Church of the Redeemer-Arabic Speaking Congregation

Church of the Redeemer-Arabic Speaking-Jerusalem

One of four congregations who call our Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem home, the Arabic-speaking congregation hails from all over East Jerusalem, including the Old City, Beit Hanina, Shu'fat, and more.

Sunday worship for the Arabic-Speaking Congregation is held at 9:00 a.m. in the large, cathedral-like sanctuary of the Redeemer church. The service is entirely in Arabic, with occasional English to help visitors find the hymns and Scripture texts.

Using a formal Lutheran liturgy and hymns in the Arabic language, the congregation sings and participates with energy and joy. The familiar cadence of the Lutheran Liturgy enables non-Arabic speakers to recognize, for instance, the Nicene Creed and Lord’s Prayer, and participate in his or her own language. It is an experience recommended for all non-Arabic speakers who visit the Holy Land!

Following the worship service, the Arabic-speaking congregation joins with the English-speaking congregation for coffee, tea, and conversation.

During the spring and summer months, the Arabic-speaking congregation worships one Sunday each month at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, located adjacent to the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem campus on the Mount of Olives. This beautiful space is more accessible to our members with mobility constraints.

During the week, church meetings and activities are held at the church center located in the neighborhood of Beit Hanina, a few miles north of the Old City, toward Ramallah. The center is a remodeled house on the main road to Ramallah, a location that is more convenient for many church members. Women’s group meetings are held weekly in the center, as are youth groups, children’s activities, and administrative meetings. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the Arabic-speaking Redeemer congregation now live on the opposite side of the Separation Wall between Jerusalem and the West Bank, so even this secondary location can not solve the obstacles of gathering as a congregation in Jerusalem.

Service Times
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.

Pastor Fursan Zu’mot

Pastor Fursan was ordained in 2017 and serves the Jerusalem Arabic-speaking congregation. Reverend Zu’mot grew up in Amman, Jordan, and is fluent in Jordanian Sign Language. He was a vicar with the ELCJHL in Jerusalem before his ordination, and is currently studying to receive his Master’s degree. Reverend Fursan is the husband of Mrs. Rawan Saeed, and father to Taleen and Wadia.

Contact Information
Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
P.O. Box 14076,
Jerusalem 91140
Phone: +972(0)2-626-6851
Fax: +972-(0)2-628-5764
E-mail: fursan_zumot@yahoo.co.uk