Your tour host: Rev. Dr. John A. Toms is married and has a daughter. Pastor John is a student of Reformed Church History and has Ministerial Standing in the Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University, Lancaster Theological Seminary, and Master’s International Graduate School of Theology with a Doctorate of Ministry degree in Worldview Studies. He served six years in the Navy, worked for 20 years in Social Service agencies, serving individuals with mental illnesses and those with developmental disabilities and as a psychological counselor. He also worked for the U. S. Army as a computer programmer. He is pastor of St. Paul’s Reformed Church in Clear Spring Maryland and the Exodus Sunday School Class inspired this Tour. He enjoys travel, sports (Penn State Football), computer usage in church communities, his family, and reading. He prefers to be called “Pastor John.”

$2395, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $375

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after August 15, 2008, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after August 15, 2008, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:8,12
“We are often called to leave worldly connections, interests, and comforts. If heirs of Abraham's faith, we shall obey and go forth, though not knowing what may befall us; and we shall be found in the way of duty, looking for the performance of God's promises.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)
We begin our pilgrimage of faith and thanksgiving by departing from Washington/Dulles Airport this afternoon.

Saturday, November 22 London – Netanya

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:21
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Drive through the agricultural stretches of the Sharon Plain, carpeted with orange groves and persimmon trees, to Netanya, located along the western coast of Israel on the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner and overnight in Netanya at the King Solomon Hotel.

Sunday, November 23 Netanya – The Galilee

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. II Samuel 22:50
Drive north along the seacoast to Caesarea Maritima, with its magnificent harbor, theater and aqueduct constructed during the reign of Herod. It was here that Peter explained the way of salvation to Cornelius. Continue to Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. We will hold a brief service in the small chapel at Mt. Carmel. Follow the Via Maris (Way of the Sea) to Megiddo, the city that dominated this strategic trade route from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Explore its extensive excavations, including Ahab’s stables, a grain silo, and an ancient underground water system. Drive to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. See the Church of the Annunciation, built on the traditional spot where the angel Gabriel prophesied to Mary. Walk through Nazareth Village, which presents life in Nazareth as it might have appeared during the time of Christ. Dinner and overnight at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, located along the Sea of Galilee.

Monday, November 24 Sea of Galilee

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Mark 6:41
See the “Jesus Boat,” found buried under an exposed section of the lakebed during a drought in 1986 and now displayed in a museum at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar. From here, depart on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, with time for meditation on the sea. Disembark at Capernaum, the town used as a base by Christ during his ministry. See the remains of the fourth-century synagogue and the nearby house of St. Peter. Ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes, and listen to Jesus’ teachings. Walk down the hill to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy at the northwestern shore of the lake, an area intense with Christian memories. Drive to Yardenit, the traditional baptismal site located where the Sea of Galilee runs into the Jordan River. Return to Nof Ginosar for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday, November 25 The Galilee – Jerusalem

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3
Visit the mound of Beth Shean, hearing the story of Saul and viewing the ruins of Roman Scythopolis. Drive south through the Jordan Valley, viewing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan across the Jordan River. Stop at Jericho to visit the tel of this oldest city, and view the traditional mountain of Jesus' temptation. Finally, from the top of the Mount of Olives, behold the majestic Holy City of Jerusalem lying before you. After viewing the Golden Gate, follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). See the Church of Pater Noster, where you can see the Lord’s Prayer inscribed in over 100 languages. Continue downhill to Gethsemane, and visit the Church of All Nations and Gethsemane. Continue to the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, November 26 Jerusalem / Old City

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11
Enter the Old City through the Dung Gate to pray at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and stop at the southern steps, where Jesus spoke to His disciples. Walk through the Western Wall Tunnel, where additional portions of the wall, as well as other structures beneath it, have been excavated. Ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. See the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, with its excellent acoustics. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, walking along the Roman Cardo Maximus, the reconstructed main street of Roman Jerusalem. Stop to see the replica of the 6th century Madaba map of the Old City, and visit the Wohl Museum and Burnt House. Return to the Ambassador Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, November 27 Jerusalem / New City (Thanksgiving)

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100
Drive to the “New City,” passing by the Knesset en route to the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visit the model of Jerusalem, representing how the city looked on the eve of the Jewish revolt, 36 years after the Passion of Jesus. Also stop at the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. The remainder of the day is free to explore Jerusalem on your own. The possibilities are endless – bargain for olive wood and jewelry in the bazaars of the Old City, walk the rampart walls, explore the four quarters of the Old City, or visit more of the many museums. Enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner at the Ambassador Hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Friday, November 28 Jerusalem / Bethlehem

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. Mark 14:23
Drive to Mt. Zion this morning to the grounds of the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. Here, the Assumptionist Fathers propose, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus. Also visit the Coenaculum (Upper Room), the proposed location of the Last Supper.
Drive south out of Jerusalem, stopping at Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Continue to Beit Sahour to see the Shepherds’ Fields before continuing to Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity, built over the site believed to be the place of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem is also an excellent place to buy items that are hand carved from olive wood. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Saturday, November 29 Jerusalem / Dead Sea

Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Psalm 106
Depart Jerusalem this morning, driving south along the Dead Sea to Masada. Take the cable car to the top, visiting Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD). Stop at the nature reserve at En Gedi, the region where David fl ed from King Saul and cut off a part of his robe in a cave. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea (weather permitting), where it almost impossible to sink, because of the high salt density! Continue through the Judean desert to Qumran. View Cave # 4, which contained the greatest quantity of Dead Sea scrolls. Return to Jerusalem for Communion at the Garden Tomb prior to dinner at your hotel in Jerusalem.

Sunday, November 30 Jerusalem

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, o most high: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. Psalm 92
This morning we will worship at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, with Pastor Mitri Raheb, joining in their service for the first Sunday in Advent. Return to Jerusalem, where the remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own or do last-minute shopping for souvenirs. After dinner at the Ambassador, transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for a late-night departure.

Monday, December 1 USA

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:13-15
Arrive in the U.S. with memories that will enhance your Bible study for years to come because you walked where Jesus walked.

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CST 2013363-40