It wonderful to worship with my home congregation here in Nitra, Slovakia. I say home congregation because I really feel like I have come home! Each time I come to Nitra I am treated with the same love, care and generosity I feel at home. The community at Holy Spirit means so much to me and I thank God for all the opportunities he has given me to come and visit my friends.
[This post is part of the Ministry Slovakia blog series, make sure to check out our entire adventure!]
Pastor Mark was the preacher this morning at Holy Spirit. He used Miriam as his translator and she did an excellent job!
I am generally not one for traditional worship but there is something about being in a different culture that makes me enjoy it a little more. Except for the parts of the service that were translated to English, I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know what the songs were and I wasn’t sure when I was supposed to stand up or sit down. But it didn’t matter. We were all there for one reason, to praise God and be in community with each other. It doesn’t matter what the words to the songs are because I already know them and God already knows them. I was amongst brothers and sisters in Christ.
During the service there was also an opportunity for Don Swanson, Mayor George Pradel and Gene Ryan to get up and say a few words. It was great to hear from so many different people that our partnership here in Slovakia is still alive and well.
I took some images of the inside of the church as well so you can all see what it looks like.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM WORSHIP!
I want to draw special attention to this cross. It was brought here over a decade ago, when the church was built, by Bill and Samantha Schnittker. Bill made this cross and modeled it after the processional cross at Our Saviour’s in Naperville. You can see the pieces of wood that come out of the main beams. They match the pieces of metal that are on the processional cross at Our Saviour’s. This is just one of many examples of the friendships between our two church communities. We at Our Saviour’s are really very much a part of the community here at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.
Every time I come and worship at Holy Spirit my love for this country and it’s people is renewed. I know I speak for the rest of the crew in that way as well. We are truly among friends here at Holy Spirit.
What is a place outside of your home where you are always loved and accepted for who you are?
