Sunday, May 19
~ Madi Elsea

The morning began with worship at Christmas Lutheran Church in Old Bethlehem, a church started by Lutheran missionaries in the 1850’s and built in the 1890’s. It’s a vibrant congregation of 200 with visitors from around the world. The service was in Arabic with an English bulletin provided, so we could speak and sing with many parts of the liturgy.

The 130 year old organ had fallen into disrepair in the 1990’s and with thanks to an American Lutheran congregation had been totally rebuilt in Minneapolis and returned to Bethlehem in time for Bethlehem 2000 festivities. I felt the organ’s power, joy & symbolism….a beacon of hope in the midst of this scarred & oft-broken community. The final hymn was “All People on Earth do Dwell” and the last line reads “God’s truth at all times firmly stands, and shall from age to age endure.” Thanks be to God!

Sunday, May 19
~ Bev Henkel

Relationships are on my mind – whether in Church this morning or on a walk in the hills around Bethlehem this afternoon. In church, hearing Colossians 3:12-17, I was challenged to consider the life of the Christian community. How do I live with others? Do I forgive or not? Am I singing and praising, encouraging a community to live a life of thanksgiving? Am I such a person?

This afternoon we were able to walk the hills around Bethlehem for 3 miles with our Palestinian guide Usama. Were we on the green line? Or in area A B or C? Where I live in the US these do not exist, or do they? I am challenged to consider the walls I support in the US. Can I instead be committed to building bridges? What does that mean for me in my hometown?

May I see in new ways the world I live in and not be silent.

Saturday, May 18
~ Ellen Rasmussen

My heart has grown bigger because of the love and care shown to me by my overnight hosts. “Treat this as your home,” they said. And it was better than true. Through laughter, story, and hospitality, friendships were made, prayers were prayed, and peace, a just peace solidified its place in our hearts.

My hosts have been dealing with some health issues and their community showed much love and care coming in and out throughout the evening. Much coffee, tea, candy and dessert was shared throughout the night. As their family and friends came to wish them well, the “stranger” in their midst was included.

From the patio, to the living room, and to the garden, the seeds of new relationships were planted so be that be love may grow. In the morning as I prepared to leave, my hostess blessed me with a gift of a fresh picked lemon from their garden.