Newsletter
December 2011 Prayer Newsletter
Newsletter - December 2011
"Arise and shine for your Light has come and the glory of
the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold darkness shall cover the earth and thick
darkness the people, but the Lord will arise upon you and
his glory will be seen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1-3)
Dear family and friends, greetings of shalom from Kfar Saba
In these dark and uncertain clouds of violence and
insecurity coming upon our society, it is good to know that
our help always comes from the Lord, in this season
holidays when we remember that the "Word became flesh
and tabernacled among us " (John 1:14). We are grateful to
our Creator King who has saved us from the kingdom of
darkness to bring us to His Kingdom of Light.
2000 years ago, an old Jewish man by the name of Simeon,
received in the temple of Jerusalem, a little baby boy
brought by his parents, he lifted up his eyes and prayed in
thanksgiving: "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace…
for my eyes have seen your salvation, prepared in the
presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles
and the glory of Your people, Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)
The name of this little Jewish baby boy is Jesus or Yeshua
(in Hebrew meaning Savior- Matt 1:21)
There is no other light for the gentile nations and there is
no other glory for the people of Israel except through the
savior, Yeshua of Nazareth, King of the Jews and Light of
this world. " The people walking in darkness have seen a
great light … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given
and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His
name shall be called :' wonderful counselor, mighty God,
prince of peace, everlasting father. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end upon the
throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to
uphold it in justice and with righteousness from this time
fourth and for evermore" ( Isaiah. 9:1-7)
We are moving forward as a local congregation of
Messianic believers here in Israel to lift up the name of our
savior in any open doors that He opens before us. His grace
has been sufficient to us and we have testified of His
unfailing love and protection to us as a community.
A time to die, a time to be born ( Ecc 3:1)
With sadness we need to let you know that Rafi's father
passed away last month at the age of 74 from sickness. On
behalf of his family, we want to thank you for all your
prayers on their behalf.
Since he was in the hospital, Rafi's mother started to
attend our Shabbat meetings regularly.
We also witnessed the birth of two healthy baby boys and
it was such a joy and privilege to see God adding to our
midst in this natural way.
A blessed visit to the doctors
Moriel and Nitsan who lost their baby boy last September
came back to the hospital to thank the surgeons and
medical staff for their care and efforts, trying to save their
baby. The staff was touched and surprised that M. and M.
had such faith and healing to be able to cope in such a way
with the loss of their child.
Wedding surprise
Juventus led his first wedding when a young couple from
the US, moved to Israel and asked for a formal wedding
ceremony. The bridegroom being a professional basketball
player, invited his whole team to come and witness the
ceremony. Many heard the gospel for the first time in their
life. Our God is always in the habit to surprise us with His
blessings.
Can good things come from Iran ??
Last week we were blessed by the testimony of an Iranian
believer visiting us. He left his country many years ago,
came to Germany, received the Gospel there and became a
follower of Yeshua. Now as German citizen, he came with
members of his community to visit Kfar Saba, the twin city
for a cultural exchange testifying of his love for Israel and
it's people. Interestingly enough Tony, who came back from
Italy witnessed there also the growth of the Iranian church.
Similar testimonies were received in Holland and England.
According to statistic close to 10 percent of the Iranian
population outside or inside their country now believes in
Jesus. This is the quiet revolution we have been praying
for!!!
Renovation of children's room
We thank you that through your contributions, with the
help of volunteers who came to help us, we were able to
accomplish the enlargement of the
children's rooms and the hospitality rooms in the house of refuge. As the congregation grows, we are in need of bigger rooms and a bigger meeting place.
We thank the Lord for the team of Intercessors who came
from Germany to pray and lift up our hands and share our
burden.
Please join us in prayer for:
1. The boldness and courage of the Messianic believers to
boldly proclaim Yeshua as their Lord and Saviour amidst
the rising of persecution from the orthodox community
and slandering newspaper articles.
2. The men in our community - to enter back into their
place of authority as leaders, given to them by Yeshua and
covering of their respective family. Pray for those men who
are drifting away from the Lord bringing danger to their
wives and children, that they will come back to their first
love and be set free from the lies of the enemies and
temptations of this world.
3. The teens of our community- that they will grow strong
in the Lord, for the leaders of the youth ministry. For
the 18-21 yrs old in the military for strength and
protection, keeping themselves pure and without
compromise.
4. Stronger covering of prayer and intercession for our
communities, as we sense darker clouds coming and our
need to draw closer to God.
5. Wisdom, guidance and finances for a bigger meeting
place.
6. The building of newly formed worship teams and the
retreat planned for the worship team.
7. The raising of more elders and deacons in our midst
during the year 2012
8. The widows and orphans in our midst and the 2 houses
of refuge and their hosts.
9. Discipleship of new believers and the new home groups
developing.
10. Salvation for the unsaved visitors and family members
coming to our weekly Shabbat service and to our Channuka
celebration.
11. The supernatural healing of some of our sick members
and also for the 3 people (child 6, teen 15 and one
adult) who recently had a surgery.
12. Financial support for our upcoming conference,
planned for the spring season (Purim).
We would like to cover the expenses of needy families,
widows & orphans for this retreat. pls contact us if interested to help.
Thank you again for your prayers and support,
Your are His lights in this world.
This is what God is doing in Egypt ! Over 30,000 Christians worshipping together in the cave church in Cairo from 6pm to 6am on 11/11/11 !!
Click on this link :- http://youtu.be/TcvftanC6gE
September 2011 Prayer Newsletter
"Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?? The kings of the Earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed,(meshicho ) saying: "Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us." Ps. 2:1-3
This month our eyes are set upon the Lord for His intervention in the UN counsel. The issue concerning the resolution of the declaration of "a Palestinian state" is due by the end of September. Pray that the majority of the nations will be wise enough not vote to divide the Land of Israel and not allow giving it to those who still have not yet recognized Israel's right to existence, siding with violent terrorists activities. We are becoming aware also of the changing situation in the Middle East, watching the rising coalition of Gog and Magog coming to place with the rising threats of Turkey and Iran.
In the meantime, our God is still actively working in saving and blessing His people. This summer has been a fruitful one. We want to thank all those who helped us sponsor the children & youth summer camps, especially the orphans and needy ones. The Lord continues to water the seeds planted in these young lives through the summer camps.
Baby Oz-Yah is with the Lord.
Many of you prayed for Oz-Yah, knowing about his heart condition when he was still in his mother's womb. As soon as he was born on August 24th, he was separated from his mother and moved to another hospital, to receive treatment and surgery in order to solve his fragile heart situation (he had only one valve to his heart). We are sad to say that at the age of 15 days (August 31st), baby Oz-Yah passed away.
During the 9 months in his mother's womb and 15 days here on earth, he touched so many lives and drew so many people to prayer and compassion.
The presence of God was felt strongly during the funeral, the words expressed, the songs sang were all a very powerful testimony to the non believing family and friends gathered.
We are all sad that we won't see Oz-Yah grow, but our sadness is also filled with the peace knowing that he is now with the Lord and comforting his parents.
Please continue to pray for his parents, Moriel and Nitsan and his 4 year old sister Bat-El.
Hani - a wonderful story of redemption
The fruits of the kingdom sometimes take a long time to be seen. Twenty two years ago Hani (not her real name), a divorced and battered mother of three small children left Israel and disappeared from sight. Last year, through some amazing events, she came back, still very wounded and broken and far away from the Lord. Back in Israel and in relationship with us, she slowly came back to the Lord, learned to forgive and release the wounds of her past. She received deliverance and healing and has become a brand new person. Now, as she goes back to her country of origin we ask the Lord to help her walk into this newness of life and healing.
Maxim – a wonderful story of faithfulness.
It is such a blessing to see young teenagers on fire for the Lord. Maxim was baptized in water two weeks ago. He patiently waited for his 18th birthday to do it.
His mother, a strong believer in Yeshua, gave a moving testimony: "I came to the congregation as a new immigrant, a single mother with my two and a half years old son. God has done so much in our lives.
To see Maxim becoming a man of God, desiring to follow in the footsteps of Yeshua is such an encouragement to all dysfunctional families. God is still in the business of redeeming and saving. Today, Max is involved in leading worship and witnessing to young people around him, giving glory to the name of Yeshua".
Please join us in prayer for:
- The Middle East is going through deep changes. Pray that many Arab people will turn to the true God of Love, the creator, God of Israel and that the gospel will be proclaimed freely.
- For discerning the times we are in. God is testing Israel. He still wants to pour out His spirit upon His ancient people. For the UN resolution this month, that the purposes of God will be accomplished.
- Against violence and shedding of blood through the planned demonstrations in Israel and its neighbors after the 20th of this month, that could escalate in another wave of terrorism.
- For the soldiers in our midst, the teens and pre-teens, for their protection, fruitfulness and active service in the congregation. Pray for the new worship team being developed.
- For Moriel and Nitsan and Bat-El who lost their new born son, for comfort and strength.
- For the new arrival of new babies this month with 3 other families expecting soon.
- For Rafi's father in hospital with tuberculosis and brain cancer, who needs healing and salvation.
- For the funds needed for renovations & rent of the children's rooms, as the number of children & youth grows and we need more space for this important ministry.
- For the home group ministry starting again this month, for the new ones being added with their hosts and leaders. (English, Hebrew and Russian)
- For the teaching classes for adults and the children. For a real thirst for the word of God.
- For all the unsaved visitors who come each Shabbat to our services, that they may receive a spirit of revelation and repentance and call upon the name of the Lord.
- For the two houses of refuge in the city and the families running them and their guests.
Pray for the covering of all expenses, furniture and heaters.
- For the breakthroughs in the life of depressed and bound people.
- For the raising of more servant leaders in our midst. For men to take their place of shepherds and priests in their homes and spheres of influence.
- For the financial provision for the widows and orphans in our midst, for school fees and material needs.
- For the team of the "prayer rooms" - for anointing and discernment, unity and stamina.
- Protection agaisnst bigotry and threats of violence and hatred and the lies spread by local newspapers judging wrongly our motives in helping the needy, the widows and orphans. Pray for the fear of the Lord to be manifested.
We praise God for the new intercessors team that meets now weekly. Join us in prayer during the season of Yom Kippur and the fasting before the Lord.
Wishing you a blessed Jewish new year (the feast of trumpets) preparing for the coming again of our Messiah in Glory. Maranatha.
June 2011
June 2011
Dear Praying Friends,
Greetings of shalom to each one of you.
'' Enlarge the place of your tents and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out. Hold not back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left…" (Isaiah 54:2)
The Lord has been encouraging us through these verses to prepare ourselves for changes that would come this season. We now see more clearly the pieces of the "puzzle" coming together. With families moving to our area and breakthroughs in people's lives, the Lord has given us the opportunity to grow our space for ministry.
More worship space as the need grows
His provisions never cease! Fifteen years ago, our congregation had the opportunity to buy a building in the industrial section of Kfar Saba, centrally located for all of our members. At that time it was suitable for our needs, but we have joyfully watched as we have outgrown our current space.
For the past year, we have prayed for God to open doors to rent a bigger space, but it seemed that every door closed. The remainder of our building is now available for purchase which includes the bottom 2 floors as well as the basement! This would provide not only for our current needs, but our potential future needs.
It is an answer to prayer that only God can orchestrate!
As God has opened the door for us to acquire the remainder of the building, please pray that God would bless our endeavor, and that our financial needs will be met.
Would you prayerfully consider sowing into the Kingdom of God and join us in seeing the fruition of God’s answered prayers?
The CD we have all been waiting for.
The new album - 'Min Hamaayan' - 'From the Fountain'
by Lior Sperandeo & Jamie Hilsden, is now available. Two years in the making, it is a Messianic album of the highest quality.
This praise album contains original Hebrew songs for the young generation. {English translation is enclosed}. You can order it through our website. For a sample listening, click to this YouTube link : http://youtu.be/azm99VEg9pU
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
As every year, at the feast of Shavuot,after joining the national gathering of congregations in Yad ha Shmona, we "ascended" to the holy city of Jerusalem, to visit God's beloved city. We stood on the Mount of Olives, viewing its beauty and thinking of the day when Yeshua will put his feet back there. We continued on to the garden of Gethsemane, made our way to the Garden tomb and finished at the Western Wall, where we prayed for our nation.
Please join us in prayer for:
1) The purchase of the ground floor and basement of our worship building. We see the opportunity to double the size of our meeting space. Pray for the landlord’s favor and the raising of the money needed.
2) The new "house of refuge" as the 2 families are now ready to host it, pray for the needed finances to be released each month as well as the necessary funds for renovations needed before the families can move in.
3) The growing pre-teens class – for a leader and creation of the weekly youth club.
4) The new discipleship bible study course has taken off and growing with 18 students already. Pray for thirst and hunger for the word of God and faithfulness in attendance. The course is taught every Sunday evening with a different subject lead by a different teacher every month.
5) The children & youth during the summer holidays. This is very often a crucial time in their lives. For attendance in summer camps and a time to grow closer to the Lord.
If you wish to sponser a needy child (and fatherless) for summer camp, you can contact us.
6) The new worship team led by the teenagers of the congregation. They started this month. Pray for confidence and encouragement and the growing in their skills and gifting.
7) A special time of refreshment for the families traveling this summer to take their well earned vacation holidays. For rest and renewal in body, soul and spirit.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and encouragement to us.
Newsletter April 2011
NEWSLETTER- APRIL 2011
Dear praying friends,
Greetings of Shalom in this uncertain season and writing from the eye of the storm
It is said that "the Hebrew word Shalom means much more than peace, hello or goodbye. In essence it means: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord. This is the highest form of greeting somebody, and with this we greet you in His precious name." (See Phil. 4: 6-7)
The Middle East today and the new window of opportunity
Watching the world news, we have seen the downfall of 2 authoritarian regime of the Arab world crumbling in a space of just 2 months. This domino effect which started in Tunisia and Egypt will not end there. The Arab populations of the Middle East and North Africa want freedom. They have been exposed to satellite TV, Facebook and YouTube and know there is an alternative to their political regime. Now, our eyes are fixed on the Lord asking Him for His wisdom in discerning the times we are in. For us believers living in Israel, and seeing our neighbors around us in turmoil, we are praying and watching the troubles we see now in Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi and mostly are waiting to see what will happen in Iran and Syria. For we know that:
1) Yeshua is coming back to Jerusalem. Maranatha!
2) He is preparing His return with nations around Israel who will come to faith in Him.
3) There will be a window of opportunity for the gospel to be preached more freely than it has been. The verses in 1 Timothy 2 :1-5 show us the nature of government and why we should be praying for "politics".
4) On the other side we are watching very closely the development of the "Gog & Magog coalition and the tightening of alliance between countries such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya & Sudan.
5) God is punishing the corrupted, enemy of the faith, dictators who persecuted the followers of Jesus in their countries. (I see the down fall of Mubarak linked directly with his failure to stand against the bombing of the Egyptian churches last December. Enough is Enough! ) Yet Egypt has a glorious future as we read in the promises of Isaiah 19 , the same for Syria and Kurdistan (Assyria) : 23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians shall worship with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth; 25 for that the LORD of hosts hath blessed him, saying: 'Blessed be Egypt My people and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance.'
- Egypt has been the symbol for the world. God sent his Son to save the world and He is still desiring to bring salvation to Egypt.
- Egypt has been the place of protection both during the time of Joseph and Moses then even for our Lord and his family during the first two years of his life. God will remember these things and His good plans for Egypt will come to pass, amidst the curse of Islam and the worship of false gods.
- Egypt has a special place among the nations as indicated in Zechariah 14: 16-19
Where they are singled out as a nation that will be spared to come to worship in Jerusalem.
We know this window of opportunity and salvation for the Muslim world is temporary. Israel will also need a great shaking in order to come back to the true living God. Beside a major earthquake this year or the next, the imminent danger of war is still very much present. The present escalation of terror activity in the south and Jerusalem are just a sign that we need to intensify our prayers and intercession in order to see Isaiah 40: 3-5 come to pass.
Weekend retreat (by Sally)
Some say the word retreat means to take a step back. For our congregation, we did just that in order to take a step forward. Last month, 130 of our members went up north to a beautiful hostel by the Sea of Galilee, to spend time fellowshipping and getting to know each other outside of our regular Shabbat services. Together, we visited Taghba, where Yeshua fed over 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, walking along the lake path to reach the old town of Capernaum. The highlight of our time, after our joint service with a neighboring Arab congregation, was when 2 of our newest members asked to enter into the waters of baptism. A time of great rejoicing in Heaven and on Earth.
Throughout the weekend, you could see our members talking, sharing, laughing, enjoying each other's company...and building lifelong relationships. Thanks also to Karin who organized a great Mosaic workshop.
We truly took a step back out of our usually busy lives to take a step forward in building His Kingdom…for His glory.
The Word of God, skiing and fellowship - our youth in the south of France (by Ran)
The view was breathtaking, it's been cold, it was inspiring and extremely helpful: South of France! 18 of us, youth & leaders (some, for the first time abroad), had the privilege of spending a week in a ski resort on the Alps. We got to know each other better each day in great moments of laughter alongside with some deep conversations. Every morning after breakfast, we worshiped together and then each one of our staff/leaders would share a short devotion from the book of Proverbs followed by and prayer for the day. We named it: "Wise in the morning" and the idea was to gain more wisdom from the Word of God so we could carry it with us throughout a long and busy day. The ski, despite being great fun, required wisdom and responsibility. On Sunday, we joined the local church in the village of Die, in the service. Worship was a mixture of French and Hebrew, with members of our group joining the local, our girls preformed a dance with a French version of the song "Shema Israel", 2 of our group shared their testimonies, and we prayed together for the sick people in the church. We were treated and hosted so nicely by the people we stayed with, in the 'Maison du Rocher', and had wonderful French meals.
We grew together in the Lord and even recognized some kind of connection between faith, life and skiing: The ups and downs, the slopes and the hills, falling, but always getting back up, sometimes riding alone, and sometimes with a group, learning from the experience of others, following the leaders and even gaining more confidence each day.
What a pleasure it has been to see the glory of God everywhere we went to, to experience a different culture and to realize how similar we all are in the Lord. This week will be definitely a memorable experience for all of us!
Please keep praying for:
* For those living in the South of Israel, for protection against missile attacks that are continuing to be fired and are
reaching as far as Beersheba. Pray for wisdom for Israel's leaders.
* For boldness in sharing Yeshua with the lost sheep of Israel.
* For a bigger meeting place for the congregation.
* For provision for the staff so that they can continue to minister in the congregation as the work grows and develops.
* For needy people, widows & orphans who are in special needs and difficult situations.
"Far be it for me that I should sin against the Lord by stopping praying for you". 1 Samuel 12:23
We wish you a blessed Passover. May you experience God's real freedom in this season.
February 2011
For as the rain and the snow comes down from heaven, and returns not thither but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and make the thing where to I sent it prosper.
(Isaiah 55:11-12)
December 2010
Dear Family, Friends, and Prayer Partners,
We wish you a blessed new year 2011, filled with Blessings, fruitfulness and purpose.
We thank God for your earnest, genuine and timely prayers and intercession for us. We know very well that our work is dependent on the grace of God and also that he uses the prayers of the saints.
September 2010
“On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets" Numbers 29:1
June 2010
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadows of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust" Ps. 91:1
March 2010
As we just celebrated Passover, we were reminded again of God's miraculous deliverance of our forefathers from the bondage of Egypt. In those days, each Israelite family applied the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their home and the angel of death would pass over it sparing them from death. Today, we apply the blood of Yeshua our Messiah and sacrifice on the doorposts of our hearts, as He who became our Passover lamb (1 Cor 5: 6-7), delivered us from bondage to sin and from spiritual death.
