Day 2: Tabgha and Capernaum

Day 2: Tabgha and Capernaum
Rob was struck by the church at Tabgha. It was built on the site where Jesus multiplied the 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the crowds. On the floor of the church there remains a mosaic of the miracle, showing only 4 loaves of bread. The 5th loaf was purposely left out - it was to be supplied by Jesus when the faithful gathered to enjoy the Lord's Supper.
We all worshipped there in different ways. Some lit candles and prayed. Others sat on the pews and mediated. Deedra led us in a reading of Mark's description of what took place there centuries earlier.

In the back of the sanctuary a group sang hymns in another language.

Before long the church was filled with pilgrims from various countries - Japan, Russia, Germany and India.

Different faces, different journeys, different hunger. We had all traveled to enjoy that same 5th

loaf.

Capernaum

A bit down the road we visited Capernaum. The rocky remains of Peter’s house are underneath the foundation of a church built by the Franciscans. The synagogue of Capernaum is likely the site that Jesus would have visited.

A storm whipped up as we attempted to worship and pray outdoors, so we prayed inside while seeking shelter from the rain coming off of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 1: Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Tiberius

After a long --real long day (or was it two) travelling, we were thrilled to get to make a surprise visit to Haifa for lunch and then on to Tiberius to check into the Scots Hotel. This image was the clear group choice for today. Today was a beautiful day of springlike showers and sun that came together to paint this scene on the Sea of Galilee from the hotel. Check out our full photostream on the right-hand side of this page for more highlights

Checking into Hartsfield Jackson

Commissioning Service

Thank you Kathy and Beedee for leading our commissioning service and sending us off with rich prayers and blessings!   

         Charge to Pilgrims  

To you who have been called to this pilgrimage to Israel, I say to you that the grace bestowed upon you in your baptism is sufficient for your calling, because it is God’s grace. 

By God’s grace we are able to commit ourselves in ways that serve Christ. 

God has called each of you to this particular pilgrimage. I charge you, during your participation on this pilgrimage, to focus on the Light of Christ with which you are surrounded, to stay alert for God’s word to you on this journey, and to take care of yourself and one another. 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God through him.

            Commissioning Prayer                                

   O Lord Jesus Christ, you were willing to become human in order to seek the lost sheep and to bring that sheep back to the flock.  You commanded all your people to pray, to ask, to seek and to knock.  We humbly pray today that you would keep these pilgrims safe on their journey.  Bless them with your love and grace.  Give them vision to see the holy places and to know your sanctifying love.  Give them for their journey, a staff for aid and comfort, a Bible to guide them to your truth, a willing and open heart that knows repentance and humility, and leaders to point them in the way of Christ.  May this journey renew and strengthen their faith, and lead to a deeper commitment to love God and all the new neighbors they will meet along the way.  Make them a community of the faithful as they travel with others. Bring them safely home to witness to your love that they encounter along the way.  Bless their families, friends, loved ones that stay behind.  Comfort them with the knowledge that this is God's calling..  In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Amen.

What is Pilgrimage?

What is pilgrimage?
Entering the flow of sacred history.
Traveling to the ends of the earth.
Visiting the depths of your worst self.
Seeking inspiration.
Shunning limitations.
Clinging to hope.
Releasing cherished illusions.
Experiencing fear’s torments.
Being misunderstood.
Misunderstanding.
Welcoming grace.
Exhausting your resources.
Leaving. Arriving. Leaving. Arriving.
Receiving undeserved help.
Seeing while being seen.
Sharing.
Withholding.
Moving, always moving.
Extending kindness.
Getting lost.
Being found.
Orienting your heart.
What isn’t pilgrimage?
Staying stuck.


Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture: Anthropological Perspectives   New York: Columbia University Press 1978

Beginning our journey in Atlanta

We gathered for worship this morning and left our burdens and worries at the cross so we can be open to the holy surprises on our way.

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2011 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Blog. We invite you to journey along with us as we post updates and pictures. Here is a slideshow of our itinerary and our daily themes. We covet your prayers for spiritual renewal, growth, and safety. We will begin posting on Tuesday, March 8th.

May the peace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of us as we journey through the Holy Land together.