Joy to the World!
Salvation has come for all!
Season’s Greetings from chilly, snowy Moscow! For most Russians, this is their favorite time of year. New Year’s is the biggest holiday for everyone, and many anticipate it more than their own birthday! Homes and city streets are decorated with the very same decorations we have in America, including Christmas trees, bright colored lights, paper snowflakes, and gifts wrapped in fancy paper and ribbon. “Father Christmas” delivers gifts and candy to children. He can appear in a red furry suit or else the more traditional blue one. Keep in mind that none of this is connected with Christmas! All of this is for the New Year holiday.
The birth of Christ, or Christmas, is celebrated on January 7, according to the Russian Orthodox Church calendar. People go to church and remember the Nativity story, that Christ entered our world as a little baby.
We think that Russian people do well in letting Christ be the center at Christmastime. The glitter and tinsel of New Year’s doesn’t interfere at all.
News
We are eager to report on how the Lord is at work in a variety of ways.
First of all, the newly-rented facilities are finding more and more uses. Our church meets weekly for worship, praise, and fellowship. There are two bright classrooms for the children, a room where we worship, another for fellowship, a room for Constantine’s office, and a large room that will become a library. A small storage room is connected to the fellowship room.
The Apostle Paul Christian Academy now uses these facilities as its official location. Constantine is one of the trustees of the school, so this is a convenient relationship.
The Academy has four areas of ministry. Besides teaching, they encourage worship and missionary work. Constantine recently explained that small groups are more effective in the Russian culture as compared to starting new churches. Unchurched people are more open to visiting an informal meeting. The Academy is helping start new small groups.
The Academy is involved in mission work. One example that should be familiar is the mission work of Rosa. She is living in a Muslim country now teaching the Russian language to school-age children and adults. Her mission work continues as she builds relationships with the people in her village.
Constantine is cooperating with the Academy in translating and publishing current Christian books printed in the US. Phil Casey and LATM help cover the translation and printing so practical Christian publications can be made available here. Constantine reports that some of his best customers are priests in the Russian Orthodox Church!
A new use for our church is offering English language classes Sunday afternoon. This is just getting underway, so we will have more to tell about later on.
We have often talked about our minister Constantine. You would enjoy a video he made recently where he explains about new church plant strategy, developing leaders, and what is currently happening with the translation and printing work. The website is www.russianoutreach.net/media/. You might want to click on the Russian Outreach home page, too. This ministry is led by Scott LaRue, a good friend who ministered in Moscow before we came seven years ago. He and a few others laid the groundwork for the church we serve in now.
Home Group
Our Bible study group has studied the life of Moses this fall. Several of the ones attending made this choice. Recently we have had three different visitors. One has come regularly and visited our church, too.
Coming Up
Our church family prefers to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Our children are planning a presentation for the adults. Everyone was getting excited about decorating. Also there are several traditional Christmas carols we use during praise time that are sung in the Russian language.
A sister church about five hours away by bus is sponsoring a family retreat for area churches. Gus Khrustalney (“Crystal Goose”) church has wonderful facilities, including dormitory-like rooms for the attendees. We welcome this opportunity to get better acquainted with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Later in January a leadership retreat is planned for our area ministers and other leaders.
Prayer Requests
- Our oldest grandson is scheduled for surgery on Thursday, December 22 for removal of a growth behind his knee. There is a possibility that it is cancerous, but it won't be known until after the surgery. Please pray that it is benign and for a speedy recovery.
- Please pray for Constantine as he has several leadership responsibilities. He is coordinating several ministries through the church and academy.
- Pray for the continued spiritual growth of the people who are coming to the church. As they become involved in serving, they are growing in their Christian lives.
We wish all of you the rich blessings of this Christmas season. May the joy of Christ's birth and the promise of a new year encourage your service for our risen Lord!
Rex and Sue