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Lovefeast begins National celebration for Moravians
By Lititz Record
Lititz Record Express
Published: Jun 27, 2008 2:14 PM EST
Lititz -
Moravians schedule their lovefeasts for the important celebrations of the
year. It's no surprise that they would usher in the Nation's
birthday with such a gathering. This year the Independence Lovefeast will
be Sunday, June 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the 235 year-old colonial Gemeinhaus.
Next-door is the Brothers' House that General Washington commandeered
as a hospital for Revolutionary soldiers.
"Moravians were
refugees in Europe and have always celebrated their freedom in
America!" says Pastor Dean Jurgen. "That's probably the
reason Lititz has one of the longest continuous 4th of July celebrations in
the Nation."
Pastor Mark Breland, says, "We welcome
visitors to the Independence Lovefeast. It's a wonderful opportunity to
celebrate our unity as a community. Everyone in Lititz is welcome to attend
this service that is such a part of our history and
tradition."
Jurgen added, "Moravians were the first people
to celebrate July 4th as a holiday to thank God for the freedom of our
Nation." That first celebration was held at the Moravian meetinghouse
in Salem, North Carolina, on July 4, 1783. Johann Friederick Peter, a
Moravian musician (who previously lived in Lititz), selected, assembled and
organized the music for the day-long celebration. Some of that music will
be heard at the Lititz service on Sunday.
The lovefeast has been a
cherished part of Moravian worship since 1727 when in Berthelsdorf,
Germany, in shared worship and meal, Moravians rediscovered a sense of
Christian unity and fellowship, which had been threatened by doctrinal
disputes. For Moravians the lovefeast is not a sacrament, but an act of
fellowship styled after the common meal partaken by the early Church as
described in the book of Acts.
Lititz Moravian is located at 8
Church Square, along the 200 block of East Main Street. Off-street parking
is available behind the church and at the Pierson playground off of South
Cedar Street. The sanctuary and adjoining facilities are handicap
accessible.
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