How to Prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles 2023 Just when you thought the Jewish holidays were over, the Feast of Tabernacles in 2023 comes rearing its festive head. Of all the biblical holy days, Tabernacles (also referred to as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot) is the last of the fall holidays. And, if we’re being honest, it’s the most fun.  So what is the Feast of Tabernacles? Is the holiday only available to Jews? And how can you make Sukkot 2023 the best year yet?  We’ll cover all that. But first, here’s a little background.   The Holiday Buildup If the Jewish calendar seem ..read more

The Feast of Trumpets 2023 The Feast of Trumpets in 2023 Summer is winding down, and we’ll soon see stores flood with kids begrudgingly walking through the school supplies aisle. But there’s more to fall than just back-to-school shopping and pumpkin patches.  In fact, there’s much, much more.  As the sun sets on September 15th, families all over the globe will begin to settle into the first of the fall Biblical holidays: Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets.  Despite common beliefs, the holidays in the Bible are not simply Jewish holidays. Rather, everyone is invited to parti ..read more

The Hanukkah Story Have you ever just felt empty?  Some seasons are characterized by laughter and abounding joy. Things at work seem to click, your family enjoys being around each other and you walk through your days with confidence.  We love those days, don’t we? It’s what every Hollywood happy ending is made of.  But what about the other days, the ones we hide in our heart’s closet and pretend they aren’t there?   You see your kids’ needs, but you are unable to meet them. Rather than producing anything at work, you feel as though you’re just bashing stones against ..read more

How to Have a Happy Hanukkah 2021 Stores have cleared the back-to-school supplies to make way for Christmas decorations. The weather is changing, and soon we’ll hear Bing Crosby singing about a White Christmas on every radio station. But what about Hanukkah in 2021? But for Jewish people everywhere, there’s more to this holiday season than just feel-good movies and baking. In fact, there’s plenty of houses that won’t be staged with a Christmas tree this year. As a Messianic congregation with a heart for the Bible and Biblical holidays, we can relate. Although the Hanukkah celebration isn’t c ..read more

How to Prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles 2022 Just when you thought the Jewish holidays were over, the Feast of Tabernacles in 2022 comes rearing its festive head. Of all the biblical holy days, Tabernacles (also referred to as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot) is the last of the fall holidays. And, if we’re being honest, it’s the most fun.  So what is the Feast of Tabernacles? Is the holiday only available to Jews? And how can you make Sukkot 2021 the best year yet?  We’ll cover all that. But first, here’s a little background.   The Holiday Buildup If the Jewish calendar seem ..read more

The Feast of Trumpets and Tashlich: An Invitation To Cast Off Your Burdens We’ve all either walked up a mountain, taken a hike, or are at least familiar with the process. Whether or not you get to the top, hiking can be intense. There are moments when only sheer determination will bring your burning, shaky legs another step forward. And it seems like just when you are about to call it quits, a friend comes alongside you to offer you some encouragement, or you notice a plateau a little way up and find the energy you need to carry on. (And of course the added expectation of the start of a pret ..read more

The Feast of Trumpets 2022 The Feast of Trumpets in 2022 Summer is winding down, and we’ll soon see stores flood with kids begrudgingly walking through the school supplies aisle. But there’s more to fall than just back-to-school shopping and pumpkin patches.  In fact, there’s much, much more.  As the sun sets on September 25th, families all over the globe will begin to settle into the first of the fall Biblical holidays: Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets.  Despite common beliefs, the holidays in the Bible are not simply Jewish holidays. Rather, everyone is invited to parti ..read more

MESSIAH IN TORAH TORAH PORTIONS – JAN 16, 2020 READ THE TORAH PORTION READ MARK 1-2 READ I CHRONICLES 15-29 PORTION SUMMARY And I Appeared – Exodus 6:2-9:35 Exodus 6:2-30 Israel’s elders have rejected Moses. Pharaoh doesn’t listen to him. In His confusion and rejection, Moses complains to Yahweh. And, Yahweh responds. He affirms His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and then once again declares He will redeem Israel from Egypt. However, this time He does so with a four-fold promise: I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will deliver you from sla ..read more

MESSIAH IN TORAH TORAH PORTIONS – JAN 9, 2020 READ THE TORAH PORTION READ MATTHEW 26-28 READ I CHRONICLES 1-14 PORTION SUMMARY Names – Exodus 1:1-6:1 Exodus 1:1-22 After Joseph’s generation passes, Israel remains in Egypt, multiplies greatly, and grows to great strength. A new Pharaoh rises to power that does not remember or regard Joseph. He grows fearful of Israel. To contain the potential threat they represent, he enslaves them and makes them build the stores cities of Pithom and Raamses. Dissatisfied with the impact of slavery, he commands Shifrah and Puah, two Hebrew midwives ..read more

The Story – Jesus as the Word Each night, we are reminded that Jesus is the Word of God as we read from the Word of God as we light our candles. Once again, come with me, and again imagine standing in Jerusalem, near the Temple in Solomon’s Portico with Jesus. This beautiful portico runs along the Eastern side of Herod’s temple, and it is beautiful decorated. This place will later be the location where Peter preaches his sermon and thousands will dedicate their lives to Jesus the Messiah.   But for now, far away from the busy pandemonium of the city streets, this place is quiet and sn ..read more