Worship at Bethanie
When we first got to Switzerland we were young, energetic, and full of good ideas. (Now we are less young, still energetic, yet looking for new ideas!)
Wife went to the nearby retirement home (Bethanie) and asked if she could adopt some residents. Just visits and such, but the organization was very suspicious. After a bit, they suggested two ladies to visit, and that lasted a couple of years.
In the early 90’s, two or three of us would go up there after Sunday worship and visit with 3 residents without any family.
3 years ago, we met an old couple from the neighborhood who started coming to church. They were good friends of the director of Bethanie, and that opened the doors to concerts and visits to the institution by university students.
Bethanie hosts a short worship period on Friday afternoons. About 40 show up, including our neighbor friend who is now a Bethanie resident. We now organize one of the worships each month.
What impressed the residents was not the exhortation (which was marvelous) or the new songs they learned (they were great), but the fact that Sons 1 and 2 were present. They loved singing, praying and shaking hands with young Christians.
And they’re looking forward to us coming back this afternoon.
Wife went to the nearby retirement home (Bethanie) and asked if she could adopt some residents. Just visits and such, but the organization was very suspicious. After a bit, they suggested two ladies to visit, and that lasted a couple of years.
In the early 90’s, two or three of us would go up there after Sunday worship and visit with 3 residents without any family.
3 years ago, we met an old couple from the neighborhood who started coming to church. They were good friends of the director of Bethanie, and that opened the doors to concerts and visits to the institution by university students.
Bethanie hosts a short worship period on Friday afternoons. About 40 show up, including our neighbor friend who is now a Bethanie resident. We now organize one of the worships each month.
What impressed the residents was not the exhortation (which was marvelous) or the new songs they learned (they were great), but the fact that Sons 1 and 2 were present. They loved singing, praying and shaking hands with young Christians.
And they’re looking forward to us coming back this afternoon.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I have no doubt that the “exhortation” was and is good but you hit on a key but very simple point. The Kingdom can be advanced if we just get out there and be there with people.
Thanks for the thoughts and enjoy yourself this afternoon.