La Crosse Area Synod of the ELCA Holy Land Trip

Day 1, Oct 22: Departure from the USA

Depart from Minneapolis for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2, Oct 23: Arrival – Tel Aviv - Galilee

We arrive at Ben Gurion airport and depart northward to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 3, Oct 24 : Mt. Carmel – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach, We visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa (the Place of Fire), and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Oct 25: Caesarea Philippi – Golan Heights – Mt. Arbel – Valley of Doves – Sea of Galilee

We start our day with a visit to Caesarea Philippi, at the source of the river Jordan, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. Then we return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights with a stop overlooking the Road to Damascus. On to Mount Arbel, where we overlook the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee with a possible hike on part of the Jesus Trail. We then carry on to the Valley of the Doves and travel along the ancient road that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee along the Via Maris. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5, Oct 26: Sea of Galilee – Magdala – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes

We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Then we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee, with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. We then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. After a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, we drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We also have time for prayer and reflection. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6, Oct 27: Jordan Valley – Shepherds Field – Bethlehem (ELCJHL)

After breakfast, we will drive through the Jordan Valley, to Bethlehem to worship with the local church in Bethlehem then to Shepherd's fields where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. Meet with Rev. Gabi and Meghan Alabouni After lunch, we will travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. check-in at our hotel, dinner, and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 7, Oct 28: Augusta Victoria Hospital – LWF – Mt. of Olives – Living Stones (ELCJHL) Bishop Azar

We start our day at Dar Alkalemih University Meeting with Rev. Mitri Rehab then to Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Later, we enjoy a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, and then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster. We continue down to Dominus Flevit and St. Mary Magdalene Church. We pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Then we visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Back to our hotel for dinner and conversation with Palestinian Christian families and Bishop Azar.(ELCJHL). Overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 8, Oct 29: Wadi Qelt – St. George Monastery – Baptismal Site – Jericho – Dead Sea

This morning we depart Bethlehem, traveling through the Judean wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days, and along the ancient road passing the Good Samaritan inn. Upon reaching Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. We carry on along the ancient road toward Jericho, passing by Herod’s Winter Palace, where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC, and which was likely the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. On the way to Jericho, we head to Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing” of the Israelites. From Bet Arabah, we drive to the city of Jericho. We see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, to see the excavations of the ancient city and the Mount of Temptation. We then drive to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally found, and the buildings that formed the public center of the Essenes. Then we proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters. Free time in Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9, Oct 30: Pools of Bethesda – Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher – Jerusalem - ELCJHL

This morning after breakfast, we walk the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Meet with Rev. Sally Azar (ELCJHL) There, we visit Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We then visit the Jewish Quarter and go to the Western Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. We then visit St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place. Free time in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 10, Oct 31: Reformation Day - ELCJHL - Local Families

This morning after breakfast, We will be celebrating reformation day, Then Lunch with local Palestian families

Day 11, November 1: Departure Tel Aviv to the US.

After Breakfast, Depart from the airport for your flight back home to the US

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your Tour Leader and Guide’s discretion.