Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope you are/were able to join us in blowing the shofars tonight. I pray that in our separation from each other we can still find joy and a celebratory attitude for all the blessings God has given us in Christ. I’ve been asking God to forgive that we cannot meet for the Sabbath’s holy convocations, and I trust we are all keeping the aspects that we can. At this point I do not know when we will start meetings again, please be praying about that. Also, there were some things I was hoping to share at our New Moon celebration about several exciting changes and opportunities for this new year. One of the exciting changes is that as of the first of the Biblical new year, which starts tonight, Restored Covenant Community has a new name! We are now Grace Messianic Fellowship. Please check out our new website, gracemessianic.org and “like” and follow our new Facebook page to stay informed about upcoming events and announcements. For awhile Restored Covenant Community’s website and Facebook page will stay up to direct people to our new sites. (Thanks Jon and Andrea) This means that we’ll be putting together a new directory and other literature in the near future. Also, starting now, tithe checks can be made out to Grace Messianic Fellowship and sent to P.O. Box 2614, East Peoria, IL 61611. I’ll share more information as things begin to get back to normal with regard to meetings. Thanks!
With all that said…. Welcome To The Spring Feast Cycle!
It’s a wonderful time of the year, probably my favorite time. All the new life just waiting to spring up! But most importantly the reminder of our Savior’s first coming and all that He accomplished for us, prophetically fulfilling the Passover, First Fruits, Unleavened Bread and Pentecost. As we once again consider these events let us never forget the One they point to.
One concern I know some of you are wondering is, “What about Passover, First Fruits, and Unleavened Bread?” Well, unfortunately, this year as a congregation we are not going to be able to observe Passover and Unleavened Bread in the normal timing. I talked to Daniel and we agreed that as a congregation we are going to exercise a provision that God has given in the Torah in special instances when the Passover and Unleavened Bread could not be kept at the prescribed time. (Please read Numbers 9:9-14) In over 30 years of keeping the Feasts we have never had to do this, but I’m glad the provision exists and that we also have an example of this provision being exercised. (Please read II Chronicles chapter 30) To clarify how this will work out for our congregation I’ll highlight a few things.
Keep in mind, individual families may do as they choose with regard to Passover and Unleavened Bread for this first month, however, as a congregation, we are planning to keep the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month this year. Most things will stay the same but one month later. For instance, although we will not have a public Passover Seder this year I encourage families to keep the Passover in their homes on the evening of Friday, May 8th. This is our new Passover date, and because we are keeping the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread a month later, we will not have to remove the leaven out of our homes until Friday, May 8th (or a day or two before). In addition, we will not be observing the annual Sabbaths of Unleavened Bread until Saturday, May 9th, and Friday, May 15th. So make a note of these new Sabbath dates to let your work place know. If families choose to observe the annual Feast of Unleavened Bread Sabbaths of April 9th and 15th in addition that’s fine, but in step with the second month provision, as a congregation, we are proclaiming May 9th and May 15th as annual Sabbaths. If we are able, we will plan to meet as a congregation on these days to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. If we are still not able to meet at this time, we will do our best as individual families to celebrate Passover and keep these Sabbaths holy.
This change does not affect First Fruits or Pentecost because First Fruits is determined by the barley harvest and the barley determines when the new year starts. So, First Fruits will stay the same date, Sunday, April 12th, and from that date we will count 50 days to Sunday, May 31st to Pentecost. If we are wrong about how we are interpreting this Torah provision, I pray, as Hezekiah did in verse 20, that God would forgive us, and be blessed by our efforts, and heal us.
I’m so sorry for all the inconvenience this all causes, but God is faithful and He will get us through everything. If there are any needs, questions, or concerns please call me at (309)822-8638. And, once again, I’ll be calling soon to see how the people of our congregation are doing.
So, God bless, and we love and miss you all!
Happy New Year!
Love,
Art and Anna Lu
