had a great time of fellowship, wonderful dinner and supper, a casual walk, a question and answer time regarding the information we had covered over the weekend, and a wonderful time of prayer. One of the Elders said he has realized this weekend that the church needs to look at lost people differently. The church needs to break down walls that separates them from people and build friends with unbelievers. Under communism the church was persecuted and marginalized. Even in 1983, eight members of their church were put in jail. He said that now that they have freedom, they need to stop being afraid, and be more open with their faith.

During our Q and A session we talked about adult Sunday School or ABFs (they have never heard of anything like it), women's ministry, the role of food and refreshments :o), how we became interested in the Czech Republic and their church in particular, and the Love and Respect marriage seminar that Ed and Christine have taught before.

As we prepare to leave, it is clear that God has given us a special relationship with this group of believers. They are brainstorming and planning already about the renovation of their new building so that they can move in as soon as possible. They were making plans even this evening in preparation for their first day of work on the building tomorrow. The Trinec Church sends their thanks to New Covenant for our generous financial gift that helped make this dream a reality.

Over the past several days we have made new friends and strengthened old ones. Our love for one another has deepened. It's a joy and priviledge to partner together for the sake of the gospel!

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Servant Leadership Training

It's 11:15 PM Czech time so this post will be rather short. Ed and I enjoyed accompanying Bronek to his conversational English lesson. We met with Adam and Tadek at their place of work for a 1 1/2 lesson. Tadek owns a company that specializes in currency trading and exchange. We learned about their families, hobbies, and business. It was a facinating conversation.

This evening I shared from Mark 10:35-45 on Servant Leadership. There were at least five pastors and 40 people in attendance. It was a much larger turn out than I had expected. The picture above was taken at the training seminar. Pastor Marek is the person closest to the camera on the left. He is the pastor of the Brethren Church in Trinec.

Sharon accompanied Cindy to her English class and talked about life on a farm growing up in Iowa. Sharon and Cindy also spent some time in prayer together, walking around the neighborhood where their new church is located. It has been so good spending time with Cindy in the Czech culture.

Continue to pray for us. We have two more training sessions tomorro; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Pray that what we have to share about casting and implementing vision, and strategic planning will be helpful to the churches here. Pray for clarity of communication as we speak through an interpreter. Tomorrow evening we will be meeting with some of the business people from camp, many of whom do not know the Lord. Pray for that time of interaction. I will be preaching on Sunday morning, so pray that God would speak His truth through me.

The Luebe's and Pagel's feel honored to be able to represent New Covenant Bible Church on this trip. Thank you for your prayer support.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Prague Train Station

We arrived safely in Trinec this afternoon after an 8 hour flight, 5 hour train ride and an interesting taxi tour of the back streets of Prague on our way to the train station! I took this picture as we boarded the train this morning. We arrived just in time to board with all our luggage, so that meant no posing for pictures!

It was so good to see Cindy when we arrived. Sharon and I are staying with Cindy in her apartment. Larissa fixed us an awesome Czech meal this evening. We were so honored. Their little kitchen/dining room can only seat five so they served us first and Bronek and Larissa and their three children ate after we finished. Bronek and Larissa are missionaries with International Messengers. Bronek is also an elder in the Brethern Church that we are partnering with and helps set up the English/Business Camps that we help teach each summer.

Tomorrow we will be accompanying Cindy and Bronek to the English classes that they each teach. And the first training session with church leaders begins tomorrow evening. Please pray that we would be a blessing and that the things we share will be useful to the churches here. Thank you so much for your prayers. We experienced a minimal amount of jet lagg and got a great nigthts sleep last night. It's off to bed and a full day tomorrow.