Moments of Hope Church
May 29 - June 9, 2023
Registration Information:
This registration site is for those who have PRE-REGISTERED & paid a deposit to Moments of Hope church. For more details, contact Moments of Hope church info@momentsofhopechurch.org<m
Instructions: Please register and put the Land only trip in your registration cart. Complete all required information as soon as you can! Look forward to seeing you in Israel – Shalom y’all!
Trip Itinerary:
Monday, May 29 – Day 1
Depart USA Note: Weather is plus/minus 6 degrees
Tuesday, May 30 – Day 2 Weather: H – 85, L- 65
Arrive in Israel. On your way to the hotel, you will follow the ancient road called the Way of the Sea through the Plain of Sharon, home to several Biblical events. Overnight at Herods – Herzliya
Wednesday, May 31 – Day 3 Weather: H -80, L – 70
We pack up and start the day with a stop at Caesarea where we will focus on Peter, Paul and the early Church. Next, we head up to Mt Carmel and address Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Part of today’s journey will include a visit to Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth along with Zippori/Sepphoris. We will stop at Kefar Kedem village for a reenactment of Biblical times 2000 years ago. Overnight in Galilee
Thursday, June 1 – Day 4 Weather: H -82+, L-70
On our visit to Tel Dan, we will enjoy a hike through a nature preserve where we see the sources of the Jordan River, study Scripture, visit the high place of Dan and city gates from the time of Abraham and Jereboam. Next, the bus will carry us about two miles to Caesarea Philippi, the capital of Philip’s territory and discuss Peter’s great confession of faith. Afterwards, we will ascend the Golan Heights to the War Memorial that provides an excellent view of the surrounding region. From this vantage point we will view Mt Hermon and discuss Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road. We will move on to Katsrin, a reconstructed ancient village from just after the time of Jesus. Will conclude the day with a stop at Gadara (Gergesa) for a discussion of the Gadarene demoniac. Overnight in Galilee
Friday, June 2 – Day 5 (Shabbat begins at sunset) Weather: H – 85+, L- 70
Today we will travel around the Sea of Galilee with several stops. Our first stop will surround Matthew 11 and Luke 10 at the site of Korazin and then to Capernaum which was the home base of Jesus’ ministry. A favorite stop is the Yigal Alon Museum that holds a 1st-century fishing boat from the Sea of Galilee, similar to the ones Jesus used. We too will travel on the Sea of Galilee by boat which will orient us to biblical locations around the lake. Our next site is Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, which has an excavated 1st-century synagogue where Jesus likely taught. Overnight in Galilee
Saturday, June 3 – Day 6 Shabbat Weather: H – 85, L- 70
We will leave our Galilee hotel to explore the Jezreel Valley. This begins with an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River. We drive through the area of Beit Shan, the Harod Valley and into the Jezreel Valley. Here, we visit Gideon’s Spring/Ein Harod, area of the first Israeli kibbutz and where God chose the 300 for battle. Jezreel is our next stop which involves Ahab and Jezebel. Then we move on to Har Barkan for a view of the Jezreel Valley, northern Samaria and the Dothan Valley where we will study related Biblical passages. Overnight at Lady Stern in Jerusalem
Sunday, June 4 – Day 7 Weather: H – 95+, L- 65
Today we will drive to the ascent to the top of Masada which is Herod’s greatest fortress. We will travel about 20 miles to the settlement at Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls caves which contained our oldest Biblical manuscripts. Now on to a Dead Sea float at Kaliya Beach. On our way to Jerusalem we will view the Jerusalem-Jericho Road and discuss the parable of the Good Samaritan Overnight Lady Stern
Monday, June 5- Day 8 Weather: H –84 +, L – 65
We will start our first day in Jerusalem with a stop at the City of David. Extensive excavations take us through the periods of David and Solomon and back to the Jebusite period. An optional walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel is available. Bring shorts & water shoes if you decide to travel the wet tunnel. Several paths lead us to the Pool of Siloam and a discussion of Jesus’ healing of the blind man.
The premier Israel Museum will provide opportunity to view Dead Sea Scrolls and other artifacts in the Shrine of the Book. A model of Jerusalem & the Temple in the time of Jesus will also be visited. If time allows we will visit the archeological wing of the museum. Overnight at Lady Stern in Jerusalem
Tuesday, June 6 – Day 9 Weather: H-84+, L-65
The first stop of the day is Bethlehem, which includes the Church of the Nativity related to Jesus’ birth, the Shepherds’ Field, an olivewood shop, and lunch in the city of the birthplace of our Savior.
We will return to Jerusalem to visit the Tower of David Museum and Herod’s Palace where Jesus was turned over to Pilate. Next, we visit(if open) the Wohl Museum, which contains the mansions of the Chief Priests who turned Jesus over to the Romans for execution. We conclude our study today with a visit to the Church of Holy Sepulcher/Resurrection, the traditional location of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Overnight at Lady Stern in Jerusalem
Wednesday, June 7 – Day 10 Weather: H-85+, L-65
Our morning begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives which includes a survey of biblical events and an overview of Jerusalem from the east. A brief bus ride from the top of the Mt of Olives takes us down into the Kidron Valley and the Church of All Nations. Here, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane and discuss the arrest of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. We re-enter the Old City through St. Stephen’s/Lions’ Gate and then enter St. Anne’s Church. This compound also includes the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed a man unable to walk. Next, we will visit and pray at Judaism’s most holy site, the Western Wall. We will conclude with a visit to the Pinnacle of the Temple and the Southern Steps leading to the Temple Mount. No dinner at the hotel tonight! Our day will conclude with a provided rooftop Celebration Dinner at Notre Dame overlooking the Old City. Overnight at Lady Stern
Thursday, June 8, Day 11 Weather: H-85+, L-65
After breakfast, we will pack up and proceed to the Garden Tomb, the Upper Room and Jerusalem University College. Here we will visit Horatio Spafford’s gravesite and several archeological sites on the campus grounds. In addition, we will bless the students with care items brought from the USA as part of the service component of our trip.
For our final day of exploration in Israel. It begins with a drive to Lachish in the Shephelah region for a study of the days just prior to the Babylonian exile. Additional stops include Beit Guvrin and a Roman gladiator stadium. We will travel through the Elah Valley which is home to Azekah, Socoh, Sha’araim and the Brook Elah which leads us to a discussion of the battle between David & Goliath. We will stop for dinner and then on to Ben Gurion Airport for our departure.
Friday, June 9 – Day 12
Arrive home
Schedules, housing and itinerary are subject to change without notice due to COVID-19, the devaluation of the dollar and political and religious uncertainties. This itinerary is based on the best possible use of time management, keeping in mind the complexities of Jerusalem traffic, the current political climate and operating hours as regards to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays and holy days.