Erev Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat, the 11th month in the Hebrew Calendar, is at sundown on Tuesday, Jan 24th. Can you believe that Purim is only a month and a half away? And Pesach is one month after that? Time really flies when you’re having fun!
Chodesh Tov! Have a Good Month!
Thank you to all who came out to celebrate with us yesterday. This was by far our biggest and best Chanukah Fair. We’ve posted photos of our time on our Facebook Page. See them here: Chanukah Fair Photos
There are still two nights of Chanukah to go! Chag Sameach!
The 3rd Annual
Download a flyer and invite your friends!
FRMC Chanukah Fair 5772 (PDF, 166KB)
Find more Chanukah Resources: Click Here
George, Elianna, Rivka, and Obadiah Whitten
Saturday, November 26th
7:00-9:00pm
Join us for an evening of Israeli Music and Dancing. Come hear a special report on Israel from the perspective of Believers in the Land.
George Whitten is the founder of Worthy News, a popular Christian News source on the Internet. He brings a unique perspective on news from the Middle East, giving insights about worldwide events from a Christian perspective.
Israeli-born Rivka Whitten ministers in song and has a style and spirit that is riveting for any listener, especially those who love Jewish music. Rivka will perform music from her CD, Lazman Hazeh (For Such a Time as This). These songs have a unique mix of Yemenite Israeli vocals along with rhythms from around the world. Although all the songs are in Hebrew, you will not need a translation to feel the power of the Holy Spirit.
Together, George and Rivka lead Kehilat Matan Todah (Congregation Give Thanks) in the Israeli town of Arad where Believers are highly persecuted.
For more information…
Email: info@frontrangemessianic.org
Call: (720) 530-3302
Support the Whitten’s ministry in Israel – look through your jewelry boxes and bring any broken, unwanted jewelry of any kind. Rivka melts it and/ or takes it apart to teach women the trade of jewelry making in Israel and also sells it to support their ministry in the Land. Thank you!
Ultra-Orthodox Jews Harass Israeli Believers – March 11, 2011
Anti-Messianic Jews demo in Arad today – March 9, 2011
Demonstration against Messianic Jews – February 16, 2011
Messianic Jews Persecuted in Arad [video] – May 7, 2010
The Chanukah Story
performed by The Front Range Messianic Community
at The Westminster Grange Hall
on Kislev 26, 5770 | December 13, 2009
Every year our Chanukah celebrations get better and better. This year, I’m sure will be no exception. Stay tuned for details of our upcoming Chanukah Fair…
Chanukah (or Hanukkah) is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the victory of the small Jewish rebellion, led by Judah Maccabee, against the mighty Syrian army.
In 169 BCE the Syrian King, Anitochus IV Epiphanes, decreed that all people groups cease the practice of their cultural forms of worship and follow his religion alone. Anyone found violating this order would be killed. For the Jews, this included worshipping Hashem, studying the Torah and keeping their traditions. It was a very sad time in Jewish history. While many Jews bowed to the Kings decree, there was a small group of Jews led by the priest Matityahu that did not. This group, zealous for the Torah, found refuge in nearby caves and formed a guerilla army. When Matityahu died his son, Judah Maccabee (the Hammer), led the rebels. Three years later, this small group of Jews eventually defeated the great Syrian army.
When the Syrians were in control of the Holy Temple, Antiochus and his men desecrated the altar by sacrificing unclean animals on it. They placed idols, statues of Greek gods, throughout the Temple. They also stole all the gold and sliver items used in the Temple for the ritual ceremonies. Once the Jews regained control of the Temple, they re-dedicated it to Hashem, hence the name “Chanukah”, which means dedication. Once their victory was complete in 166 BCE, the Jews celebrated for eight days emulating the Biblical festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles; see Leviticus 23).
Today, nine-branch candelabras, foods fried in oil, chocolate coins, spinning tops and gifts are the main focus of Chanukah celebrations. However, these symbols don’t quite express the reason for our joy. The victory against assimilation is the major theme of the Chanukah story. When we remember the story of the Maccabees, we should be reminded that sometimes we have to stand up against those that persecute us for following Hashem and His commandments. On top of that, we must remember to come against the allure to follow after the ways of the World. We must not abandon Hashem’s instructions and covenants.
The small Jewish army, known as the Maccabees, was faithful to take a stand and fight for what they believed was true – the Torah. Hashem honored their zeal by delivering a larger, better-trained and better-equipped army into their hands. He can and will do the same for us.
Historically, this story took place during the 400 years between the writing of Old and New Testaments. The story of the Maccabee’s defeat over the Syrians is the fulfillment of the prophecies in Daniel 8 and 11. Another Biblical connection is that Chanukah is mentioned once in the New Testament in the Gospel of John 10:22-42. In this passage, Yeshua (Jesus) is at the Temple celebrating Chanukah. It was at this time that He finally revealed to everyone that He and the Father are One.
The Chanukah story can be found in the Apocryphal books of Maccabees 1 & 2. The Apocryphal books can be found in most Catholic Bibles, but you can find them online at the links below. My favorite is the Good News Translation.
New Revised Standard Version:
Maccabees 1 (NRSV)
Maccabees 2 (NRSV)
Good News Translation:
Maccabees 1 (GNT)
Maccabees 2 (GNT)
King James Version:
Maccabees 1 (KJV)
Maccabees 2 (KJV)
Tonight is Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, the 8th month in the Biblical Calendar.
As a reminder, we will not be meeting as a community on Erev Rosh Chodesh during the winter months. Our gatherings will begin again in March with Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan.
Join us on our slow but focused journey through the Torah over a 3-year period. Last week we began our 3rd and final year of the Triennial Torah Cycle. While other congregations are starting over in Genesis, we are still in the book of Numbers!
Download a PDF of our schedule here: FRMC Triennial Torah Cycle 2011-2012 (148kb PDF)
The Public Reading of Scripture in the 1st Century Synagogue, by Tim Hegg (193KB PDF)
In this article author Tim Hegg (Torah Resource) discusses the Torah cycles in 1st Century Judaism and what possibly took place in synagogues during the time of Yeshua.
The cycle of the Moedim has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. Every year our celebrations are more meaningful as our community grows. Thank you Adonai for allowing us to reach this season and celebrate Your Appointed Times.
Click on the links below to see photos of our Fall Festival Celebrations. If you have more photos to share, please send them to me!
Yom Teruah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot“…you shall rejoice before the LORD your God”
Lev 23:40, ESV
Closing Shabbat During Sukkot.
Sukkot Day 1
Convocation Service
Thursday, October 13
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Shmini Atzeret
Convocation Service
Thursday, October 20
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
One more cancellation this week…
Our Thursday Corporate Prayer time will be cancelled because of Yom Kippur. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Ernie or Justina Wooten.