How was your holiday? Did you have a nice break? Did you go anywhere?
It was good to get together with you this week. I hope the cold and snow didn't scare you away. We are finally having some typical winter weather. Our policy is to meet when Carmel Clay Schools meet. If Carmel Clay Schools have a two hour delay or cancel classes due to weather, we will not meet. Of course, your safety is our first concern. Our street departments do a great job keeping our roads clear.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
As New Year 2017 begins we are jumping back into our study of the book of Acts. We had a wonderful discussion of the first eight verses of chapter 8, which tells about the persecution of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Saul, who had watched over and approved of the stoning of Stephen, soon made it his business to round up believers and put them into jail. These events caused many of the early Christians to flee from Jerusalem and settle elsewhere in Judea and Samaria. Verse 4 says, "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Isn't it amazing how God used such a terrible situation as a way to spread the good news of Jesus the Messiah to more and more areas of the world? We talked about how this same phenomenon is taking place in China today, Christian churches have to register with the government and "home churches" are illegal (see more about this in this article in the Christian Science Monitor). The government requires all groups of more than fifty people at a given time and place to meet to register. What seemed at first like a cruel restriction has become a catalyst for deep and intimate teaching and discussion of God's word in these small group meetings. We praise God that through his Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church continues to grow and spread throughout the world!
January 10: Join us as we read Acts chapter 8 about Simon the Sorcerer.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
Gaga and I missed you! Where were you? We had some great conversation about having babies and being a stay-at-home mom.
January 10: Join us as we plan our events for the winter. Do you have any great ideas? We need to fill our calendar.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We met to catch up for the year. We talked about small talk at the grocery checkout and different terms used for directions at stores.
January 11: Join us for some free flowing conversation. Bring your questions and observations
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
I had a great time visiting the different classes this week. What fun discussions and conversation! We talked about family meals in Conversation. We came up with a whole list of names for sandwiches and talked about the different styles across the different countries. Interestingly enough, we represent many of these styles in the US. We got into a heck of a lot of slang and idioms in our Level 1 class including the reprimand to watch your mouth! And Level 3! Well, what a wide ranging discussion! You will have to ask Kris for the details! I was sorry to run out of time and not make it to Level 2.
January 12: Join us as we resume classes. A visit to Level 2 is at the top of my list!
International Church Services: The first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30 (or so)
Thank you Pastor Max for leading us in church services. Pastor used the church service from December 31 and January 1 as the basis for our meeting. You can watch the complete service on demand at CLC-TV.
we are jumping back into: continuing
persecution: a program or campaign to exterminate,drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious,ethnic, social, or racial group
had watched over: presided; been responsible for
made it his business: taken responsibility for something
round up: gather together, this action idea comes from "rounding up" cattle or sheep but now it can include any gathering including a gathering of ideas and information (a sports round up is the news coverage summarizing sports)
flee: leave quickly
phenomenon: a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable
sorcerer: magician
small talk: easy, light social conversation
at: prepositions are so tricky! you are at the checkout in line
checkout: where you pay for goods at the store. The person that rings up the prices and takes your money is the cashier (cash EAR)
came up with: made or generate
a whole list: a whole list is bigger that a list (😃😃😃); this refers to a complete list
a heck of a lot of: more than a few
watch your mouth: have polite language and attitude
top of my list: my priority
or so: approximately, about
or so: approximately, about
as the basis for: the foundation
on demand: watch something on tv when you want
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