Saturday, May 28, 2016

Welcome to Herrnhut

Jesus Haus



Through the dual meaning of its translated name, “The Lord’s Watch” we are given a glimpse into the peoples deep faith that the Lord used as a catalyst for global impact.  The Lord’s watch speaks of the Lord’s protection and care as He watches over the community.  It also holds within the words,  a call to awaken to the love of God and join Him in keeping watch through a lifestyle of worship, prayer and mission. Jesus Haus and the town of Herrnhut itself hold the history of the Moravian revival in high regard and take hold of it as their heritage. We have been here only a short time but one cannot help sense a deep rooted peace.   It’s not just a feeling but rather a knowing that we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” It is actually very humbling.  More on the Revival

Moravian Church
The Moravian Church congregation is dated back to 1722 when the 
settlement of Herrnhut was founded on the estate of Count Zinzendorf.



We were warmly greeted by our friend Sue Williams. What a welcome!! Hugs, our luggage taken up two flights of stairs for us, a lovely room all prepared  – beds made, towels, candy  J and even a fresh basket of fruit.  Oh and we even got a KEY.

After we settled in, Sue took us to the town watch tower only about ten minutes away - She knows what makes us tick...Haha, she’s even arranged for us to be able to go up there anytime we want.




Once atop the watch tower and outside  one has a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Sue pointed out to us, the town of Herrnhut, Poland to the right in the distance, and to the left a small town called Berthledorf.  This is where Count Zinnendorf lived and where the Holy Spirit first fell upon the people as they were gathered together to worship. This town is about a 20 minute walk from Herrnhut...sounds like an adventure for another day.


Sue Williams overlooking the area on the WatchTower
           
Herrnhut

Berthledorf





Joy in the Journey

In preparation to send you this “Welcome” to Herrnhut we hopped in our little white car in search for a road sign that read, Herrnhut.  As we were taking pictures we noticed the sun was setting – thus the quest for our first sunset pictures in Germany began. On route, check out  the sign we came across.  So hilarious.





Back to the sunset ...we missed the actual setting but not the beauty of the after  glow.  


Watchword:  Isaiah 62:6 
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest,

This Scripture was used in the dedication of the first housing project here in Herrnhut. 

Matthew Henry says: 
God's professing people must be a praying people. He is not displeased with us for being earnest, as men commonly are; he bids us to cry after him, and give him no rest, Lu 11:5,6. It is a sign that God is coming to a people in mercy, when he pours out a spirit of prayer upon them!! May it be so again! 

Karen & Cathy

4 comments:

Cindy said...

What a lovely place, and er…what IS the meaning of FAHRT??


Jerry said...

It means, this from Maike, "good journey".

Jerry said...

It means, this from Maike, "good journey".

Ruth Psalmist said...

Thanks for this great report...brings back great memories from 2014