Beit Yeshua
& Machol
Newsletter
2014
Beit Yeshua
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OLDER
NEWSLETTERS
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
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January
2014
Arts
Evangelica
11 January
March
2014
PURIM
"Purim Wars"
21 March
April
2014
Dan
Asher
04 April
PESACH
Passover
18 April
May
2014
An
Evening
Honoring
ISRAEL
02 May
August
2014
Joshua Aaron
Concert
08 August
Richard &
Carolyn HYDE
at HIGHWAY
TO ZION
15 August
September
2014
TRIP TO
ISRAEL
06 September
October
2014
Sukkot
10 October
Chuck Cohen
at Highway
To Zion
31 October
December
2014
Hanukkah
The Feast of
Dedication
12 December
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.
Stephanie Stewart invited Curtis to come to High Point, NC, to teach Israeli Folk Dance to the ballet troop, Arts Evengelica. Stephanie's dance troop will be going to Israel later this year and will be performing an original ballet at several of the IDF bases there. They wanted to learn some Israeli Folk Dance to include in one of their dances. Her parents, Jim & Linda, live in Jerusalem where they work at Christian Friends of Israel. After quite a bit of planning, Stephanie and I finally settled on a date of Saturday, 11 Jan 2014, as the date for us to come and teach the Israeli Folk Dance class. Curtis, Carolyn, Myrl and Gloria made the trip to High Point on a very rainy January Saturday morning for the two-hour class. Everyone took an opportunity to make introductions
Curtis taught the basic steps of Israeli Folk Dance before moving into teaching the dances
OD LO AHAVTI DAI: "Mayim-2-3-4, Mayim-2-3-4, Tcherkesia-2-3-4, Tcherkesia-2-3-4"
Using "Hasidic Hands" for Zemer Atik and Hine Ma Tov
To see all of the photos of our time with Arts Evangelica CLICK HERE and scroll down
Arts Evangelica used some of the Israeli folk dances that we taught them as they toured Israel & visited IDF Military Bases
They also had the opportunity to do a ballet piece at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem
To See the YouTube Video CLICK HERE
Arts Evangelica dance to the song "How Great Thou Art" by Sandi Patty
Source: Stewart Media
PURIM - The Feast of Esther
Beit Yeshua gathered on Friday, March 21, 2014, at the home of Chuck & Janice Anthony to observe the Biblical Festival of PURIM. The Feast of Purim is mentioned in the Book of Esther and tells how God used Queen Esther to save the Jewish people living in Persia Media from the evil Haman. Janice & Chuck said blessings over Shabbat candles, bread and wine Costumes worn at Purim remind us of the fact that Esther kept her Jewishness hidden
until the time came that she revealed it to save her people
The 2014 play was entitled "Purim Wars" and was a Star Wars & Sci-Fi parody
To see all of the photos from the Purim play CLICK HERE and scroll down On Friday, April 4, 2014, we were honored to have Dan Asher from Haifa, ISRAEL, to come and speak at Beit Yeshua's Erev Shabbat Meeting. Some of the group first met Dan when we went to Israel in September 2011. Curtis & Carolyn had first met Dan at Beth Sar Shalom (now Hope of Israel) in Charlotte about 15 years ago. Cathy Hargett of Highway To Zion introduces Dan
Dan shared about him being a Jewish Believer, his relationship with Yeshua, and not taking God's grace for granted
Looking at Scripture together ... during our Midrash
Beit Yeshua gathered on Friday, April 18, 2014, to celebrate and observe our 13th annual Pesach/Passover Seder. We met in the Family Life Center at Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton and had about 225 in attendance. We were honored to have four pastors with us from the neighboring counties as well as leaders from several Messianic/Jewish-Roots ministries.
Curtis speaks with Pastor Glenn Kerstetter and his family - as well as the Klingbiel family
We had numerous guest associated with Cathy Hargett and HIGHWAY TO ZION who drove from Charlotte
They're always faithful to support the annual Pesach Seder with Beit Yeshua in Lincolnton, NC
Gloria Cunningham, one of Beit Yeshua's Machol Dancers, drove an hour & a half from the NC mountains
as did old friends & CBU worship leaders Paul & Marian BoydFran Hoover, of HIGHWAY TO ZION, introduces Curtis to Russian Pastor Dimitry Kishko and members from his congregation
which included some of our Jewish guestsBeit Yeshua leadership: Chuck Anthony, Paul Miles & Doug Williams
Shofarot (Ram's Horns) are sounded as the evening begins
Machol's Janice Stroup, Celia Smith, Myrl Peeler and Gloria Cunningham perform the Israel Folk Dance
"Kadosh" to the song "Kadosh" sung by Paul WilburTo see the YouTube Video of the entire dance, CLICK HERE Praise, Worship & Israeli Folk Dance Curtis encouraged everyone to participate in Israeli Folk Dance during a short time of Praise & Worship
Leading dancers in a spiraling circle to the dance "Zemer Atik", there were over 50 men, women, teens and children
who immediately joined Curtis and the Machol Dancers as he led them in Beit Yeshua's easiest dancesTo see the YouTube video of the song "Mountains of Israel" and some of the dancing - Video 1 - CLICK HERE To see the YouTube video of the song "Mountains of Israel" and some of the dancing - Video 2 - CLICK HERE The Seder Begins Passover is a story that had been told and retold for thousands of years. It is a story of miraculous transitions - from slavery to freedom, from despair to hope, from darkness to light. Its greatness is the greatness of God. Its timelessness comes from the eternal truth of His involvement with His people. Just as God cared for the children of Israel in ancient times, He cares for all who are His today.
Upon the table is a Seder plate, holding the ceremonial items of Passover. There are bitter herbs, a roasted egg, a sweet apple mixture, parsley, and a bone. Curious things, yet all part of the telling. Let us allow our senses to fully participate, taking in the sights and smells, tasting each ingredient, listening to every word.
Sitting at low tables, Curtis Loftin & Doug Williams (co-leaders of Beit Yeshua) led the Seder
Dave & Chrissy Griffin pour grape juice for their family
We're thankful for families like the Kirbys who join us from year to year for Pesach
(Left to Right) Sarah, Ryanm, Levi (just the top of his head), Cindy holding Lilly, and StephenGuests eat the charoset with horseradish on matzah The Plagues are recited Blood, Frogs, Lice, Beasts, Cattle Disease, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, Death of the Firstborn
Some of our numerous young people at the Seder To see all the photos from Passover CLICK HERE and scroll down MAY An Evening Honoring Israel On Friday, May 2, 2014, Beit Yeshua, Highway To Zion and Love For His People gathered in the Family Life Center of Covenant Bible Church in Lincolnton, NC, to celebrate our annual AN EVENING HONORING ISRAEL. Curtis & Carolyn Loftin and Paul & Susan Miles make last minute preparations before the service begins Steve Martin, Director of Love For His People, welcomes everyone The lady Machol Dancers dance to the song "Shalom Jerusalem" by Paul Wilbur To see the dancers perform "Shalom Jerusalem"
at the 2014 "An Evening Honoring Israel" - CLICK HERECathy Hargett, of Highway To Zion, introduced our guest speaker, Ze'ev Nevo,
a Messianic Believer and founder of Israel Media MinistriesZe'ev's message for the evening was "Yeshua and Israel" The lady Machol Dancers danced to the song "Shalom My Home" by the Isaacs
as an offering was received for Israeli MinistriesTo see the dancers perform "Shalom My Home"
at the 2014 "An Evening Honoring Israel" - CLICK HEREEveryone had the opportunity to visit our numerous exhibits and displays The Adopt-A-City-For Prayer Display To see all the photos from the Evening Honoring Israel CLICK HERE and scroll down Messianic recording artist Joshua Aaron was in concert at Beit Shofarot in China Grove on Friday, 08 August 2014, so Beit Yeshua cancelled it's Erev Shabbat meeting in order to attend the concert. Josh has been one of Beit Yeshua's favorite singers for several years. All three of his CDs, Bo Yeshua, He is Holy, and Hu Yavo, have ministered to us individually and corporately. Having worshipped and danced to most of his songs at our Erev Shabbat and Festival meetings, we knew we wanted to be there for the opportunity of being able to worship Adonai with him "live". And we weren't disappointed. Josh led everyone into a time of praise and worship
Josh prayed over the group and shared his testimony
Live Videos from the August 8th Concert
To hear Josh's Testimony - Part 1 - CLICK HERE (9:35)
To hear Josh's Testimony - Part 2 - CLICK HERE (8:21)
To hear Josh's Testimony - Part 3 - CLICK HERE (4:02)
To hear Josh sing "You Are Holy" - CLICK HERE (5:30)
To see all of the photos of Joshua Aaron in concert CLICK HERE and scroll down Richard & Carolyn HYDE at Highway To Zion On Friday, August 15, 2014, HIGHWAY TO ZION in Charlotte, NC, hosted Messianic speakers and singer Richard & Carolyn Hyde from Israel.
Beit Yeshua was there to support Highway to Zion and to welcome the Hydes to Charlotte.Doug, Jonathan and Paul sounded shofarot at the beginning of the meeting
Cathy Hargett, Founder and Director of HIGHWAY TO ZION, welcomed guests
HIGHWAY TO ZION Dancers shared an Israeli Folk Dance performance
Carolyn led everyone in a time of praise and worship
To hear and see Carolyn lead the congregation in the songs "Hine Ma Tov" and "Am Yisrel Chai" CLICK HERE
Carolyn & Richard shared about their ministry, HEART OF GOD MINISTRIES, in Israel
and about the doors that the LORD continues to open for them there
A number of the folks from Beit Yeshua joined Cathy Hargett and Highway To Zion from September 6 to 17, 2014, for a trip to Israel. For some of our group, this was their first trip, the second trip for others, and even the third trip for some. Cathy has taken groups to Israel for many years and does a wonderful job of planning the trip. The 4th Century Synagogue or the "White Synagogue" at Capernaum Capernaum was a fishing village in the time of the Hasmoneans (the ruling dynasty of Judea) and is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It had a population of about 1,500. Archaeological excavations have revealed two ancient synagogues built one over the other. A Catholic church near Capernaum is built over the home of Peter. Myrl, Janice and Celia at the synagogue in Capernaum The Jordan River is a 156 mile-long river in Israel flowing into the Dead Sea. Israel borders the river to the west, while Jordan lies to its east. The river has significance in Judaism and Christianity as the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where Yeshua/Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist
The mikveh was an important part of ritual purity for Jews as they prepared for temple worship. Even Yeshua participated in mikveh (baptism) as he began His ministry. In churches around the world, baptism is a part of a person's walk with the Lord with some churches baptizing children and others only baptizing after a person makes a profession of faith in Yeshua. In the traditional Jewish mikveh, the person wasn't immersed by someone else, but instead immersed themselves. Some time of reflection and introspection before the group goes into the Jordan The Sea of Galilee (also called Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret and Lake Tiberias), is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it is approximately 33 miles in circumference, about 13 miles long, and 8.1 miles wide. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 141 feet. At about 705 ft below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake overall (after the Dead Sea) The lake is fed partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south.
Myrl leads the group in some Israeli Folk Dance The Tel Dan Nature Reserve in northern Israel (Left to Right) Robbie, Gloria, Lady, Celia, Janice, Myrl and Cathy (standing) Duke and Myrl pose - revealing the beautiful landscape of Israel Megiddo is a tel (hill) in modern Israel near the Kibbutz of Megiddo, known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance especially under its Greek name Armageddon. In ancient times Megiddo was an important city-state. It is also known alternatively as Tel Megiddo (Hebrew). Megiddo is made of 26 layers of the ruins of ancient cities in a strategic location at the head of a pass through the Carmel Ridge, which overlooks the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo was a site of great importance in the ancient world, as it guarded the western branch of a narrow pass and an ancient trade route which connected the lands of Egypt and Assyria. Because of its strategic location at the crossroads of several major routes, Megiddo and its environs have witnessed several major battles throughout history. For millions of Christians, Megiddo is the Armageddon of St. John's Revelation, where the forces of Good will defeat the forces of Evil in the Final Battle at the End of Days. Tel Megiddo The problem of supplying water to large cities, a serious issue even in times of peace, could become acute in times of siege. Megiddo's main water source was located at the foot of the mound, beyond the city's fortifications. In order to ensure access to the spring from within the city, a hidden gallery was built on the slope of the mound in the 19th or 9th c. B.C. This gallery was later blocked and replaced by an elaborate water system which remained in use in the Assyrian city of the 7th c. B.C. The water system, which consists of a square shaft 35 metres (115 ft) deep, the bottom of which opens into a tunnel bored through rock for 100 metres (330 ft) to a pool of water. Visitors leave through the original entrance to the spring, which brings them out at the foot of the tel. The entrance to the Tel Megiddo water system The old city of Caesarea required a steady flow of running water. Initially its waters came from the local wells. However, as the population grew to several hundred thousand people, a large scale aqueduct was required to bring the water from a distance. The aqueduct was built in several phases, starting from King Herod. The first aqueduct was built by Herod (37BC to 4BC), at the time the new city was founded and dedicated to the Roman Caesar, Augustus. It brought the water from the southern side of Mount Carmel, at Shummi, about 10KM to the north east of the city. The water flowed on a single raised canal, and in one section it is dug into the rock (at Jiser-e-zarka, an Arab village north of Caesarea). Later, additional aqueducts were built. The aqueduct continued to supply water for 1200 years. During the ages it was repaired several times. Caesarea Maritima Tel Aviv or Tel Aviv-Yafo is the second most populous city in Israel, after Jerusalem, with a population of over 414,600. It is located on the Mediterranean coast in central-west Israel, within Gush Dan, Israel's largest metropolitan area, containing 42% of Israel's population. It is also the largest and most populous in Gush Dan, which is collectively home to 3,464,100 residents. Tel Aviv was founded by the Jewish community on the outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa (Yafo) in 1909. Immigration by mostly Jewish refugees meant that the growth of Tel Aviv soon outpaced Jaffa's, which had a majority Arab population at the time. Tel Aviv and Jaffa were merged into a single municipality in 1950, two years after the establishment of the State of Israel.
Jerusalem, located on a plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, is one of the oldest cities in the world. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. The oldest part of the city was settled in the 4th millennium BC. In 1538, walls were built around Jerusalem under Suleiman the Magnificent. Today those walls define the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four quarters—known since the early 19th century as the Jewish, Christian, Armenian and Muslim Quarters. Modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the Old City's boundaries. The Bible relates how King David established the city as the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel and his son, King Solomon, commissioned the building of the First Temple.
A view of the Mount of Olives with the numerous graves on the right side of the tel/hill The Western Wall, or Kotel, is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the area known as the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and is the place to which Jews turn during prayer. Parts of the wall are remnants of the ancient wall that surrounded the Jewish Temple's courtyard, and is the most sacred site recognized by the Jewish faith outside of the Temple Mount itself. Just over half the wall, including its 17 courses located below street level, dates from the end of the Second Temple period, commonly believed to have been constructed around 19 BCE by Herod the Great.
The Kotel or Western Wall inside the Old City of Jerusalem Gethsemane is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most noted as the place where Yeshua/Jesus prayed (while his disciples slept) the night before his crucifixion.
The Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel situated on top of an isolated rock plateau on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Herod the Great built palaces for himself on the mountain and fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE. According to Josephus, the Siege of Masada by troops of the Roman Empire towards the end of the First Jewish–Roman War ended in the mass suicide of the 960 Sicarii rebels and their families hiding there. Pamela leads the group around the ruins atop the plateau - explaining each part Time to enjoy the Bedouin means of travel - a camel ride 
Getting ready for the Bedouin-style meal inside of a tent in the Israeli desert Thanks to some good friends at Christian Friends of Israel, some of the men from the group get invited to visit an Israeli IDF Base One of the IDF soldiers shows talks about one of the weapons they use To see all of the photos of the 2014 trip to Israel CLICK HERE and scroll down Beit Yeshua celebrated the Biblical Feast of Sukkot (the Feast of Booths) on Friday, October 10th, 2014, at the home of Chuck & Janice Anthony in Lincolnton, NC. Chuck and Janice provided a sukkah (booth) for all to enjoy. Chuck and Janice provided a beautiful sukkah at their home for our Sukkot Celebration
A photo moment at the early part of the evening
As the sun began to set, shofarot were sounded and the celebration began
Janice lights the festival candles while Chuck says blessings over the bread and wine
A time of praise, worship and dance
Curtis leads the group in Sukkot Blessings and then shares about the festival
As the evening progressed, we moved inside where Paul shared about the Water Libation Ceremony
and the importance of the former and later rains in Israel
Doug shared about Simchat Torah - Rejoicing in the Torah ...
... and Chuck shared about Yeshua's birth at Sukkot
To see all the photos from Sukkot CLICK HERE and scroll down Chuck Cohen at Highway To Zion
Beit Yeshua traveled to Charlotte, NC, on Friday, October 31, 2014, to join Highway To Zion who was hosting Messianic Believer Chuck Cohen of Intercessors For israel. Cathy Hargett, Founder and Director of Highway To Zion, welcomes guests
Susan & Paul Miles of Beit Yeshua were asked to say blessings over Shabbat candles, bread and wine
Cathy had asked Curtis Loftin of Beit Yeshua to pick out music for praise and worship
and to lead in a time of congregational Israeli Folk Dance
Chuck Cohen of Intercessors For Israel shared a message for the evening
Beit Yeshua gathered on Friday, December 12, 2014, in Chuck & Janice's home in Lincolnton, NC, to celebrate the Biblical Festival of Hanukkah/Chanukah. The story of Hanukkah tells how the Jews, under the leadership of Matthias and Judas Maccabees, rebelled against the Syrians and reclaimed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem - reminding us that God is always with those who seek to do His will. The Feast of Hanukkah is also called the Feast of Dedication as well as the Festival of Lights. The New Covenant recounts how Yeshua/Jesus celebrated the Feast of Hanukkah. John 10:22-25
And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of Dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the Temple in Solomon's Porch. Then came the Jews round about him and said unto him, "How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me."Each family was asked to bring a Hanukkah menorah and two candles to light in honor of the first night of Hanukkah
Early arrivals chatted while waiting for others to arrive
Hanukkah candles were lit
The Hanukkah lights illuminated the room and blessed all those who were present
To see all the photos from Hanukkah CLICK HERE and scroll down Go to 2014, Page 1 - January to March
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