Sunday Worship
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
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10
33
Trip End
Mar 18, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Today we went to worship at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer,Jerusalem. This Church is located in the Old City, just 300 feet from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher-the place of the crucification and resurrection. The english speaking congregation meets in a Chapel in the church complex. The Chapel is made of stone. It is constructed in such a way that no sound reinforcement is needed by the pastor or anybody else that is speaking. The roof is vaulted and the pews are wood with cushions. We will post some pictures of it later. It's simplicity adds to the experience of worship. The Church was build in the late 1800's by the German Lutheran Church. Kaiser Wilhelm II consecrated the building in 1898. It was built on the site of the Crusader's church of St. Mary la Latine. The Germans incorporated remains of the old Church in the new construction. On the site of the present day Church complex was a Latin Hospice( ninth century) that was destroyed by the Egyptians
The Evengilical Luthern Church of Jerusalem
. When the Crusaders came in 1099 they found a hospital headed by Gerard, a pious knight who took care of all Christian sects and infidels. The hospital could accommodate up to 2,000 sick. Next to this Hospital were living quarters for young noblemen who, inspired by Gerard, became part of the new Order of of the Hospital of St. John of Jeruslaem- called the Hospitallers. Today's Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land. They have congregations in the Holy Land and Jordan. They run 4 schools and a variety of projects to help the Palestinian people with housing, education and work. The Pastor's message this morning came from the section in John 1:29-42. He talked about how we are introduced to people. Jesus was introduced as the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. How do we introduce ourselves to people we meet? If we introduce ourselves as a Christian, then what does that say about us. In Jerusalem, if you tell someone your faith it tells them a lot about you. We are known by what is done in the name of the one we believe in. If what is done in the name of Christ is to bring about reconciliation then we are introduced to the world well indeed. We did some more walking today, but that report will wait till tomorrow. A last word about worship in Jerusalem. I find the most moving part of worship is when the Gospel is read. The word of God has the power to transcend time and that is most evident for me in this place. Yet, somehow I believe that when we are home among the family of believers the scripture will still have special power to transcend time and space.
In Christan Love,
Michael & Jolene
Comments
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How incredible! It must be amazing to walk along the site of The Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. What a joy to worship with fellow Christians in the Holy Land where all of these events took place.
By the way, there is a big boat on the stage in the Wesley Center. This morning it was filled with disciples. A storm blew up....wind, thunder, lightning, spraying water. And wouldn't you know, Jesus fell asleep and left those disciples sitting there terrified???!!! The disciples awakened him, and he calmed the storm. We decided, 'What a miracle!'
So, are you anywhere near where the story of Jesus Calming the Storm took place? Next week, we learn about 'The Fishes and Loaves/Jesus Feeds 5,000.' Are you near there? The kids would love to know that!
God's blessings to you.
Cindy D.