Thursday, January 22, 2009

Current Preaching Series

ALL SAINT’S INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATION Preaching series - Theme for 2009 GOD’S ELECTIONS! “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2: 9 CHOSEN FOR INTIMACY 2009 is the year of parliamentary elections in Lebanon (June) – crucial elections that will determine the future of Lebanon. We will be hearing a lot about this in the months to come. Let this be a reminder for us of God’s elections! God chose Jesus, and in Him he chooses us, to fulfill His good purposes for us and for the world. In our new preaching series we will look at this and ask the question: Chosen for what? To help us with this, as a post-Christmas series, we will also look at the big themes of the Old Testament (old covenant) and how they are re-defined in the coming of Jesus – “The Meaning of Messiah”. One of our themes is The Temple. In the OT, the temple was a symbol of God’s presence and holiness. How does it translate in New Testament terms, in the new covenant with God in Christ? Jesus is Emmanuel - God with us. He referred to his body as the temple, and through him we become a holy temple of God, individually and corporately - God in us, by the Holy Spirit. We are chosen for intimacy – the closest possible relationship with God. Other themes we will look at are: Priesthood, Sacrifice, People and Land. We will use the Gospel of John and the letter to the Hebrews as our main references.

Current Services at All Saints' Beirut

After the busy Christmas season, we are now back in our regular schedule of services for each month. 1st Sunday: 11:00am Holy Communion (More formal service) 2nd Sunday:11:00am Worship & Word (Informal service focussing on worship through music and the ministry of the word) 3rd Sunday: 11:00am All Age Holy Communion (Informal communion service) Last Sunday: 8:00am BCP 1662 Holy Communion Service (Book of Common Prayer formal service) Last Sunday: 11:00am Morning Praise (All age informal service, no Young Church)