B. Judaism

During praise and worship, we proclaimed that we belong to God. All that we are, we place into His loving hands. Here we are, we stand, with arms wide open, to the One, the Son, the Everlasting God. Amen. We also heard a prophetic word, before Rebbetzin Melinda delivered Ha’azinu, Listen, Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52. Moses’ Song reminded us to respect God by listening to His Laws. And instead of just missing God’s face or favor, we need to actively seek it, by doing His will. Praise reports included the right words to speak, and we prayed for healings, after which Rabbi Jonathan revealed a personal word he received from God. Finally, the message was on why we should observe Sukkot. By obeying Leviticus 23:34-43, we are given perspective and appreciation for modern comforts. Sukkot allows us to rest, and God multiplies fellowships that convene together in unity. Many great reasons; we pray you observed and enjoyed Sukkot. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/22-Sept-2018-Slides.pdf

As we wrapped up our fifth cycle of holy days, and successful year as a church plant, Rabbi Jonathan was honored to kick off with a beautiful Tashlich Service, in observance of Rosh Hashanah. During the head of the year, festival of trumpets, we began 10 Days of Awe or reflecting. Sounds of the shofar celebrate our return to God, and we symbolically casted our sins into a river. Thank you God for removing our sins to the depths of the sea. On Shabbat Shavuh, Chris covered Vayelech, He Went, Deuteronomy 31:1-30. As Moses neared the end of his life, he reminded Israel to be courageous, then he read the Torah. After praise reports for saved babies, and prayer for our fathers, Rabbi Jonathan implored everyone to t’shuva, turn away from sin. Will you walk upright in the Word, or stumble by it? Finally, on Yom Kippur, we made al chet confessions, then presented ourselves in a worthy (repentant) manner to God. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/HHD-Sept-2018-Slides.pdf

Catching up on recordings that were delayed, this service is sure to impact you positively! Will you praise God when your strength is lost? What about when the fight seems lost? If you praise Him in the despair, and when your life is nearing its final days, He will bless you beyond measure. Our Rebbetzin covered Ki Tetze, When You Go Forth, Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19. When we go out amongst people, there is a way we are commanded to behave. If you find something that belongs to your neighbor, you must care for it till your neighbor arrives. And despite what we think about progressive ideals, God has thoughts about men wearing women’s clothes. Praise reports were numerous, and we recited the mourners kaddish, after which Rabbi Jonathan talked about his travels, and the High Holy Days. Whether a “gentile” (Christian) who is blessed to provoke the native born (Jews) to jealousy, or an invited neighbor, make sure to observe the feasts! Here is the High Holy Days Events Pamphlet.

Brother Chris did an excellent job opening up Devarim or Words, Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22. There is a lot of summarizing and retelling in this book, but one point that should not be missed is the power of our words. When we murmur or complain against God, we do not invoke the blessings. Then when you find yourself in a wilderness of sorts, know that God is with you, and will provide for the meek. And when you come up against an enemy or giant obstacle, remember it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Tristen (age 5) forwarded a praise report of found swimming googles, and we prayed for PTSD struggles, then Rabbi Jonathan taught about Shabbat observance. The message kicked of by discussing the Love Georgetown Event (https://www.lovegeorgetown.org), which just so happens to be on a Saturday. What qualifies as work, and what are we prohibited from doing, on the Seventh Day? Listen and learn. Torah portion slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/21-July-2018-Parsha.pdf and main message slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/21-July-2018-Sermon.pdf.

Whilst Rabbi Jonathan was in Chicago serving veterans as a Chaplain, and meeting people at Evanston Subaru (watch his vlog https://youtu.be/xLnxAquRBXE), Amanda led an amazing Messianic Jewish rendition of Tremble. We believe in one God (Adonai Echad), and as we say His Name, may any darkness in our lives tremble! Our Shabbat School Coordinator, Paula, presented Shlach, Send To You, Numbers 13:1 – 15:41. Moses sent spies into the land flowing with milk and honey, yet most were fearful of taking what God had promised. How quickly we forget what God has done, and the leaders He appointed. We prayed for protection and healing, praised God for a proposal, then listened as Brother Adam delivered a timely sermon on having a Hebrew, Biblical, and non-Western perspective. Make sure to listen intently, and share this amazing teaching with your friends. The slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/09-Jun-2018-Slides.pdf

May His light ever burn within us, as a consuming fire that never gets put out. When we allow God to burn deep inside, overtake our hearts, and fuel our passions once again, we connect with a power that can transform lives. In the Torah, Michael summarizedBeha’alotcha, When You Set Up, Numbers 8:1 – 12:15. As we kindle the candles in the temple, or serve as evangelical lights, the orientation should be outward facing, towards the community. And if you want to be responsible for leading or lighting the menorah, you must first prove you can follow. Finally, we should remember that complaining is more than unbecoming; grumbling against one’s leaders, or God, puts you squarely on the path to destruction. Do not complain; pray for people, and lift them up. Finally, mazel tov to Davina, for being recognized as a daughter of the covenant. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/02-June-2018-Slides.pdf

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain, or control. I want more of you God. There is no place I would rather be, than here in Your love. In the Torah, Watchman Alexander opened Bamidbar, In The Wilderness, Numbers 1:1 – 4:20. Like the separation we see in royal weddings, between the privileged and commoners, God only allows certain people to get close to Him. And with increased closeness to God and His Power, comes an increased level accountably. Next, we praised God for vehicles and safety, after which we prayed for discernment. Finally, Rabbi Jonathan delivered his Shavuot (Pentecost) Sermon. Fifty days after the exodus, Israel received the Ten Commandments, and when Jewish believers observed Shavuot in the first century, they received the Holy Spirit. We get blessed when we obey. Now with that Gift, make sure you manifest the Fruits. And the slides are https://messiahechad.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/19-May-2018-Slides.pdf

With visitors who drove more than five hours to attend, and members that have been in the faith over five decades, Messiah Echad was blessed to enter our fifth year observing God’s Feasts and Festivals. Our order of service began by mentioning the unblemished lamb from Exodus 12:5, which became Yeshua (Jesus) later in the Bible. The second Passover theme is removal of leaven from our homes but also pride, puffiness, or sin from our lives. The third theme is when a non-Jewish visitor or stranger wants observe the Passover, God commands us to permit them. Peradventure, maybe even encourage. Passover is a witness, a testimony to the community, and proof that God answers prayer. Lastly, we observed communion with bread and wine, then anticipated Elijah’s coming. Chag Semach, Happy Passover, and may your Feast of Unleavened Bread be easy.