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Worship

 

candlesWe can support both Israelis and Palestinians by taking part in a churchwide effort that began in Advent 2000. The Ecumenical Prayer Vigil is an opportunity for ELCA members to join Christians all over the USA in regular prayer for peace and healing. Participants focus their prayers on one day each month for the Christian communities in Jerusalem, for all those who are suffering in the Holy Land, for Palestinians and Israelis, and for peace in the Middle East and the world.

Many synods and congregations around the ELCA have maintained this Prayer Vigil, such as English Lutheran Church in La Crosse, WI. There, 15 to 25 students, working adults, and retired couples gather on the 20th of each month, regardless of the day of the week. Because the prayer vigil is publicized in local papers, at least a third of the worshippers come from outside the congregation.





Lenten Resources

These studies reflect the views of the writers and organizations that produced them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Peace not Walls.


Holy Week in the Holy Land:

Bishop Munib Younan of the ELCJHL on Maundy Thursday in Gethsemane.

2012 Easter Message by Bishop Munib Younan

2010 Easter Message by Bishop Munib Younan

Read the 2009 Easter messages from two leaders in the Holy Land:

Photos of Holy Week 2010 worship

The Holy Walk of Holy Week - A glimpse into Holy Week in the Holy Land with biblical citations, pictures of holy sites and modern realities.

An Easter Prayer for those in the Holy Land

National Council of Churches Requests Free Access for Palestinians Christians During Holy Week


 

WCC Week for Peace in Palestine Israel - Every June

Pray, educate and advocate for justice in the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel May 28 through June 3, 2012.  This is an initiative of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches. 


 
Advent Resources



On the way to celebrate what happened in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, let us not forget the people who yearn for peace with justice now in Bethlehem and all over the Holy Land. Here are some Advent reflections by various people and organizations to help us remember:
 




Christmas Messages and Resources from Earlier Years

2010 Christmas messages from the Holy Land

   - Jerusalem Heads of Churches
   - ELCJHL Bishop Munib Younan

2009 Christmas messages from two leaders in the Holy Land:

   - Bishop Munib Younan of the ELCJHL in Jerusalem
   - Pastor Mitri Raheb of the ELCJHL and DIYAR Consortium and Bright Stars of Bethlehem 


Holy Land Communion Ware

At the 2005 Churchwide Assembly all 65 ELCA synods received communion ware crafted in Bethlehem as part of the launch for the Peace Not Walls campaign. To learn more about this project and the ways congregations and synods have used the communion ware check out Holy Land Communion Ware.

The views expressed in these materials represent the positions of outside organizations and may not necessarily reflect an official position of the ELCA.

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