Bible Festival 2011, August 6

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." /Matthew 5:13-16/

This year, on August 6, BIBLE FESTIVAL 2011 will take place in Riga, on Riga Dome Square and in other places in Old Riga. The organizational side of the Festival is provided by the Latvian Evangelical Alliance (ww.lea.lv) together with all Christian denominations and churches.

The purpose of the Bible Festival is to speak about the importance of spiritual and moral values in every person's life and in society as a whole, to promote the basic values of family, spiritual values and social unity, and also to renew hope, faith and love. It is to testify to the significance of the Bible in people's lives, to bring the Good News to the world in an attractive and understandable way, and to release the fragrance of the Kingdom and of God's love in Old Riga.
We also want these to be great celebrations for the whole Body of Christ in Riga and Latvia. Therefore we invite every brother and sister to take part and support this Festival by your presence, because that too is a great testimony to the world. /Eph. 4:4/

1. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM:
PLACE: In the garden of Riga Cathedral:
TIME: August 6,
11:00-11:50 Puppet theatre "Maska" performance "God and I, We Are Friends"
11:50-14:00 Children's creative workshops, program "Adventure with the Bible"
PLACE: Dome Square:
TIME: August 6,
14:00-14:50 Puppet theatre "Maska" performance "God and I, We Are Friends"
14:50-16:30 Children's creative workshops

Program:
In an attractive environment appealing to children, there will be various games and prepared task stations, as well as creative workshops led by teachers dressed in costumes from different historical periods.
During the day, two performances by the puppet theatre "Maska", "God and I, We Are Friends", are also planned.
Lessons with teachers:
"Adventure with the Bible" - this project offers the opportunity, through 56 attractive movements, to learn the correct sequence of Old Testament historical events and, through 50 movements, the events of the New Testament; to learn the historical map of the Old and New Testaments; to discover how the Old Testament and the New Testament are divided and briefly what each book is about. Certified Christian education teachers will lead it.
To reveal Bible stories, in the course of a Godly Play lesson, words, silence and symbols all have their meaning. The purpose of the classroom space, the rhythm of the lesson and the materials used is to show children a different world, without hurry, where in silence, peace and an environment not overloaded with things, children can draw near to the presence of God. In the Godly Play method children use all their senses, and it is not so much a lesson where someone tells about God, but a lesson where children themselves experience God.
Each Bible story has a doll or pictures that help children perceive it; each story is kept in its own box and has its own fixed place, so that children always know where to find it and can play with the story.
There will also be other surprises for children.
If you would like to take part and serve children, or if you have ideas for how children could be encouraged further, call project leader Zanna Drunese at +371 29148854.

2. EXHIBITION:
PLACE: St. Mary's Chapel of Riga Cathedral, Dome Square 1:
TIME: August 6, 11:00-16:00
Program:
Bibles deposited from the E. Gliks Museum. The Ernests Gliks Bible Museum is the only museum of its kind in Europe.
Material about the Holy Shroud of Turin, the most vivid witness to Christ's death and resurrection.
Today many people no longer realize that at the centre of the Christian faith is the person of the crucified and risen Jesus. So that a person may more easily make contact with the Saviour, divine Providence has preserved to our day a striking image of His suffering and death. We can see it on the shroud in which Jesus' body was laid after His death. One could say that the shroud is the fifth Gospel, written not with ink but with the blood of Christ, shed for our salvation.

3. SEMINAR "ADVENTURE WITH THE BIBLE" FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TEACHERS:
PLACE: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, Consistory Hall, M. Pils iela 4:
TIME: August 6, 10:00-12:00
Program:
"Adventure with the Bible" is a project that gives Sunday school teachers, as well as Christian education teachers in public schools, a wonderful and creative opportunity to teach children about God's wonderful purpose in our lives through engaging dramas and exciting movements.
The "Adventure with the Bible" project has been developed so that children will find it interesting to read the Bible and discover and see God's true character in it. The visual large book, the Bible, which is almost as tall as a child, has been created very creatively and is filled with visually interesting objects that capture children's eyes and in this way help them more easily remember the events, characters and things connected with the relevant book of the Bible.
"Adventure with the Bible" is a project that has already been carried out in Latvia in Rezekne, Liepaja and Riga, and teachers are delighted with this way of teaching Christian education. The teachers themselves have benefited and gained new knowledge about the Old Testament.
This project offers the opportunity, through 56 attractive movements, to learn the correct sequence of Old Testament historical events and, through 50 movements, the events of the New Testament; to know the historical map of the Old and New Testaments; to learn how the Old Testament and the New Testament are divided and briefly what each book is about.
Through the seminar you will gain knowledge of how to present this information to children in a language they understand, with engaging dramas and interesting methods. During the children's program you will also have the opportunity to see this project already being used practically with children on Dome Square.
"Adventure with the Bible" brings the events of the Bible to life and reminds us of God's love for His children.
The author of this program is Swedish pastor Jonas Magnusson.

4. "DOMINO WITH A PASTOR":
PLACE: On the lawn of Bastejkalns Park, near the Freedom Monument:
TIME: August 6, 11:00-14:00
Program:
A stylized outdoor cafe, where anyone interested can meet a pastor, with pastors from different denominations present, and ask all questions of interest about God and life while playing a game of dominoes. One move, one question.
There will also be specially prepared drinks with the inscription: Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Jesus.
If you are able to support this activity by donating a domino game, please contact project leader Natalija Silina at +371 20390946.

5. YOUTH INITIATIVE - with FLASH MOB tasks
PLACE: Old Riga, five locations near Dome Square
TIME: August 6, 13:00-15:00
Program:
Five previously prepared tasks that several young people will carry out suddenly and synchronously at a specific time and place. The tasks will be five selected Bible passages.
The purpose is to draw the attention of people nearby and to creatively reflect the relevance of the Bible among young people.
If you want to take part in this event, call and register in good time with project leader Andrejs Zumbergs at +371 28654660.

6. TENT OF REVELATION
PLACE: Dome Square 1
TIME: August 6, 12:00-19:00

Purpose: a place where it is possible to learn more about the Holy Scriptures. There will also be several intercession teams from different denominations ready to serve everyone who wants to share their needs and receive prayer, counsel or an answer to a question.
On Dome Square there will also be young people in T-shirts with the inscription: "Ask and it will be given to you" /Matt. 11:7/. They will give people the opportunity to write down their prayer needs, which will be placed in a prayer box. For someone, this may be the first step of faith.
The young people will hand out printed slips with God's Word to the people they meet.
During the evening concert there will be a time of intercession, when everyone together will pray for these gathered intentions.

7. CELEBRATION ON DOME SQUARE
PLACE: Dome Square 1
TIME: August 6, 16:00-18:45
Program:
14:00-15:00 Rehearsal of the united choir and soloists.
16:00-16:30 Musical performances on the large festival stage and information about the course of the event. Video materials about the power of God's Word and about the Bible.
16:30 Official opening of the celebration.
16:45-18:45 Festival concert: the united church choir led by conductor A. Abolins together with the rhythm group: Maris Trejs, keyboards; Oskars Sprogis, bass guitar; Maris Riekstins, keyboards; Mikelis Vite, drums; Ingus Feldmanis, lead guitar; Normunds Piesis, wind instrument; Liene Dravniece, accordion; Anneli Arro, percussion; and soloists Liba Ece-Kalnina, Valters Gleske, Kaspars Ezerins, Elina Buce, Santa Lozinska, Kristine Praulina, Andrejs Kockins and others.
Testimonies by well-known public figures about meeting God and about the significance of the Bible in their lives.
Readings from Holy Scripture.
Words of blessing from leaders of Christian denominations.

8. YOUTH CONCERT ON DOME SQUARE
TIME: August 6, 21:00-23:00
Program:
A youth concert with various Christian groups, including "Return band", "CHRISTE TEAM" from Lithuania, Valdis Indrisonaks and friends, "Klikki 1:16" and the Riga Gospel Choir.

9. INTERCESSIONS
TIME: 18:00-19:30
Purpose:
To gather and, within the Festival, proclaim the Word of God over important institutions where significant processes take place that affect all of society. In the intercessions we will include the seven mountains of influence in society: family, church, business, education, government, science and technology, arts, media and sport. Together we will read God's Word; those who wish can join from their own Bibles, and we will bless and intercede.
* 03.08. 18:00-19:00 Freedom Monument
Special intercession for Latvia, the nation and families (for all 7 mountains of influence in society).
* 04.08. 18:00-19:00 Riga City Council, Ratslaukums 1
Special intercession for the mayor of Riga, deputies, and national, municipal and business leaders.
* 05.08. 18:00-19:00 Presidential Castle, Pils laukums 3
Special intercession for the President of Latvia, governments and authorities, the new Saeima and Latvia.

10. "Harbour of Peace"
Place: Marstalu iela 10, in the premises of the youth club "Melna Aita"
Time: August 5, 10:00-22:00; August 6, 10:00-18:00

When visiting Riga, or living and working there permanently, one can clearly feel the rapid pace of time.
In Riga, the word "peace" is most often used as an abstract concept, something one may strive for and only partly obtain outside the city, in rural regions.
Placing a place called "Harbour of Peace" in the heart of the city may seem overly bold.
Within the Bible Festival we want to offer Riga's guests and residents a moment of peace and quiet under the shadow of their Creator.

The place "Harbour of Peace" has nothing to do with a seafaring or travel theme.
The word "harbour" is used in this context as an abstract concept in the likeness of the time when the Son of God taught by the sea, where people could come and listen to Jesus' teaching.
We also want to give people an opportunity to come to a place where they can spend some time in the quiet of peaceful music, read the Word of God, or simply be near the Creator of all.

11. "Night of Praise", 24/7
Place: Marstalu iela 10, in the premises of the youth club "Melna Aita"
Time: August 4, 18:00-10:00; August 5, 22:00-10:00
Anyone who wants to be near God by praising Him, praying and being in fellowship with one another is invited.
(If you are observant, in Old Riga and nearby you will be able to meet different worshippers from various Latvian cities and spend time with them praising the Creator of all.)

More information will follow soon at www.bibelessvetki.lv and in other media.
We will also be grateful to all readers who are able to spread information about Bible Festival 2011 on websites or in printed publications known to them.

Each of you also has the opportunity to sow and support this Festival financially. If you feel such a prompting from the Father, then do so to:
Latvian Evangelical Alliance
Reg. No.: 40008071054
Bank: Swedbanka, HABALV22
Account: LV91HABA0551004210895
Purpose: donation for Bible Festival



Wishing God's blessing and looking forward to meeting you at BIBLE FESTIVAL,
Head of the Bible Festival organizing committee
Inga Zinge-Pupina
inga.zinge-pupina@lea.lv



The Festival is organized by: Latvian Evangelical Alliance, Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, Union of Baptist Churches in Latvia, Latvian Pentecostal Church Association, Latvian Pentecostal Church Centre, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Methodist Church, Christian congregation "Prieka Vests", congregation "New Generation", Riga Pentecostal Church Christian Centre "Laba Vests".

Supported by: Riga City Council, Latvian Christian Radio, Riga Cathedral, Bible Friends League, Latvian Bible Society, Puppet Theatre Maska, magazine Tiksanas, E. Gliks Museum, Latvian Christian Mission, Latvian Christian Student Fellowship, SIA Norgate, Dad cafe, CBMC, God's Children's Art School, Return band, Riga Gospel Choir, Klikki 1:16, Youth With A Mission, Tuvak tev, Agape Latvia, magazine "Tiksanas", XENOS, Aiga Vaitkus Design Studio, SIA Aprise, Avots Choir, Amnis, Kristus TV, Misina Printing Workshop, Christinfo.lv, Teva mantojums.