ESUMC Newsletter
July 2024
Dear friends in Christ,
Greetings and peace to you all! In recent weeks, our church has been richly blessed by the faith witness of the lay members of ESUMC.
At the UMC in Austria Annual Conference early last month, ESUMC Church Council chairperson Doreen Ighama (pictured below) gave a stirring sermon about the importance of helping one another grow in faith and love, as a response to God's good will for our lives.
Here at ESUMC, our worship services were blessed by the inspired preaching of Tinu Aganga-Williams on Sunday 2 June and George Ackwonu on Sunday 9 June.
And on Youth Sunday 23 June, Amelie Haslinger shared a moving reflection about how the loving and welcoming spirit of our congregation has supported her, and reflected God's love for her, even in moments of difficulty.
These recent faith witnesses by our lay members reveal the truth that our congregation is blessed with an abundance of God-given spiritual gifts. As we give thanks to those who have shared these gifts in recent weeks, let us also prayerfully reflect on how God may be calling each one of us to share our spiritual gifts with others.
This month's newsletter highlights the inauguration of a new Congregational Care Team. As you will read, the purpose of this team is to offer spiritual and practical support to church members who may need our assistance and care.
Friends, we all have spiritual gifts to share. Let us follow the example of these recent witnesses, and offer ourselves in love and service to others.
Yours in Christ, Pastor John
Pastor
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
Register now for ESUMC Vacation Bible School, taking place from 22 to 26 July.
read moreJoin ESUMC's new Congregational Care Team, as we provide spiritual and physical support to fellow church members.
read morePastor
Simone Viljoen, ESUMC's Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference, offers this review of the recent gathering of United Methodist leaders in Graz.
read morePastor John Crewe provides a hopeful update from the congregation of Lahaina UMC in Hawaii.
read moreHelp repair and restore our two historic instruments with your donations.
read morePastor
On Saturday 7 September 2024, join us for our annual day of hiking, eating, and fellowship in Grünbach, in the foothills of Schneeberg.
read morePastor
für Kinder von 7 bis 12 Jahren im Landes-Jugendhaus in Losenstein.
learn morePastor, Kinder- und Jugendwerk
für Jugendliche von 13 bis 17 Jahren im Landes-Jugendhaus in Losenstein.
learn moreLaienprediger
Services
Vienna English-Speaking
Join us for worship, as the message will be offered by Hayford Boateng. Pastor John will be preaching in the worship service of the UMC congregation in Graz. Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 14 July.
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 5,1-5 und 9-10
- 2 Corinthians 12,2-10
- Mark 6,1-13
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 6,1-5 und 12b-19
- Ephesians 1,3-14
- Mark 6,14-29
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 7,1-14a
- Ephesians 2,11-22
- Mark 6,30-34 und 53-56
During the worship service, a special praise moment will be offered by the children of our Vacation Bible School program.
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 11,1-15
- Ephesians 3,14-21
- John 6,1-21
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 11,16 – 12,13a
- Ephesians 4,1-16
- John 6,24-35
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
All children aged 5 to 12 are invited for a week of fun, activities, and learning about the Bible. Join us each day, Monday 22 July through Friday 26 July, from 9:00 to 14:00 in the church. For more information, contact Shelley at sundayschool.esumc@gmail.com.
Register for Vacation Bible School at https://mautic.emk.at/vbs2024