Have a special offering on Good Friday designated to help the ELCJ in its many ministries. And what a joy it is to know that we have sisters and brothers who share our faith in distant lands. But our family members in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and throughout Palestine ache and moan. The weight of more than 33 years of occupation is unbearable. Two generations have grown up knowing guns and hatred as part of daily living.
Sick people are unable to travel to see their doctors.
Mothers cannot visit their children in Jerusalem. Farmers must destroy their crops because they are unable to transport them. This is happening to your brothers and sisters in Palestine. But the mercy of God is great and is asking each one of us to do our share to alleviate the pain and suffering of our human family and our family of faith in Palestine. I. Closing prayer Dear God, gracious Lord, we have heard yet another story of your children who suffer in ways that we did not know about.