Beit Yeshua
& Machol
Newsletter
2013
Beit Yeshua
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January
2013
February
2013
PURIM
Celebration
22 February
March
2013
PESACH
Seder
29 March
Israeli
Folk Dance
April
2013
An
Evening
Honoring
ISRAEL
May
2013
SHAVUOT
Pentecost
June
2013
July
2013
August
2013
Shmuel Suran
at Highway
To Zion
September
2013
YOM TERUAH
Feast of Trumpets
YOM KIPPUR
Day of Atonement
SUKKOT
Feast of
Tabernacles
Family
Sukkot
Dwellings
October
2013
November
2013
December
2013
HANUKKAH
Feast of
Dedication
Beit Yeshua
Families
Celebrate
Hanukkah
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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
n 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. "This is Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl - with a destiny!" - portrayed by Andi
Andi's husband, Jonathan, is asked to take the role of King Ahashuerus.
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 Carolee was pulled up front to portray the part of Queen Vashti, King Ahashuerus' first wife
To see the video of Vashti, CLICK Here
Alex became Mordechai (Esther's cousin) for the 2013 play
The role of the evil Haman when to our own beloved Mark
who was a good sport in spite of all the jesting we did concerning him and HamanMark's wife, Angel, was chosen as our Zeresh (Haman's wife) for the 2013 play
"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!""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.""When Mordechai learned of Haman's plans, he told Esther
she must go before King Ahashuerus and plead for her people.""The King becomes furious with Haman - and orderes that he be hanged on his own gallows" The 2013 Cast A special thanks to Andy for being our 2013 Narrator 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. Pesach 2013
The 2013 Seder introduced us to new friends such as Richard & Melody Winfrey & their family
As always, we were honored to have our Jewish guests join us
Fran & Robbie visit with Beth & her son (left) - as well as Zoya & Buddy (right)Galia & Terry (Left) and their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren
Eric & Shelly, Breaden, Eliana, Garrett & Keagan.
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. & MyrlThe Machol (Lady) Dancers danced to "Hoshiana" by Joshua Aaron Curtis led 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 boys
Curtis and Doug led the 2013 Seder Susan led the ladies in lighting festival candles 
Four Cups of Wine/Grape Juice 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 PraiseAlex joins us for his first Seder As usual, the Melnyk family had the most young adult guests
We wash our hands because we are priests before the Lord
and the table is our altarParsley dipped in salt water - tells the story of the bitterness of slavery Jude asked the Four Questions 
Matzah is shared - see how it is striped and pierced Matzah and horseradish 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 nightThe covered-dish meal for 220 guests 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.April Beit Yeshua joined with Highway To Zion and Love For His People on Friday, April 12, 2013, in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church, for An Evening Honoring Israel. Shofarot are sounded as the evening begins Guests are welcomed by Steve Martin of Love For His People Susan lights Shabbat Candles - Paul says blessings over the bread & wine
We were blessed for the opportunity to Skype with our dear friends Jim & Linda at
Christian Friends of Israel in JerusalemThe Machol Dancers do a performance dance to the song "Battle For Zion" by Ted Pearce
To See the Machol Dancers Steve Martin's Video, Click Here Gid Anthony leads during a time of praise, worship & dance
We had 12 different displays & exhibits set up for the evening - including this one,
which encouraged guests to choose a city in Israel to pray for during 2013Cathy & Dale Hargett of Highway To Zion
The Seven Species of Israel: Barley, Wheat, Figs, Grapes, Olives, Pomegranates & Dates
The Seven Species display was our "tasting" exhibit - and definitely one of the favorites 
Paul, Doug & Jonathan looking at photos from our trips to Israel - as well as other memorabilia
The Beit Yeshua display
Ze'ev Nevo of Israel Media Ministries with Janice Anthony
Dominica-born Wane Daroux of Beit Yeshua & Beit Eder had a display
with his new CD "Our God Is One" featuring his own original Messianic musicThe History of Modern Israel display
We introduced Alex to Jim & Linda is Jerusalem (via Skype)
while everyone was visiting the various displaysAfter spending about 20 minutes visiting displays,
Wane shares some of his original Messianic music
Visit Wane's Website for more information about his CD and samples of his songs
CLICK HERECathy Hargett, of Highway To Zion, introduces our guest speaker for the evening,
Ze'ev Nevo, of Israel Media Ministries
Ze'ev shares his message for the evening
To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 1, Click Here To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 2, Click Here To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 3, Click Here To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 4, Click Here To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 5, Click Here To See the Message by Ze'ev Nevo, Part 6, Click Here To learn more about ISRAEL MEDIA MINISTRIES, check out their website
Thanks to Duke Peeler, Paul Miles, Andi Lovelace and Steve Martin for taking the great photos
To see all the photos from the 2013 Evening Honoring Israel, CLICK HERE
Shavuot - The Feast of Weeks
Beit Yeshua met on Friday, May 10, 2013, at the home of Chuck & Janice Anthony, Lincolnton, NC, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Shavuot - the Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost).
The evening started with the sounding of the shofarot, blessings over the festival candles, blessings over the bread and wine, a scripture from the Orthodox Jewish Bible (Leviticus 23, Acts 2) pertaining to Shavuot, a time of intercessory prayer, and a time of praise, worship & dance. The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot. The story tells of Ruth's marriage and conversion which took place during the harvest season, from the beginning of the barley harvest to the conclusion of the wheat harvest. Through her marriage to Boaz, Ruth, a gentile, became the great-grandmother of King David, who was born and died on Shavuot. She became the mother of the royal lineage of David. It was also from this lineage that our “Kinsman-Redeemer” came -Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Yeshua the Messiah.
As part of our celebration of the festival, we chose to do an original impromptu play about Ruth, Boaz & Naomi, based on the scriptures. Parts for the play were not memorized and the cast of actors were called up on the spot to take part in the play. Boaz with Orpah, Ruth and Naomi
Boaz discovers Ruth collecting barley in his fields
He asks the Foreman of his fields who the young woman is - and learns her name
Evantually, Boaz marries Ruth ...
... and God blessed them with a child, Obed (the father of Jesse, the father of David)
2013 Cast
To see all the photos from Purim 2013, Click Here and scroll down the page It's customary to stay up all night long to study Torah on Shavuot.
We played a game, with the men competing against the women, concerning Jewish-Roots.Curtis asked the questions while Cayla displays the categories
AUGUST As we experienced Teshuvah and anticipated the Fall Biblical Festivals of the LORD, we were blessed to have a visiting minister from Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel) in the area. On Friday, August 23, 2013, Highway To Zion, in Charlotte, NC, hosted Shmuel Suran of Chazon Yerushalayim Ministries in Israel at the Raintree Country Club in Charlotte, NC. Beit Yeshua dropped their Erev Shabba meeting in order to join Highway To Zion. Members from both groups first met Shmuel when they joined Cathy Hargett and Highway To Zion for a 2011 trip to Israel - where Shmuel's wife, Pamela, had been their tour guide. Steve & Laurie Martin, of Love For His People, led the Ahava Praise Band, with musicians and singers from all three groups. The Highway To Zion Dancers led dance for the evening. Cathy Hargett introduces Shmuel Suran
To see all of the photos and information from this meeting CLICK HERE and scroll down
YOM TERUAH - "The Feast of Trumpets"
On Friday, September 6th, 2013, Beit Yeshua gathered at Chuck & Janice's home to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Yom Tereah ("The Feast of Trumpets" or "The Day of the Awakening Blast"). Israel has two calendars: (1) a Civil Calendar that begins with the month of Tishri and the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, "The Head of the Year", and (2) a Religious Calendar that begins with the month of Nisan, of which Pesach/Passover is a part. The Feast of Yom Teruah is the 5th of the Biblical Feasts on the Religious Calendar and usually occurs in September. Tishri is the 1st month on the Civil Calendar and the 7th month on the Religious Calendar. The only specific command in scripture is to blow the shofar.
Leviticus 23:23-
And the LORD spoke to Moshe/Moses saying, "Speak to the children of Israel saying, 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you will have a Sabbath, a memorial announced with a blowing of horns (shofarot - making a call to repentance), a holy convocation, You will do no servile work on this day; but you will make an offering made by fire to the LORD.'"Shofarot are sounded at the evening begins
There were 40+ in attendance at the Yom Teruah home-group meeting
Doug did a teaching on the prophetic significance of the festival
To see all of the photos from this Yom Teruah meeting CLICK HERE and scroll down
YOM KIPPUR - "The Day of Atonement"
Beit Yeshua gathered of Friday, September 13th, at Chuck & Janice's home, to observe the Feast of Yom Kippur, "The Day of Atonement".
There are several commandments concerning Yom Kippur. (1) It is a Sabbath and you are to do no work, and (2) you will "afflict" yourselves - which is a Hebrew idiom indicating that the individual was to fast for the festival - usually a 25-hour fast.
Leviticus 23:26-32
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Surely, on the tenth of this seventh month will be a Day of Atonement: it will be a holy convocation for you, and you will afflict yourselves and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. And you will do no work on that same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. For whoever will not be afflicted in that same day, he will be cut off from among his people. And whoever does any work on that same day, I will destroy the same one from among his people. You will do no manner of work: it will be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It will be a Sabbath of rest for you and you will afflict yourselves: on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you will celebrate your Sabbath."Our focus for the evening was prayer - (1) Individual Repentance, (2) Prayer & Repentance for the Body of Messiah - the Church, (3) Prayer for the U.S., (4) Prayer for Israel, and (5) Prayer for the Nations. To see all of the photos and information from this meeting CLICK HERE and scroll down
SUKKOT - "The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles"
Beit Yeshua met on Friday, September 20th, in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Sukkot (or "The Feast of Booths/Tabernacles").
Leviticus 23:39-42
"... on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the fruit of the land, you will keep a feast to the LORD seven days: the first day will be a Sabbath and the eighth day will be a Sabbath. And on the first day you will take the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees and the boughs of thick trees and willows of the brook and you will rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. And you will keep it a Feast to the LORD seven days in the seventh month. You will dwell in booths seven days."
Shofarot were sounded as the evening begins -
as is seen in this compilation of three photosCurtis welcomes everyone
Blessings are said over Shabbat/Festival Candles -
as well as blessings over the bread and wineThe Machol Dancers dance to "Who Is Like You"
from Paul Wilbur's CD "Your Great Name"
The see the entire dance, CLICK HERE Warren Marcus shared a wonderful Sukkot message
To hear Warren's message, Part 1 (Festivals & the Church) CLICK HERE (49:45)
To hear Warren's message, Part 2 (Sukkot) CLICK HERE (13:59) Thanks to Steve Martin for providing the YouTube Videos To see all of the photos and information from this meeting CLICK HERE and scroll down
Several families from Beit Yeshua built their own family sukkah for Sukkot in 2013. It wonderful to celebrate Sukkot corporately, but there is an individual aspect of the festival that can't be ignored. Jonathan, Andi & Cayla share a meal with Paul & Susan Curtis & Carolyn's sukkah
Reading David Dolan's book, "Millennium - The Lord Reigns"
Curtis & Carolyn are always pleased to have their family share our sukkah
To see all of the family photos CLICK HERE and scroll down
Beit Yeshua gathered in the Family Life Center on Friday, November 29, 2013, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Hanukkah - also spelled Channukah. This is the first time since 1880 that the Feast of Hanukkah has overlapped with the American holiday of Thanksgiving. Each family that had brought a Hanukkiah (A 9-Branched Hanukkah Menorah) was asked to light it as the evening began
Susan lit Shabbat candles and Paul said blessings over the bread and wine
There was a time of prayer followed by a time of praise and worship
Chuck shared the Hanukkah story and involved everyone in a short midrash
To see all of the photos form the Hanukkah meeting CLICK HERE and scroll down
Hanukkah with Beit Yeshua Families
(Left) Susan lights candles for the first night at the Miles home
(Right) Jonathan lights candles at the Lovelace home
Curtis lights candles on the first night of Hanukkah at the Loftin home
Carolyn light candles for the second evening of Hanukkah (also Thanksgiving)
while their son, Philip, his wife, Leslie, and youngest granddaughter, Kayli, watch
Curtis & Carolyn's daughter Beth (Right) and granddaughters Savanna (Left) & Ali (Middle)
share the responsibility of lighting the Hanukkah candles on the fourth night of Hanukkah
