Category: Israel Trip

A most excellent Christmas gift.

On By MarkIn Christmas, Israel Trip2 Comments

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

Here we go, Christmas 2022! We are just days away from people gathering together for Christmas traditions and celebrations, Christmas Eve services, candlelights, carols and exchanging of cards, gifts and family hugs. Reunited families gathering around the tree and later the festive table for the feast. Neighbors waving and kids playing with new toys. Most have prepared and waited for weeks for this special season. And here we are. Christmas has come and the meaning is as powerful as ever for those that know and follow Jesus.

Christmas is special.

Whether or not it matters that there were barnyard animals looking on as December 24 rolled around, the truth is, the Bible tells us that the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us. The prophecies and purposes of God were about to be fulfilled. So, as followers of Christ who have been changed by His grace, we celebrate, we remember and we worship.

Join with the Grace Church family this Christmas Eve for 5:15 service either on Friday Dec 23, or Saturday Dec 24. Hope to see you there.

Here’s a gift idea:

If you’d like a great idea for a gift that will long be remembered, come to Israel with me and Laurie this coming October. We will once again be hosting a group to the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked. We’ll even have a chance to go to Bethlehem where the whole experience of “Immanuel: God with Us” began. You’ll see the garden where Jesus prayed the night before the crucifixion and the garden tomb where we believe His body was laid, before the glorious resurrection.

Check out the information here. After the holidays we’ll begin having some interest and information meetings. So, whether to give or receive, what an ideal Christmas gift: let’s go to Bethlehem and see!

http://www.allaboutgrace.com

https://www.adventurebibletours.com/grace-church-flagstaff

Blessings to you this Christmas.

Yom Kippur

On By MarkIn Israel TripLeave a comment

As I’m writing this, it’s still Yom Kippur.  The day of atonement.  Praise God we can know Him because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:26-27

12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

English Standard Version, Romans 6:9-11; Hebrews 7:26-27; Hebrews 9:12

That’s it. That’s the best news ever.

Know it.

Live it.

Share it.

On a side note, next year’s Yom Kippur will be in October. I looked it up. Because… ready? We’ll be IN ISRAEL next year!

This past week I secured our spot for a group trip to Israel, Oct 3 -12ish.  Because we’re over a year out, we can’t secure all the details just yet, flights, schedules, etc.  But, the good news is, you can NOW pencil in those dates and start saving!  More details will come as we get closer, but please feel free to pass this on and make sure you save your spot!  Can’t wait!