CRYSTAL COAST PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
May 15-28, 2010

ITINERARY

SATURDAY, MAY 15
DEPARTURE DAY FROM NEW BERN
For flight information, visit the Flights link.

SUNDAY, MAY 16
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in the afternoon. After an hour of airport formalities, we have a 45 minute bus ride to our hotel located on the Mediterranean Sea in Herzliya (north of Tel Aviv). After check-in, you are free to visit the beach and relax. After dinner we will have a brief meeting. (D)

MONDAY, MAY 17
CAESAREA, MOUNT CARMEL, NAZARETH

We begin our day in the region of the Sharon Plain at the NT seaport city of Caesarea. Built by Herod the Great and later serving as the official residence of Pontius Pilate, Caesarea was the principal commercial and cultural sea link to the Roman Empire and to Rome in particular. Peter came to Caesarea and ministered to the household of Cornelius (Acts 10) and it was from here that Paul, as a prisoner, was sent to Rome (Acts 24). The site of Caesarea is well excavated and several restored facilities will draw our special attention: the Theatre, Herod’s Palace, Hippodrome, ancient Harbor, and Crusader fortifications. We leave Caesarea and continue our journey northward for an hour to the region of Mount Carmel. It was here that the prophet Elijah confronted and defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). From a high vantage point overlooking the Jezreel Valley, also described as the Valley of Armageddon, we will be able to see across the valley to our next site to visit, Nazareth. Here we will visit the beautiful Church of the Annunciation, dedicated to the announcement that Mary was to give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38). Completed in 1968, the church preserves earlier Crusader ruins as well as more ancient archaeological ruins thought to be homes of 1st Century AD Nazareth. Later, we will visit a village "restored" to reflect 1st Century Nazareth life. Known as Nazareth Village, this restored village has recreated ancient village life as a walk-through exhibit. A local guide will introduce to 1st Century village life. We conclude our day with a view of the Sea of Galilee prior to arriving at our Holiday Village Resort at the kibbutz of Maagan, located on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. We are at this resort kibbutz for 3 nights. (B,D)

TUESDAY, MAY 18
DAN, CAESAREA PHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS, HAR BENTAL, MOUNT OFIR

We begin our day with a drive to the north. Our first site is ancient Dan. Here we discuss the importance of an ancient OT site having strong fortifications against adversarial northern neighbors. It was at Dan that Jeroboam set up one of his Golden Calf worship centers (1 Kings 12:28-30). The ruins of Dan are nestled within a beautiful national park with the spring of Dan issuing forth volumes of fresh water that serves as one of the sources of the Jordan River. At nearby Caesarea Philippi, on the lower slopes of Mount Hermon, we consider the event of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) and Jesus’ question to Peter: “Who do people say that I am?” (Mark 8:27). Here is one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River; the abundant water supply made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship as evidenced by the remains of various Greek and Roman worship centers. After lunch we journey uphill to the plateau of the Golan Heights. From a small dormant volcano, Har Bental, and in view of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, the dynamics of the modern political situation are briefly addressed. We conclude our day at Mount Ofir with an overview of the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding hills. Overnight Maagan. (B,D)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
SEA OF GALILEE, CHORAZIN, MOUNT OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, GALILEE BOAT, TIBERIAS, BOAT RIDE

Today we give attention to the ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. We begin with a visit to the NT city of Chorazin. Located on the northern hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this city was strongly rebuked by Jesus for having witnessed many miracles but still having hearts of unbelief (Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13). A restored synagogue provides us the opportunity to discuss the various elements of synagogue worship during NT times. Our next stop is the Mount of Beatitudes. Here, on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, we consider Jesus’ most famous sermon and his call to discipleship (Matthew 5-7). You will be offered free time to enjoy the garden environment of the mountain and then we will hike down the hill to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Nearby is Capernaum, the headquarters city of Jesus’ Sea of Galilee ministry. Here we will consider how the Sea of Galilee, as if a magnet, drew the infirmed and served as the perfect locale for Jesus’ Galilean healing ministry. We continue to Kibbutz Ginnosar where an ancient Sea-of-Galilee boat (dating to the 1st century AD) was discovered, excavated, preserved and displayed. At modern Tiberias you will be given some free time to enjoy the harbor area and the many shops that fill the promenade. After your free time, we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. What a perfect way to end the day—on the Sea of Galilee! A box lunch will be provided today. Overnight Maagan. (B,L,D)

THURSDAY, MAY 20
JORDAN RIVER, BETH SHAN, DEAD SEA

Today we travel south via the Jordan Valley to the lowest body of water on the planet—the Dead Sea. But first, we begin our day with a visit to the Jordan River at a pilgrim site known as Yardenit (“Little Jordan”). Here Christian pilgrims have the opportunity to be baptized or rededicated by emersion in the Jordan River (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3,4). Should this be an opportunity for you, we will make the needed arrangements. Next is the impressive archaeological site of Beth Shan, a Philistine stronghold during the days of Saul and David (1 Samuel 31:10-12). At the base of the OT tell are the excavations of its Roman-Byzantine remains when it was known as Scythopolis, one of the Hellenistic cities of the Decapolis. Here you will be given free time to visit the numerous ruins. A small kiosk is available for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent in journey to our resort hotel located on the shore of the Dead Sea. After check-in you are free to pamper yourself at the many spa facilities or go for a float in the Dead Sea. Relax and enjoy the resort atmosphere. We will have a late check-out in the morning. Overnight Hod Hotel Dead Sea. (B,D)

FRIDAY, MAY 21
MASADA, QUMRAN

Our bus departs from the hotel at 10:30. We begin the day at Masada where we consider the fate of the Zealot movement which ended at Masada. Fortified and embellished by Herod the Great, the site abounds with points of interest. Several hours will be spent atop this rocky promontory. A cable car provides access to the site. Points of interest include the Western Palace, the Roman Ramp, the Synagogue, the three-tiered Northern Palace and the Storerooms. A lunch kiosk is available upon our return from the top of the mountain. Our other site of the day is ancient Qumran, the locale of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Located near the Dead Sea, the ancient community of Qumran was a religious community of separatists who viewed the Temple in Jerusalem and those serving there (High Priest, Levites, etc) as defiled and unworthy of attendance. They remained in religious isolation until fleeing their community in advance of a Roman army during the First Jewish Revolt of 66-70 AD. They hid their treasured scrolls in the nearby caves, expecting to return, but never did so. Upon leaving Qumran we travel west through the Wilderness of Judah to reach Jerusalem in the Hill Country. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace inside the Old City walls. We are at this hotel for 7 nights. (B,D)

SATURDAY, MAY 22
JERUSALEM:  INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD CITY

Today is orientation to Jerusalem. Our objective is to introduce you to the four quarters of the Old City: Armenian, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian. In addition you will be learning the maze of roads and alley-ways that allows you to traverse within the Old City. We will spend time in each quarter offering some historical background. We will also introduce you to modern features of importance and some local establishments that may be of interest for shopping, eating or resting. After lunch is free time. You are free to continue browsing the Old City or take in other local sites at your leisure. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace. (B,D)

SUNDAY, MAY 23
JERUSALEM:  JEWISH QUARTER and MUSEUMS

Our focus today is the physical setting of Jerusalem from the time of King David to Jesus. The entire day is spent walking within the Old City. We begin with an OT orientation to the city of Jerusalem at a small multi-media museum. Here we learn the physical geography of ancient Jerusalem and how the landscape influenced the settlement of Jerusalem. Next are NT excavations, as well as a small museum presenting several homes of the time of Jesus that reflect the wealth of the ruling classes, whether religious or political rulers. Artifacts and restorations provide us a glimpse into the life of the privileged in Jerusalem. Nearby we have the opportunity to introduce you to two dear friends, Dov and Moshe Kempinski, Orthodox Jews who have a small shop dedicated to all things Jewish. We will ask Dov or Moshe to illustrate for us the importance of the Jewish prayer shawl or some other important element of Jewish religious practice.  Dov and Moshe have built a warm reputation by welcoming Jewish-Christian dialogue. Please feel free to visit their shop at your convenience and pursue a dialogue of interest. You will be given free time to visit the nearby eateries. Our final site of visitation today is the “Rabbi Tunnels” or Western Wall Tunnel. Beneath the modern city and running northward this tunnel exposes the northern continuation of the Jewish prayer site known as the Wailing Wall or Western Wall. A local guide will escort us through this tunnel explaining its historical and archaeological importance. We exit on the Via Dolorosa and make our way to the hotel. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace. (B,D)

MONDAY, MAY 24
JERUSALEM:  TEMPLE MOUNT, SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS, CITY OF DAVID

We depart the hotel and walk to the Temple Mount. No Bibles are allowed on the Temple Mount, so leave your Bibles at the hotel. Occupied today by two famous landmarks, the Golden Dome of the Rock and El-Aksa Mosque, the Temple Mount once housed the First Temple (built by Solomon; OT period) and the Second Temple (built by Herod; NT period). No remains of either temple survive but the mount provides us the venue to discuss many topics associated with such a historical mountaintop. Abraham presented Isaac as an offering (Genesis 22), David purchased it ( 2 Sam 24:18-25) , Solomon built upon it (2 Chronicles 22), as did King Herod, and Jesus preached in it and foretold of its destruction (Luke 19:40-44; 21:20-24) which took place in 70 AD. Upon exiting the Temple Mount we enter into the quiet confines of St. Ann’s Church. Here we find two features of importance. First, is the Crusader Church of St. Ann (by tradition Ann is the mother of Mary) and second, the excavations of the Pools of Bethesda. In the former we will have an opportunity for fellowship singing; the acoustics are outstanding. In the latter, we will discuss the miracle of healing that took place here (John 5:1-15). Our day concludes in the City of David located south of the Old City where we have an opportunity to travel through an OT water course known as Hezekiah’s Tunnel (2 Kings 20:20). There is water knee-deep in the tunnel and the trek through the 1500 foot tunnel is optional. You will need a flashlight and water shoes of some type to go through the tunnel. Others can travel through a dry tunnel. We all meet at the end, at the Pool of Siloam. You may recall Jesus sent a blind man to wash his eyes in the Pool of Siloam to receive his sight (John 9). This concludes a busy day of walking. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace. (B,D)

TUESDAY, MAY 25
JERUSALEM:  MOUNT OF OLIVES, NEOT KEDUMIM

We begin our day on the crest of the Mount of Olives with an overlook to the Temple Mount and the Golden Gate. Here the modern and ancient cities of Jerusalem lie before us in all their splendor. We will walk down the Mount of Olives to the chapel of Dominus Flavit, dedicated to the event of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as he approached the city on Palm Sunday (Luke 19:41). Continuing down the mount we come to the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:47). Leaving the city, we travel west to Neot Kedumim, a nature preserve that is landscaped to illustrate ancient biblical life, agriculture, society, and much more. We will enjoy a lunch of "biblical foods" followed by a two hour guided tour through the preserve. We return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace. (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26
BETHLEHEM and JERUSALEM MUSEUMS

Our morning is dedicated to Bethlehem. Located 7 miles south of Jerusalem, we venture to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity where we will discuss the birth narratives (Matthew 1-2; Luke 2). The church is well preserved and is built over a grotto-cave venerated as the birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem is also noted for its fine olivewood craftsmanship and upon leaving the church we will take the opportunity to visit a local shop. Here the owner, as part of our overall learning experience, will give us a brief history of current political circumstances that affect life in modern Bethlehem. You will have time to shop and have lunch next door. We return to Jerusalem to visit several museums, all located in one complex. First, the Israel Museum which houses the primary artifacts of antiquity discovered throughout the country. In addition, it houses artifacts of cultural Judaism throughout the centuries. Second, a 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem representing the city as it would have appeared in 66 AD, during the period of the early Jerusalem church. Based on archaeological and literary documentation, it is a faithful recreation of the city of Jerusalem of that time period. Third, the Shrine of the Book, dedicated to the discovery, restoration and preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Each of these museums will enhance your pilgrimage experience as you can now relate to their artifacts and history. Overnight Jerusalem at the Knights Palace. (B,D)

THURSDAY, MAY 27
JERUSALEM:  GARDEN TOMB and DEPARTURE

Our pilgrimage is nearing its end and there is no more fitting place in all of Israel to celebrate the culmination of our journey than at the Garden Tomb. Here we will celebrate our pilgrimage in a time of fellowship and communion. The grounds are picturesque and invite an atmosphere of worship and thanksgiving. This is our last formal pilgrim site before departing later today. After our celebration at the Garden Tomb you have the remainder of the day free. Our bus will depart from the hotel 4-5 hours prior to our scheduled flight departure time. We anticipate a departure from the hotel around 7:00 pm. Please be prepared for a timely departure immediately after dinner. (B,D)

FRIDAY, MAY 28
ARRIVE NEW BERN
Our confirmed flight arrangements will have us connect in Atlanta and arrive in New Bern at approximately 12:00 noon today. For more current flight information, visit the Flights link.

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