This Saturday, Dec. 17, you are invited to join with worshippers in Bethlehem, Washington and around the world for the fifth annual joint simulcast Christmas service.
Prayers, readings, and hymns will alternate between Washington and Palestine via the Internet, drawing together people of different lands, languages and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace.
To widen the congregation, the service is also webcast live from the homepage of the National Cathedral starting at 10 a.m. EST.
Participants in Washington include the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington; the Rt. Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod; the Rev, Canon Jan Naylor Cope, vicar of the Cathedral; and the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson.
In Bethlehem, participants include the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem; the Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; and the Rev Dr. Mitri Raheb from Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.
For those unable to participate live, the service will also be available for streaming throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Wondering what it’s like? Explore the webcast and photos from last year’s service!
We hope to worship with you on Saturday.
Doug Dicks is the PC(USA)’s regional liaison for Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. He lives in Amman, Jordan.