Shalom, friends!
On behalf of the brothers and sisters in our congregation, I thank you for your prayer and material support! Today, in the light of the current events in the world, we, more than ever before, understand the importance of supporting each other!
We are the Netzer HaGalil messianic congregation in the city of Nazareth Illit (Nof HaGalil).
Like most public places in Israel, since March 13, we have been closed for strict quarantine, and we could not gather for prayer services. We only had the opportunity to communicate by telephone with each other until May 8. All this time, the only opportunity for us to attend a meeting of believers was the online broadcast of services from the Shavei Zion congregation in Haifa (thanks to Leon and his team for this opportunity) Unfortunately, online meeting on the internet – it’s an only option for many congregations in Israel to take part in a joint prayer and the Scripture study even till now.
From May 9, we were able to return to the community (the relaxation of quarantine restrictions began). Until September 19, we had the opportunity to gather for prayer and Shabbat services, praise the Lord, but then a strict quarantine was again declared. After the first quarantine, people returned with a thirst for God, they missed each other very much. People were changed, they became more profound in faith, became more serious and responsible.
Those who, before the quarantine, were more like observers from the outside, now became easier and freer to connect to various ministries. God made adjustments to the hearts of believers. “Covid” has become a litmus test for determining people’s faith – determining their goals – they are looking for a relationship with God, or their goal is only personal interests. Our people have become more united as a family, and today, more than ever, they strive to support each other, and for this I thank the Lord!
After the 2nd quarantine, from October 24, we are gathering in the “10 + 20” format, that is, 10 indoors and up to 20 outdoors. Fortunately, we have a large window behind the stage and we open it, put the loudspeaker outside, on the veranda where the rest of the people are, so we do not break the law, and we constantly continue to gather. During these, almost 2 months, the weather was different – both hot and cold (the Lord always allowed rains only before or after our meeting) people never complained or grumbled, on the contrary, they were glad that we could gather and strengthen in the Lord!
We need your support, because there are still difficulties, both spiritual and physical, but we are trying to overcome any obstacles! However, like any people, we do not refuse help. It is important that the Lord is always with us!
Despite the difficulties of quarantine, we do not stop providing food assistance to those in need. Even when people could not come, we delivered food to their homes, which was very important in such a situation for them! They are grateful for the help! It is a pity that we cannot invite people to the congregation for meetings! This year we were not able to get together in congregation for a single holiday. Maybe the Lord wants people to start treating this differently: not as a tradition, but as His presence on holidays!
(Is.1:13,14) «Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.»
The Lord wants us to change, and this is the time for our renewal from Him!
(Is.1:16-18) «Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.»
Blessings to you! Nazareth Illit, Israel. Messianic congregation “Netzer HaGalil”, Vakif and Tanya Hassanov.
