The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan & the Holy Land
BEIT JALA – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala celebrated Palm Sunday with palms and flowers before joining the local Catholic Church for a procession through Beit Jala. After the service, the congregation gathered outside the sanctuary to process through Beit Jala, meeting the Catholic procession halfway through the city.
BEIT JALA – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala held their annual Christmas bazaar from December 4th-6th, 2014.
BEIT JALA – On October 21st, 2014, the work of installing the new bells received by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation began. Three of the four bells to be installed are new, with one bell being an original bell, dedicated in 1902. The dedication of the new bells will take place on November 2nd, 2014, along with the dedication of the new garden planted by the Beit Jala church to help feed their congregation.
Scores of people marched through Beit Jala to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s opinion that construction of the wall is “contrary to international law.” Organized and led by the ELCJHL Lutheran Church of the Reformation, the march capped a week of workshops, demonstrations and soccer matches to the hardships created by Israel’s construction of the separation wall.
Watch this space for more photos and information about the event.
Pastor Mitri Raheb confirmed twelve young people Sunday, May 18, at Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. On May 4, at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala, Pastor Jadallah Shihadeh and Ass’t Pastor Saliba Rishmawi confirmed 14 young people, and the Lutheran Church of Hope in Ramallah will hold their confirmation on Sunday, June 1. Please pray for our young people.
The Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala was filled to overflowing on April 4, Palm Sunday 2004. The Sunday School children processed into the sanctuary with flowers and palm branches, and sang their praises to God. Flutes, guitar and organ accompanied the singing of the children and a young adult choir as well as the congregational singing.
Bishop Younan and Pastor Jadallah Shihadeh confirmed twelve young people and gave them their first Holy Communion in both elements. (The bread of Holy Communion is given to children but the wine is reserved until after confirmation in the ELCJ.) Following the worship service people greeted the newly-confirmed young people in a receiving line with the bishop and pastor, and a special reception was held.
