11th seniorate meeting to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation

11th seniorate meeting to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation

On Sunday, June 4th 2017, in Lubina the headquarter of Považský seniorate of the ECAC in Slovakia, was held 11th seniorate meeting within missionary event „Liberated by God´s Grace“, which is devoted to 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
The event was hosted by the congregation in Lubina and the local pastor is Eva Juriková, she also serve as a senior. The gathering and guests were welcomed by the senior in the beginning of the service. The solemn preacher was Bishop Wilma S. Kucharek of the Slovak Zion Synod – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop W. Kucharek preached on the text designated for this gathering, 1Corinthians 3:11: “For no other foundation can be laid other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Pastors of the conference, other clergy, lay people from conference congregations, as well as other distinguished guests were in attendance, including the bishop of the Western District - Milan Krivda, and the General Bishop Miloš Klátik.

In her sermon, Bishop Kucharek emphasized that Jesus Christ is the foundation on which the apostles and reformers built the Church. Jesus is the foundation of grace (sola gratia), the foundation of faith (sola fide) and, since Jesus is the Word made flesh. He is the foundation of scripture (sola scriptura).

Following the morning Eucharist and dinner, the conference gathering continued with an afternoon program, which began with an organ presentation of Bach’s Preludium G-dur. The welcome by the Inspector of the Seniorate was followed by various congregational choirs, hymns by those gathered, historical presentations, prayers and meditations. The program included an acknowledgment of honored guests at which Bishop Kucharek, the mayor of Stará Turá Anna Halinarová, and the mayor of Lubina Martin Benantinsky each received a commemorative medal struck by the General Bishop’s Office for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The citation given at the presentation of the medal to Bishop Kucharek was “for her cooperative endeavors and support of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia and the propagation of its good name abroad.”

Photos: Edita Škodová

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