International Christian Community of Lyon

ICCL This Sunday January 29th

ICC Lyon — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:36:38 +0000

This week at ICCL we’ll continue in the Proverbs. These pity sayings that pack a powerful punch are preciously practical! Take for instance the following one found in one of the chapters we’ll look at this Sunday:

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (13:12).

Hope is a powerful emotion. When it is present, it can bring about perseverance in the toughest circumstances. When hopes are dashed, mustering up the wherewithal to press on can become a losing battle. But when is hope deferred, the effect is much like that of a chronic illness that keeps one from functioning normally. The remedy according to this proverb is a hope fulfilled. That’s where true life is found and the reference to a tree of life is no little allusion. It points to the tree of which our first parents where deprived because of their sin. True fulfillment has alluded mankind until God provided the remedy with another type of tree that took the form of the cross. Laying our sins down before that tree in confession and repentance restores the hope of eating once again from the tree of life “for in this hope we were saved”.

I close inviting you to rejoice in that hope together this Sunday the 29th at 16h30 for our next ICCL worship and communion service in Caluire (6 rue Albert Thomas, 69300).

With living hope,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL this Sunday Jan. 22nd

ICC Lyon — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:20:05 +0000

Short is sweet and so here are a few lines to remind you of the ICCL’s community building time of Fellowship, Study and Prayer set for this Sunday at 16h30 in Caluire (6 rue Albert Thomas, 69300). I think I’ll call it ‘FSP’ from now on as we gather ‘For Spiritual Progress’!

Grow in grace,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL announcements this week

ICC Lyon — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:19:29 +0000

Next ICCL Study Sunday on January 22nd 16h30, Caluire

Next ICCL service on January 29th 16h30, Caluire

Women’s Study/Activities
Friday studies have resumed. Info? Contact: carlsonlyon@gmail.com

Women’s social – Japanese style! – Contact: carlsonlyon@gmail.com

Men’s Study
Thursday mornings 7am – 8am Café Carnot (just north of Perrache) breakfast @6 Euros /per – Questions: carlsonlyon@gmail.com

Refuge – Friday’s at 7pm at Cliff’s. Info? Contact: mdigena@gmail.com

ICCL This Sunday January 15th

ICC Lyon — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:57:26 +0000

2011 was a blur and 2012 is moving at a good clip already. Almost the middle of January! Where does the time go? We all ask the question and all know the obvious response. Time never travels faster, it just seems to do so, and then there are those arduous moments where it seems to slow down to a crawl. Nothing like the concept of time to shape the way we perceive reality.

When Moses asked what name he should report to those God was sending him to deliver, God said to tell them: “I AM has sent me to you” (Exo 3:14). When it comes to describing himself, God points directly to his existence in the present. He is not a creature like we, shaped and molded by the passing of time. He is eternally present shaping the time we perceive with everlasting perspective. Because of this he “can make known the end from the beginning” (Isa 46:10). God stands outside of time, and yet was willing to enter our time-bound realm to open the door of eternity to all who believe. The Bible describes the crux of that event as taking place “at just the right time” (Rom 5:6) for our salvation. The next time you’re frustrated by the clock, remember that the One who has “set eternity in your heart” knows how to make “everything beautiful in its time” (Ecc 3:11).

And now some time to remind you about a few important things. First, our next worship service is set for this Sunday January 15th at 16h30 in Caluire (6, rue Albert Thomas). Second, for those whose time of adulthood is in its early stage, ‘Refuge’ for young adults starts again this Friday in Lyon’s 2nd district starting at 19h00. If you need more detail write or call me and I’ll fill you in. Lastly, the Women’s and Men’s studies have started back up as well. For information on either contact: carlsonlyon@gmail.com

With time to spare in light of eternity,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL Premiere this Sunday January 8th

ICC Lyon — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:55:32 +0000

Everyone loves a premiere! All the more when it comes with a New Year! This Sunday January 8th is a premiere Sunday as we kick-off our fellowship, study and prayer gatherings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. That means that ICCL will enjoy coming together on a weekly basis in 2012. The format for the 2nd and 4th Sundays is casual, allowing us to discuss the scriptures together, enjoy each others company and take some moments to pray as a body. Of course there will also be time around a hot or cold drink and some goodies to ‘goûter’ ! As per the children, they will enjoy a time around an instructive video series called ‘Odyssey’ while the adults meet. There will be a sign-up for parents to help with supervision of the children. This Sunday is already covered.

So then, do join us for a great premiere at the same time that we normally meet at 16h30 at our Caluire building (6 rue Albert Thomas 69300).

And with the New Year I send you my ‘meilleurs vœux’

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL This Sunday New Year’s Day

ICC Lyon — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:35:42 +0000

I have watched the sunset three consecutive days this week; clear, brilliant and beautiful! Here’s even a picture to prove it. Thanks to the generosity of dear friends who lent us a small pad, we had the pleasure of being just meters away from the Mediterranean sea. You would have hardly believed it was winter!

The sunsets and bright dawns of the last few days remind me of the close of 2011 and rising 2012. The setting of old year and the dawning of a new one are cause for reflection and anticipation. So many wait for the new year to start again and resolve anew. Good things of course, but as Christians we have the advantage of knowing for certain that we need not wait for a new year to be moved to resolution. The mercy and compassion of God are sufficient to make each day the occasion for hope and change. “His compassions which never fail and are new every morning” are brighter than any display of the sun on the glittering sea off the French coast. Our hope is grounded in His great faithfulness which acts as surety for all who have been indebted by their failures. It is that same faithfulness that secures what no resolution on our part could ever attain, a righteous standing before a holy God. That is pure gift and available with each new day for “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

The great thing about the New Year this year is that it starts on Sunday, the day we gather as a church. So join us at 16h30 this Sunday January 1st in Caluire (6, rue Albert Thomas, 69300). I can’t think of a better way to start 2012 than in the presence of those who have come to depend on the great and faithful Savior.

Sea you then,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

ICC Lyon — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:06:38 +0000

If you have read or listened to the news lately, there is much that is so discouraging. So much bad, sad and gloomy news. Is there real hope to be found? The prophet Isaiah wrote in a time not unlike our own where not so few “called evil good and good evil”. In that context he wrote of the hope that would be fully realized at Christmas. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isa 9:6-7). God’s zeal is an unstoppable force, and the power behind it that brought Christ to the world as a babe will also pave the way for the return of the King who will establish justice forever. That’s hopeful!

This Saturday evening we will have the joy of rejoicing in that hope as we gather on Christmas Eve. Do join us for an hour long service from 6-7pm this Saturday on the grounds of our Caluire meeting place (6 rue Albert Thomas, 69300 Caluire). As in the past we will close our moments together in candle light. We’ll also be sure to finish promptly at 7pm as we know many will be off for festive evenings with family and friends over some of the best cuisine in the world!

Remember as well that our first service of the New Year will take place on it’s first full day at 16h30 in Caluire. Speaking of the New Year, 2012 will bring a new reality to the ICCL. Weekly gatherings! Beginning in January we will add gatherings for study, discussion, prayer and refreshments on the 2nd an 4th Sundays. More detail to come of course…

With Christmas hope,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

ICCL Carol Service Memories!

ICC Lyon — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:18:30 +0000

Click to view slideshow.

ICCL This Sunday December 18th

ICC Lyon — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:42:20 +0000

It’s Christmas time in the city! The lights are as numerous as the people stirring in an out of stores in a flurry of holiday shopping. Not the easiest time of the year to move about without delay! I hope that no matter the hustle and bustle you find those moments of respite and reflection as the day of celebrating Christ’s birth approaches.

Here is a verse to stimulate that reflection. It is one that never ceases to amaze me: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

We are surrounded by a world in upheaval. There is darkness in so many places and sad news heralded each day in the media. Liege is yet another tragic example! We live in the land of the shadow of death, which is no easy world in which to live. That however, is exactly the kind of world into which the Savior was born. Like the star that announced his birth, Jesus came as the light of the world and said so much in the brightest terms: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Gospel literally means Good News which is exactly the news we need to hear in a land of shadow!

There is one other thing to say about walking in our world as Christians. We don’t walk alone! We are part of a community, a body, that God has given to encourage and edify us. That’s why the church meets regularly as we will this Sunday the 18th of December at 16h30 in Caluire (6, rue Albert Thomas, 69300). I’m so thankful to have others with which to share the journey and hope you feel the same!

Glad for bright dawns,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL

PS Do remember our Christmas Eve service on the 24th from 6-7pm. It is always a very special time!

ICCL Christmas Carols this Sunday December 4th

ICC Lyon — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:17:43 +0000

Tomorrow is December! Excitement is in the air! Christmas is close and the ICCL’s 7th annual Traditional Christmas Carol service is set for this coming Sunday the 4th of December. Thank you to all who have made yourselves available to help on many different fronts. This is a flagship event of the ICCL and affords the opportunity to touch hundreds with the hope of the Christmas story and the Savior it announces.
Remember that we are meeting at 16h00 (not 16h30) and that the place is the Temple du Change at the Place du Change in the Vieux Lyon (69005). There is no meeting at our Caluire facility exceptionally this Sunday!

Vocal cords to the ready,

Mike DiGena
Pastor ICCL