Saturday, July 26, 2008
Church offers chance for religious tour of Germany
Pastor leads followers on fifth trip to acclaimed Passion Play
A local minister and his wife are leading an 11-day tour of Germany that promises to be both educational and unforgettable.
The Rev. Michael Lutz and his wife, Elizabeth, of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb Township are planning the "Steps of Martin Luther" tour for September 2010. The tour will include visits to Berlin, Dresden, Munich, sites important to the Protestant Reformation and the world acclaimed Passion Play in Oberammergau. This is the Lutz's 16th group tour and fifth trip to the play.
"People from all over the world come to see this play, it really is amazing," Lutz said.
It is so amazing that the trip must be planned years in advance due to limited tickets.
"Tickets usually sell out a year before the date of the play," he said.
Staged every 10 years, from May through October, the Passion Play of Oberammergau is the longest running musical drama in history.
The play originated in 1634 during a plague that was running rampant through the village. The citizens of Oberammergau wanted to celebrate being spared of the sickness by telling the story of Christ, so they created the 5-hour musical drama.
"Initially, I thought it was going to be very drawn out. I was pleasantly surprised at how I was captivated the entire time," Lutz said.
Lutz is not the only one who was amazed by the production.
Emma Malget, a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran, attended one of the last tours and is still gushing over the experience.
"The play is absolutely wonderful because it is rich with tradition and history. The story of Christ is told beautifully," she said.
Lutz also emphasizes that anyone can benefit from this trip.
"Even if you are not a historian or a Luther enthusiast, you will no doubt enjoy the magnificent scenery of the German countryside," he said.
The setting of the play is in the picturesque village of Oberammergau, nestled in a valley amidst the Bavarian Alps. The performance is on an open-air stage with a covered auditorium that seats 5,000. The backdrop is a beautiful scene of towering Alpine mountains.
The cost of the tour is $3,869 per person, based on double occupancy. The cost includes round -trip transatlantic airfare, first-class hotel accommodations, most meals, an experienced English speaking escort, sightseeing of all major points listed in the itinerary and first-class seat tickets to the Passion Play.
Lutz is hosting an information session about the trip at 2 p.m. July 20 in the lower level of Immanuel's Worship Center at 21 Mile and Romeo Plank roads. During this, Lutz will share photos and DVD footage of previous trips to give potential travelers a true feeling for what they may experience.
For details, call Lutz at (586) 286-4231.
A local minister and his wife are leading an 11-day tour of Germany that promises to be both educational and unforgettable.
The Rev. Michael Lutz and his wife, Elizabeth, of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb Township are planning the "Steps of Martin Luther" tour for September 2010. The tour will include visits to Berlin, Dresden, Munich, sites important to the Protestant Reformation and the world acclaimed Passion Play in Oberammergau. This is the Lutz's 16th group tour and fifth trip to the play.
"People from all over the world come to see this play, it really is amazing," Lutz said.
It is so amazing that the trip must be planned years in advance due to limited tickets.
"Tickets usually sell out a year before the date of the play," he said.
Staged every 10 years, from May through October, the Passion Play of Oberammergau is the longest running musical drama in history.
The play originated in 1634 during a plague that was running rampant through the village. The citizens of Oberammergau wanted to celebrate being spared of the sickness by telling the story of Christ, so they created the 5-hour musical drama.
"Initially, I thought it was going to be very drawn out. I was pleasantly surprised at how I was captivated the entire time," Lutz said.
Lutz is not the only one who was amazed by the production.
Emma Malget, a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran, attended one of the last tours and is still gushing over the experience.
"The play is absolutely wonderful because it is rich with tradition and history. The story of Christ is told beautifully," she said.
Lutz also emphasizes that anyone can benefit from this trip.
"Even if you are not a historian or a Luther enthusiast, you will no doubt enjoy the magnificent scenery of the German countryside," he said.
The setting of the play is in the picturesque village of Oberammergau, nestled in a valley amidst the Bavarian Alps. The performance is on an open-air stage with a covered auditorium that seats 5,000. The backdrop is a beautiful scene of towering Alpine mountains.
The cost of the tour is $3,869 per person, based on double occupancy. The cost includes round -trip transatlantic airfare, first-class hotel accommodations, most meals, an experienced English speaking escort, sightseeing of all major points listed in the itinerary and first-class seat tickets to the Passion Play.
Lutz is hosting an information session about the trip at 2 p.m. July 20 in the lower level of Immanuel's Worship Center at 21 Mile and Romeo Plank roads. During this, Lutz will share photos and DVD footage of previous trips to give potential travelers a true feeling for what they may experience.
For details, call Lutz at (586) 286-4231.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Interest meeting planned for trip
SALISBURY -- Peninsula Regional Medical Center's 55-plus membership program, Peninsula Partners, and Collette Vacations, is sponsoring a 10-day tour of the "Imperial Cities" featuring Prague, Vienna, Budapest and the Oberammergau Passion Play. The tour departs in September 2010, and will be a part of the Peninsula Partners 10th anniversary celebration. The tour includes round-trip air from Baltimore-Washington International Airport, cancellation waiver, insurance, hotel transfers and taxes and 15 meals for $5,469 per person, twin occupancy.
Tour highlights will include admission to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.
A travel preview will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Avery W. Hall Educational Center on the campus of Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Those planning to attend the meeting should call 410-543-7170 for reservations.
Tour highlights will include admission to the Oberammergau Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.
A travel preview will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Avery W. Hall Educational Center on the campus of Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Those planning to attend the meeting should call 410-543-7170 for reservations.
