During their youth meet from May 23rd – 25th, the German youth group also visited a local care home for the elderly. Since it was a Sunday morning we had the idea to prepare a little informal worship as an alternative to the service they usually attend during that time.

Around 15 people, including the house-eldest, a 102 year old lady, participated – to their abilities, but wholeheartedly – in the program. The theme of the sermon was “Let the sun come in,” inviting the seniors to let shine the inner sun of love, compassion and happiness but also to be open to receive the rays of God’s love and blessings.

As the youngsters sang in one of the songs during the worship: “God’s love is like the sun, it is present everywhere and for all.” In an interactive round the participants were asked to send a ray of light, a wish or prayer for someone in need.

“May the inner light shine and heal all beings from within,” “May the sun also shine into this house” and “May God bless me and my wife, who have been married now for 60 years” were some of the prayers.

Closing with the famous “Canticle of Brother Sun” by Saint Francis the seniors applauded and some were even moved to tears, asking us to return very soon.