Traveling together with others in the church family has been an awesome experience. In two months we depart on our Reformation and Imperial Trail Tour. Here’s a look at the itinerary. Contact Wendy Busk if you’d like to go.
Day 1 & 2: Travel & Arrive Berlin
Arrive in Berlin where we enjoy a tour of this fascinating city including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and many other sights.
Day 3: Wittenberg, Leipzig
We embark on the Reformation Trail today with a visit to Wittenberg where Martin Luther lived and taught for 36 years. You will see the Castle Church door area where Luther posted his 95 Theses, giving birth to the Reformation. This beautiful church is also the burial site of Luther. We see the university where Luther taught and the Luther House which is the greatest museum of Reformation History in the world with a detailed history display of his life and accomplishments, historical documents and an outstanding collection of period paintings of his life and family members. This afternoon we travel to the beautiful city of Leipzig, Bach's city, with free time and a visit to St. Thomas Church where Bach was choir master and organist.
Day 4: Erfurt, Eisleben
This morning, we spend time in Erfurt, where Luther attended the university. A highlight will be the Augustinian Monastery where he spent his early years as a monk and the famed doors that he closed on his protesting friends after saying, "You can see me today, but never again." You will find it interesting and uplifting to hear how the studies here brought him to his understanding of Scripture. Leaving Erfurt, we visit Eisleben which is noted among the most significant in Luther's history; he was born here in 1483, died here in 1546. We will see the house of his birth and death, St. Andrews Church where he preached his last sermon, the Luther Monument, and St. Anne's Church with the famous biblical scenes hewn in stone.
Day 5: Dresden - Prague
This morning we depart southwest for the border of Germany and the Czech Republic. Before arriving at the border, we stop for free time in Dresden. One of Germany’s most beautiful cities, Dresden was virtually destroyed during the night of 13/14 February 1945, when Allied Forces mounted a vast carpet-bombing raid on the city. We have free time in the city center where meticulous restoration work is in progress to return the city centre to its former glory. Then travel south to Prague. After hotel check-in and dinner, enjoy an independent evening walking tour of this beautiful city which is even more impressive by night; all of the buildings are illuminated and appear to be out of a movie set. Walk across the St. Charles Bridge for a view of the city from a unique angle. It is not surprising to learn that Prague was the major filming site for the movie, "Amadeus."
Day 6: Prague
This morning we take a tour of Prague including the Old Town. Following dinner, we enjoy an river cruise displaying the famous sights along Prague’s riverfront. Day 7: Prague, Terezin Concentration Camp, Bratislava and BudapestWe depart Prague this morning and visit the Terezin memorial and concentration camp. This former garrison town was built at the end of the 18th century by Emperor Joseph II as an ingenious system of military fortresses. However, when the Nazis took control of the Czech Republic during World War II, they converted the whole area into a concentration camp and Jewish ghetto. We continue on to beautiful Bratislava for lunch and then travel to the capital of Hungary; Budapest also named ‘Paris of the East.’ Day 8: Budapest – ViennaSituated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest are linked by a series of graceful bridges. Our morning sightseeing tour includes a visit to Castle Hill area with outside views of the Royal Palace, then the Fisherman’s Bastion, a medieval castle whose walls were guarded by the guild of fishermen with a remarkable view of the Danube and colorful city. In the afternoon, we make our way west entering Austria, the musical capital of Vienna.
Day 9: Vienna
This morning, we visit one of Europe’s most renowned cathedrals, St Stephens. We then have a panoramic city tour viewing Vienna’s most famous historic sites including the Ringstrabe, with its magnificent buildings, the State Opera House, Parliament, etc. We then visit Hofburg Palace, residence of the Hapsburgs and home of the famous Spanish Riding School. The highlight of touring today will be a visit to Schöenbrunn Palace and the royal apartments.
· Tom and Shari Huey’s daughter, Kelly, is a member of Seven Rivers. Her husband, Michael Domino, has been deployed for the last year and only saw his youngest son at birth. Below are some pictures of this very special family reunion.
· Ash Wednesday worship — next Wednesday, February 22 at 6:30 pm.
· This weekend I’ll continue the One Story sermon series preaching on Romans 3:27-4:8. There will be soft pretzels after Saturday service and doughnuts in between the two Sunday services. A rare video appearance by the reclusive Bad Boys of Lecanto (Adam Jones, Brandon Lauranzon, Chad Robison, and one other pastor) may also be featured — though, if you miss it, I’m sure it’ll go viral. See you this weekend.
Ray
