He, who sits on the throne, says: “Behold, I make all things new.“

Revelation 21,5

Dear friends of the Old Latin School with this great prospect from on high: Happy new year 2026 AD. 

Thank you for your support of the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (ILSW). Together with the International Lutheran Council the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) has done many good things in Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

Even as tourists seem to hibernate over the winter months, we have had some die-hards visit anyway. US soldiers ending their round in Europe and visiting Wittenberg before returning to the States. Australians studying in Munich and glad to find a worship partner of the Lutheran Mission Australia in these parts. It was good to have these visitors in our Sunday services. We look forward to having visitors like this stay over in our excellent accommodations. 

Regular Baptism classes after church focus on God´s Word and Luther´s teaching. The Epiphany season is a wonderful time to get to know more about our Lord Jesus Christ and his saving mission. It is just as the holy evangelist St. John writes:  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (1,14).

My wife Angelika continues teaching German to Ukrainians trying to find their feet in these parts. Whereas students pass exams and move on, new ones are continually moving in. They work hard at integrating themselves in local society. An example of this is, Mykola Baranovskiy, who has put up posters depicting orthodox Lutheran teachers in the Old Latin School. It is as if the place is alive with faithful faces in attendance throughout the house. Thank you very much President Matthew C. Harrison for this great cloud of witnesses. 

We are grateful for your prayers which uplift the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (ILSW)  where Christ´s love for this world continues to shine. His Word works faith where- and whenever it pleases Him.  He, is the one, who sits on the right hand of the Father. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He reigns for us and for our salvation + That fills us with peace, confidence and joy. 

Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) sings our Christian faith: “What joy to know, when life is past, the Lord we love is first and last, the end and the beginning! He will one day, oh, glorious grace, transport us to that happy place beyond all years and sinning! Amen! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Crown of gladness! We are yearning for the day of Your returning!“

Read more here.

German services on Sundays:  Beichte und Absolution: 8:30 Heiliger Gottesdienst: 9:00 Taufunterricht: 10:00 Ukrainian (Byzantine rite): 11:00  “God´s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever; to spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure throughout all generations.” (Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1924)

Thank You for good books! You can discover more in the Old Latin School and in the “Reformations-geschichtliche Forschungsbibliothek” with Dr. Caecilia-Désirée Hein. Remember: God´s Word and Luther´s teaching remain forever. (Verbum Dei manet in aeternum)

The ILSW´s mission is to help people grow in their knowledge of and appreciation for God´s blessings through the Reformation of the 16th century. Our goal is to be a presence in the Lutherstadt Wittenberg that attracts students and visitors, promotes our confessional-Lutheran theology and open doors to witness and mercy work in the Wittenberg community and surrounding area.

Thank You for your support in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. 

Please make a one-time gift or recurring donation to promote the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (ILSW). 

• Online to https://ilc-online.org/donate/   Select: Wittenberg Outreach. 
• Donations by cheque to International Lutheran Council: P.O. Box 10149 Fort Wayne, Indiana 46850 USA. Memo line: Wittenberg Outreach
• You may also use PayPal, ChargeStripe or EFT. The link to the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (ILSW) using IBAN DE05 8607 0024 0822 2135 00 & BIC (SWIFT) DEUTDEDBLEG.

Please do not send cheques to Germany as banks here do not accept those from the United States of America.