I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Son, His only Son, our Lord…” Yesterday, Lula and I attended the ordination of Rev. Sahar Sadlovsky, one of the first-ever Israeli Lutheran pastors to serve in Israel. I have written frequently about him in this space. Held on a crisp sunny day at the Immanuelkyrkan in Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden, it was a grand ordination service, with many red-stoled pastors present to lay hands on our latest brother in the ministry, in accordance with ancient tradition (Acts 6:6, etc.). An excellent choir, accompanied by a trumpet, piano, and even a cello, guided us musically. The liturgy and sermon were in English, but the congregation sang classic Lutheran hymns in Swedish, including “A Mighty Fortress.” The highlight was, of course, Sahar speaking his ordination vows, but also when he recited the Apostles’ Creed in his native language of Hebrew [see video]. This was fitting because Rev. Sadlovsky is tasked to share the Christian faith with the people of Israel—not in Swedish or English—but in Hebrew. The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient exposition of core Christian beliefs regarding the Holy Trinity, regularly recited by those around the world who hold to the historic Christian faith. This creed is also included in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, in which the Reformer gives the original teachings but also explains in a question-and-answer format the faith that Jesus Christ once entrusted to His disciples. It is wonderful to contemplate how, in the homeland of the ancient Israelites and worshippers of YHWH, Rev. Sahar will use the Apostles’ Creed to share the Old and New Testament with his fellow citizens, pointing them to the triune God and the Source of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life: Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless the ministry of Rev. Sahar, which began yesterday, on a crisp Saturday morning in Göteborg, Sweden!
The Tiews in Germany 