On the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, a festive German-language music service was once again held, attracting numerous attendees. The sermon was based on the biblical passage from Isaiah 60, verses 2 and 3: "For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
The Rector emphasized that this prophetic word carries several layers of meaning: It was addressed to the people of Israel during the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile, it points to the birth of Jesus, and it also applies to Christians today, who await the second coming of Jesus. He stressed that this requires a personal willingness to rise up—leaving behind familiar things and drawing nearer to the Gospel.
Pastors Albrecht and Kusmierz supported the sermon with brief contributions, adding further spiritual insights.
As a music service, the event also offered a rich musical variety. It featured performances by the mixed choir, the men’s choir, as well as a duet and a solo. These musical contributions gave the First Sunday of Advent a solemn and contemplative atmosphere.
A total of around 100 people attended the service, including about 20 guests.
Here are the pictures.