“11 million. That was the number of Jews sentenced to death a brief 90-minute lunch meeting at a beautiful lakeside villa (see picture) near Berlin 70 years ago.  The infamous meeting of Nazi officials which decided upon the “Final Solution of the Jewish Question” was called The Wannsee Conference.

 

Held on January 20, 1942 and attended by 15 high-ranking Nazi bureaucrats, the Wannsee Conference set in motion the implementation of a plan to for the systematic, industrial murder of all the Jews within Germany’s reach in Europe and north-west Africa.

 

The fate of 11 million Jews, followed by a glass of Cognac.

 

It is important that we remember that the Nazi officials who deliberated at Villa Wannsee over their ghastly plans for exterminating European Jewry were all well-educated, with at least half of them holding doctorate degrees. Some were also the sons of Protestant ministers, yet not one of them raised any moral objections to this heinous plot” [1]

 

As you reflect on this heinous decision that led to genocide, remember that the voice of the majority doesn’t always reflect the voice of God.   When you are seated at a table of influence, speak up for those who do not have a voice.

 

 

This Wednesday, we will have a great night of ministry to men and women.

After we worship together, the ladies will receive teaching from Jackie Chapman while the men will hear from Chip Johnson.

Come invest in your spiritual life by joining me on Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30 p.m.

Use this night to meet some new friends who attend CIL with you!  I’m excited about this opportunity to grow together!

It can mean a lot of things.  As I meditated this week on the Civil Rights Movement and the Scripture from Amos 5:24 (that states, “But let justice roll down like waters,and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream”), I listed these steps to show justice:

Care for the poor.

Show justice in the courtroom.

Have fair elections.

Educate the children.

Eradicate disease.

Interrupt cycles of poverty.

Steward the planet.

Base elections off ideas, and not 30 second commercials.

Stop unnecessary wars.

Quit oppressing the poor through the lottery.

Don’t sell your soul to lobbyist and special interest groups.

Eliminate weapons of mass destruction.

Rescue young girls from human trafficking of sex slaves.

Exterminate world hunger.

Do not tolerate genocide.

This Sunday night (January 15) our church is going to participate in the inaugural MLK Day Interdenominational Dinner and Celebration.   The Community Pastor Association is sponsoring this dinner and service to be held at Community Church of Hendersonville at 6:00 p.m.   After a light dinner of soup, Bishop  William Morris will be the featured speaker at the service.

Here’s an article about the event in today’s Hendersonville Star News:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120109/HENDERSONVILLE01/301090056/Local-pastors-celebrate-King-s-legacy?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Hendersonville

I am excited about our first Men’s Retreat for CIL!     We will be going to Deer Run Retreat Center in nearby Thompson Station, TN, for a Friday night through Saturday afternoon get away (February 3-4).  The cost is onl $49 – which includes lodging and three meals.

Sign ups will start soon, so keep your eyes open for more information!

I can’t think of a better way to start the first week of 2012 than having a night of worship.  Come to CIL on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m. for a time of worship.

Let’s exalt Jesus together!