ICF International Newsletter No. 11/2011

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HEARTBEAT FROM LEO AND SUSANNA BIGGER

Dear friends

We are enjoying the current preaching series “Daily Miracle” which takes us back to the days when Jesus presented God’s love and glory to all kinds of people through miracles. Through many signs He indicated that He is the promised saviour.

God performs miracles – also today! Many women were able to experience this at the past Ladies’ Lounge. Read about this in the short statement below.

The Ladies’ Lounge is just over and the next big event is already coming to our church. From 1^st to 25^th December 2011 the Christmas musical “California King” is going to be performed in many cities in the German-speaking area. As a whole church we stand behind this event and so on 27^th November 2011 we are going to bless the whole crew in the Celebration and consciously send them out to bring the best message of the world to the people – Christmas!

So that people in the Ukraine can also have a Christmas, we, as a whole ICF, would like to once again take part in the “Christmas present campaign”, which is lead by various organizations.

We look forward to welcoming Christmas with our minds, hearts and hands and being able to reach so many people with the best message of all with you.

With warm regards

Leo & Susanna Bigger

CURRENT SERIES

DAILY MIRACLE – Jesus performs miracles!

Truly I [Jesus] tell you: “If you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.” Matthew 21:21

When Jesus performed a miracle people were totally in awe: Who gave this man this authority? How could this rabbi forgive sins? And why did He meet people who were despised and shunned by others? In the DAILY MIRACLE series we will follow Jesus to seven different places where He performed miracles and once again become inspired by His love and authority.

Jesus performs miracles – also in your and my lives!

Dates
20^th November 2011: DAILY MIRACLE – Jesus raises a person from the dead
27^th November 2011: DAILY MIRACLE – Jesus heals a leper
4^th December 2011: DAILY MIRACLE – Jesus heals a bleeding woman
11^th December 2011: DAILY MIRACLE – Jesus heals a lame

PREVIEW DECEMBER 2011

CALIFORNIA KING – THE MUSICAL

For the third time in its history, ICF Zurich is going on a big tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a new Christmas Musical. From the 1^st to the 25^th of December 2011 the audience will follow Zorro’s trail in Mexico and experience a fast-paced adventurous story with wonderful music, a lot of action and depth. Under Nicu Bachmann’s direction the rehearsals and preparations have been running at full speed since August.

Of course, “California King” will not miss coming through our doors: Performances take place in all locations; in ICF Zurich even on two weekends.

Look forward to a fresh, lively Christmas musical with Latin influence.

¡Vamos a México!

SHOW DATES IN ZURICH AND IN THE LOCATIONS

ICF Rapperswil, Eventhouse, Neue Jonastrasse 65, 8640 Rapperswil
Thurs. 1^st Dec. 2011, 8 pm

ICF Winterthur, Kino Palace, Technikumstrasse 84, 8400 Winterthur
Sat. 3^rd Dec. 2011, 5 pm*
Sat. 3^rd Dec. 2011, 8 pm

ICF Zürich, Celebrationhall, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zürich
Sat. 17^th Dec. 2011, 8 pm
Sun. 18^th Dec. 2011, 11 am* / traduction française / traduzione italiana
Sun. 18^th Dec. 2011, 5 pm* / English subtitles / subtitulos en Español / tradução em Português
Sun. 18^th Dec. 2011, 8 pm

ICF Wetzikon, Hotel Restaurant Drei Linden, Bahnhofstrasse 73, 8620 Wetzikon
Fri. 23^rd Dec. 2011, 8 pm

ICF Zurich, Celebrationhall, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zürich
Sun. 25^th Dec. 2011, 5 pm*
Sun. 25^th Dec. 2011, 8 pm * / English subtitles / subtitulos en Español

* with separate children’s programme

Free entrance, collection. The musical is suitable for children over 12 years of age. Further information and tour dates: www.californiaking.icf.ch

CELEBRATIONS IN JANUARY 2012

1^st January 2012
«BYE-BYE MAAG AREAL!»-CELEBRATION
We say farewell to our old Celebrationhall at the Maag-Areal with two evening celebrations:
5 pm: GENX-Celebration* **
7 pm: GENX-Celebration

8^th January 2012
OPENING CELEBRATIONS
Opening Celebrations in the new ICF rooms Zurich at the usual Celebration times. Further information: www.icf.ch
Hohlstrasse 150, 8004 Zurich

9:30 am: UNPLUGGED-Celebration *
11:00 am: GENX-Celebration *
5 pm: INTERNATIONAL UNITED-Celebration * **
7 pm: GENX-Celebration

* with separate children’s programme for 0 to 12 year olds
** English translation / traducción en Español

PROJECT 2012

In the new year we are moving into the new ICF Zurich building. Not everything will be new, but different. We will keep the atmosphere of our hall and for this reason we are renovating a big hall.

The new location will be separated into four zones:
Zone 1: Chinderexpress/ play area and seminary rooms
Zone 2: Arena for Groundzero, Youthplanet, Zwänzger and International
Zone 3: Foyer, Café, hang-out area
Zone 4: Celebrationhall

The renovation and changes at the new location should be finished on the 8^th of January 2012. It is a sporty goal, but with your help we can get the renovations done and ICF will be given a new home.

We need every free hand for the renovations. Find your task:

projekt2012.icf.ch

David Winkler, property manager ICF Zurich

NUMBER OF THE MONTH

1500

The amount of attendees at the Ladies’ Lounge from 4^th and 5^th November 2011 surpassed all expectations. About 1500 women from five counties (Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France and Albania) were spoiled and served at the conference by 213 volunteers! You can have a little look inside just below.

Events

Ladies‘ Lounge 2011

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what your gonna get out.” (Topic of the Ladies’ Lounge 2011)

It is unbelievable what we experienced on 4^th/5^th November 2011. For weeks we prayed, expected a lot from God and now we have seen it! The expectations of the 1500 attendees were big. The hall was totally full and the atmosphere was full of energy and enthusiasm.

The great amount of feedback was very various. Some women entrusted their lives for Jesus for the first time, others experienced inner and some physical healing. Many were touched to tears about the loving, big and small surprises we had ready for them.

Once again what made the difference to other ICF conferences were the divers things we offered around the sessions. The women could enjoy a message, tea in the tea lounge or a chocolate in the Chocolate Factory, all in one building. There was a lot of laughter, crying, chatting and sharing. God did a lot more than we could have dreamed.

Susanna Bigger and Ladies' Lounge Team

Community

GenX Snow camp 2012

For singles and couples as of 18 years
Saturday, 11^th to Saturday, 18^th February 2012

Saas Grund (VS) – Proud four thousand meters, glacier to grasp, clear blue sky: this is the Saastal with its famous villages Saas-Grund, Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell. Snowboarding, skiing and sleighing will naturally be on the programme. But also tanking some sun on the deck chairs in front of the mountain restaurants, discovering beautifully snowy mountains and going out for a drink in the village in the evenings belong to our mountain holiday in Saas-Grund/Saas-Fee.

Daily sports, added with cool fellowship at parties, inputs, celebrations, small groups, experiencing God, getting to know new people – this are all things you can expect in our snow camp.

Register today under: camps.icf.ch.

ICF ADVENTURE TRIP ISRAEL 2012

22^nd April 2012 – 6^th May 2012

For the third time we are travelling to Israel as an ICF-church. Together with our Israeli tour guide we will discover this historic country and look forward to having you join us. Our trip is suitable for all ages. It offers comfort and a balanced programme with fun, tourism, travelling, swimming, relaxing, experiencing God and fellowship.

The Middle East, especially Israel, is more than worth the journey. Whoever was there once, always wants to go back. The paths of the past influence this country – history is the present here. Biblical and historical places and encounters suddenly become alive. A trip to Israel also means vibrant, historical cities, wonderful beaches, the deepest point on earth at the Dead See and much more.

We look forward to your registration under: camps.icf.ch.

COURSES

Kursstart: Porno-frei

Any form of pornography is harmful. For this reason we want to raise awareness on this issue and actively support those who are giving it up.

The course team knows about pornography addiction from their personal experience. On nine evenings the participants get to know individual strategies on how they can gain control over their consumption of pornography.

Getting to know each other meeting (free of charge)

After you signed up, we would like to invite you to an initial meeting to get to know you personally on the 23^rd of November 2011.

Time: 7:30 pm

Place: Josefstr. 206, near ICF Zurich

Course dates: Wednesday evenings, 30^th November / 7^th / 14^th / 21^st December 2011 / 4^th / 11^th / 18^th / 25^th January / 1^st February 2012

Price: Fr. 250.- for the 9-part course (payment before the course begins)

Speaker / leader: Rolf Rietmann (www.liberty4you.ch) with team

Place / time: ICF Zurich, 7:30-9:00 pm

Registration until 16^th November 2011 with the registration form: www.icf.ch/kurse/porno-frei.html

The registration is binding and will be treated with confidentiality.

Do you have questions: pornofrei@icf.ch

ACTS

Pre-announcement: CHRISTMAS PRESENT CAMPAIGN

ICF Zurich is making presents again this year! As a church we are supporting the “Christmas present campaign” for children and adults in the Ukraine. Through our presents many young and old people will receive a gift and experience God’s love in a practical way. The flyer with the important information about this campaign will be handed out on the 13^th of November 2011 and thereafter they can be picked up in the stands with flyer in ICF Zurich.

It is very important to follow the instructions and lists on the flyer. Only then will the packets go through customs without problems and can be distributed easily and fairly!

This is how the present campaign works:

• Pick up a flyer at the exit or from the stand with flyers.

• Read the instructions carefully and then use this list to do the shopping.

• Use a strong cardboard box to pack the things and wrap the present with wrapping paper.

• Cut the label from the flyer and stick in on the present in a visible place so that we know if the present is for a child or a grown-up.

• Bring the present to ICF Zurich on the 4^th of December or latest the 11^th.

• Presents that are handed in after the 11^th of December will sadly not be accepted!

Further information: ACTS Foundation, Monday and Wednesday: 043 366 76 41, acts@icf.ch

Present delivery before and after the celebrations:
4/12/11 in the foyer ICF Zurich
11/12/11 in the foyer ICF Zurich

Further information: www.acts-stiftung.ch/events/gschaenkli-aktion.html

MOVEMENT

Worship-Tour REACHES AUSTRIA

From the 15^th to the 19^th September 2011 the ICF Zurich Band was on a worship tour. The tour started in Innsbruck, over St. Gallen and Singen to Oftringen.

In Innsbruck 120 attendees came to the worship night. A family has a vision to start an ICF there. They will be supported by ICF Voralberg, which wants to reach Austria together with ICF Zurich.

For the worship night in SINGEN we rented a room in the city hall. Because so many people came we were given a bigger room. 15 minutes prior to beginning we had to add extra chairs because so many people came. We ended up counting 500 people to our guests.

ICF Schaffhausen is planning to found a LOCATION in Singen.

ICF WINTERTHUR

Facing the new ministry!

When a church is given a cinema for its services, then it seems quite natural to use these rooms for similar things: for example to see movies! For this reason ICF Winti invited to the first movie night on the 21^st October 2011. The movie is called “Faith like potatoes”, which is a true story about the life changing power of God. 25 ICFers did not miss this premiere.

We now hope that the cinema will be full at the next movie night on the 18^th November 2011. So, bring your friends with you when we enjoy watching “Facing the Giants” and take time, like at every ICF event, for great conversations.

Dominik and Gloria Laim

ICF RAPPERSWIL

NEW FIRE

Fall is announcing it: nature is getting ready for the winter sleep ... but not us in the location Rapperswil. Over the past weeks we were able to see people have a breakthrough and encounter God anew. Full of faith a young woman put her crutches aside which she had been using for two years; today we can walk normally! Another young woman experienced a double healing: in her relationship to God and also with her husband. And another family, who can breathe after a long dry period and has found hope, is new in our church...

We are in awe and are encouraged by what God does in each life and how a new glow is visible on many faces!

It is worth hanging in there, encouraging and challenging each other to lay one “stick” after another until a fire starts which cannot be missed!

Maese and Gisi Hager

ICF ZÜRCHER OBERLAND

SMALL STEPS, LARGE EFFECT

“... and then I just tried it.” With this attitude a man decided to regularly go to church. His neighbor had invited him to a Celebration when he was in the midst of a life crisis. Skeptically and full of questions the man turned to the God who is spoken about in church over and over again. Since then his life has changed step by step and nobody can take his deep belief in Jesus away from him.

We believe that a big change often starts with little decisions and small steps. Try it out yourself.

Maybe you don’t have a small group yet or you are not an active part of the ICF? Then try this out. At the information desk we would like to help you take this small step and find a place which suits you.

We would especially like to encourage you to use the upcoming musical to invite your friends and family. An invitation to a musical, a Celebration or an event is only a small step with can have a large effect.

Ursula and Jani Schmitter

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS FOR DONATIONS

ICF Zurich:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.47
IBAN: CH85 8148 7000 0089 6224 7
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Rapperswil:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.50
IBAN: CH04 8148 7000 0089 6225 0
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Rapperswil, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Winterthur:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.24
IBAN: CH27 8148 7000 0089 6222 4
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Winterthur, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ICF Zürcher Oberland:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 89622.43
IBAN: CH96 8148 7000 0089 6224 3
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ICF Zurich, Züri Oberland, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich

ACTS:
Raiffeisenbank Zurich, 8001 Zurich
Clearing number: 81487
Account number: 96475.41
IBAN: CH91 8148 7000 0096 4754 1
SWIFT-BIC: RAIFCH22
Paid to: ACTS Stiftung, c/o ICF Zurich, Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich