Dear Friends,
What a great week we had! The White Elephant gift exchange was so fun and so funny. It is always amazing to see what becomes the coveted treasure. I enjoyed singing carols with you and sharing delicious treats.
Wednesday conversation had a full house and it was nice to stop to visit the classes on Thursday.
I hope you have a warm, safe, peaceful, joyful, fabulous winter break. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Love,
Carolyn
coveted: something that is wanted but not owned
full house: everyone was there
Friday, December 16, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Our last meetings this year!
Hello Friends,
I get to make my annual joke: it's our last meetings this year! This joke has always tickled me ever since I was in elementary school when it was first sprung on me. And speaking of surprises, what do you think about waking up to snow? It really was beautiful to drive home from a school concert featuring the Nutcracker Suite to snow and homes lit up with Christmas lights.
There are so many great opportunities to experience Christmas traditions including a live nativity (where the Christmas story is acted out with people and animals found in the Biblical stories). CLC in Fishers is beginning a tradition of a live nativity: join 6:00-9:00 pm December 10, 13450 116th St., Fishers. Don't miss the Cristkindl Village December 16 and 17 a traditional German market and live nativity on Georgia Street in Indianapolis. And to the South the Greenwood Baptist Church will have a live drive through Nativity December 22 and 23.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
This week we studied the dramatic story of the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 (you can read this as CliffsNotes to the first four books of the Old Testament). Brought before the Sanhedrin, accused of attacking the temple, the law, Moses, and ultimately God, Stephen reviewed the history of the Hebrew nation beginning with Abraham and the covenant God had made with him. He reminded the Jewish religious leaders of the story of Joseph and the 400 years of Jewish enslavement in Egypt. He then discussed Moses and how God used him to lead his people out of captivity. He pointed out that their Jewish forefathers had so often rejected the prophets God sent to them and insisted on doing things their own way. He also pointed out that in the book of Isaiah they were told that all of God's creation is His temple, not just buildings made by human hands. Finally, he scolded the Sanhedrin members for resisting the Holy Spirit and for crucifying Jesus. Furious, they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. As Stephen "fell asleep" he saw heaven open and saw the Son of Man (Jesus, the Messiah) standing at the right hand of God. His final words were a prayer that God would not hold the sins of the Jewish leaders against them, a prayer that reminded us of Jesus praying that God would forgive the men who crucified Him. Stephen is remembered as the first reported "martyr" of the Church. May we always be imitators of Christ who is our Strength and our Redeemer!
December 13: Join us as we read the Christmas stories from the Bible and sing the traditional Christmas songs.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met and baked Christmas cookies. We had to wing it when the vanilla bottle got broken and discovered that Hazelnut Creamer makes a delicious substitute! We learned to make icing glaze from store bought icing.
December 13: HOLIDAY PARTY!!!!
Join us as we celebrate the end of the year! Bring party food to share and a White Elephant gift for our gift exchange.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
We welcomed some new friends to conversation and caught up with each other. It was fun to compare language notes.
December 14: Be ready to talk about the Easy English News.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
We missed a lot of you. Did the cold and snow drive you away? I hope that you are not under the weather!
December 15: Be sure to join us as we meet for the last time this year!
tickled: amused, think something is funny
sprung on me: revealed, surprised
acted out: performed as opposed to a temper tantrum
Biblical: of the Bible
CliffsNotes: famous study guides that summarize great works of literature
covenant: a solemn agreement between God and His people
enslavement: being made a slave
forefathers: ancestors
scolded: repremanded
White Elephant: something that you don't want; don't go out and buy something new...look around your house, wrap it beautifully. You will get to choose a gift or "steal" a gift. This is a fun holiday party game.
store bought icing: premade decoration for cakes available at the grocery
I get to make my annual joke: it's our last meetings this year! This joke has always tickled me ever since I was in elementary school when it was first sprung on me. And speaking of surprises, what do you think about waking up to snow? It really was beautiful to drive home from a school concert featuring the Nutcracker Suite to snow and homes lit up with Christmas lights.
There are so many great opportunities to experience Christmas traditions including a live nativity (where the Christmas story is acted out with people and animals found in the Biblical stories). CLC in Fishers is beginning a tradition of a live nativity: join 6:00-9:00 pm December 10, 13450 116th St., Fishers. Don't miss the Cristkindl Village December 16 and 17 a traditional German market and live nativity on Georgia Street in Indianapolis. And to the South the Greenwood Baptist Church will have a live drive through Nativity December 22 and 23.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
This week we studied the dramatic story of the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 (you can read this as CliffsNotes to the first four books of the Old Testament). Brought before the Sanhedrin, accused of attacking the temple, the law, Moses, and ultimately God, Stephen reviewed the history of the Hebrew nation beginning with Abraham and the covenant God had made with him. He reminded the Jewish religious leaders of the story of Joseph and the 400 years of Jewish enslavement in Egypt. He then discussed Moses and how God used him to lead his people out of captivity. He pointed out that their Jewish forefathers had so often rejected the prophets God sent to them and insisted on doing things their own way. He also pointed out that in the book of Isaiah they were told that all of God's creation is His temple, not just buildings made by human hands. Finally, he scolded the Sanhedrin members for resisting the Holy Spirit and for crucifying Jesus. Furious, they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. As Stephen "fell asleep" he saw heaven open and saw the Son of Man (Jesus, the Messiah) standing at the right hand of God. His final words were a prayer that God would not hold the sins of the Jewish leaders against them, a prayer that reminded us of Jesus praying that God would forgive the men who crucified Him. Stephen is remembered as the first reported "martyr" of the Church. May we always be imitators of Christ who is our Strength and our Redeemer!
December 13: Join us as we read the Christmas stories from the Bible and sing the traditional Christmas songs.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met and baked Christmas cookies. We had to wing it when the vanilla bottle got broken and discovered that Hazelnut Creamer makes a delicious substitute! We learned to make icing glaze from store bought icing.
December 13: HOLIDAY PARTY!!!!
Join us as we celebrate the end of the year! Bring party food to share and a White Elephant gift for our gift exchange.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
We welcomed some new friends to conversation and caught up with each other. It was fun to compare language notes.
December 14: Be ready to talk about the Easy English News.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
We missed a lot of you. Did the cold and snow drive you away? I hope that you are not under the weather!
December 15: Be sure to join us as we meet for the last time this year!
sprung on me: revealed, surprised
acted out: performed as opposed to a temper tantrum
Biblical: of the Bible
CliffsNotes: famous study guides that summarize great works of literature
covenant: a solemn agreement between God and His people
enslavement: being made a slave
forefathers: ancestors
scolded: repremanded
White Elephant: something that you don't want; don't go out and buy something new...look around your house, wrap it beautifully. You will get to choose a gift or "steal" a gift. This is a fun holiday party game.
store bought icing: premade decoration for cakes available at the grocery
drive you away: keep you from attending
under the weather: ill
Friday, December 2, 2016
December 2016
Happy Holidays, Friends!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Have you taken a drive to see the light shows in the neighborhoods? Some homes have their lights synchronized to music on the radio; you can tune in to a channel and listen while you watch the show. Look for signs in the front yard of these homes.
Have you seen any of the Holiday programs at the schools? Carmel High School Holiday Spectacular and orchestra programs are two that I never want to miss. These programs are a little tricky to see because if you don't have a student in school you may never know when the performance is.
Don't forget the shows: the Nutcracker at Clowes Hall, and the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society (and visit free on December 3!).
Where will you get your Christmas Tree? You can visit any Christmas tree lot around town (and support the Boy Scouts or other organizations) or you can start tradition of cutting your own tree! Click here to get a list of the tree farms in the Indianapolis area,
Most importantly, tune in to the music on your radio and get into the Holiday Spirit and practice your English singing skills!
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met a leader in the early Christian Church named Stephen in Acts 6:8-15. He was a man full of God's grace and power, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, he was able to perform miracles. His teaching got him into trouble with the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious rulers. They plotted against Stephen and found people willing to commit perjury that would incriminate him. These false witnesses said that Stephen had been speaking against the Temple and the laws of Moses. The Sanhedrin had become enamored with the importance of the temple in Jerusalem and with their religious rituals. Stephen taught that Jesus, the Messiah, was the Savior, and that those who believed in Jesus would have eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus had set them free from their sins. Stephen quoted Jesus (see John 2:12-23 where Jesus clears the temple and tells them that they would kill Him, His body is the temple). You don't have to go to Jerusalem to worship God! God is with you wherever you go!
December 6: Please join us. We will be discussing Acts chapter 7, the story of Stephen. Read his story.
December 13: Join us for lessons and carols at Carolyn's house.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00
We made beautiful wreaths. Thank you Debi for the lesson. It was fun to see how each wreath turned out to be unique. If you want to see the pictures, friend me on Facebook and I will add you to our private page.
December 6: Let's make Christmas cookies! We will meet in the big kitchen off of the gym. Bring your apron, cookie cutters and a rolling pin. We will make Gingerbread, sugar cookies, spritz cookies, peanut butter kisses. We will have a cookie walk and then leave our leftovers for the church to use for their annual cookie walk. I will pick up the groceries.
December 13: Let's have a party. Join us at Carolyn's house for our annual Holiday Party. Bring your favorite holiday dish. Bring a white elephant gift for our gift exchange.
Casual Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00Elizabeth Spiller joined us as a drop in guest.
December 7: Join us for casual conversation and we will go over the Easy English News.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
I am so happy to get to visit your classes. What cool conversations you are all having! I am so glad that we continue to have new students join us. People come as students and remain our Friends. This is so important to helping us grow in our language learning. The more comfortable you are with each other and care about talking to each other, the faster you will improve your English skills. Isn't that a crazy idea! It isn't just study, it is caring enough to talk and to listen to each other.
December 8: We only have two more classes this year! My how time flies!
International Church Services: the first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30
This Thursday Pastor Paul Borg and Barry Bobb from Cornerstone Lutheran Church led a Christmas service for us. The church has answered request from our Friends for the opportunity to learn how to worship God in English.
January 5: Our next service is January 5. Join us for a new year message.
synchronized: two things that are matched to perform together
tune in: pick a station to listen to a show on the radio
commit perjury: lie under oath in court
incriminate: appear to be guilty; implicate
enamored: filled with love
friend me: ask someone to be your friend on Facebook
martyr: a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her beliefs
cool: interesting, trendy
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Have you taken a drive to see the light shows in the neighborhoods? Some homes have their lights synchronized to music on the radio; you can tune in to a channel and listen while you watch the show. Look for signs in the front yard of these homes.
Have you seen any of the Holiday programs at the schools? Carmel High School Holiday Spectacular and orchestra programs are two that I never want to miss. These programs are a little tricky to see because if you don't have a student in school you may never know when the performance is.
Don't forget the shows: the Nutcracker at Clowes Hall, and the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society (and visit free on December 3!).
Where will you get your Christmas Tree? You can visit any Christmas tree lot around town (and support the Boy Scouts or other organizations) or you can start tradition of cutting your own tree! Click here to get a list of the tree farms in the Indianapolis area,
Most importantly, tune in to the music on your radio and get into the Holiday Spirit and practice your English singing skills!
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met a leader in the early Christian Church named Stephen in Acts 6:8-15. He was a man full of God's grace and power, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, he was able to perform miracles. His teaching got him into trouble with the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious rulers. They plotted against Stephen and found people willing to commit perjury that would incriminate him. These false witnesses said that Stephen had been speaking against the Temple and the laws of Moses. The Sanhedrin had become enamored with the importance of the temple in Jerusalem and with their religious rituals. Stephen taught that Jesus, the Messiah, was the Savior, and that those who believed in Jesus would have eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus had set them free from their sins. Stephen quoted Jesus (see John 2:12-23 where Jesus clears the temple and tells them that they would kill Him, His body is the temple). You don't have to go to Jerusalem to worship God! God is with you wherever you go!
December 6: Please join us. We will be discussing Acts chapter 7, the story of Stephen. Read his story.
December 13: Join us for lessons and carols at Carolyn's house.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00
We made beautiful wreaths. Thank you Debi for the lesson. It was fun to see how each wreath turned out to be unique. If you want to see the pictures, friend me on Facebook and I will add you to our private page.
December 6: Let's make Christmas cookies! We will meet in the big kitchen off of the gym. Bring your apron, cookie cutters and a rolling pin. We will make Gingerbread, sugar cookies, spritz cookies, peanut butter kisses. We will have a cookie walk and then leave our leftovers for the church to use for their annual cookie walk. I will pick up the groceries.
December 13: Let's have a party. Join us at Carolyn's house for our annual Holiday Party. Bring your favorite holiday dish. Bring a white elephant gift for our gift exchange.
Casual Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00Elizabeth Spiller joined us as a drop in guest.
December 7: Join us for casual conversation and we will go over the Easy English News.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
I am so happy to get to visit your classes. What cool conversations you are all having! I am so glad that we continue to have new students join us. People come as students and remain our Friends. This is so important to helping us grow in our language learning. The more comfortable you are with each other and care about talking to each other, the faster you will improve your English skills. Isn't that a crazy idea! It isn't just study, it is caring enough to talk and to listen to each other.
December 8: We only have two more classes this year! My how time flies!
International Church Services: the first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30
This Thursday Pastor Paul Borg and Barry Bobb from Cornerstone Lutheran Church led a Christmas service for us. The church has answered request from our Friends for the opportunity to learn how to worship God in English.
January 5: Our next service is January 5. Join us for a new year message.
synchronized: two things that are matched to perform together
tune in: pick a station to listen to a show on the radio
commit perjury: lie under oath in court
incriminate: appear to be guilty; implicate
enamored: filled with love
friend me: ask someone to be your friend on Facebook
martyr: a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her beliefs
cool: interesting, trendy
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