This small brass bell was a gift, a souvenir from the St. Paul Lutheran Congregation and Martin Luther School in Plzen, Czechia (Czech Republic). The congregation and school with its student body of 300+ share a renovated space which years before housed a public school. The building survived World War II, and today it features a chapel, eight classrooms and four apartments. Rev. Martin Vrsecky serves the congregation and manages the school, which is highly regarded in the Plzen community as it features English-language education in addition to Lutheran theology.
Of course school bells ring out around the world at this time of year, but this is one school bell which uniquely resonates with a true spiritual significance. Inscribed on its surface are messages we would wish all students to learn: “Christ yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13) and “your Word is true.” (John 17) We thank God for every Lutheran Elementary School, Sunday School, high school, college and seminary, and every educational program where Christ is proclaimed.
(The ELS relationship with The Czech Evangelical Lutheran Church is conducted by the Europe Committee of the Board for World Outreach.)
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