First Information Session a Success!

The first information session about the trip to Israel was held at 1^st Presbyterian Church in South Boston on Wednesday, March 3rd was well attended. There were eleven folks who showed up and several others that had communicated through e-mail or telephone call that they were interested though they couldn’t attend last night. That’s a good start for this Pilgrimage. Praise the Lord!

We began the meeting with a discussion about our goals for the trip. To a person there was agreement that we view this trip as a spiritual journey. With this in mind we determined that we will make time to get together each month to study the places we will be visiting to understand their significance in Old Testament, during Jesus ministry, and in the history of the church. Several shared that they have been familiar with these places all their lives from Sunday School stories and sermons, but never had the perspective of them through the Middle East culture in which they exist, and they want that. Everyone spoke of the fact that they know persons who have taken this journey and each of them stated that they were changed in very positive ways from it. Seeing the places where Jesus performed his ministry is a gift that feeds the Spirit.

Here is our itinerary:

Day 1 and 2: Depart from Raleigh Durham Airport traveling to TelAviv. It’s a long trip so we will rest when we arrive.

Day 3: JERICHO/BEIT SHEAN/NAZARETH

See the ancient Tel of Jericho and the Mount of Temptation before traveling north through the Jordan Valley. Visit Beit Shean, the only Decapolis city in Israel.In Nazareth, visit the Church of the Annunciation. Travel to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle, before arriving in Tiberias, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee for two overnights.

Day 4: GALILEE

Begin the day at the Mt. of Beatitudes listening again to The Sermon on the Mount. Visit Tabgha, the site of the famous miracle, and the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.Hear the words of Jesus to Peter, "feed My sheep," as you visit the Primacy of Peter Church. In the afternoon, see the 1st century boat before boarding a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Biblical city of Capernaum and see the old synagogue and the house of Peter's mother-inlaw. At the Jordan River take time to renew your baptismal vows.

Day 5: MT CARMEL/MEGIDDO/CAESAREA

Hear afresh the story of the prophet Elijah atop Mt. Carmel. Cross the Valley of Armageddon to visit Tel Megiddo. En route to Jerusalem visit the Crusader City at Caesarea and the ancient Roman Aqueduct. In the afternoon travel to Mt. Zion, visiting the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb.

Day 6: OLD CITY - JERUSALEM

Begin your day at the Western Wall. Tread on the sacred ground of the Temple Mount and see the Dome of the Rock. Walk the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross), and visit the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne's Church. Proceed to the Antonia Fortress where the crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head and take time at the Stations of the Cross for prayer and reflection. Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the House of Caiaphas, where Peter denied Jesus.

Day 7: MT of OLIVES/BETHLEHEM

The day begins standing on the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Kidron Valley and the walled city of Jerusalem. Walk the Palm Sunday path to the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations built over the Rock of Agony. This afternoon travel to Bethlehem and visit Shepherd’s Field where the angels first sang “Glory to God in the Highest.” Visit the Church of the Nativity and kneel at the star which marks the birth of our Savior. See the Chapel of the Innocence and the cave where St. Jerome translated the Scriptures.

Day 8: FREE DAY in JERUSALEM Or OPTIONAL DEAD SEA DAY/MASADA/QUMRAN

Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem or opt to travel to Herod’s ancient fortress of Masada, built high atop a mountain on the edge of the Dead Sea. This afternoon visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. End the day with time for relaxation along the shore of the Dead Sea (Optional, $49).

Day 9: BETHANY/DEPART

Enjoy a free morning in Jerusalem or opt to visit the Israel Museum (Optional, $25). This afternoon visit Bethany and the tomb of Lazarus. Worship at the Garden Tomb where your group can pray, sing and commune together. After a Farewell Dinner travel to TelAviv to board the overnight flight to the USA.

Day 10: Arrive home with a treasure of memories.

Wow, doesn’t that sound great! Remember, we are currently planning this trip for February of 2011.

Alpha Christian Tours, Inc. is the company that will be leading us on this tour. They could not be with us last night because they are currently leading a tour in Israel with my good friend, Rev. Kenny Newsome from Fairfax, VA. We are planning a second meeting at 1^st Presbyterian when they get back so that they can share pictures and stories from this trip (and others) and answer more questions that we may have. We think this meeting will be during the week of March 22 – 26^th, probably Wednesday the 24^th.

Stay tuned to this Blog. More information to come! Thanks to everyone who showed up for the first information meeting last night!