Reformation: Collège Protestant of Beirut
On the occasion of the 500th Jubilee of the Reformation, an educational conference took place at the "Collège Protestant Français" on Oct. 19, 2017. Rev. Habib Badr with Rev. Pierre Lacoste (pastor of the French Protestant Church of Beirut) and Mr. Serge Tillmann (theologian) presented their historical and theological perspectives on the Protestant movement and its impacts on Europe, and later in the Middle East. Mr. Anis Nassif (President of the French Protestant Presence in Lebanon - PPFL) also presented a short history of the Collège Protestant in Lebanon.
Chorals of Martin Luther
On the occasion of celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and on Sunday Oct. 15, 2017, Klaus Schulten the organist from Germany performed on our church pipe organ several Chorals written and composed by Martin Luther:
Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O Lord - Psalm 130
(Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir)
Johann Sebastian Bach, Clavierübung (1739)
Our Father Who art in Heaven
(Vater unser im Himmelreich)
George Böhm (1661-1733)
Praeludium in G
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
KLICK HERE to see the program
THE BROCHURE
Mrs. Schulten also decided to restore an old organ from a church in Scotland and arranged to bring it to Johann Ludwig Schneller school in Bekaa, Lebanon. The dream of the Schneller founder, Hermann Schneller, and school director, Rev. George Haddad will become true.
Exploring the Love of God
Sunday school in our church started after the Summer break of 2017. More than 40 kids joined together in their newly renovated classes and spent a great time. They enjoyed their first day together with the magician and his tricks, games and puppet show. The theme was on "Exploring the Love of God".
From now on, every Sunday kids will have their own time of fun at the Sunday School at 10:30 AM.
KLICK HERE to see the brochure
Confirmation Service 2017
On Sunday the 1st of October 2017 our church held a Confirmation Service for nine confirmands who have accomplished their preparation sessions for confirmation. After long meetings of reflecting, exploring and learning about what it means to be member of Christ's Body, the Church congregation welcomed the nine youths to take part in the Communion. The message of the worship service was delivered by Rev. Nabil Mamarbashi based on the Gospel of John 14:15-21, "Keep My Commandments". Then Rev. Habib Badr with Rev. Mamarbashi laid their hands on the confirmands as a sign of reaffirmation for their baptism and the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that were given in Baptism.
The Way Forward
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) will host a conference in Amman, Jordan to commemorate the 500 years' anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Rev. Habib Badr and Dr. George Sabra from our church will participate in that conference between 26-28th of Sep. 2017. Many students from the Near East School of Theology (NEST) with former NEST students will participate too in the conference.
The title of the conference:
THE EVANGELICAL REFORMATION AND THE MIDDLE EAST: THE WAY FORWARD
And will address four points:
1. To celebrate the contributions of the evangelical movement in the Middle East.
2. To discuss the future of the evangelical churches in the Middle East.
3. To deepen the fellowship and cooperation between the members of the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches.
4. Give an evangelical voice to the Arab societies today with the regards the challenges faced today.
To know more about the lectures kindly SEE THE PROGRAM (ENGLISH - ARABIC)
