Christmas Eve in Bethlehem 2024
Luke 2:15 “…the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ God has made known to all his birth in Bethlehem. May all people come and see what has taken place. We pray that God’s coming into our world will bring peace for his little town of Bethlehem, for his children in Gaza, and for all people. ...
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ELCA Solidarity Visit to the ELCJHL
This week Bishop Azar met with ELCA Global Mission MENA Desk Director Rev. Gabi Aelabouni and MENA Regional Associate Shadin Nassar as part of their solidarity visit to the ELCJHL. Rev. Gabi and Ms. Nassar also visited many of our pastors and ministries to discuss the ongoing work of the ELCJHL this year. We are thankful for our ELCA partners!...
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ELCJHL Schools Mark Christmas
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” This week before winter break began the Lutheran Schools each held special programs for Christmas. Though the Palestinian Christian community is once again not celebrating Christmas as usual, the birth of Christ still brings light into the broken world. Students came together to tell the Christmas story and share songs and prayers for peace in the Holy Land and the world. We continue to pray for an en...
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ELCJHL Welcomes Bishop of Hanover
The ELCJHL welcomed Bishop Ralf Meister, Landesbischof of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, to the Holy Land for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Bishop Meister met with Bishop Azar and several ELCJHL pastors and ministry directors to hear about the current reality of Palestinians and the Palestinian Christian community. He also shared greetings with the Arabic speaking congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at worship this morning on the Mount of Olives. Thank you Bishop Meister for your visit and we hope you carry stories from the ELCJHL to your community at home....
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Bishop Azar Speaks at Augusta Victoria
Bishop Dr Sani Ibrahim Azar, the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, joined the staff at Augusta Victoria Hospital for a Christmas lunch. This gathering was an expression of the ongoing support provided by the ELCJHL to the hospital. In his remarks, Bishop Azar expressed that the church is proud of the hard work carried out by the AVH staff and administration, reaffirming the church’s commitment to supporting the hospital and its staff in all circumstances. The Bishop expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for the staff of ...
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2024 Simulcast Service
On Saturday the ELCJHL held their annual Simulcast Service between Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and the Episcopal Cathedral of Philadelphia. We give thanks for all who participated in the service and helped make it possible, especially the Right Reverend Daniel Gutierrez, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania; Revered Bryan John Penman, Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA; Reverend Sani Ibrahim Azar, Bishop of the ELCJHL; Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem; Very Reverend Canon Richard Sewell, Dean of St. George's ...
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The 2024 Christmas Message from the Jerusalem Heads of Churches
2024 Christmas Message from the Jerusalem Heads of Churches: Arabic English ...
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Diaconal and Youth Ministries Host Youth Advent Worship
This evening the Youth and Diaconal Ministries held a special Advent worship for ELCJHL youth at the Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala. The service was led by Bishop Azar, Pastor Rodny, Pastor Sally, Pastor Fursan and Diaconal Ministry Director Rana Zeidan with youth helping to lead the music and readings. With current travel restrictions and roadblocks throughout the country, it is not easy for our youth to have frequent meetings or gatherings. It was a joy to have a full chapel of youth praying and worshipping together after many months apart. ...
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International Conference for Environmental Justice in Palestine Held
Under the patronage of Bishop Azar, the ELCJHL's Environmental Education Center in cooperation with the IUCN National Commission in Palestine launched its Extraordinary International Conference for Environmental Justice in Palestine yesterday in Jericho. This conference brought together religious leaders, government officials, and environmental activists at a critical time for climate and environmental justice efforts in Palestine. The conference, organized by EEC Director Simon Awad and EEC staff, focused on the devastating impact war and occupation has had on nature, biodive...
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Letter from Bishop Eaton of the ELCA Regarding the UNRWA Ban
The ELCJHL welcomes this letter from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA to President Biden regarding Israel's recent legislation restricting the work of UNRWA. Click here for the full letter....
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5th Annual Conference on Gender Justice from a National and Religious Perspective
Today, under the patronage of Bishop Dr. Sani-Ibrahim Azar, the Gender Justice Ministry of the ELCJHL held their 5th Annual Conference on Gender Justice from a Religious and National Perspective. The 5th anniversary of this important event comes during an extremely difficult time for the Palestinian community. This conference gave special attention to the situation of women and girls in Gaza during the ongoing genocide and to the role our various institutions play in addressing the war, which currently represents the biggest threat to health, safety, and justice for all. The c...
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A statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem regarding the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons.
Please click here for the statement in Arabic. Please click here for the statement in English. ...
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Diaconal Center Begins Hot Meals Program
Today, under the patronage of Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, the ELCJHL Diaconal Ministry hosted the opening of the Hot Meals program at the Diaconal Center in Beit Jala. This event, organized by Diaconal Ministry Director Rana Zeidan, also marked the official opening of the newly renovated kitchen. Pastor Fursan Zumot, Pastor Ashraf Tannous, and Pastor Sally Azar were in attendance along with the elders of the Beit Jala congregation. Going forward, the Hot Meals program will provide fresh, home cooked meals on a bi-weekly basis. As the economic situation in the West Bank continues to dete...
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Bishop Azar Visits Germany
Last week, Bishop Ibrahim Azar traveled to Germany to visit some of our partner churches there. The Bishop attended the 5th Session of the 13th Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland), the 4th Plenary Conference of the Union of Evangelical Churches (UEK) and the 13th General Synod of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (VELKD). While he was there, Bishop Azar gave an update to the assembly about the current situation in Palestine, including the challenges Palestinian Christians and the ELCJHL are facing. During this difficult time we are gr...
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ELCJHL Women Attend And So We Rise Summit
This weekend the ELCJHL Gender Justice Ministry participated in Churches for Middle East Peace’s And Still We Rise Summit, focused on elevating women leaders in the pursuit of peace in the region. 11 women from ELCJHL congregations traveled to Jericho for the three-day summit where they worked toward building community, growing in ecumenical faith, and taking action towards a more just world for women and our region. Gender Justice Ministry Director Ranan Issa, Pastor Sally Azar, Pastor Ashraf Tannous, and Judge Scarlet Bishara joined the group on the first day. On Frida...
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Palestinian Heritage Day
Yesterday students and staff at the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit Sahour held activities for Palestinian Heritage Day! Many students dressed in traditional Palestinian clothing and throughout the day there were activities, song, dance, and food to celebrate Palestinian heritage and history. The day’s program was planned by school staff and students from the leadership team. Thank you to all for your hard work! November 15th marks the day in 1988 when the Palestinian National Council, led by then President Yasser Arafat, proclaimed the Palestinian Declaration of Independenc...
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A Message from Bishop Azar Regarding the UNRWA Decision
Please click here for the full message from Bishop Doctor Sani Ibrahim Azar of the ELCJHL regarding the recent Israeli legislation banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, impacting its work throughout the West Bank, Gaza, and beyond: Full Statement...
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24th Annual Olive Harvest Season in Bethlehem
The ELCJHL, the Environmental Education Center, the Bethlehem Peace Center and the Bethlehem Municipality launched the 24th National Olive Harvest Season and Shopping Days this weekend. The events at the Peace Center were held in cooperation with the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Directorate of Agriculture, and the Rural Women's Development Society. In the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, the continuation of this annual event for 24 years shows the significance of the olive tree in Palestinian life. It is not only an important aspect of the economy, b...
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Reformation Day Service in Jerusalem
Today is Reformation Day, when we commemorate Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses and the beginning of our history as the Lutheran Church. The ELCJHL hosted a multi-lingual service at the Redeemer Church in Jerusalem today in recognition of this important day for our Church. This service has historically been a time of great celebration here in Jerusalem, but this year our hearts are with our congregants in the West Bank who are denied permits to enter Jerusalem, and with all those suffering throughout Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond. Propst Joachim Lenz preached on the text of the Beatitudes,...
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