We visited the garden tomb this morning, which is located just outside the old city wall and beside a hill which closely resembles a skull. The hill is now eroding, but at one time it clearly had two eyes and a nose. If Jesus was crucified here, it was most likely at the foot of … More Covenant Chorale Day 14

We’ve passed the Harp bridge every morning so far, and tonight it was lit with colorful flashing lights. Menachem’s bus and our chariot of iron. When God says that Jerusalem is engraven on His palm, he really means it. The three valleys surrounding and running through Jerusalem look like the palm of a hand. They … More Covenant Chorale, Day 13

Good morning from the Herodium, Herod’s favorite palace, fortress and mausoleum! Since Herod wanted his fortress to be the highest mountain in Judea, he had his workers carry buckets of rock and gravel to the top and extend the height of the mountain. An aqueduct  brought water from approximately 18 kilometers away, so there was … More Covenant Chorale Day 12

We journeyed from Nazareth to Jerusalem on the road that runs through the Jordan River valley. Israel has such vastly different landscape that if you fall asleep on the bus, you might think you are waking up in a different country altogether. We drove along the mountains of Gilboa. The Roman city of Bet Shean is … More Covenant Chorale Day 11

At the Sea of Galilee     Mt. of Beautitudes Baruch means to bless, or bow the knee. This is what servant leadership means.   The Jordan    

It was worth getting up half an hour early to miss the crowds this morning. It was a splendid morning and we actually needed jackets for a while. This is a beautiful national park nestled at the foothill of the Hermon, and the water that the mountain stores like a sponge comes out right at … More Covenant Chorale Day 9

Our day began with a treat that was promised to us yesterday, which turned out to be a ride on the Sea of Galilee in a beautiful wooden ship. It was a misty, peaceful morning; not at all like when Our Lord walked on the water. But I could imagine the disciples out on the … More Covenant Chorale Day 8

Herod’s aqueduct in Caesarea was our first stop this morning, for a very quick group photo.  Our program at Kibbutz Beth-El was wonderful. When we arrived, the hospitable Germans served coffee, tea, bread and cookies, then Daniel gave us some history and showed a presentation about what they do on the kibbutz and the things … More Covenant Chorale Day 7

We learned a few new Hebrew songs tonight on the bus. Katherine taught them to us as we traveled across the Judean mountains toward the Mediterranean coast from the Dead Sea. We had to stop at a checkpoint and have some officials get onto the bus to make sure that we weren’t dangerous. We tried … More Covenant Chorale Day 6

Shabbat Shalom! We had our first concert at a charming mountaintop monastery this afternoon. The bus wound its way upward through groves of olive trees and freshly plowed fields. The monastery houses both monks and nuns who cultivate and sell olives for pressed on site olive oil. They also sell honey and spices. The monastery … More Covenant Chorale Day 5

What lovely Jerusalem weather we experienced this morning! It was cool and breezy, but the day did become very warm. We spent a good portion of the day underground, exploring caves and hiding places and dragging ourselves through a crawling tunnel on hands and knees. We began at Tel Bet Shemesh, which was within the … More Covenant Chorale Day 4

The Bible is beginning to be written in color for us as we see the very places that we read about in Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. Here we are, singing praises early this morning. After a breakfast including espresso, salad, bread and cheese, yoghurt and fruit; and a rehearsal session, we boarded the bus … More Covenant Chorale Day 3

Covenant Chorale’s first trip has begun! On October 17 we met at Summit View church at 10:30 a.m., where we loaded our things in the bus, had prayer and did the Shema, and headed for Dulles airport. We are currently (October 18, 5:50 Israel time) in the Ben Gurion airport waiting for the rest of … More Covenant Chorale Day 1 & 2