We're visiting a Messianic synagogue!

[Stephanie]

We have a local Messianic synagogue with an active mixed Jewish/Gentile congregation. It's on the other side of town though (probably 40 minutes drive) so my husband has not felt like it was something that we could attend because of gas prices, logistics, etc. However, he's really had a lot laid on his heart lately, and he's interested in visiting this Sabbath! I'm excited because my husband is just coming to know Yeshua as his Messiah, so we have lots of excitement. Neither of us know what to expect! Could you share what your congregation or experiences with one have been like? I've been lucky enough to listen to the Rabbi in recorded sermons on their website, but I'm honestly a little nervous since it's a new situation. I love, however, that my husband is believing that if this is where God wants us He will help us figure out the timing and cost involved with traveling. I'm thrilled!

[Tracey Absolon]

Stephanie what joy for you to have your husband starting to be a willing participant in this walk. It makes it so much easier when two walk together.
Well I would love to be able to tell you what a messianic congregation does, but we don't have one anywhere near us.
Would love to hear what your experiences are when you do finally get there.
Shalom
Tracey

[Stephanie]

I'll definitely let you know how it goes tomorrow! I have to say that I'm a bit nervous just because I don't know what to expect. I am really excited though. It's going to be a crazy weekend with adding that to the routine, Passover, and our Sunday congregation. I'm looking forward to being tired though. :)

It is nice to have my husband part of this now. I prayed for 8 years that he'd be interested much less involved. Now he's actually talking about how he's closer to accepting Yeshua as the Messiah. This is huge for him! (Of course, my daughter doesn't help matters by reminding me that Grandma will kill me when she finds out that I took him to a Messianic congregation with me. But, that's another post... lol)

[Leah]

Stephanie, How was your visit to the Messianic congregation? We have one close to us and I've been trying to get my husband to call them during the week and ask some questions about what to expect if we visit. But my dh has been putting it off for a couple of weeks. He says he will, he just hasn't. I feel I need to wait for him to do it on his own. Truth is I'm a little scared too. I watched some video clips from a Messianic congregation, (sorry I don't remember the link) and the videos while lovely, were a little bit intimidating for one who was raised in the nazarene denomination. Do you ever feel like you are floundering around alone in the ocean trying to figure out which direction is land?
Leah

[Stephanie]

Leah - It is wonderful! We have been now three weeks in a row, and each week we like it more and more. The first week we went without my daughter, and just stayed for service. Then, week two we took the kid for her perspective on it as well. She participated in junior congregation and commented that it was someplace where she wouldn't feel different like she does in our Sunday church. (I guess there were comments made to her about Passover and not eating cheese/bacon quiches during breakfast one week.) This week we stayed for service and oneg afterwards. It was wonderful. We met several people and everyone was very warm and welcoming. We had time to talk to the congregational leader, and he very gently but very intentionally presented the Gospel to my husband and asked his thoughts on Messiah. Our other churches have always been too worried about having a conversation with him so it was very nice to see it central here. We met a couple that is just like us... wife from a Protestant background, husband from a conservative Jewish background trying to find where he fits and believes. It was interesting to be able to talk to them about how their family accepted their moving to this congregation, the in laws' reaction to her husband's acceptance of Messiah, the kids' experiences with being "different." It was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship.

I was worried just like you. I didn't know what to expect. If you want specific details of what the service is like I'd gladly type it out for you. I felt exactly like you, only you described it better! It is very different than what I grew up with, and my husband keeps asking me if I'm ok with it because of this difference. But, there is something about it that finally feels like "home." Unfortunately it is on the other side of town! But, it will work if we are following God's will for our family, and right now we feel like that is being part of this congregation. It's causing ripples with our neighbor and my mother, but I think that was bound to happen.

[Leah]

Stephanie,
I am so excited for your family. That gives me hope that maybe we will find our place too! Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the negativity that comes from extended family about our Hebrew roots journey and I forget the joy and excitement I first felt about it. I have been trying to be more diligent in prayer about this and G-d has been helping me find my joy again!
Leah

[Stephanie]

It is very easy to get bogged down with negativity I think. It reminds me that I need to shut out others and just find my guidance and joy in the Lord. It's hard for us to remember sometimes I think when the noise gets loud around us. I'm struggling with a bit of apprehension right now because my friends keep telling me to quit being "Jewish" (among other unnecessary comments.) I know that it will be even worse once my mother in law finds out where we're going because she is very - did I mention VERY lol - negative towards anything Messianic. We saw the Abraham to Jesus exhibit when it was traveling a few years ago and I thought she was going to take out a woman who said she was Messianic and was from Israel. She makes it very clear that she believes that Messianic Jews are not real Jews, and I can only imagine what my husband will hear. He'll be equated with betraying the family I think. So sad...

[Stephanie]

I should add that my MIL is a great woman and I love her dearly. She's just a product of what she's been taught.

[Leah]

I had to laugh at your description "I thought she was going to take out a woman who said she was Messianic and was from Israel" very funny (in a sad way.) I remember when I was in college I mentioned to my parents how much I wanted to learn Hebrew and that I wondered if I went to a local synagogue if they would teach it to me. You would have thought I had just told my parents I was thinking of joining a cult! Needless to say I didn't mention it again. Yet my parents are very loving and kind. They just don't think I should be focusing on Jesus' Jewishness. They think the New Testament somehow "trumps" and nullifies the Old Testament. Its hard to explain. I will be praying for you and your husband! I pray that you will be a witness to his family and that G-d will give you strength through it all.

[Stephanie]

Yes! Feeling like the NT "trumps" it is somehow exactly how my mother feels. Last night she asked me what they call the pastor/rabbi at the congregation we've been going to, and I told her that they just called him the congregational leader. I'm still new to it so I don't know if this is common or just what they choose to do. She said something about what they called Jesus, and when I referenced Rabbi, she just didn't understand why I couldn't just say "teacher" like her Bible. She also doesn't like it that I use the name Yeshua so I spent half my time thinking of what words I can use with who. People are going to think that I talk in tongues because I'll be so tongue tied it won't sound like English OR Hebrew. lol

I'm so glad that we have this group. We can pray for each other!

Speaking of Hebrew... I want to learn desperately. Did you ever learn?

[Leah]

I never learned. Isn't that a shame. But it's not too late! I still want to learn. I love hearing it spoken. Of course I don't know what's being said, but it is such a pretty language.

[Stephanie]

Exactly! I'm going to be learning along with my dd. My husband explains some of it - or rather some of the words used in prayers - but I'd like to actually learn it. My MIL thinks it is too hard and too late for me, but I think I can.... like the little engine that could. lol

[Jody]

Shalom, There are many computer disc, and audio tape programs which you can use to learn Hebrew. Start by learning the aleph-bet. Then you will have an easier time learning the vocabulary. Modern discussion Hebrew is much different to learn than learning the Hebrew vocabulary in Scripture. I too wish I were better at learning languages. At over 50 years old it is a struggle to learn. I have however learned a great deal over the many years of Scripture study, and I find I recognize words with similar meanings etc when I come across them. Keep up the good work!