Invitation to Our Parter Church in Mission

First Classical Music Concert at Kaunas UMC

Kaunas UMC organized classical music concert for all those who cannot afford to attend any of such concerts in Kaunas City, because either for a lack of time or too expensive, therefore Kaunas UMC made it available. All artist and singers where performing as Christian charity service. On 13 of November after the Sunday Service three performers and two singers from village choir share their time and gifts of singing, and play with instruments as organ and flute. These where performerce of classical concert: Darius Kudirka played with organs J.S. Bach 'Symphony No. 13’, J.S. Bach ‘Fuga’, J.S. Bach ‘Prelude No. 13’ and his own written music and words of the song ‘Prayer’.

Agniete Gaubaite played with flute Vivaldi ‘Winter’ and ‘Two Guitarist’. Regina Juskiene is soprano voice has performed songs from Schubert and other hymns from our church hymnal. Maryte and Janina who are members of village choir sung two hymns. Classical music concert was ended with the song which was sung by whole church and guests.

We Pray in a New Way

In the beginning of October our congregation has gathered with intentional prayers. Instead of traditional prayer way we thought about to pray in a manner different from usual Sunday form. This prayer consisted of 9 intentions which where expressed through the symbol of candle. Those 9 prayer intentions where candle of Faith, candle of Wisdom, candle of God’s Love, candle of Comfort, candle of Hope, candle of Holy Spirit, candle of Peace and the candle of Blessings. People could express their intentional prayer through three actions:

1. When the faithful ones heard the name of candle, then everyone who wished to pray for that particular intention has responded to calling of altar as we Methodist call it as well as the response to the Scripture.

2. This is the moment where five Bible verses were red concerning the prayer theme.

3. Third action is a prayer with the cross in a hand. This is the moment when we prayed together keeping in hands a little cross. A little cross is used different every year. Thus, it was only a second time when we have prayed in such way. Last year we have prayed keeping in hands a little cross from the community of the poor in Salvador and this year locally made cross from plaster by one of the Christian ministers who find his gift in the Christian Arts.   

Parish Fiesta 2011

The title of this article translates from Lithuanian language in to the English as ‘Parish Fiesta 2011’. With this parish celebration Kaunas UMC have closed the summer season and was a time for the fiesta of the parish. The event consisted of three parts: first part is non-traditional Worship Service, second part, visual presentation from the life of the church of the entire year. At this point the participants could see in detail as possible the presentation of Kaunas UMC ministries and mission where could find themselves to be serving or to be served in the need. Here we have also included the words of appreciation to volunteers of different ministries who offered their time and resources, and the third part was congregational table.

That congregational table of a meal was organized by the church members and the food brought by every of them little by little, thus is one steps at time towards self-sufficiency. Here are some pictures you can se below. 

Parich Fiesta Worship Service

Joys from ‘Oratio Hora’ Event

Kaunas UMC on July 9 was in the spirit of creativity. ‘Oration Hora’, means prayer hours and that is not necessary in the church building. Congregation spent a day in prayer and Bible reading with sharing the Good News outside the church walls. This event was organized not in the church, but in the nature next to the Nemunas River and not in the Kaunas area, but as far as 21 kilometres from Kaunas UMC. This event was an open opportunity to everyone share own story and give a testimony. This ministry was organized with purpose to help the congregation to know each other and also invite friends and non-confessing church families’ members in non-formal setting.

   Moments from the Event

Pentecost and the Sacrament of Baptism

Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit called us all to gather to worship and glorify our God, and celebrate in the Pentecost Spirit. Pentecost worship service was a momentous in the life of the congregation, in the life of candidate of baptism and in the life of our guests. This Pentecost Worship Service has marked with the prayers and the Sacrament of Baptism. During the Sacrament of the Baptism was a great opportunity to the gathering congregation to remember it is own vows of Baptismal Covenant. Pentecost celebration is the celebration of hope and inspiration in the life of every professing member as we sing in the song, ‘As we gather may Your Spirit work within us‘ (by Tommy Coomes, 1981).

A second momentous is our guests from Germany, retired pastor Friedhelm Kober and his wife Christa (see below in the pictures as Kober delivers the greetings).

Retired pastor Friedhelm Kober (on the left) is native German and one of those pastors back to the beginning of the re-establishment of Lithuania UMC, who participated in the renewal of the UM Church in Lithuania after the Soviet occupation. After the inspirational sharing of joys our holy gathering takes the picture.

      

Presentation of Easter 2011

Easter 2011 Slideshow

In Partnership Together 2011

On May 6 to 7, 2011 in Virginia State in the Centerville United Methodist Church was held initiative conference ‘Friends of Lithuania Consultation’. The main theme of the consultation is strengthening partnership with more communicating the news from the church life and having communication as often as possible. We are very happy to meet  Bill and Jane Clarke and Rev. Alvin J. Horton from First UMC, Charlottesville which is our partner church, and our friends Kestutis and Cathy Bogaciunai, and Gintaras Dragunas.    

      

In the picture the Rev. Alvin J. Horton, Bill and Jane Clark’s, Kristina and Remigijus

In the picture Kestutis and Cathy Bagociunai, Kristina and Remigijus