Weblog
Monday, 02 November 2009
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"Passport control"
Y
esterday we had our dear friend Ray Wilson from McDermott Road Church of Christ visiting Tallinn's and Tartu's congregations. And he shared some thoughts how important is to live your life the right way, 'cause well.. this is the only life that you have been given .He compared it with the passport control that we have in our airports: You want to get to the"final" destination and you need a passport with your name in it.
If you want to get to Heaven, you have to live your life the right way to have your name written in the Book Of Life. One day you have to face the real passport control.
The Church Of Christ members in Tartu had a meeting to decide the date of this Falls Youth Rally and to put together this fun activity's program. It's going to be on 14th of November, so would you be so nice and pray for that.
Love,
Brothers and sisters in Tartu
Sunday, 11 October 2009
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The Children Of the Promise
..Is What We All Christians Are.
Last weekend we had nice gathering at Kloogaranna - the same place where we have summer camps. One of the nicest camp grounds in Estonia. We had there our every fall event - The Fall Retreat. Around 50 people came. We had very nice fellowship there with Royce Sartain from Texas. He talked about the past, present and we all discussed about the future of the Church of Christ. Royce also talked about his first journey to Estonia more than 16 years ago. When there was no church of Christ in Tallinn nor in Tartu.
More pictures
On Sunday we had special worship at Kate's new christian school at Sakala street, where Royce also preached. With a festive mood Church Of Christ family members celebrated church 15th of anniversary.
This Sunday Ron had his bible class with guys and Judy with girls before the service. Girls started with their first lesson of series of the circle of embrace. And afterwords Ron taught about connections with book of Daniel and book of Matthew.
Group from Tartu in Tallinn on last Sunday
Sundays are the Day of Hugs! =0)
Sunday, 06 September 2009
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Sin Does It!
Today we had special speaker on online: Paul from San Angelo, Texas. It was second time to hear him preaching and everyone like it :) He preached from Mark 5 - miracle, which showed that there aren't limits for His might. This chapter gives a nice overview what sin really is: you can't control it on your own, it isolates you from all that's good, it tires you off, hurts you and bring shame upon and many more.. And although Jesus can help, and He does it if you ask Him to- not everyone likes this. Still you should go and tell to your neighbors what He has done in your life. Don't let sin rule over you in this earthly world!
We had really nice fellowship together today: it started with our first LTC meeting and then after preaching singing, taking communion and praying. Sundays are marvelous!
Monday, 31 August 2009
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Welcome To The New Season!
This Summer-guy has started to pack the bags. It has been very interesting and busy time. Tomorrow will be the very first school day for many young students. And life goes on..
This last Sunday Ron preached about sharing The Word. God may sent you places where you don't expect him to send you... It may be the next door neighbor, a friend, family, schoolmate...
"The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time"- C.F.H. Henry
Few Sundays ago Tartu were blessed to have Eve and her daughter Eeva-Liisa with them for one Sunday class. It was the Ladies Class where Judy brought fresh lavender from her garden. The girls made the lavender into wands to remind them to be “to God the aroma of Christ … the fragrance of life.” (2 Cor 2:15)Also some weeks ago three cars in caravan made their way south from Tartu to a little
village Misso. The Tartu church was invited to introduce Jesus to the children there. So it was nice mission in Misso (sounds nice!). Only one local child came and he was showered with attention. We were disappointed at first, but decided to think of the day as “dress rehearsal” and also there was so many of us from Tartu, who didn't have any idea, what some of us is planning to do there, so it was like a performance to our youth also. But we plan to find children’s homes and other after-school programs where we can present our Bible lessons this fall and winter. Well see what new season brings..
Monday, 10 August 2009
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Encouragement
What a summe it has been! Full of Blessings and full of Mercy. Full of people and full of FREINDS.
This Sunday Geoff and Jaime made a surprize for Tartu people with coming over and bless us with their company. Geoff spoke about encouragement and brought good example from the bible with Barnabas and Paul. Two are always better than one, especially when both can encourage each other.
...And then we encouraged each other by singing praise songs to God. For more than a hour :)
Afterward we stayed at bible study center to watch a movie and have some snacks since we don't have Jaime and Geoff in Tartu very often. It was nice evening! Thank you God for this quality time!
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
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Prayer vs Worry
On this really warm Sunday Ron revealed a good hint to live a nice life: Every time when you worry(which we do a lot)- just pray. Weird, it sounds so simple, but it really helps!
Earlier, last week, we had nice fellowship day. There were Hanseatic Days in Tartu and we had lot's of fun there with our Canadian friends.
We also started with Youth Class. This time it's a bit different, cause it's basically for them, who were at the camp for the first time (and for their friends). Today we had second gathering and that went well:) There was 14 of us. We sang, discussed topic and played some games! Eeva was also visiting us! We really love this girl!
Have a great week!
Thursday, 16 July 2009
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Special Sunday
We haven't had that many people at the church for a long long time. And this was really an encouragement for us. We had friends from Tallinn and from America. Graig Reid, who was surprised to see so many youth, preached us about light and darkness and how to live like Jesus. And Geoff led the singing. Afterward we had nice fellowship together with pizza and more singing:)
Tuesday, 07 July 2009
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"To Breath As One"
There is big Song and Dance Festival in Tallinn in every four year. This year it started on the 3rd of July, exactly on the day our camp Balchyoca ended, and it lasted three days. They say, that it has never been this crowded! It's theme was "To Breath As One". Our this year camp's theme was "The Soldier Of God", which started on 28th of June. Many of them, who where in this awesome camp, went to see the parade, singing and dancing afterward also. And like Iiris said "Camp and then singing festival, there's no way you could 'breath' as one beyond that!"This year's camp was different from others. Well, you could say that every year, but there has never been so many participants! Over 170. Still Nikolai and Co managed to get beds for everyone and there were roofs over our heads. Thank you that you gave a chance to everyone, who wanted, to come to the camp!!!
It was nice to see our old friends and family members and meet with new ones. There were people from different places: From Tartu, Tallinn and Saaremaa, but also from Russia, England, Canada, Texas, Arkansas, California and you could say from China.
We were blessed with weather and we were very blessed with teachers there! Thank you for your work! Not only teaching, but also just being you!We learned about the Armour of God from Ephesians 6:10-18. No matter, are you old or young, you just have to learn to use His Power! He loves us and wants the best for us!In the middle of the camp, Vlad from Tallinn, decided to give his life to Jesus, so he let himself to be baptize! Hallelujah! Welcome to His Family!Sunday @ Tartu:Despite of the fact that many of us stayed in Tallinn to sing along with others on singing field, there were still quite a number of us in Tartu for the worship time. Warpole's brought Terry, Mary Alice and Morgantis with them to our hometown. After the worship we had nice walk on town and then we went to our missionaries' house for some popcorn and cold drink. Had Quality Time together!
Monday, 22 June 2009
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Happy Summer To Everyone!!!
Yesterday started summer! Happy Summer to everyone!
Yesterday Ron talked about miracles that happened in the Old Testament and New Testament. And we concentrated on the miracle that happened among 5000 people with fish and bread. Jesus gives beyond what we ask. And what ever we have given, we must use it wisely. We should not waste it.
Next Sunday almost all from Tartu Church Of Christ will be at Balchyoca 2009. The best event in summer, 'cause there we'll see lot of family members whom we haven't seen for a long time and we can worship God together.
Last week there were two graduations:
Talis finished his middle school and Pille her school. She actually finished it with gold medal =0)!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
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Every day is a blessing. Every week is even bigger blessing. They are different and full of God's grace.
Last Saturday we had nice day in Misso, which is small village very south of Estonia. Ron and Judy went down there with Tõnis, Evelin, Siki and Merlin
We stayed in a historical building. First we had kids' program with Judy and two red nose clowns. That program came out very well. Lord was on our side, like always:) And after the craft youngsters went home and we had bible study with Ron. About what should be number one in our life. Nice day together.
Sunday Ron carried on with Psalms on that topic and on service time he concentrated on Efes. 3:16-21. Paul has written it so we would understand how big is His love for us. We talked more about 'inner us' and what it means to love God with all our hearts.
Blessings!
Sunday, 03 May 2009
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Busy Time This Spring Time
It usually turnes out this way that all major events come hand in hand.
Last week (on Thursday) we had traditional Spring Retreat 2009 at Kloogaranna with main speeker Ron. Retreat's topic was taken from the book of Ephesians. He talked about what God is able to do when we ask something. Even much more! We just can't imagine! And Ron used well known simple toy - rubik's cubes to show our relationship with God: there were two of those- one was correct and nice, but the other was disordered, like our relationship may be with God. We have to fix it!
PP (Piibli päevad - Bible Days) started on Friday evening. This time it was in Viljandi. And the topic was "Steady Connection". Lot of 'young' Christians came together to worship and learn somethin new about God or just about theirselves.Three days full on action. For example there was small pilgrimage. During that time people prayed... or for example after the preaching, everyone had chance to throw stones "from their hearts" to the water and light a candle to restore their connection with the Lord. It was very emotional and beautiful!Today in Tartu 15.00 Ron had men's class and girls made plans for the next Saturday. Some of the Tartu COC members are going to Misso (in Võru) for a day to talk about God with people there. Some clowns are going with them.
And worship service was about the books of John. Especially 1.John. 2:12-14. These were encouraging words to Christians there, although people already knew things that were written. Those letters were to remind people the Truth. These were encouraging books written after small break of writtings (that you may find in bible) to Christians then and also written to us- nowaday Christians. Read it! Remember what He has done! He is awesome! Praise The Lord!
Sunday, 26 April 2009
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Harmony
Worshipping by singing is someting that we should [only] when there is harmony between these songs and our life.
Monday, 20 April 2009
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Last week on Saturday boys and girls came together to Bible Study Center by 6pm. It was time for Learning-God’s-Word videos. Guys started to watch Acts- Bible Study Video and girls carried on their studies with Liz Curtis Higgs. She is really good encourager, so we sent her a ’Thank you’- note, and guess what - she replied to us on that same dayJ
On Sunday girls had their class with Siki, where they learned how important is to be a light in the darkness or to sow a seed in hearts of your neighbours.
Ron revealed two photos(one was advance payment) from the book called „The Great American Book Of Church Signs“ :
“Feed Your Faith and Your Doubts Will Starve To Death“
„Sorrow Looks Back, Worry Looks Around And Faith Looks Up“
And then we sang „Holy, Holy, Holy“ several times in English and in Estonian (Ron and Judy, too – they are doing good!) and stopped on this word: holy – There’s only two places in a bible, where are three holy-s in a row (Jes. 6:3, Rev.4:8) – Used to describe Jesus. No one else is that special!
Sunday, 12 April 2009
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Good News!
- He is risen!
Ron read Isajah 53 - Really sad and hard chapter, but still, it has a joyful message for us. If to sing "Ten Thousand Angels" after that, it may create a full image infront ofyour eyes of how much He loved us!
After that we looked Luke 23:44-49, 24:50-53. And he shared his newest findings about Jesus and His death and about three special days that God has created from the beginning: the day od preparation, the day of rest and the day of beginning.
We also have to prepare, wait, and ..the tomb is empty - He comes to take His people with Him. We are the Temple of God and we stay in one Body and worship our Lord. He is the GREATEST!Three o'clock we had ladies class with Judy and Siki and Ron had men in his class. In ladies class we talked about our life. God's Letter- 2.Cor. 2:17 - we should not be peddlers of the Word of God, we should be sincere!!!
2 Cor. 3:2 "You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men". We are 'letters'. How do we look like really?
Also we got a really nice present from our
brothers and sisters in Christ (from Texas).
Thank you all for everything that you do that
givesus an opportunity to have a place where
we can come together in the name of the Lord.
Thank you for the people, who guide and teach
us! And thank you for your encouragement!We Love You!!!
- Team Tartu
Monday, 06 April 2009
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They Are Baaaack!
Yesterday as today was so sunny and really looked like spring. It's amazing how the weather changes people more delightful and happy.
Tree o'clock there were several of us waiting for Siki's class, where she made us think about our fruits (Luke 6:43) that we reveal to others.
RON and JUDY got there by four o'clock. Yes, they are finally back. After hugging marathon, Ron introduced us book called "The Great American Book of Church Signs", where he is going start preaching till the Christ comes=0) This time we had only short overview. Besides that he shared the joy of seeing his children walking in the truth (2 John 4). And we sang and worshiped the Lord in English and in Estonian.
After the long service we had pizza and something to drink. And had time to talk... although not enough. There's still much to catch up. But we will fix this soon.Have a great week!
Monday, 23 March 2009
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Welcome Spring
... and it's here. Spring started 1.44pm in Estonian time on the 20th of March.
On this day some of the Tartu Team members (Little Riina, Heidi, Talis, Merlin) went to Tallinn and met with Christ family members in Asunduse New Testament Congregation Of Christ. We had this spring' Youth Rally in Tallinn.
http://public.fotki.com/PoMerlin/kik-mis-toimub-vru-2-s/spring-youth-rally--3/On Friday we came together and worshipped God by singing and different groups had to preform a short teaching about jigsaw puzzle, which was last year's summer camp photo.
Next day we had sporty morning in a gym. After the lunch break (Thank you Olga!) we did also group work about different places from a bible. For the next step was tour on a town, which, as some of you know, is not a normal or ordinary. It was kinda like a treasure hunt (with letter that we had to look for and some tasks that we had to fulfil). The weather was chilly, but very sunny! Those two days were great! It was so nice to see our friends and hug them and sing with them to the Lord. Thank you brothers and sisters for organizing something like that!And we started this week on Sunday with Siki's Bible Class, where she talked about forgivne- is it easier to ask or give forgivnes? And we taked how we can just give what we have to make someone's day a bit better. 2.Kor.8:14-15
Nikolai preached about Jesus, who walked on the water. These crisis that we have all around us is like a storm that was on that sea where Jesus walked. His disciples didn't believe that He is in that storm- like lot of people right now are asking 'where is God?' But it w a s Jesus in the midst of that storm, like His disciples admitted, and He is still here in the midst of these crisis. Just don't be frail in your faith!
Monday, 16 March 2009
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We have two good news, that involve males in our church. They had bible study evening on Thursday. It's good news, 'cause they haven't had it for a long time. And secondly - guys actually beat girls by having more people in their class than girls, who had their bible study class at the same time in another room.
We love every day, but especially Sunday. This time Siki taught us a very interesting lesson about our priorities. Based on Mattew 13:44-46. And Brandi encouraged us by using 1. Thessal. book. It's so nice to know that God planned to bring us all together. We are together not because of us, but because of HIM.
Love,
brothers and sisters from Tartu
Sunday, 08 March 2009
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Currently
Loved by God: Trusting His Promises & Experiencing His Blessings
By Liz Curtis Higgs
see relatedSpecial Day For Women
On the last Saturday girls started with their first new ladies' bible class based on Liz Curtis Higgs teachings on a dvd - called Loved By God. She is doing really good job and her choice to use Old Testament's people to show how much God loves people, who are not perfect, is really neat one!
Today was so sunny that it almost looked like spring. If you'd watch for people on the streets - the were happy. Especially women. Lot of then had flowers. Today was International Women's Day.
We started our Bible Class at 3 pm like usually. This time Siki had prepared nice bible study about our fears, which to sum up sounds really easy - "whatever happens perfect love drives out of fear"(1.John 4:18), but how to persist in that perfect love? = by loving each other, being generous... That' s all :)
When Nikolai and Olga came. We sang a lot to praise our Lord and then Nikolai talked about how God loves women (using the bible examples to show how He had blessed them and has used them for good) and all the brides of Jesus.
After that we had small bash in another room, with tea, sandwiches, cookies and cake. It was really nice.
Thank you God for moments like these!
Love,
Team Tartu
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
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Rule For All The Rules
Last Sunday some of us had fun by clowning around a little bit and afterward learning God’s Word from Brandi. He talked about rules. And about the main rule – Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and mind, which is the base of Christianity . This helps us go through life. People may stumble into tiny things that may give them happiness for short time, but when they direct their hearts into things that are situated with Heavenly things – they will be happy eternally. This is what He promised us! You just love Him!
Thursday, 12 February 2009
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Friendly Thursday
Today we gather together to the bible study center just to play some board games and enjoy each others company. There were: Heidi, Riina, Merlin, Evelin, Tõnis, Pille, Talis, Taisi, Miku, Kristiin, Heleri, Raul and Heli (from Tallinn). Even Brandi came by to say hello, although behind the TV screen:)
In Europe this up coming Valentin's Day is more like a friend day.. so I guess you can say that we celebrated it. Of course we had junk food, like we always have, but this time Evelin made a very delicious cake also. We played Loaded Questions (thank you Paul for sending this to Merlin and Kristiin!), Appels To Apples, did some Impro-games and on the late hours we played some brain teasing games:) To sum up: We had fun! Thank you God for giving us Friends!
TartuChurchOfChrist
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- Name: Church Of Christ
- Member Since: 11/24/2007
About Us
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In Estonia, there is a city called Tartu, where there is a small Congregation of Christ. The congregation may be small, but Love in it is big and strong and the rays of it extend to far-off! "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." <Matthew 5:14-16>
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