Pastors Paul Bulgerin & Chris Manke Pilgrimage to the Holyland

Depart USA ( ORD) on our way to Israel.

Arrive Tel Aviv - Israel. Meet our local staff and head to our home in Galilee. Dinner and overnight.

Capernaum - the center of Jesus’ ministry. Here Jesus began his preaching ministry (Matt 4:12-17), healed a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12), preached in the Synagogue (Mark 3:1-6), healed Simon-Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:21-34). And many other miracles. Mt of Beatitudes with its natural amphitheater, Jesus gave his sermon. “The Beatitudes” (Matt 5:1-16). Tabgha – Place of Fishes and Loaves - Church of the Multiplication “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand” (Jn 6:1-15) “The Miraculous Catch of Fish” (Jn 21:14). Church of the Primacy of Peter - “Jesus Reinstates Peter” (John 21:15-19) “The First Disciples” (Matt 4:18-22) “Jesus Calls His Disciples” (Luke 5:1-11). Enjoy St Peter’s fish lunch on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Magdala - village of Mary Magdalene - recently uncovered with unique discoveries. Boat ride on Sea of Galilee – Communion “Jesus Calms the Storm” (Luke 8:22-25) “Jesus Walks on Water” (Matt 14:22-36). The “Jesus Boat” - a 2,000-year-old boat found in the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.

Caesarea Maritima - Cornelius's Baptism ( Act 10:1-30), Roman theater, Crusader Fortress and Roman aqueduct. Mt Carmel - ( 1st Kings 18) Elijah defeated the Pagan Prophets. Nazareth – Jesus’ Childhood home. Church of Annunciation “Birth of Jesus Foretold” (Lk 1:26-38) “Jesus’ Hometown” (Luke 2:39-40). The synagogue where Jesus read from Isiah ( Luke 4: 16-19). Mt Precipice - “Jesus Rejected in his hometown” (Luke 4:14-30). Dinner and overnight Galilee.

Cana (Kefr Kanna) – 1st Miracle ( Jn 2: 1-12) Golan Heights – area of dispute with Syria. “Golan, City of Refuge” (Joshua 20:7-9). Caesarea Philippi (Banias) Named Greek God Pan built by Philip and one of the sources of the Jordan River. “Jesus with His Disciples” (Matt 16:13-23, Mark 8:27). Dinner and overnight Galilee.

Depart the Galilee via the Jordan Valley - visit Beth Shean – see the Greco- Roman - Byzantine city ( part of the Decapolis). Baptismal Site “Baptism of Jesus” Matt (3:1-17) “Joshua Crosses the Jordan” (Joshua 3) as do Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-18). Jericho - Mt of Temptation, Ancient Jericho and Zacchaeus Tree ( Luke 19: 1-9). Ascend to the Holy city. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem.

Bethlehem: Christmas Lutheran Church Church of the Nativity (Matt 2:1-12). Manger Square and Shepherd’s Fields. Mt Zion: The Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26), Tomb of David and the “Dormition Abbey”. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Old City – Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian Quarters. Western Wall (Psalm 122). Temple Mount “Mount Moriah” (Genesis 22:1-19). “The Golden Gate” (Ezekial 44:1-5) Pools of Bethesda ( Jn 5: 1-14). Via Dolorosa “The Way of the Cross” (Luke 23:26-34) Church of the Holy Sepulchre “Crucifixion” (Matt 27:32-28:10). Dinner and overnight Jerusalem.

Mount of Olives: Chapel of ascension ( Act 1: 9-11). “Dominus Flevit” (Luke 19:28-44). Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-50) (Luke 22:39-53). The Garden Tomb (Mark 15:21-47) (Mark 16:1-8), (Jn 19:25-27). Yad Vashem – Memorial of the Holocaust. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem.

Masada Fortress – Palace of Herod the Great, End of Jewish Resistance (74AD). Ein Gedi “Saul’s Life Spared” (1 Sam 24). Dead Sea “River from the Temple” (Ezek 47:1-12). Qumran Caves – The Dead Sea Scrolls. Floating experience in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight Jerusalem.

AM - ½ Free Day choices. PM - Ein Karem - the birthplace of John the Baptist. Jaffa - (Joppa) Solomons Cedars ( 1 Chr 2). “Healing of Tabitha” (Acts 9:36-43). “Peter’s Vision” (Acts 10:9-15). “Jonah runs from God” (Jnh 1). Farewell dinner. Drive to the airport for our journey back home.

Morning arrival to the USA ( ORD).