Holy Week

Holy Week

As we were setting my schedule when I first arrived, Rev. Kristen Brown said I would be attending Holy Week events with her.  I had no idea what all would be involved and how much I would learn.

I continue to pray for you, the readers of this blog.  We serve a mighty God!  Being in Jerusalem, in the old city, turns thoughts to it's history.  Jerusalem's history contains His story of salvation for all people.   

Palm Sunday

Opening Prayer at St. Andrews 

for Palm Sunday

     When Jesus came into Jerusalem for that last supper the crowds were singing and dancing, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” Palms were waiving and coats were tossed on the ground---all for the victorious One, Hosanna in the highest. No matter that he came on a donkey instead of a white steed. He had arrived past soldiers and checkpoints to deliver the people. Even the stones were shouting out and could not be silenced. What were the stones crying out? What are they crying out now? Are we listening to our still speaking God in the land many call holy? Or have we blocked up our ears or worse silenced God?

     Many people come to the holy land to see the places where the sacred story took place---where the shepherds camped that cold starry night, where Jesus was born, crucified and resurrected. They come to feel the holiness imagining the story took place here and here and here. They come to visit the old stones. Now this is an important part of pilgrimage but this is not all we must do. We must also listen to the living stones, the Christian Arabs, the Muslims, the Jews who are suffering now, crying out under an occupation that many call not only illegal but a sin against humanity.

    We must put our ear to the ground and hear the marching steps of both the soldiers coming for another early morning raid and children playing in a dusty alleyway. We must put our ear to the ground and ear the buzz of a Caterpillar bulldozer demolishing another home and a group of men dancing the dakbe at a wedding. We must put our ear to the ground and hear the cries of a woman who is crying herself to sleep because her husband, her son, her daughter have just been arrested without charge and are now being tortured in a prison somewhere she can’t get to. We must put our ear to the ground and hear the gentle whisper of olive leaves in the wind that are saying, “ This is us, Palestine, our roots run deep, nothing can uproot us from our land.”

     Our still speaking, crying, shouting, whispering God calls us today to follow Him down the Mount of Olives, into the upper room,  the garden of Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa all the way to the cross. And finally, we who have been entombed ourselves, are asked to roll away the stone and behold the angel, allow the holy fire to fill us. We who know what death looks and smells like are asked to believe in life everlasting based on an empty tomb. This is our holy week mission and it begins today. Let the church say Amen.

Written and used in the service by Rev. Loren Mc Grail, Global Ministries United Church of Christ,  Ecumenical Partner with Church of Scotland.

During the event that our celebration of Palm Sunday remembers, Jesus was praised as the Mesiah and king.  We know from Scriptures after the events that we refer to as Holy Week, he is alive, our savior and reigning king in the Kingdom of Light.

The call to be a part of the kingdom Jesus established is a call we all should take seriously.  In the prayer Jesus taught us to say, we pray, "your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus was serious about us post Easter people understanding His kingdom teaching.  Acts 1:3 tells us that after Jesus' resurrection "...He appeared to them (believers) over a period of forty days and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God."

Hearing praises in many languages was a taste of heaven.

At the end of this day Kristen and I had walked slightly over 11 K in the hot sun, having had many experiences to ponder.  Wish I had time and space to share more from Palm Sunday.

 Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday was not as an important day in my celebration of the Easter season as it will be after this Holy Week in Jerusalem.

I suggest a video on YouTube, 71 Maundy Thursday Chuck Knows Church.

Maundy comes from a Latin word that means commandment.  Maundy Thursday is a day to remember the new commandment Jesus gave the night of the last supper.  John 13:34, "Love One Another. "

Our rememberence service in the old city began with reflection and communion.  We then walked from the church in the old city to the church located on the grounds of the garden where Jesus prayed.

 Seeing Rev. Kristen Brown,  our Methodist Liaison,  participating  as clergy, brought my praises to God for the gender equality championed in the United Methodist Church.   Meeting people I knew along the way helps me see how God's love creates family.

The Bishops carrying the cross were able to live into Jesus' new commandment to love; they had to forgive those who spat on them and the cross as it passed. 

Good (Bad) Friday

What we refer to as Good Friday for most Christians here it is titled Bad Friday.  In Jerusalem it is remembered by walking through the Old City.  The Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross are titles given to the walk.   This walk includes the locations in Jerusalem where Jesus journeyed after his condemnation as he carried his cross to the place where he was to be crucified.

At each of 14 stations Scripture, meditations and prayers are offered.  We sang hymns as we walked.

There were many other groups walking, it was important to follow the right cross.

At some locations our view and the devotional atmosphere was blocked by things we would rather not have seen.

Our walk ended in a beautiful church in Old City Jerusalem where we prayed, were led in prayers and sat in silent meditation before the cross.  A lovely and needed ending to the walk.

Holy Saturday Ceremony

The Great and Holy Saturday event when the Holy Light emerges from the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is explained in an article written bu Dr. John Tleel in the Easter Alert on the Kairos Palestine web, www.kairospalestine.ps.

He states that this Holy Light remains a mystery.  "Interpretations and explanations, beliefs and fantasies continue to occupy the minds of simple people, as well big minds of all times.  The cermony is enriched with several extremely symbolic and historic component, which elevate the atmosphere to the highest religious and unique emotional conditioning."

In the article he explains the cermony and shares his "deep personal conviction on the momentary, moment when earth meets heaven, only once a year."

The article goes on to explain, that when the Patriarch comes out of the Edicue, he raises the burning candles, blesses the crowd and the bells of the Holy Sepulchre ring the crowds are full of thanks to God.  They hurry to have their candles lit, to take this Different Light from all the other lights of our unstable and embattled region and the world today, to their homes, to their shops, towns, cities, countries and abroad.

The Palestinian Christian boy and girl scouts are ready to parade, drum and play their bagpipes as part of the joyful pandemonium in the streets of the Old City and beyoud.

Denied Entry

Sadly, we were not allowed in to be a part of this joy.  We were denied entry,  physically pushed, no reason given.

In my heart, I had to depend on God's grace not to hold animosity toward the worshipers of other faiths who were being allowed entry to their worship ceremonies.

Biet Sahour

Having been denied entry, we moved on to Biet Sahour.  The Christians in this near by village were celebrating the Holy Light event that had happened in Jerusalem as they waited for the Holy Light to be brought to their  village.

Holy Fire Arrives from Jerusalem

It was my learning experience as I celebrated the Holy Saturday tradition with Palestinian Christians.  Waiting with them as they waited for the Holy Light to arrive from Jerusalem and being with them as they carried it into their homes and got it ready to pass on to others.

Jesus is the Light of the world. 

Holy Saturday is a reminder that we are called to pass Christ's light to others!

Easter Sun Rise Service

I attended the Sunrise service, referred to as the dawn service, at St Andrew's Scots Memorial Church.  Rev. Kristen Brown,  the Methodist Liaison,  is an ecumenical partner at this church.  She provided music and accompaniment on her flute.

The sun did not shine at dawn, but the church bells rang from many locations in Jerusalem. 

Easter Breakfast

St. Andrew's provided an excellent breakfast before the morning service.  There were colored eggs from Bethlehem.   Helen, who is blind, taught me a Palestinian tradition, finding out who has the strongest colored egg.

Easter Morning Worship

"Christ has Risen, He has truly Risen, Hallelujah! "

Meaning Filled Busy Days

Worship

I was able to worship at Baraka Presbyterian Church.   It is just a short walk from House of Hope where I am staying.   Families from this church have Michigan connections.  One blessing is that the service is translated into English. 

Methodist Office in Jerusalem and Beyond

As is true in most offices, there is more to do than time to do it in.  I am keeping an ever growing list of "want to dos."  

Even though two days a week I am involved with Rev. Kristen at the office, we did leave this week in time to enjoy a dinner party put on by the EAPPI.  It was my joy to meet the current and new Bethlehem group, and see many of the people I interacted with last year.

Walking the Via Dolorosa with Palestinian Christians.

Old Town, Jerusalem,  is busy this time of year with many events scheduled.  I participated in a liturgical journey walking with Palestinian Christians, some who have genological information back to Pentecost, in old town, Jerusalem.  As we walked the stations of the cross, prayers, hymns, Scripture, reflections and testimonies were given and read.  The contemporary stations reflect the issues of these Christian's current struggles.  

Filling a Need

Al Malath is a wonderful example of people working together to fill a need.  It is a center for young adults with special needs.  They provide physical, speech and occupational therapy.  There is prevocational training as well as many other activities for participants who come on a daily basis.  They work together in the kitchen, do handicrafts and gardening, for example.

The Second Annual Right to Movement Marathon 

What a thrill to be a part of this race, a statement about one of the human right issues caused by the occupation.  Over 2000 registered runners.  I helped out by being part of the crew for late registrations.  I had a unique view of the crowd at the start of the race.

Rev. Kristen, my coordinator, ran in the race.  The race passes the wall.  The nonviolent resistance statements are depicted in vivid colors on the wall. 

Because of the restrictions, the runners do not have a long enough space to run a complete marathon and must turn around.

I "worked" the finish line collecting the timing  chips and handing out the completion metals.

I think it would be fun if some of us started training for next year's Right to Movement Marathon. 

Enjoying and Encouraging Local Culture

In a very old building in Biet Sahour,  a small village close to Bethlehem, we attended the event put on by AICafe discribed in the announcement below.

Come to listen and enjoy Folk Alternative Oriental Palestinian Music with

Hanin & Friends

Hanin, Shafeeq, Fares and Usama are four young musician from Beit Sahour which in common they have the passion for the Palestinian- Algerian and Iraqi folk music. 

The enchanting voice of Hanin will be accompanied by Shafeeq on the 'Qanoon, Fares on the Nai and Usama on the Guitar.

It was an amazing performance!

Life continues in extraordinary ways as the stedfast Palestinians struggle for justice.

Let's answer the call to act for justice!

Called-for the Joy Set Before Us We Press On

Thanksgiving

A paraphrase of Isaiah 46:4

Even to our old age, You are the same,

Even when our hair is gray, You will carry us.

You have made us, and You will bear us;

You will sustain us, and You will deliver us.

The Methodist Office in Jerusalem

Part of my journey here is from this office.  The view from the office reminds us to pray for a just peace for Jerusalem.

Two Methodist facebook pages are a good way to stay current on issues.  On facebook search Methodist Liaison and ask to be a friend.  

Also, go to Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem and "like the page."

A Moving Experience

Rev. Kristen had such an experience on Tuesday changing apartments. 

 Her new apartment and its view are wonderful.

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

I am still on a uphill curve learning about Ecumenical Liberation Theology.   I do know that Sabeel is arabic for "the way."  This organization honors Jesus and sends out a weekly newsletter that includes a prayer.   Around the world on Thursday, at noon in each time zone, prayer for a nonviolent solution for Palestine and Israel is raised,  in Jesus' name, to our God of justice.  This past Thursday I had then privilege of celebrating communion and praying with Arab Christian at the Sabeel office.

 In Jerusalem. 

You can obtain more information at www.sabeel.org.

Reality Here 

I often hear the sound of gun shots; the violence of the occupation a constant reality.  The Applied  Research Institute Jerusalem, www.arij.org, is a source of information on daily current events.  The appointment I had for Friday afternoon had to be changed because of occupation issues.

House of Hope

House of Hope is not only the guesthouse where in am staying, but the ministry gives me opportunities to serve,  www.hohbethlehem.org.

God's family here have opened their hearts of love to me.

Also staying at the guest house for a couple weeks is a man they call Uncle John.  He and his wife have been coming here for over 20 years.
He now comes twice a year to  be with the residents and visit prior residents that he knew through the years.

Saturday I was invited to go along.  Uncle John, Sammy and the van driver loaded gifts of food to give to the families.

I wish that Violet and Ja'far, blind residents,   who went with us could have seen the beauty of this part of  their country as we traveled south to five villages. Violet, sitting next to me, has been a teacher at House of Hope and was a wonderful interpreter.

Ja'far was the song leader as we all sang praises to God as we traveled.


There were happy reunions as Uncle John, Ja'far and Violet got to "see" friends from their past.   

The mother and Uncle John reminisced about  visits
when these girls were babies,

B

The families showed hospitality serving mint tea and coffee.  Uncle John brings books, colored pencils and photos of family members taken during the previous visit. These gifts and photos were accepted with much thanks!  More photos were taken.

                                                                           Violet shared stories with the children.

What an added joy for me to be able to visit these families and friends of Uncle John and House of Hope. 

Praises and Prayers

I am praising God for all I am being allowed to see and do!  I am praying for you, the viewers of this blog, that God will continue to open our minds and heart to Truth.

Pray for a just peace in all places of conflict!

A Home Away From Home

Seattle or Jerusalem?

Rev. Kristen Brown, the Liaison from the Methodist Office in Jerusalem, picked me up from my hotel.  We had a wonderful lunch at a restaurant in East Jerusalem operated by Palestinian Christians.  This delightful coffee, reminding me of Seattle, was served after the meal.

House of Hope Guesthouse

Kristen drove me to the guesthouse.  I met the manager last year and we have kept in touch by email.  It is was good to see a familiar face.  She had already been able to bring in the first bouquet of roses from the garden.

The living room is welcoming.  

For me the bookcase is a taste of home.   I found in it, Face to Face Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth Volume II by Kenneth Boa.  Because of  suitcase weight I had to leave that book at home taking with me only Volume I Face to Face Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship.   

Psalms 37:3-4

"Trust in the Lord and do good;...Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  

So God had waiting for me here, the book I had sadly left behind.  

Praise God with me!

There is a full kitchen with breakfast food available.  I have a bedroom to myself even though there are two other beds in it.
Currently I am the only guest.

Sunday Worship

My first Sunday I worshiped in Jerusalem at St. Andrews's Church of Scotland.  Rev. Kristen Brown was part of the clergy team for the worship.  Regretfully I failed to bring my camera so a photo of the bulletin will need to give you an idea of this beautiful large church until I can return with my camera.

I assisted by handing  out the bulletins.  To my delight, I got to ring the church bells over Jerusalem.

Pray with me for the peace of Jerusalem, 

Peace with justice in Jesus' name.