Dear Friends,
To put feet on our Bible readings, and one of the best ways to live into our St. Michaels’ vision of Transforming Hearts Through Jesus Christ, is to put ourselves in the very place Jesus lived and ministered.  To that end, I have an exciting opportunity to share with you. In October of 2013 Elizabeth and I invite you to travel with us to the Holy Land and Biblical Jordan.  I personally cannot imagine a more exciting journey than to see these Biblical sites and share their stories and scriptures with fellow St. Michaelites.  To walk where Jesus walked…to visit sites where key events took place thousands of years ago…to worship where pilgrims have worshiped generation after generation; this tour is an opportunity to make our faith and vision come alive!  For those of you reading the Bible   In One Year, it will change the way you read Scripture.

We will see places in Jordan like Mt. Nebo, the place of Jesus’ baptism on the Jordan River, (believed to be the original Baptismal site by most Biblical and Archeological Scholars). We will visit Jerash- (a Decapolis city and one of the most complete Roman ruins in the world), and Petra- a World Heritage Site, an amazing site for all who have experienced it. In Israel, we will start in Caesarea Maritima, a completely man made harbor city of Roman times where Paul argued his defense against King Agrippa. We will stay in Tiberius right on the Sea of Galilee, and visit Cana, the Crusader’s Acre, and Nazareth.  We will sail on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. We will see all the places in Israel that are at the heart of our faith: Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Tabor, Bethlehem, and of course, Jerusalem, where we will have our longest stay, based at a wonderful hotel just outside the walls of the Old City.

This pilgrimage is designed for you to experience as much as possible in an economical yet comfortable way.  All arrangements are being made by Connoisseurs Tours, a company that has been hosting tours for Christians for over 35 years. They have an excellent reputation for comprehensive care of their clients.  They will guide us through each step of our tour from the moment we pick up the phone until we return home.

Once you arrive in Tel Aviv, everything is included such as all meals, entrances, transportation, lectures, and special features. The only out of pocket expenses not covered are the optional tips for drivers and guides. We will stay in lovely comfortable hotels; The Seasons in Netayna, The Ron Beach in Tiberias, The Marriott Dead Sea, The Movenpick Petra, and the St. George in Jerusalem. The cost of the tour is $2,895.00 per person, not including airfare. (Connoisseurs Tours will provide a group air schedule with the lowest fare and most convenient schedule for us.)
If you have an interest in this life changing opportunity, please join Elizabeth and me on Tuesday, September 24 for an informational meeting in the Kinloch Room of the Belser building at 7pm.

In the meantime, feel free to call Kathryn Waller at Connoisseurs Tours, 1-800-856-1045 or send her an email to request a brochure and register. kwaller2@connoisseurtours.com.

We have a limited number of places on the tour and anticipate that those places will go quickly! Please feel free to contact me or e-mail me with any questions: 723-0603, al@stmichaelschurch.net

Blessings in Christ,
Al