Beit Yeshua
2009
January to March
A
New
Name
Beit Yeshua
Meeting
Location
Changes
PURIM
Vision
For
Israel
Conference
Charlotte, NC
Catawba
County
Home
School
Co-Op
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
Isaiah 62
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:
ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
A New Year Begins
2009 is definitely going to be a year for choosing where you stand on a number of spiritual and political issues - Israel is one of those issues. This is what Yahweh says about Israel ... Genesis 12
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred,
and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great;
and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Zechariah 2:8
... for he that toucheth you (Israel), toucheth the apple of His eye.There is no middle or neutral ground concerning Israel. If you're not blessing, praying for, loving, and standing with Israel - you're standing against her.
At 7:00 AM on January 1st, in 19 degree weather, Chuck, Doug & Paul took their shofarot and headed for the main square in downtown Lincolnton to declare God's authority over the city of Lincolnton.
(Below) In front on the Lincoln County, NC, Courthouse, they blow their shofarim
After marching around the square in downtown Lincolnton, they got in Paul's van and headed over to Covenant Bible Church. Covenant is a wonderful church with a people who have a desire for loving and serving the Lord, but even there the shofarot speak to the spirit world saying "God will have His way in this place."
(Below) Blowing their shofarot at Covenant
We've been meeting as a Jewish Roots group for 7 years. Our first meeting was in August 2001 in our home in Catawba. Over the years the group has grown and changed. For the past few years we've been referred to us as the Lincolnton Jewish Roots Group and the Shabbat Group. Toward the end of 2008 we decided it was time to pick a name. Several names were suggested and Beit Yeshua was the one that was eventually selected. What does Beit Yeshua mean? Yeshua was the Hebrew name that was given to Jesus at His birth. Beit Yeshua literally means, "House of Salvation". For 2009 we'll be proclaiming the love of Yeshua to all who will listen, while teaching others how important it is to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
Beit Yeshua Lincoln/Catawba Jewish Roots Group at Covenant
All Festival meetings during 2009 will be celebrated in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton. Our weekly Erev Shabbat meetings will meet in the homes of either Doug & Lynda or Chuck & Janice during 2009. To see the meeting schedule and location, CLICK HERE.
(Below) Shabbat Candles are lit at Chuck & Janice's home
(Below) Doug shares about the many miracles during the recent Gaza War
and leads the group in a time of prayer for Israel
We discussed the recent Israeli War with Hamas in Gaza: "The IDF soldiers seem to have a huge spiritual hunger and are unified in not only asking for prayer but also praying themselves, wearing tzitzits (prayer tassels) into battle and carrying the book of Psalms with them. Tent synagogues on the battlefield have no less than 10 sessions every morning, and it is reported that soldiers who’ve never attended synagogue are now praying with tefillin. There are reports daily of amazing miracles of protection and Divine direction during the battle."
PURIM - The Feast of Esther
Thanks to Duke Peeler and Paul Miles for the great Purim photos
We gathered on Friday, March 6th, to celebrate the Biblical Feast of Purim - also called the Feast of Esther. The shpiel (Yiddish for "play") for this year was entitled PURIM WARS and was a science-fiction parody based on the book of Esther, but with a STAR WARS theme.
(Below) Groggers for making noise to drown out Haman's name,
STAR WARS masks, crowns & even ring pops for the kids
(Below) Guests begin to arrive, some in costume
(Below) Shofarot are sounded to start the meeting
(Below) Festival candles are lit and blessings are said over the bread & wine
(Below) Doug leads the group in an opening prayer
and Curtis talked to them about the festival
(Below) There was a time of Praise & Worship - including Israeli Folk Dance
And the Play ...
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away ...
It’s sometimes called the Feast of Lots … often called the Feast of Esther … but is usually called the Feast of Purim. Esther 9:28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province, and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.
Curtis & Carolyn directed and Narrated the "spontaneous" play. Lines weren't memorized, but were read spontaneously when they were called up to play a part. Most of the cast hadn't even seen the play before hand. Myrl (Below Right) created her own "Princess Leia/Esther" costume complete with "ear-muff" styled hair. Curtis helps Joe with his Star Trek Costume. Months before the play, Curtis spent time looking for costume ideas and masks on Ebay.
(Below Right) Curtis helps Joe with his Star Trek Costume.
Joe was King James T. Kirk'shuerus (Ahashuerus) and Myrl was Lei-Esther (Esther).
King James T. Kirk'shuerus sits on his throne with his scepter
(Below) Curtis gets a little help from Janice in order to get Queen Vashti's ears on.
Susan was a "good sport" about all she had to endure.
(Below) Andy did a wonderful job as Morde'Chai Kenobi
(Below) Brad had the "not so desirable" role of Darth-Haman
(Below) Melba's character, Zeresh, had Ferengi ears and fuzzy antenna
(Below) 13-year-old Sam was asked to play the part of Yoda. He was given a copy of the script before the play and asked to work on Yoda's vocal expression. Sam did a WONDERFUL job. All those years of community theater experience showed off his tremendous talent.
(Below) Jeremy takes the role of the noble C3PO - the King's faithful assistant
(Below) King James T. Kirk'shuerus sends for Queen Vashti to come to a party he had given ...
(Below) ... but Vashti refused to come when C3PO tells her of the King's request
(Below) C3PO, King Kirk'Shuerus & Yoda follow Curtis' lead in a little dance to accompany the song "Breaking Up's Not Hard to Do"
(Below) The kids join in for the dancing opportunity, too
(Below) C3PO carries the King's decree to "Send Beautiful Girls",
then goes to MordeChai's home to take Lei-Esther with him to the Palace
(Below) King Kirk'Shuerus places the crown on Lei-Esther's head
(Below) King Kirk'Shuerus elevates Darth-Haman above all the other nobles and princes
(Below) Darth-Vader is furious when Morde'Chai refuses to bow before him
(Below) When Queen Lei-Esther hears about Darth-Haman's plan to "Kill the Jews",
she goes to Morde'Chai for advise
(Below) Lei-Esther goes to King Kirk'Shuerus.
She asks him & Haman to a party in their honor the next day.
(Below) The next day, Lei-Esther invites them to another party the following day
(Below) So Darth-Haman robes Morde'Chai and leads him thorough the city on horseback
(Below) Curtis offers a little help - but that's one stubborn horse!
(Below) "It's that evil man there, Darth Haman!"
(Below) Darth-Haman falls on his knees pleading for his life
(Below) So they hanged the evil Darth-Haman on the gallows he had built for Morde'Chai
Esther pleads with the King ...
... and he comes up with an idea
(Below) There's some "good advise"!
The entire PURIM WARS Cast
Andy, Myrl, Joe, Susan, Sam, Brad, Melba Jeremy
The Purim Celebration concluded with a time of prayer for Israel
as well as Oneg/Food & Fellowship(Below) A special thanks to the "Set-Up" and "Clean-Up" Crews
Vision For Israel
& The Joseph Storehouse Conference
The third annual VISION FOR ISRAEL Conference was held March 13 - 14, 2009 at Heritage International Ministries in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Barry & Batya Segal, founders of the Humanitarian Aid Organization based in Jerusalem, were in town for an evening to Praise, Worship and Teaching. Speakers for the Conference included Barry Segal, Dr. Michael Brown and Scott Volk. Barry gave an update on the ministry and recent war in Gaza. It was a WONDERFUL weekend.
The Vision For Israel Conference never disappoints! It was awesome this year and truly gave us a view into the heart of God concerning Israel. It also allowed us the opportunity to make new friends and visit with old ones. Each year the feeling of family and connection to Vision For Israel becomes stronger.
Beit Yeshua had 17 in attendance at the Conference.
FRIDAY EVENING
The Friday evening part of the Conference also included a banquet meal.
(Below, Left to Right)
Susan, Paul, Barry & Batya Segal, Chuck, Janice, Lynda, Doug,
Beverly, Carolyn, Melba, Barry, Myrl, Andy and Jane
(Not pictured, Jeremy, Jeanne, Marcia and Curtis)
Indira Persad (Center), from the Charlotte Offices of Vision For Israel,
visits with (Left to Right) Lynda, Janice, Doug, Chuck & Carolyn
(Below Left) Jane & Andy
(Below Right) Beverly, Myrl and Carolyn
The evening begins as Batya lights Shabbat Candles and Barry says blessings over the bread & wine
(Below) We were thankful for the opportunity to worship with dance
The Friday evening session of the Conference ended about 10:30. Several of us went upstairs to the 3rd floor lounge of the Heritage International Hotel and fellowshipped till Midnight.
(Below) Fellowshipping from 10:30 to Midnight
SATURDAY MORNING
(Below) Saturday morning began with Praise & Worship - We were quick to be up dancing
(Below) Scott Volk was the first speaker Saturday Morning
Scott was an exciting and interesting speaker giving a timely word from the Lord
To learn more about Scott's ministry, go to http://www.fire-church.org
(Below) Barry gives an update of VISION FOR ISRAEL and THE JOSEPH STOREHOUSE in Jerusalem as well as the recent war with Gaza
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Steve Martin, Director of the Vision For Israel Charlotte Office, gave an update concerning Israeli rules and restrictions regarding importing clothing and medical supplies into Israel. We also had the opportunity the see two of the most recent episodes of "Roots & Reflections" and "The M-Factor".
(Below) Steve Martin
(Below) After dinner we gathered for some additional fellowship before the evening session
Main Street of the former PTL Complex has been nicely re-furbished
SATURDAY EVENING
(Below) The Saturday evening session began with a wonderful time of Praise & Worship
Dancing Saturday evening
Resurrection Dance Ministry was at the Conference to minister Saturday evening. http://www.resurrectiondance.com
(Below) The Resurrection Dancers join with the "older" dancers
for a wonderful time of Praise & Worship before the Lord
(Below) The Resurrection Dancers minister a performance piece
to the song "On Your Walls O Jerusalem" by Barry & Batya Segal
(Below) The conference concluded with a sermon by Barry and a few words from Batya
"You weren't born in this time for history by accident", Barry Segal When I posted the first photos on this year on the 2009 page, I was prompted by the Ruach/Spirit to write that "2009 is definitely going to be a year for choosing where you stand on a number of spiritual & political issues - Israel is one of those issues". This message continued to be confirmed this weekend. It's time to stop being "wall flowers" and "bench sitter" - to clean up our lives, "put on the whole armor of God" and get about HIS business. We need to become more visible, more vocal and speak the Word of God with boldness. There's an old saying, "All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing". It's time for us to speak up concerning God's love for Israel. It's time for us to speak out against anti-Semitism and Replacement Theology. It's easy to do nothing - it's harder to put actions to our beliefs.
To make a donation to VISION FOR ISRAEL:
Vision For Israel
P.O. Box 7743
Charlotte, NC 28241-9927You can also partner with Vision For Israel in one or more of the following projects:
1. Vision For Israel & The Joseph Storehouse
2. Family Welfare
3. Pack to School (to provide book-bags & school supplies for needy children)
4. Terror Victims Fund
5. Building Fund
6. Lonely Soldiers (for soldiers without families in Israel)
7. Medical & Emergency Supplies
8. Roots & Reflections (TV Series from Israel hosted by Barry Segal)For current information and weekly updates on what's happening in Israel,
Contact Jerusalem-On-The-Line at JNN News - info@jnnnews.comThanks to the Vision For Israel Staff for all your hard work
(Below) Edgar, Deborah, Indira, Krista, Batya, Barry, Steve and Timmy
Isaiah 62:
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night:
ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.Catawba County Home School Co-Op's E-Day
The Catawba County Home School Co-Op meets at Gateway Baptist Church on Sandy Ford Road in Newton, NC, once a week for E-Day. As part of a Biblical Festivals Class, I was invited to teach Israeli Folk Dance to a group of the students on Friday, April 3, 2009.
(Below) Teaching some of the basics
(Below) Dancing to the song "Peace of Jerusalem" by Kirk Dearman
(Below) Dancing the Israeli Folk Dance "Zemer Atik"
