ESUMC Newsletter
October 2023
Dear friends in Christ,
Greetings and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus!
It is season of great blessings for the ESUMC community. This fall, we are receiving new members into our congregation, including children being brought forth for baptism and adults preparing to make their profession of Christian faith and commitment to our church. We have raised funds for missions in our own community and others in need far beyond our walls; below please see Marilyn's expression of thanks for the generosity of our congregation. We are launching new ministries with our children, youth, and young adults. God has blessed us richly, and the harvest is plentiful.
In that spirit, join us in worship on Sunday 29 October as we celebrate Harvest Festival! We shall gather in worship to sing and dance, offer prayers, rejoice with special music, and make our offering to God in thanksgiving for God's goodness. And following worship, we shall gather for a congregational meal, with food and drink from around the world prepared by our members. Please plan to join us in worship on this festive day (in your traditional dress, if you wish!), and bring a bounty to share with others. And in advance of the day, we invite volunteers to come to church on Saturday 28 October at 14:00, to help to begin to prepare the sanctuary and fellowship area for our Sunday celebration.
Lastly, we continue to request your references for a single room to rent (in a shared apartment, student housing, etc.) in Vienna for up to €500 a month, starting immediately. If you can offer or refer to such housing, please contact the church office at esumc@emk.at.
In this season of thanksgiving, may you be mindful of the many blessings of God.
Yours in Christ, Pastor John
Pastor
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
ESUMC's special offering raised €2,500 for a beloved congregation in Maui, Hawaii.
read morePastor
Join our study series on the Psalms, every Tuesday evening via Zoom.
read morePastor
On Friday evening 6 October at the ESUMC Parsonage, all who consider themselves "young adults" are invited to gather.
read morePastor
The UMC of Albania invites you to participate in the 22 October Tirana Marathon for the benefit of the Early Intervention Center of the Methodist Diakonie of Albania - even from home.
read morePastor
Simone Viljoen provides a summary of the recent conversations about Creation Care.
read moreServices
Vienna English-Speaking
Bible texts
- Exodus 17:1-7
- Philippians 2:1-13
- Matthew 21:23-32
Following the worship service, we shall hold a special Bake Sale, to raise funds for our Children's and Youth Ministries. Please leave your baked goods (along with a short written description) in the church kitchen before worship, to be sold during the fellowship hour.
Bible texts
- Exodus 20:1-20
- Philippians 3:4b-14
- Matthew 21:33-46
Join us for worship, as Church Council chairperson Doreen Ighama shall deliver the message.
Special music by Jeff Greiman, "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring."
Bible texts
- Exodus 32:1-14
- Philippians 4:1-9
- Matthew 22:1-14
Join us for worship, as Church Council chairperson Doreen Ighama shall deliver the message.
Special music by Chris Gazze on the guitar.
Bible texts
- Exodus 33:12-23
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
- Matthew 22:15-22
Join us as we celebrate the harvest with prayers, hymns, special music, dancing, and the taking of a special offering, as we give thanks to God for all God's many blessings!
Following the service, we shall gather for a congregational meal, with food and drink from around the world. Save the date, and plan to join us!
Bible texts
- Deuteronomy 34:1-12
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
- Matthew 22:34-46
Join us for a service of Holy Communion as we give thanks to God for those saints in our lives who reflected the love of God to the world.
Bible texts
- Joshua 3:7-17
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
- Matthew 23:1-12
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
A weekly study on the Psalms, led by Pastor John. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link.
All young adults are invited to a fellowship evening hosted by Pastor John in the church parsonage apartment, behind the sanctuary at Sechshauser Strasse 56. Please inform Pastor John of your intention to participate, and bring a food or drink item to share!
Session three of a three-week course to prepare participants to join ESUMC as official members. Please speak with Pastor John to register for the short course.
A weekly study on the Psalms, led by Pastor John. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link.
A weekly study on the Psalms, led by Pastor John. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link.
Join us to help prepare the sanctuary and fellowship area for our Harvest Festival, taking place on Sunday 29 October. Please inform Pastor John in advance if you plan to assist.
A weekly study on the Psalms, led by Pastor John. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link.