We wish you and everyone a merry Christmas – may Jesus Christ – the Light of the world – shine into your life and enable you to carry on His light in this world. ICFO will have a break, and the next worship meeting will be held on 8 January, and the Bible study later in January. (BF)

On Sunday, 20 November 2011, we heard the sermon “Unless a Grain of Wheat” and reflected on Jesus’ words in John 12:20-26, which read at 24: “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” We came to know that Christ is the Seed that was promised to Abraham (Galatians 3:16), and that brings forth much fruit. Moreover, through the redemptive work of Jesus we may also die to our sinful self and be filled with new life. By Christ we are enabled to produce “fruit that lasts” (John 15:16) and to “live a life worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). If we remain, however, apart from Him, “we can do nothing” (John 15:4-5), and will be considered and treated by God as “chaff” (Psalm 1:4; Matthew 3:12). Feel free to download the sermon “Unless a Grain of Wheat” and use it for your Bible study and edification. (BF)

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Hello everyone! We’ve been starting to explore the Word of God by means of a series of sermons by Jeremy Vuolo. We shall list them here in the order of presentation. Feel free to use them for your own study.

Sermon #1: The Inspiration of the Word of God Written
Sermon #2 The Intention of the Word of God Written (see also video below, 1- 4)
Sermon #3 Protection/Preservation of the Word of God Written

(BF)

On Sunday, 25 September 2011, we explored the topic and meaning of “Home“. Where do we seek and find our home? Is our home in houses, relationships with people etc.? The answer to this question is that only in God we can find our home. God makes His home in us through Jesus Christ. According to John 14:23: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Feel free to download the sermon “Home” and use it for your Bible study and edification. (BF)

International Summer Camp, 22 – 24 July 2011

ICFO and Kellonkartanon ystävät ry will hold an international summer camp from 22-24 July at the Kellonkartano Christian Recreation Centre, Raamattuopistontie 93, Kello (12 km from Oulu!).  There will be a lot of interesting programme for all kinds of people under the theme “In Christ Alone”, and we hope to have a wonderful time together: immigrants, refugees, locals, Christians and non-Christians etc. If you like to know more about the programme, schedule and meal plan etc. please check the brochure and poster. (BF)

Registration & Provisions

Sign up – preferably – by filling in this Google form. Registration will end 11 July 2011! Alternatively, you may also e-mail or phone bastian@theprisoners.org, 050 31 749 31, at the latest on 11 July 2011.

Please provide the following information when signing up by e-mail:
- Duration of participation (1, 2 or 3 days)
- Forename and surname
- Phone number and e-mail
- Possible special diet (allergies, vegetarian etc.)
- Type of transportation to Kellonkartano (bus, car)
- If you want to prepare a meal for the international dinner, make your suggestion and bring it ready-made or the ingredients for at least 4 persons
- Remember to bring own bed sheets, towels and indoor shoes

Costs & Payment

Lodging is free for everyone but there is a charge for catering
(incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, tea and juice etc.).
Payment will be made in cash upon arrival

Location & Directions

Please check the Google route and map ;-) See also here:
Kellonkartano Christian Recreation Centre, Raamattuopistontie 93, Kello (12 km from Oulu!)

On Saturday, 25 June 2011 we went for the Koiteli Bike Trip & Devotion with altogether about 26 people. We met by bike at 10.00 at St. Luke’s Chapel (Yliopistokatu 7). The cycling to Koiteli was around 20 km, one way :-) Some joined by a car, at the river rapids at 12.00. At Koiteli we had a devotion and exercise for the entire group and in smaller teams, looking into the topic “Evidence of God” through nature and Bible verses, and then enjoyed plenty of time for barbecue and fellowship. We returned to Oulu approx. 15.30. Here’s the programme with devotion, team exercise and some photos of art work created by participants. (BF)

On 12 June 2011 – Pentecost – Oliver Jarde shared on the topic of the Holy Spirit, the invisible and yet visible evidence for God and his work in this world and people who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. On the one hand, “the Spirit was visible in the creation of the world. The Spirit was visible at the first Pentecost, assuming a new world, a new world order was created then. Also at Jesus’ baptism the Spirit was visible, Jesus ‘saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him (Matthew 3:16)’”, but on the other hand “the Spirit came on us [Christian believers after Pentecost] invisibly.” Feel free to download and read up the whole message. (BF, OJ)

Usually Sundays at 16.00 at St. Luke’s Chapel, see detailed schedule:

5.6. No Worship Meeting – Home Church at Peedo’s (Kylmäsentie 3)
12.6. Worship Meeting / Oliver Jarde
19.6. Worship Meeting & Committee Meeting / Jeremy Vuolo’s father
25.6. Bike Trip to Koiteli & Devotion / Bastian Fähnrich & Jeremy Vuolo!
N.B.! Start from St.Luke’s chapel at 10.00 or meeting at Koiteli at 12.00. In case of bad weather cancellation by e-mail!
26.6. No Worship Meeting – Movie Night and Potluck BBQ at the Peedo’s (Kylmäsentie 3) at 17.00: Collision: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson – Is Christianity Good for the World?
30.6.-3.7. International Marriage Seminar in Ryttylä

3.7. Worship Meeting / David Olsen
10.7. Worship Meeting / Peedo Team
11.7. Registration to Summer Camp ends
17.7. Worship Meeting / Jeremy Vuolo
22.-24.7. Kellonkartano International Summer Camp / Team Effort
See last year’s programme, this year’s will be published in June
31.7. Worship Meeting / Oliver Jarde

7.8. Worship Meeting / Peedo Team
14.8. Worship Meeting / Patrick Nesbitt
21.8. Worship Meeting / David Olsen
28.8. Worship Meeting / Jeremy Vuolo

Bible Study

Usually Wednesdays at 19.00 at Bastian’s.
N.B.! No Bible study in July, or only upon further notice via e-mail list – subscribe to at http://icfo.wordpress.com/contact/

Join in on Sunday, 22.5.2011 at 16.oo at St. Luke’s Chapel: Get to know the Kuva family’s work among drug addicts in the Hongkong of the1980’s. Learn about knowing and serving Christ. The programme will be held in English and Finnish. Welcome! “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Tule mukaan sunnuntaina 22.5.2011 klo 16.00 Pyhän Luukkaan kappeliin kuulemaan Kuva-perheen työstä huumeriippuvaisten parissa 1980-luvun Hongkongissa. Opi tuntemaan ja palvelemaan Kristusta. Ohjelma järjestetään englannin ja suomen kielellä. Tervetuloa! ”Kaiken, minkä te olette tehneet yhdelle näistä vähäisimmistä veljistäni, sen te olette tehneet minulle.” (Matt. 25:40)

(BF)