Phone: +972-(0)2-626-6800 Fax: +972-(0)2-628-5764 Address: Muristan Road P.O. Box 14076 Jerusalem 91140 via Israel
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJHL) is known for its friendliness as it welcomes visitors and pilgrims to the Holy Land from throughout the world. Though Palestinian Christians have been here since the first Pentecost, the roots of the ELCJHL
are in the mid-19th century when German and English missionaries came to teach and minister to the local people.
Today, we have five congregations in Jerusalem, Ramallah and the Bethlehem area and one in Amman, Jordan. The churches in Amman and Ramallah are made up largely of families of refugees who fled their homes at the time of the tragic wars that followed the formation of Israel. We also operate four schools and four education programs.
JERUSALEM, 25 January 2012 – Worshippers from nearly every Christian tradition crowded into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem last evening to mark day four of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Together, those gathered celebrated a Service of the Word in Arabic, German, and English with Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), preaching.
In his sermon, Younan reflected on the centrality of the cross of Christ not as doctrine or decoration, but as the very way of life, unity, history, experience, and call in the church—not only in the past, but in the present life and witness of the church in society.
“The church today is again called to be bridge-builders and ambassadors of reconciliation.” Younan said. “We are called to play a role in building a modern civil society, but also to inject into society the common values of all religions that promote coexistence, peace, and justice, and accepting the other. We are called to a prophetic role, speaking the truth to power. Only when the church is involved in society, and especially among the suffering, then it will have a future.”
This was the fourth of nine services this week in Jerusalem to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for this year, developed by churches in Poland, is: “We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:51-58). The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a joint ministry of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order.
Services continue throughout Jerusalem this week, ending on Sunday, 29 January. Visit our online gallery to view new pictures from the services each day this week.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Armenian Cathedral of St. James.
Click here to view more photos from the service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Click here to read Bishop Younan’s full sermon.
JERUSALEM, 24 January 2012 – Services for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in Jerusalem this weekend with an invitation to join with the Greek Orthodox Church for the Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday evening.
The local Christian community joined again together on Sunday evening for a service at the Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, presided over by the Rt. Rev’d Suheil S. Dawani, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
In his sermon, Bishop Dawani reflected on Jesus’ words to his disciples in Mark 10 and God’s continuing call to us: “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
“Our Lord connects [the idea of] greatness with the love that works not for its own greatness, but for the benefits of the other” Dawani said, and proclaimed that in Jesus God was sweeping away humanity’s “love of greatness” and replacing it with God’s “greatness of love”.
Services continue throughout Jerusalem this week, ending on Sunday, 29 January. Visit our online gallery to view new pictures from the services each day this week.
Click here to view photos from the Greek Orthodox Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Click here to view photos from the service at the Anglican Cathedral of St. George the Martyr.
Click here to learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
JERUSALEM, 20 January 2012 – Earlier this week Bishop Younan invited ELCA Seminary groups in the Holy Land for international study courses to visit with him over lunch at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Younan, who has served as Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) since 1998, and as President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) since 2010, began conversation speaking about the rootedness and importance of a Theology of Accompaniment, saying:
“This theological idea comes from Luke 24, where the two disciples were walking together on the way to Emmaus—confused, asking questions. And Jesus was all the time facilitating the dialogue, hearing their queries. Until they get to Emmaus, and Jesus breaks the bread, and in the Eucharist they see Jesus to be as he is, because they accompanied each other—Jesus accompanied them, they accompanied Jesus, and both of them accompanied each other."
"I think this is exactly how we are working—the ELCJHL and the ELCA. We are working in a theology of accompaniment that is so strong. That respects the local church—the local church in the United States, and the local church here, the ELCJHL. And always in accompaniment, we never count how many members belong to that church or to this church. We accompany each other as sisters and brothers in Christ…"
"We accompany each other by asking one another ‘how can we proclaim the Gospel of Christ and administer the sacraments in our context in a very strong way?’ ‘How can we help each other?’”
Together, the group also explored issues of the Arab Spring, the current political situation in the Holy Land, Arab Christian emigration, the call to service in the wider community, and witness.
The seminary groups have been spending time this January visiting Holy Places and Holy People as they learn about this Holy Land: past and present. Most of the ELCA Seminary groups have also visited ELCJHL Schools and Educational Programs during their visits and worshipped with ELCJHL congregations.
Make sure to check back next week as we follow the group from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa as they visit Dar al-Kalima Evangelical Lutheran School in Bethlehem, one of four k-12 ELCJHL Schools encompassed within the ELCJHL Educational Ministries.
Click here to view more photos from the luncheon.
Click here or press play on the video above to view a clip from the day with Bishop Younan speaking on the theology of Accompaniment.
BETHLEHEM/JERUSALEM, 17 January 2012 – The ELCJHL is proud to announce that Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and President of the Synod is to be awarded to prestigious “Deutscher Medienpreis” (German Media Prize) at an official ceremony in the city of Baden-Baden in Germany on 24 February 2012.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awarding of the Deutscher Medienpreis, which annually awards prizes to individuals who show exceptional performance, leadership qualities, and visionary work. Usually this prize is awarded to those individuals whose work has garnered much media attention, but to mark this anniversary the jury decided to honor individuals who, in their work for peace, have quietly continued on without much media attention.
In the official announcement from Deutcher Medienpreis, Pastor Raheb’s work in building up the outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem in the areas of education, health care, and dialogue through the meeting places made available and welcoming.
The ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church and the Diyar Consortium, along with the other congregational and educational ministries of the ELCJHL reach out to thousands of individuals and families each year in Jerusalem, other parts of the West Bank, and in Amman, Jordan.
For more information about the Deutscher Medienpreis, visit their website at: www.deutscher-medienpreis.de
JORDAN/JERUSALEM, 16 January 2012 – On the Feast of Epiphany, 6 January, ELCJHL members and leaders gathered at the Baptismal Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan to celebrate the ground breaking for the new Evangelical Lutheran Pilgrimage and Retreat Center at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan.
Celebrations began with a service of Holy Communion by the Jordan River with Bishop Younan preaching and presiding, and Pastor Mitri Raheb, pastor in Bethlehem and President of the Synod; Pastor Sani Ibrahim Azar, pastor in Jerusalem; and Pastor Samer Azar, pastor in Amman assisting.
In his sermon, Younan celebrated the gift of Baptism and reminded those gathered of our shared baptismal calling:
“In Lutheran theology we baptize infants according to our understanding of Baptism as a gift of God given through grace by faith, and not because of our works. In Baptism we carry Christ and becomes heirs, with Christ, of the promises of God. To this gift of grace and promise the whole church has been continuously witnessing.”
Bishop Younan invited all present this day to return in one year, and extended an invitation to “all Lutheran churches, both the local congregations of the ELCJHL and the global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition to… come on the 6th of January to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany at the Baptismal Site at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan in the spirit of love and ecumenism.”
The ELCJHL gives thanks for the generous support given and pledged by various international partners, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) working closely with the OSMTH, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for their grant, and many other friends of the ELCJHL.
Funds given in the US may be directed through the ELCA Global Gifts “ELCJHL Baptismal Site Project”. Donations from other countries abroad can be directed to the ELCJHL.
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the day.
Click here to view other galleries of photos from the Baptismal Site.
Click here to read Bishop Younan’s full sermon from the groundbreaking.
BETHLEHEM/JERUSALEM, 4 January 2012 - Just as Mary and Joseph had difficulties finding room in Bethlehem so long ago, it looked as though worshippers at the Christmas Eve service at the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem would have difficulties finding places to sit this year as more and more visitors kept arriving. But the congregation welcomed everyone in for the service, inviting people to line the aisle sitting on the floor, to stand in the balcony and to fill in the space behind the pews at the back. And, despite the crowded space, all stayed to worship and share the Christmas Gospel together in Arabic, German, and English.
As the Christmas Season draws to a close and we approach the season of Epiphany and beyond. As the New Year dawns and we set new goals and make new resolutions. As we continue to wait and work in hope for the fullness of reconciliation, redemption, and wholeness. We invite you to continue to carry the message of Christmas with you this year as we remember:
“Christmas is about welcoming Jesus into our midst, as we welcome the least among us, as we show hospitality to the stranger, for then we may discover that we have been entertaining angels unawares, or even God’s own son.”
– Rev. Fred Strickert, from his Christmas Eve Sermon
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the Christmas Eve service.
Click here to watch a video of the Christmas Gospel proclaimed in English, German, and Arabic.
Click here to read the Christmas Eve Sermon Rev. Fred Strickert shared with those gathered.
JERUSALEM, 24 December 2011 – The four k-12 schools of the ELCJHL each gathered together for their annual Christmas Programs this week before breaking for holidays. Click on the photo above or on the links below to view photos from the schools’ programs.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Peace,
Rev. Elizabeth McHan
Communications Assistant
Click here to view photos from the schools’ programs.
Click on the school links to view photos from specific Christmas Programs:
JERUSALEM, 22 December 2011 – If you missed the Simulcast service from the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. last Saturday, there’s still time to join in worship and reflection with us as Christmas draws near!
Check out the links below to watch a webcast of the Simulcast service, to view photos from the event, or to read Bishop Younan’s Sermon from the service.
Peace,
Rev. Elizabeth McHan
Communications Assistant
ELCJHL
JERUSALEM, 20 December 2011 – The sanctuary of the Church of the Ascension resonated this past Saturday evening as strains of music wove around the newly unveiled art exhibition from Håkon Gullvåg.
The Norwegian chamber ensemble the Trondheim Soloists, the Norwegian musician and composer Henning Sommerro traveled to Jerusalem especially for the exhibition opening and transfixed the audience with their program that ranged from classical to traditional to contemporary and introduced works from around the world. They were joined in their performance by Palestinian artist and composer Rim Banna, whose songs were particularly haunting.
Gullvåg, the renowned Norwegian surrealist painter himself was present for the exhibition opening.
Gullvåg originally created the exhibition, entitled “A Modern Approach to the Divine Image” as a temporary installation for Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, the National Cathedral of the Church of Norway. But it is in this Jerusalem installation that the biblical and religious motifs truly “come home” to their historical context.
The Gullvåg exhibition will continue at the Church of the Ascension throughout the Christmas, Epiphany and Lenten seasons, finishing after Easter. The Church of the Ascension is located next to the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Lutheran World Federation campus on the Mount of Olives.
Visitors are welcome to view the exhibition Mondays through Saturdays from 8:00am through 1:00pm. Entrance to the exhibition is included in the general entrance to the church (5 shekel).
Click here or on the photo above to view more photos from the event.
JERUSALEM, 19 December 2011 – Bishop Younan sent out his 2011 Christmas Message today with hope for peace in the faithful witness of Simeon and Anna’s hopeful waiting for the Messiah.
We invite you to read Bishop Younan’s full 2011 Christmas Message this season and as we continue to wait in hopefulness.
Click here to read Bishop Younan’s 2011 Christmas Messages
Click here to download Bishop Younan’s 2011 Christmas Message
Painting: Jesu fødsel by Norwegian Artist Håkon Gullvåg
JERUSALEM, 14 December 2011 – Leaders and delegates from all the member churches that constitute the four families of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) gathered in Paphos, Cyprus 29-30 November for the 10th General Assembly.
The meeting was hosted by the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, which was represented by its Archbishop his Beatitude Chrysostomos II.
This was an important meeting for the MECC and, together, all four church families reaffirmed “that MECC remains the common meeting ground for all the Christians of the Middle East” and asserted its firm belief “that Christian unity remains the basic purpose and mission of the MECC.”
Click here to view the full Final Communiqué of the 10th General Assembly.
Click here to view photos from the 10th General Assembly.
AMMAN, JORDAN/JERUSALEM, 13 December 2011 – More than eighty women from the different Christian denominations in Amman, Jordan gathered together on 2 December in the church hall of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for an Advent celebration.
The theme for the afternoon was the integral importance of the Arab Christian existence, witness, and service in the Arab society, and the need for strong and wise leaders in the everyday life and work of the local churches.
Rev. Samer Azar, the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Amman, Jordan began the afternoon with a word of welcome, followed by a shared Advent meal.
After lunch, Mrs. Suad Younan offered words of greeting and welcome to the sisters from the different churches.
Bishop Younan was then invited to preach as the speaker for the event, and began with a reading from Matthew 25:1-13. Reflecting back on the wise women of the parable, Younan stressed the importance of the wise women present in the local churches, and especially in the local Lutheran church. “We often speak of gender equality,” Younan said, “but we still have work to do. Women should have full equality not only in society, but also in the church.”
“Evangelism teaches us always to look forward to where our faith is leading us and to what God is calling us both in church and in society,” Younan continued, and drawing back in the witness of the wise women, Younan spoke of the January 2010 decision unanimously reached in the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) in favor of Women’s Ordination, and the ELCJHL’s commitment to seeing Women’s Ordination come to fruition in the Middle East.
“When God calls a person to serve in the church it is not under the condition of being a man. Women have carried the message of the Gospel from the very beginning of the church. Therefore, we, the ELCJHL, fully support the Ordination of women in the church, and are called to support and encourage women who feel called to carry and to serve the Gospel in this way.”
After Bishop Younan’s words, the afternoon’s gathering concluded with an evening of shared Advent hymns, meditations, and time for contemplation.
Click here to view photos from the event.
JERUSALEM, 12 December 2011 – This Saturday, you are invited to join with worshippers in Bethlehem, Washington, D.C., and around the world for the fifth annual joint simulcast Christmas service.
Prayers, readings, and hymns alternate between Washington, D.C., and Palestine via the Internet, drawing together people of different lands, languages, and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace.
To widen the congregation, the service is also webcast live from the home page of the National Cathedral starting at 10 AM EST on Saturday, 17 December 2011.
Participants in Washington include the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington; the Rt. Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod; the Rev, Canon Jan Naylor Cope, vicar of the Cathedral; and the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson.
In Bethlehem, participants include the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem; the Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; and the Rev Dr. Mitri Raheb from Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.
For those unable to participate live, the service will also be available for streaming throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Wondering what it’s like? Explore the webcast webcast and photos from last years’ service!
We hope to worship with you on Saturday.
VALPARAISO, 11 December 2011 - The December 2011 graduates of Valparaiso University will undergo many changes in their lives, but their values will help sustain them, an Evangelical Lutheran bishop said Sunday.
"These values will determine who you are and, ultimately, the contributions you leave behind in this world," Munib Younan said. "Values will carry you through the peaks and valleys."
Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and president of the Lutheran World Federation, was keynote speaker at a ceremony in VU's Chapel of the Resurrection where more than 220 students received undergraduate, graduate and law degrees.
JERUSALEM, 7 December 2011 - The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land condemns the acts of desecration of the mosque in the village of Burkin in the northern West Bank yesterday. The Council calls upon people from all faiths - Christians, Jews and Muslims - to respect all Holy Places and sites for all three religions, and strongly discourages extremists' behaviour that exploits or involves religion in a political/territorial dispute.
In the name of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs at the PA and The Heads of the Local Churches of the Holy Land,
The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land
JERUSALEM, 25 November 2011 – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) has officially entered the world of Facebook! The new ELCJHL page was launched this morning just in time for Advent, and we invite you to walk with us this season.
We have new posts planned for each day this Advent with photos, videos, and invitations to be in conversation with us. And even if you’re not on Facebook, you can still view our page at www.facebook.com/elcjhl.
For those of you on Facebook, please stop by and ‘like’ our page, leave a comment, browse our ‘Intro to the ELCJHL’ album, and ‘share’ us with your friends! Check back often. And let us know what you think.
We’re excited to grow with your help!
Peace,
Rev. Elizabeth McHan
Communications Assistant
ELCJHL
Click here to visit our new facebook page right now!
JERUSALEM, 21 November 2011 – More than 40 high-school-aged youth from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) gathered in Nazareth earlier this month as part of the ongoing Sahiroon Youth Leadership Program of the ELCJHL.
From those more than 40 youth, 28 were part of the original Sahiroon group (Seniors) formed in 2009, and 15 were part of a new group (Juniors) formed this fall. The formation of this new group marks the maturation of the Sahiroon program, as the Seniors finish out their third and final year by mentoring the Juniors who will continue for the next three years.
The Seniors and Juniors gathered together each day for morning and evening worship, small group time, Faith Talk, meals, and activities. Then split up into their groups for sessions specific to their programs.
The ELCJHL is thankful to the Lutheran World Federation for its generous funding of this program.
Click here or on the photos above to view more photos from the event.
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