Prayers for Palestine and Israel

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this season, I want to extend an invitation to you.  This coming Saturday, December 22 a group of us will gather at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 675 N. Mulford Road, Rockford at 9:00 a.m. for a simulcast of a live worship service from Bethlehem and Washington.

Christians from around the world are being invited to pray for the peace of Palestine and Israel.  Prayers, hymns and readings will alternate between the two locations.  Come a bit early to enjoy some hospitality provided by local supporters of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and to claim your seat for the 9:00 a.m. start.  Among the Lutherans participating in the service are the Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, the Right Rev. Munib Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and the Rev. Richard Graham, bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, ELCA.

I came to a much deeper and more accurate understanding of life in both Palestine and Israel when I traveled there a couple of years ago.  The situation there is complex.  The very least we can do is pray.  This is an opportunity for you to do just that.

For more information, please contact me directly or check the Bright Stars website at www.brightstarsbethlehem.org.  –JC