Easter in Bethlehem

This is an email from Rev. Titri Raheb of The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Please include these friends in your easter prayers and consider printing Mitri's letter in your bulletin this week.

We must not forget the brave peace-makers who walk through hell every day to bring the news of resurrection.

Thanks.

Rich

Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 8:12:06 AM
Subject: Easter Message from Bethlehem

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Salaam from Bethlehem during this Passion Week.

In our country, there is seldom a week that passes without losing many Palestinian and Israeli lives. Everywhere you look, you see signs of death controlling our lives. Funerals of young Palestinian people have become an everyday experience. Pictures of assassinated political leaders, posters of suicide bombers and websites with names and pictures of victims of violence are spreading like mushrooms. Liturgies of death are filling the air of the Holy Land.

Many Israelis are claiming a monopoly over suffering. And many Palestinians are feeling comfortable in the role of victims. The cries of women over lost loved ones are heard in so many villages and towns. And yet in this very context, the message “He is not here” must be heard loud and clear in this country.

Nowhere else the proclamation of resurrection has so much meaning than in this place. Our ministry here is to witness in word and deed the power of the resurrection in a context still dominated by powers of death, violence, occupation, hopelessness and helplessness. This witness is transforming people to find life before death, a life worth living here and now. This ministry is echoed daily by beneficiaries responding through empowered lives: “He is risen indeed”.

Thank you for being part of this ministry. We wish you a blessed Easter.

For the latest stories, news and updates please visit:

www.annadwa.org

www.bethlehemmedia.net

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

General Director -

The International Center of Bethlehem

Dar al-Kalima Academy

Senior Pastor -

The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church

Comments

[Faith]

Your BUDDY Mr. Matthy is going to be gone from our church soon "Thank God", You can have him back thank you very much.

Tell him to start his own faith, He's full of crap and we see him for who he really is "Satans Helper"

Its all about him, and only him. This is no Pastor!

And He is no Lutheran :)