Beit Yeshua
2013
January to March
PURIM
Celebration
22 February
PESACH
Seder
29 March
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.Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you.
Beit Yeshua gathered together on Friday, 22 February, 2013, at Chuck & Janice's home in Lincolnton, NC, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Purim (also called the Feast of Esther). For the past four years we've hosted a larger assembly in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church but decided that for 2013 we were bringing our celebration back to our smaller home-group roots. With a crowd of 40, it was a sizeable group for a home-group setting
Chuck & Janice light Shabbat/Festival Candles and say blessings over the bread & wine
After a time of prayer, praise, worship & dance, we moved to our 2013 Purim Shpiel/Play
In 2001 at the beginning of Beit Yeshua, the group was small and rather than memorizing parts for our Purim Shpiel/Play, we opted for an impromptu play - where no one even knew they had a part in the play until after the play had begun. One end of the large room at Chuck & Janice's home was kept empty of chairs so that we could utilize it for the play. With a little encouraging from Curtis and the group, Andi reluctantly accepted the role of Esther
Costumes (what few are used) are put on over top of the cast's street clothes
"This is Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl - with a destiny!"
Andi's husband, Jonathan, is called up to take the role of King Ahashuerus
He is robed; then Curtis removes his signet ring (actually a candy ring) from its package
King Ahashuerus was given his scepter (actually a small sword) and a crown
but was surprised when he was given "hair" instead of a crown
The see the short video of Jonathan getting his "hair", CLICK HERE
"Every story needs a hero … a real 'He-Man'. … a real 'stud-ly guy"!
… Conan, Tarzan and Superman all rolled into one!
That’s me. Ahashuerus. I’m the King of Persia Media!"
To see the video, CLICK HERE
Carolee was called up front to portray the part of Queen Vashti, King Ahashuerus' first wife
To see the video of Vashti, CLICK HERE
Alex was pulled forward to portray the part of Mordechai, the Jew (Esther's cousin)
To see the video of Mordechai, CLICK HERE
The role of the evil Haman went to our own beloved Mark
who was a good sport in spite of all the jesting we did concerning him and Haman
He was given glasses, bad teeth, and a three-sided hat
To see the short video of Haman, CLICK HERE
Mark's wife, Angel, was chosen as our Zeresh (Haman's wife) for the 2013 play
To see the short video of Zeresh, CLICK HERE
Shawn was called forward to play the King's "Wiseman" ...
... and Sam was asked to portray the King's "Attendant"
"King Ahashuerus gave a party for all the noblemen in his kingdom
- then asked Queen Vashti to join them. But she refused!
She was too busy with a party of her own!"
"The King kicked Queen Vashti out of Shushan, then had all the beautiful young
girls of his kingdom brought to his palace - so he could choose a new Queen.
In time, Esther was chosen as Vashti's replacement""Haman was eventually elevated to King Ahashuerus' 2nd-in-Command. He loved his new
position of authority, but became furious when Mordechai refused to bow before him.
Haman convinced the King to sign as edict to have all the Jews in Shushan killed."Everyone "boo-ed" Haman, laughed and had a great time
"When Mordechai learned of Haman's plans, he told Esther
she must go before King Ahashuerus and plead for her people."
"Esther prayed and fasted for three days, then approached King Ahashuerus.
He extended his scepter to her - asking what she requested from him.
He promised to give her anything - up to half of the kingdom.""Esther asked that the King and Haman to attend a banquet she had prepared for them.
Haman went out that day, elated that Esther had invited him to the private banquet, but
annoyed because Mordechai still refused to bow before him. Haman's wife suggested that he have
a gallows built - and hang Mordechai on it. Haman loved the idea and had the gallows prepared."
[Thanks to Peter for being our hangman] "That night when the King couldn't sleep, he asked that the Book of the Chronicles of the King be brought to him. As he was reading he remembered how Mordechai had saved his life from two assassins. When Haman entered the room, the King asked him, 'What should be done for the man who the King wishes to honor?' Thinking that the King must be talking about him, he suggested that the person who the King wished to honor be robed and led through the streets of Shushan on horseback. The King said, 'Make it so - with Mordechai - the Jew!'"
"Mordechai was robed by Haman and led through the streets on horseback" "The following day, Queen Esther gave another banquet and invited the King and Haman, again. This time she told King Ahashuerus how Haman's plan to kill the Jews (which could not be repealed) included her - because she was also Jewish."
"The King was furious with Haman - and ordered that he be hanged on his own gallows" [Mark is not really dead - he's just a good actor!] "Queen Esther pleaded with King Ahashuerus on behalf of her people. The King told
Esther that she could write another decree - one in which the Jews could defend themselves."
"Mordechai is elevated to King Ahashuerus' 2nd-in-Command.
He was given royal garments of blue and white - as well as a large crown."A special thanks to our 2013 Purim Cast [Top Row: Vashti (Carolee), Haman (Mark), Zeresh (Angel), Mordechai (Alex), Esther (Andi), Ahashuerus (Jonathan)]
[Bottom Row: Hangman (Peter), Wiseman (Shaun), Attendant (Sam)]A special thanks to Andy for being our 2013 Narrator
... and a special thanks to Paul for doing the photos
After the Aaronic Benediction, the evening concluded with Oneg - a time of food and fellowship.
Beit Yeshua gathered on Friday, March 29th, 2013, to observe our 12th annual Pesach/Passover Seder, in the Family Life Center at Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton, NC. With approximately 220 in attendance, the evening saw family and friends joining us once again to observe the Biblical Festival. Each year we have guests that have never attended a Seder before, as well as many who return from year to year to observe Pesach with us. A special thanks to Highway To Zion (and Cathy Hargett) for their continued support for our annual Seders. Low tables (sitting on the floor)
A combination of low and regular seating
Jane and Carolee help guests find their table and seats
Andi tells Iliana where to place their food for the covered-dish meal
First-time guests Richard & Melody with their sons, Richard, Benjamin & Seth,
place their covered dish on the food tables while Iline chats with Wane
Myrl helps Enoch with his kippah
Susan, Cami, Brittany, Gloria and Jeff
(Left) Chuck chats with one of Beit Yeshua's newest member, Alex Childers, while
(Right) Dale and Doug spend some time talking with each other before the Seder
As always, we're honored to have our Jewish guests join us
Fran & Robbie visit with Beth & her son (left) - as well as Zoya & Buddy (right)
Galia (left) is a sabra from Israel. She was joined by her husband, Terry, daughter &
son-in-law, Eric & Shelly, and their grandchildren, Breaden, Eliana, Garrett & Keagan.
They were the guests of Royce & Karen Kincaid, but had been friends of ours for years.
Pesach is always a great time to visit with friends you haven't seen in a while -
as well as those you have - Janice S., Janice A. & Myrl
Everyone settles into their seats as the evening begins
Shofarot are sounded
Curtis leads the group in the Sh'ma and the Blessing for Salvation in Messiah Yeshua
as the word are projected onto the wall
Sh'ma Yisrael
Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu,
Adonai Echad,
Baruch shem kvod Malchuto,
Le’olam va’ed.
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God,
The LORD is one!
Blessed be His Name & His glorious kingdom
forever and ever.Blessing For Salvation in Messiah
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu
Melech Ha’Olam,
Asher natan lanu et de-rech ha’Yeshua,
B’Mashiach Yeshua. Baruch Hu. Amein!
Blessed are You, O Lord our God,
King of the Universe,
Who gave to us the way of salvation
in the Messiah Yeshua. Blessed be He! Aman!
Chuck shares pertinent announcements with the group
The Machol (Lady) Dancers dance to the song "Hoshiana" by Joshua Aaron
DANCERS: Myrl Peeler, Lynda Williams, Janice Stroup, Christi Rykhus, Biana Pitman, Janice Anthony,
Brittany Pounder, Gloria Cunningham-McCraw, Cami Cunningham, Celia SmithTo see the Machol Ladies dance to "Hoshiana" by Joshua Aaron - CLICK HERE
To see the Performance, CLICK HERE
Curtis leads in a time of congregational praise, worship and dance
There is always a large congregational response to dance at Pesach
with a large portion of the group being men and boysCurtis and Doug led the 2013 Pesach Seder
Susan leads the ladies as they light Pesach festival candles
Blessing Over the Candles
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha'Olam, Asher Kidshanu Bidevaro U'Vishmo
Anachnu Madlikim Haneyrot Shel Yom Tov.Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has set up apart by His Word,
and in Whose Name we light the festival lights.Four cups of wine are drunk during the Pesach Seder
The First Cup: The Cup of Sanctification, The Second Cup: The Cup of Plagues
The Third Cup: The Cup of Redemption, The Fourth Cup: The Cup of PraiseBlessing Over the Wine
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha'Olam Borey Pri Ha'GafenBlessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the vine
We wash our hands during Pesach
because we are priests before the Lord and the table is His altarDoug explains the parsley and salt water
Passover is a holiday that comes in the springtime, when the earth is becoming green with life.
This vegetable, called karpas (parsley), represents life, created and sustained by Almighty God.Life in Egypt for the children of Israel was a life of pain, suffering and tears, represented by
this salt water. Let us take a sprig of parsley and dip it into the salt water, remembering that
life is sometimes immersed in tears.Blessing Over the Parsley and Salt Water
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech Ha'Olam Borey Pri Ha'AdamahBlessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the earth.
Jude Anthony asked the four questions
1. On all other nights we eat brad 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?These three matzot are wrapped together for Pesach.
We who know Messiah see in this the unique tri-unity of
God, the Father - Yeshua, the Son - and Ruach Ha Kodesh, the Holy Spirit. In
the matzah we can see a picture of Messiah. See how it is striped. See how it is pierced.
Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.Blessing Over the Bread
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheynu, Melech Ha'Olam Ha'Motzi Lechem min Ha'Aretz.Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.
The middle piece of matzah is broken - just like Messiah Yeshua was afflicted and broken
Everyone shares a piece of matzah
Doug explains the maror - bitter herbs - horseradish
Matzah and Maror (Horseradish) are eaten ...
... Matzah and Maror are eaten again, but this time the sweet Kharoset is added
As each plague is recited, a finger is dipped into the cup of wine/juice allowing
a drop of liquid to fall, reducing the fullness of each cup of joy this nightBlood, Frogs, Lice, Beast, Cattle Disease, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, Death of the Firstborn
Exodus 12:3, 5-7
On the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.
The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect ...
Take care of them until the 14th day of the month, when all the people of the community of
Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames
of the houses where they eat the lambs.Another cup of wine/grape juice
Two sets of tables were set up for the covered-dish meal
We fill our cups for the fourth time
Our Passover Seder is now complete, just as our redemption is forever complete
in Messiah Yeshua. Let us conclude with the traditional wish that we may
celebrate Passover next year in Jerusalem."La'shana Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim"
NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!A special thanks to everyone who gives of their time, talent and finances to help make
Beit Yeshua's annual Pesach a success. Without your help, none of this would be possible.
May Adonai's abundant blessings abound in your lives. B'Shem Yeshua.To see all the photos from the 2013 Pesach Seder, CLICK HERE
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