Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

Welcoming, Caring, Nurturing

Reflections on Our

Relationship with LCR

Uwe Masberg, Zarrentin

(Thanks to Paul McDonald for translating from German)

“Each year we take a weekend to acknowledge and celebrate Christ in the larger Church through our relationship with the Mecklenburg Synod in Germany.”

So began the introduction to our shared worship service on the 9th of September, 2007 in Cincinnati. This was our second time in worship during the visit. At our first worship service we were each personally warmly introduced by Henry Zorn. But, today’s worship was a little more special. Pastor reviewed financial balance information for the past year, and partner relationships with Tanzania, Kazakhstan, and especially Zarrentin.

Together in 2004 was our motto we recalled today, only the date of year has changed since beginning.

The church was full with almost every place taken. We sat with our partner families within the midst of the congregation. Matt Meyer began with introductory remarks, with Christoph Rheinschmitt reading the first lesson from the Bible; in English. With prayer and intercession the worship service was underway. The entire service was printed so all can follow along each Sunday. I held the service program in my hands. The program followed the worship service as can be found in the hymnal. “Praise to the Lord the Almighty,” (Lobe den Herren) followed as the first hymn.

The first stanza was sung in English, with the following stanzas sung in German. Stirring!  Everyone was singing in German. An unbelievable tingle and feeling of community filled me! We prayed in unison, “Lord open our hearts and minds, and let us trust the power of prayer”.

After the Gospel readings Pastor Meister spoke a message in English concerning our common beliefs. He ended the message with a song.

The message of Pastor Zorn followed covering the topic of “Denglish…and other universal languages.” It described the aggregation of two congregations, differing cultures, but a common belief and ability to understand as if everything is exactly the same. He presented several questions concerning the people of Zarrentin, “Why should we want to know them?” “What could we possibly have in common with them?” How can we ‘Americanize’ them?” The congregation laughed, but there is a little problem, as the relationship is expiring and needs to be renewed.

Pastor followed his questioning with a statement, “Those are the wrong questions to ask!” The contract is more than this: They know Jesus, what can we learn from them? We know Jesus, what can they learn from us? Denglish is our universal language, but we have also discovered through our relationship with the people from Zarrentin that an unspoken language helps us communicate. In Christ we can understand each other, without a spoken word.

With the hymn of the day, the Apostles Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer the service continued. We were then invited to celebrate Holy Communion, and then we sang German hymns while communion continued. The worship service was ended with a closing blessing.

I have many experiences and impressions, which I am happy to recount over the past year. The formation of the new contract, the visit with the Amish, the evenings with the host families…or, or, or… Until the next time…

  Respectfully yours,

  Uwe Masberg

1950 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, OH  45255

513-474-4938

www.lcresurrection.org