Join Pastor Ellen Dooley and Reverend Scott Pfautz On a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 16 - 25, 2011 "Our Feet Shall Stand Within Thy Gates, O Jerusalem." (Ps. 122:2) Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience!

Tour Highlights:
Round trip Air from EWR Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
One of Israel's Top Tour Guides and Drivers will be with you the entire trip
All Breakfasts and Dinners as per itinerary
Tal Hotel Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Ha'on , Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem, Hotels
Tel Aviv, Mediterranean Sea, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Jezreel Valley, Megiddo, Cana,
Nazareth, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee. Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Jordan River Baptism Site,
Beit Shean, Dead Sea. Panoramic view of Jerusalem, Garden of Gethsemane,
Mount Moriah where Abraham prepared to offer Isaac at God's command, Golgotha
Garden Tomb, where we joyously celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise,
Old City, Southern Wall Excavations. Dome of the Rock, Rabbinical Tunnels,
Judgment Hall of Pilate, Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate, St. Ann's Church,
Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Zion Gate, Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit,
Dead Sea, Masada. Ein Gedi, Qumran Caves, Abu Ghosh,
An Inspirational Pilgrimage and Much Much More!!!

  Itinerary

Monday, 16 May: Departure Today
We embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight.tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Tuesday, 17 May: Arrive Israel
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in the Holy Land. We travel to our hotel for one night in Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean Sea, relax, and have dinner. The time is right for a personal devotional with the sunset over the "Great Sea." Enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night's rest.
Dinner and overnight: Tal Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 18 May: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea for a brief stop at Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the area of Cana and arrive in Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. There we see the newly discovered first century house foundation and visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. We will enjoy a Biblical dinner there. Our overnight lodging for the next two nights is in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galillie.
Overnight: Kibbutz Ha'on Guest House, Sea of Galilee

Thursday, 19 May: Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Mount of Beatitudes
Our first stop is to view the ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating Kibbutz. We enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with a brief scripture reading and devotional on board to brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. Our travels take us to two valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship and Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter's Confession. In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter's home. Then we travel on to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, and the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, overlooking the Sea. This concludes a wonderful day.
Dinner and overnight: Kibbutz Ha'on Guest House, Sea of Galilee

Friday, 20 May: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beit Shean & Dead Sea
We begin our day with a special opportunity to be baptized at the Jordan River Baptismal site. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most extensive archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis - a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the "Land of Milk and Honey," the Kibbutz system and Israel's intricate irrigation development. We pass just west of Qasr el Yahud (closed to the public), baptismal site of Jesus, and then view from a distance the ancient city of Jericho, famed as the oldest city in the world. We are now ready for our ascent to Jerusalem, the Holy City. "Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem!" Toward evening, we proceed to the Western Wall, as thousands of people throng there to welcome the Jewish Sabbath.
Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Saturday, 21 May: In Jesus' Footsteps
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. Next we visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. Our climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise. We then enjoy free time this afternoon and evening for exploring and shopping in Jerusalem.
Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 22 May: The Old City
We now enter the Old City of Jerusalem and gaze upon the Southern Wall Excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. From here we ascend to the Temple Mount (security permitting). We will then visit the Western Wall, holiest site to the Jewish people, and then walk through the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels, leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel we see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann's Church. Next we walk along the Via Dolorosa, and are reminded of His way of suffering. We then visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Dinner overnight: Prima Kings Hotel

Monday, 23 May: Around Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room" just outside the Zion Gate, where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord & my God." We pause overlooking the Valley of Hinom for a Bible study session. An interesting and educational time awaits us at the Israel Museum, where we will visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and then view an accurately detailed model of biblical Jerusalem, which will summarize what we have seen the past few days and help to prepare us for what we will experience tomorrow. We then spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ, with a visit to Bethlehem.
Dinner and overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 24 May: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Scrolls
Our day begins as we depart for the Dead Sea Region the lowest place on earth. We ride a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous stand of the Jewish residents against the Roman Legion. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site has developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We then enjoy a relaxing float in the Dead Sea and mud baths followed by good, hot showers at Mineral Beach. Our farewell dinner is in Abu Ghosh, where we enjoy delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
Depart for the airport.

Important Note:
Although the itinerary above obviously emphasizes the spiritual aspect of this marvelous country, our guides are also experts in and passionate about the miracle of the return of the Jews and the restoration of the state of Israel. This fact, along with many modern day topics (military, politics, education, and other cultural aspects), will be woven into the commentary in order to give you well rounded information.

Wednesday, 25 May: Home
Arrive back home. The blessed memories last forever!

*Itinerary Subject to Change