Images
2009
April to July
PESACH
at
Beit
Yeshua
PESACH
at
Beit
Shofarot
An
Evening
Honoring
Israel
Holocaust
Remembrance
Day
STAR
TREK
Movie
Freedom
Church
SHAVUOT
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.Thanks to Duke and Beth for the great photos Beit Yeshua gathered for our 8th annual Pesach Seder on Friday, April 10th, 2009, in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton, NC. We had 200 registered for the Seder this year and were excited about sharing the experience with so many.
Setup on Thursday, April 9th ...
There was "lots" of tape on the back of our large Jerusalem cityscape poster
and it took quite a few of us to get it up on the wall
Doug did all the preliminary work for the low tables at our Seder
After the tables were set up, we were ready to add table cloths
We had 11 low tables that seated 77 and 18 regular/high tables that seated 103
Everyone took the table layout diagram and worked to add Seder plates, Hagaddahs, Wine Glasses,
Matza Baskets, Hand-Washing Bowls, Salt Water Containers, Broomstraw vases & Name Cards
All of our setup directions come from this Excel created document
2009 Pesach Seder Set-Up Crew
Guests Begin to Arrive ...
A table was set up in the foyer of the Family Life Center to check off guests
and help them find their seats. (Melba, Carolyn & Jane )
We were especially thankful to have so many teens and young adults with us for the Seder ...
... and lots of children
The Evening Begins ...
The evening began with the sounding of the shofarot (the ram's horn)
The mixed group of Jews & Gentiles
included quite a few Pastors, Ministers and Congregational Leaders
Praise, Worship & Israeli Folk Dance ...
Our Praise & Worship time was absolutely amazing
We started with the song "Baruch Adonai" by Joel Chernoff & the dance Zemer Atik
Once dance circle moves into two
Doug brings out the Lion of Judah flag
To see more of Spencer's beautiful silk banners go to ...
A view from the back of the room
It was wonderful having old friends with us - and making new ones
The Seder Begins ...
The Seder began with the lighting of the festival candles
Hands are ceremonially washed
Savanna asks the 4 Questions
The Four Questions:
1. On all other nights we eat bread or matzah. Why on this night do we eat only matzah?
2. On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables. Why on this night do we eat only bitter herbs?
3. On all other nights we do not dip our vegetables even once. Why on this night do we dip them twice?
4. On all other nights we eat our meals sitting or reclining. Why on this night do we eat reclining?The Four Answers:
1. As the children of Israel fled from Egypt, they did not have time for their dough to rise. Instead the hot desert sun baked it flat. But even more than that, the scriptures teach us that leaven symbolizes sin. Don't you know that a little leaven works through the whole dough? Get rid of the old leaven that you may be a new batch without leaven - as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast... (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)
2. As sweet as our lives are today, let us remember how bitter life was for the children of Israel in the land of Egypt. As bitter herbs (horseradish) is scooped onto a piece of matza, the bitter taste causes us to shed tears of compassion for the sorrow that the children of Israel knew thousands of years ago. 3. The children of Israel toiled to make treasure cities for Pharaoh, working in brick and clay. We remember this task in a mixture called Kharoset, made from chopped apples, honey, nuts and wine. We again scoop some bitter herbs (horseradish) onto a piece of matzah. But this time we also scooped some Kharoset onto the matzah. We all have had bitter experiences in our lives. The message God is communicating to us is His desire for us to press through the bitterness to experience the sweetness. The horseradish represents the trials and tribulations which come into our lives. If we allow these trials and tribulations to make us bitter toward God, we will never experience the sweetness of God's deliverance for our life. If we press through them, however, with God's help, we will taste and experience the sweetness of His promises contained in His Word to us.
4. The first Passover was celebrated by a people enslaved. The children of Israel were instructed to eat the Passover in haste, their loins girded, their staffs in their hands, their sandals on their feet, awaiting departure from the bondage of Egypt. Today we all recline and freely enjoy the Passover Seder.
Three pieces of matzah are wrapped together in a matzahtash
There are various explanations for this ceremony. The rabbis call these three a "Unity". Some consider it a unity of the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Others explain it as a unity of worship - the priests, the Levites and the people of Israel. We who know Messiah Yeshua can also see in it the unique tri-unity of Yahweh the Father, Yeshua the Son, and Ruach Ha'Kodesh the Holy Spirit. Three in one. In the matzah we can see a picture of Messiah - striped and pierced.
Doug explains the Parsley and the Horseradish that is on the Seder Plate
Passover is a holiday that comes in the springtime when the earth is becoming green with life. The Parsley on the Seder plate represents life, created and sustained by God. Life in Egypt for the children of Israel was a life of pain, suffering and tears. To "Remember" this difficult time, the Parsley is dipped into Salt Water and eaten.
As sweet as our lives are today, let us "Remember" how bitter life was for the children of Israel as slaves in Egypt.
Some horseradish is scooped onto a piece of matzah and eaten
On all other nights we do not dip our vegetables even once, but tonight we dip them twice. We have already dipped the parsley into the salt water. Now we dip the bitter herbs (horseradish) into the Kharoset. The children of Israel toiled to make treasure cities for Pharaoh, working in brick & clay. We remember this task in a mixture called Kharoset, made from chopped apples, honey, nuts and wine (or grape juice). Let us once again scoop some bitter herbs (horseradish) onto a small piece of matzah. But this time, before we eat, let us dip the herbs into the sweet Kharoset.
What is the spiritual meaning of eating the bitter herbs and Kharoset together? We have all had bitter experiences in our lives. The message God is communicating to us is His desire for us to press through the bitterness to experience the sweetness. The horseradish represents the trials and tribulations which come into our lives. Like the horseradish, may trials and tribulations are so bitter they make us cry. If we allow these trials and tribulations to make us bitter toward God, we will never experience the sweetness of God's deliverance for our life. However, if we press through them, with God's help, we will taste and experience the sweetness of His promises contained in His Word for us.
Curtis lifts the bowl of Kharoset
A full cup of wine is a symbol of joy and indeed on this occasion we are filled with joy at Yahweh's mighty deliverance. But let us also remember the great cost at which redemption was purchased. Lives were sacrificed to bring about the release of Yahweh's people from the slavery of Egypt. An even far greater price purchased our redemption from the slavery of sin - the death of Messiah Yeshua. As we recite each plague three times, let us dip a finger into the cup allowing a drop of liquid to fall reducing the fullness of our cup of joy this night.
THE PLAGUES:
Blood, Frogs, Lice, Beast, Cattle Disease, Boils, Hail, Locust, Darkness, Death of the Firstborn
We Pause for the Covered-Dish Meal ...
The Seder Continues ...
The middle piece of matzah in the matzahtash is broken in half and hidden while the children close their eyes.
Just as the middle piece of matzah is broken, Messiah Yeshua, too, was afflicted and broken. One half is now called the Afikomen - the dessert. It is wrapped in a white cloth just as Messiah's body was wrapped for burial. Just as the Afikomen is hidden, so too Messiah was placed in a tomb and hidden for a time. But just as the Afikomen will return to complete our Passover Seder, so the sinless Messiah rose from the dead to ascend into heaven and will return for His Bride.
The Afikomen has been found by one of the children and is redeemed for a small monetary gift
This cup is for Elijah the Prophet, Eliyahu Ha Navi. At this time let one of the children go to the door and check to see if Elijah is there - and then welcome him to our Seder. Elijah did not see death, but was swept up to heaven by a great whirlwind, in a chariot of fire. It is the hope of Jews around the world that Elijah would come at Passover, to announce the Messiah, Son of David.
We check to see if Elijah the Prophet has returned
Let us fill our cups for the fourth and final time and give thanks to Yahweh, our Redeemer. GIve thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheynu, Melech Ha'Olam, Borey Pri HaGafen Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the vine. We drink the 4th Cup of Wine (Grape Juice) ...
Our Passover Seder is now complete, just as our redemption is forever complete. Let us conclude with the traditional wish that we may celebrate Passover next year in Jerusalem.
... and make a greeting that we might celebrate Pesach next year in Jerusalem
La'Sha-na Ha Ba'ah Bi Yerushalayim! Next Year in Jerusalem!
Pesach Seder at Beit Shofarot in Salisbury, NC
Beit Shofarot, translated "Tent of Shofars", is a Messianic Congregation, led by Yossi Wentz, that meets in Salisbury, NC. Beit Shofarot had their 2nd Seder for 2009 at Salisbury Christian Fellowship on Saturday, April 11th.
Guests arrived to a room decorated in blue and white
There was some dancing before the evening activities begin
As the evening officially began, Adina led a larger group in some Israeli Folk Dance favorites
The evening included some performance Israeli Folk Dance ...
... as well as some interpretive dance
Festival candles were lit ...
...and the 4 Questions were asked
Yosi Wentz & Chalmers Van Deusen led the group in the Seder
La'Sha-na Ha Ba'ah Bi Yerushalayim! Next Year in Jerusalem! If you would like more information concerning Beit Shofarot, you can contact:
Yossi Wentz 704-701-8095 (Congregation Leader)
Gary & Joyce Ledbetter 704-857-1772 Wendy Pruitt 704-392-9736 Adina Protani 704-649-6173 or Email them at beitshofarot@gmail.com
Beit Yeshua, the Jewish-Roots Group at Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton, NC, gathered on Friday, April 24, 2009 to celebrate Israel's Independence Day. Israel became a re-born nation on May 14, 1948 - corresponding with 05 Iyar 5708 on the Jewish Calendar. The 5th of Iyar corresponds with April 29, 2009 on the Gregorian Calendar.
To see the rest of the photos, go to An Evening Honoring Israel The Salisbury Messianic Fellowship, Beit Shofarot, invited Dutch Holocaust survivor, Frieda Roos Van Hessen, to share her testimony as part of their observance of Holocaust Memorial Day. 94-year-old Frieda was a Jewish opera and concert singer prior to World War II. Frieda survived Nazi occupation of Holland even though many friends and family members were lost to Nazi annihilation.
Frieda signed copies of her book Life In the Shadow of the Swastika before & after the meeting
Beit Shofarot leadership get Frieda set up as she begins to tell her story
Facts about Frieda Roos Van Hessen:
* She was one of Holland's foremost concert and opera singers
* At 19 she sang the lead for the Dutch version of Walt Disney's SNOW WHITE
* At 24 she was the soloist in Verdi's REQUIM for the Dutch Royal Family
* She won the Grande Diplome at the World Contest in Geneva, Switzerland where
she was judged one of the 8 best famale singers in the world
* ...Then the Nazis invaded HollandTwo of the children from Beit Shofarot present Frieda with flowers at the end of the evening
Congregation leader, Yossi Wentz, and Frieda Roos Van Hessen
Beit Yeshua had 20 in attendance to hear Frieda speak and fellowship with Beit Shofarot
Oneg - Food & Fellowship at the end of the evening
To learn more about Frieda Roos Van Hessen or purchase her book, follow the following link:
So, What does STAR TREK have to do with Israeli Folk Dance and the Jewish Roots of our Christian Faith? Absolutely nothing! It just so turns out that many of our Jewish Roots group happen to be STAR TREK fans and we take every opportunity for a "road trip" and an opportunity to fellowship.
When I mentioned going to see the new movie, twelve of us decided it was a good idea and were there on Friday evening, May 8, for the 7:00 PM showing.
Paul & Susan, Chuck & Janice, Doug & Lynda, Carolyn and myself (Curtis), as well as our kids and their spouses, Beth & Brad, Philip & Leslie, met at the Carmike Theatre in Hickory at 6:30. You could tell it was a fan favorite. The place was packed out, but we still managed to sit together on two rows.I forgot my camera so this cell-phone snapshot will have to do as a reminder of the evening.
When I said that STAR TREK had absolutely nothing to do with Jewish Roots, that wasn't actually the "whole" truth.
Leonard Nimoy who played Mr. Spock is Jewish and when he was asked to deliver the memorable line in the original series, "Live long and prosper", he also added the Vulcan hand sign with the split fingers.
This hand sign is similar to the Hebrew letter "Shin", and is the first letter in the name of God, "Shaddai", meaning "Keeper of the doors of Israel" - also frequently translated "Almighty".The same letter Shin is inscribed on the mezuzot on Jewish doorways. An aerial topographic view of the city of Jerusalem reveals a remarkable similarity to the letter Shin.
2 KINGS 21:7
...and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever.In addition to the salute itself, the ceremonial use of "Live long and prosper" and it's lesser-known reply, "Peace and long life" also show a strong Jewish influence. The format is similar to the traditional greeting in Hebrew, "Shalom Aleichem" (Peace be upon you) and the answer, "Aleichem Shalom" (Upon you Peace).
It is used by Rabbis around the world when pronouncing the Aaronic blessing on the congregation.
NUMBERS 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Doug, Paul, Chuck & I were invited by Freedom Church Pastor, Eric Reel, to do a 6-week teaching on the Jewish Roots of our Christian Faith.
FREEDOM CHURCH
125 E Main St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Subjects for the 9-week teaching series: (1) What Scripture has to say about Israel
(2) The Messianic Church - a look at our lost inheritance
(3) What does Messianic Church look like?
(4) An over-all look at the Biblical Festivals
(5) Shabbat - What is it - Why observe it?
(6) Pesach - Why observe it?
(7) Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur & Sukkot
(8) The Minor Feasts: Purim & Hanukkah
(9) Shofars, Tallits, Tzitzits and other "Jewish Stuff"(Below) Kurt leads the Sunday evening group into some Praise & Worship
Curtis introduces the group and Doug begins his teaching on the Early Messianic Church
(Below) Paul, Chuck, Doug & Curtis
At the end of the evening Carri Reel shows that she can blow the Shofar, too
On Sunday, May 24, 2009, we were back at Freedom again.
Chuck, Paul, Carri & Doug blow the shofarot to begin the evening's service
Susan lights Shabbat candles and says the blessing over the candles
Paul says the blessings over the bread and wine then Doug leads the group in a prayer for Israel
We lead the group in a time of Hebraic praise, worship & Israeli Folk Dance
"Hine Ma Tov Umah Naim Shevet Achim Gam Yachad"
Behold How Good & How Pleasant it is for Brethren to Dwell Together in Unity
The evening concluded with a teaching on the Biblical Festivals. Exodus 23: 14 Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. 15 Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Pesach/Passover); for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I command you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib/Nissan (March or April) for in that month you came out of Egypt. No one is to appear before me empty-handed. 16 Celebrate the Feast of Harvest (Shavuot/Pentecost) with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your fields. Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering (Sukkot/Booths/Tabernacles) at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. 17 Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Soverign LORD. Thanks to Duke Peeler and Paul Miles for the photos
We gathered in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church on Friday, May 29, 2009,
to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Shavuot/Pentecost.Susan lights the festival candles and Doug says the blessings over the bread & wine
The group gathers for a group prayer for Israel ...
Prayer For Israel
Avinu, Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the first glimmering of our deliverance. Shield it beneath the wings of Your love, spread over it Your canopy of peace; send Your light and Your truth to its leaders, officers and counselors and direct them with Your good counsel. O God, strengthen the defenders of our Holy Land; grant them salvation and crown them with victory. Establish peace in the land, and everlasting joy for its inhabitants. Remember our brethren, the whole house of Israel, in all the lands of their dispersion. Speedily let them walk upright to Zion, the city, to Jerusalem your dwelling place, as it is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses in Deuteronomy 30:4-5, “Even if you are dispersed in the uttermost parts of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather and fetch you. The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it.” Unite our heart to love and revere Your Name, and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah. Shine forth in your glorious majesty over all the inhabitants of Your world. Let everything that breathes proclaim, “Avinu, Malkeinu, Our Father & Our King, The Lord God of Israel is King; His majesty rules over all.” May they come to recognize, know & receive their long-awaited Messiah. Amen!
... Doug leads us in individual prayer for Israel
(Left) Janice & Rita
(Right) Jeremy & Jeanne
A time of Praise, Worship & Dance
The Book of Ruth is read during the Feast of Shavuot.
RUTH 1
22So Naomi returned (to Behlehem), and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.As part of our celebration of Shavuot, we performed a "spontaneous" play based on the Book of Ruth, where performers were called "spontaneously" from the attendees to perform the various parts from the story. Sometimes it's a little challenging to keep the story fresh for those who have seen the play year-after-year. This year the theme of "funny hats" was used to add a little humor to the story. Only the characters of Ruth & Boaz kept traditions Jewish costumes - Ruth with a scarf and Boaz with a keepa & tallit.
Bill, Sheryl & Carolyn were the Narrators for the story
Curtis introduces Naomi (Allison) and her daughters-in-law,
Ruth (Jeanne) and Orpah (Carolee), to the audience
Boaz (Jeremy) and the Foreman (Chuck) over his lands and servants
An Elder in the City (Andy), a Woman from the City (Anna),
and a Kinsman-Redeemer (Seth)
3Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years. 5Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and the woman was bereft of her two children and her husband. 8And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 15Then she said (to Ruth), “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17“Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” 18When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.
Ruth, Naomi & Orpah grieve after the deaths of their husbands
1Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
Naomi & Ruth move their "tent" to Bethlehem
where Ruth gleans barley from the edges of Boaz's fields
(The festivals are a wonderful way to visually teach our children about their Biblical heritage)
8Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. 9“Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.” 10Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Ruth finds favor with Boaz
1Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2“Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3“Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4“It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do.” 5She said to her, “All that you say I will do.”
That night, Ruth uncovers Boaz's feet and lies down where he is sleeping
12“Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13“Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives.
Boaz confronts a Kinsman-Redeemer about marrying Ruth
BOAZ: Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, then do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, but I am next in line.
KINSMAN: I will redeem it. I’m young and I need to start acquiring some land anyway.
BOAZ: Oh - by the way, on the day that you buy the land from Naomi and from Ruth the Moabitess, you acquire the dead man's widow - in order to maintain his name with his property.
KINSMAN: (Glancing at Ruth) What! Hey, man, I don’t mind getting married - I’m actually looking forward to it - but I’m looking for a wife who is MY age – she’s the same age as my mother! You redeem them yourself. I cannot do it.
READER 4: For the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party had to take off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.
KINSMAN: Well, I’m not exactly wearing my sandals today – will a boot do? (Take off boot and hand it to Boaz) May Ha’Shem bring honor to you through your offspring!
BOAZ: (Noticing the Kinsman’s smelly feet) That’s OK cousin! I’ll take your word! Just keep the boot! Please! Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth, the Moabitess, Mahlon's widow, as my wife, in order to maintain his name with his property. His name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!
ELDER: We are your witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you have standing in the land and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.
"You marry her, Boaz, I can't! I want a wife but not one who's as old as my mother!"
So, Boaz marries Ruth
13So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. 17The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth gave birth to a son and named him Obed
and he sure looks a lot like "Boaz"
The 2009 "Story of Ruth" Cast
The 2009 Summer Aleph-Bet Class was a 5-week workshop that meet at our home in Catawba, NC, from July 17 to September 11, 2009. There was no cost for the class, but a 5 session commitment was requested. There were 8 who committed to the 5-week-workshop. The evening begins with Carolyn lighting Shabbat Candles
Renee, Andy, Myrl, Allie
(Left) Allie, Iline & Doug - (Right) Angel
The group was excited to see that they could indeed begin reading Hebrew after the first couple of classes. They were reading Hebrew words in class # 3, phrases in class # 4, and scripture in Class # 5.
