This Advent season, these prophetic words come to mind:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
Lord, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”
(Zec 9:9).

The prophet Zechariah prompts his audience to rejoice in apparently difficult times. Some centuries later when Jesus entered Jerusalem as the fulfilment of these words, the times were not very happy either. Our present days are also far from ideal – COVID brings death closer to our doors and negatively affects our social life, mobility, and economy. However, whatever the crisis, the words of the prophet stay valid: not death but Christ is at the door, and that is the reason for rejoicing! With Him we can overcome our problems and worries and can help others to cope with theirs. Joy is much needed, and we ought to be its heralds for this world! Continue reading →

October is the month of the Reformation. Martin Luther’s emphasis on God’s grace and power of His word is still very valid because it offers the right base for our existence as Christians and the church as well. It means that every day we are called to rely on God’s grace and reflect on our deeds and thoughts from the perspective of the Holy Scriptures. Yes, every day we ought to drown our old Adam by the power of God so the new Christ-like creations can rise. This is the true living out of our baptism day by day as the father of the 16th Century Reformation proclaims.

The new school year 2021-2022 has started and we are back with our news. From day one, along with the psalmist, we lift up our eyes and ask God for help and protection (Psalm 121:1). The past has taught us that whatever crisis we face, God is ready to help. Our student pastors Natalia and Janka prayed for God’s care on behalf of all of us at the opening worship services. As in the past we could not fit all the students and parents in our church, so we held three services.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us in 13:7 to consider the outcome of one’s life. He speaks predominately of the church leaders and expects that suffering and death would not affect their good works and adherence to Christ. Although suffering and death was not nearly as close to us as to the persecuted Christians in the first century AD, the 2020/21 Covid pandemic negatively affected our lives, let alone education. However, our steadfastness to our mission has remained the same. Throughout this school year, we did our best to provide a first class academic and spiritual experience for all our students either online or in person. Therefore, thanks to God, the CCE’s outcome for this school year is positive.