'Christ is Still in the Rubble: A Liturgy of Sumud' featuring a Sermon by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac

This Advent, while global Christians prepare to commemorate the arrival of the Prince of Peace, our Palestinian kin in Gaza suffer unthinkable violence – again. Their cries for deliverance, echoing those of two millennia ago, seem to be falling unheard in the United States for the second year in a row.

To see their pain and hear their cries, US Christians must move beyond information to transformation…from webinar to worship.

On 20 December 2024, a number of organizations – Christ at the Checkpoint, Christmas Lutheran Church, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), Global Immersion, Red Letter Christians, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, Samud Initiative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) – joined forces in solidarity to simulcast a live worship gathering guided by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac and the team at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

Last year, Rev. Munther Isaac’s Christ in the Rubble Sermon became a phenomenon in Christian communities and the world thanks to the service’s prophetic message calling for justice in Palestine. This year, Christ is Still in the Rubble, and Rev. Dr. Isaac will again deliver an Advent message to the world – live from Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. The worship service is in Arabic with English captions and Rev. Dr. Isaac’s sermon was delivered in English.

[iriskitt]

Bless you all from California.
Praying for all those suffering from the genocide in Palestine.
Peace on Earth means peace for ALL God’s children.
Shame on all those who celebrate while turning a blind eye to GENOCIDE.
Thank you for your sermon Reverend. May the world hear your prayers and the prayers of all in Gaza

[relyks]

You are not alone. I amazed by your steadfast resilience. May the Lord protect the people of Palestine and bring an end to this genocide.

[NateRidderman]

Watched last year's service and it's hard to believe it's already been a full year. So much rubble and destruction. Lord help us

[mariemabed]

I wish I knew about this event earlier to attend online. And I know many more would have loved to attend this service. I was expecting Christmas would be like last year, not celebrated as the aggression against Palestinians has stepped up. Hopefully next time in Bethlehem and in peace in all Palestine.

[marcuseenation]

Sumud (Arabic: صمود, romanized: ṣumūd, meaning "steadfastness" or "steadfast perseverance". These are a people of Sumud

[gaetansorel]

What is the title of the hymn sung immediately after the confession of faith?