THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly

Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun

No. 1703 / June 28, 2025

2025 Gatherings (doors open at time shown; services start at 3:00 pm)

6/29                 Sabbath Services                                                                                                                        2:30 pm
7/5                   Praise & Worship Services                                                               12:30 pm
7/6                   Sabbath Services                                                                                                                        2:30 pm
7/12                 Praise & Worship Services                                                                 1:30 pm
7/13                 Sabbath Services                                                                                                                        2:30 pm
7/19                 Chodesh (Celebrating the 5th month of the Divine Year) *                     1:30 pm
7/20                 Sabbath Services                                                                                                                        2:30 pm
7/21                 Pentecost (Celebrating the Feast of New Wine) **                      11:00 am
7/26                 Praise & Worship Services                                                                 1:30 pm

*   A Holy Day like Sabbaths (a day for no work)
** A High Holy Day (see Announcement for location of gathering)

2025 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year

Nevi’im; Yeshayahu (Salvation of Yah) Prophecy of Isaiah                                        
6/21 - Chapters 41 – 45           6/22 - Chapters 46 – 50         6/23 - Chapters 51 – 55
6/24 - Chapters 56 – 60           6/25 - Chapters 61 – 66        
Nevi’im; Yirmeyahu (Exultation of Yah) Prophecy of Jeremiah                                   
6/26 - Chapters 1 – 4               6/27 - Chapters 5 – 8             6/28 - Chapters 9 – 12
6/29 - Chapters 13 – 16           6/30 - Chapters 17 – 20         7/1 - Chapters 21 – 24
7/2 - Chapters 25 – 28             7/3 - Chapters 29 – 32           7/4 - Chapters 33 – 36
7/5 - Chapters 37 – 40             7/6 - Chapters 41 – 44           7/7 - Chapters 45 – 48
7/8 - Chapters 49 – 52            
Nevi’im; Yechezqel (Strength of El) Prophecy of Ezekiel                                             
7/9 - Chapters 1 – 4                7/10 - Chapters 5 – 8              7/11 - Chapters 9 – 12           
7/12 - Chapters 13 – 16          7/13 - Chapters 17 – 20          7/14 - Chapters 21 – 24         
7/15 - Chapters 25 – 28          7/16 - Chapters 29 – 32          7/17 - Chapters 33 – 36         
7/18 - Chapters 37 – 40          7/19 - Chapters 41 – 44          7/20 - Chapters 45 – 48                                                       
Nevi’im; Dani’El (Judgment of El) Prophecy of Daniel                                                                                             
7/21 - Chapters 1 – 4               7/22 - Chapters 5 – 8              7/23 - Chapters 9 – 12

Tabernacle Invitation

Interested in joining Bet Yeshurun Assembly? Please contact Pastor ObadiYah by email, telephone, mail, or in person at a gathering of Yahushuah’s Body.

A Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot)

(Acts 2:1-4) When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. It filled the entire house where they were sitting. There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In a few weeks, Bet Yeshurun Assembly (BYA) celebrates a Pentecost Feast at a site to be announced later. While some enjoyed summer’s harvest blessing in ancient times; (Acts 2:12). Others mocking said, “These men are full of new wine.”

In making that statement, the scornful mockers didn’t ridicule the Feast itself, but rather falsely accused the Apostles of misbehavior. Peter (Cephas) dispels their wrong opinion: (Acts 2:14-18) But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, “You men of Yahudah, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day (9:00 am). But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 'And it shall come to pass in the last days,' says Elohim, 'I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.'” 

This article will study other Scriptural attributes of our annual gathering, which commemorates Disciples receiving “the Holy Spirit” (Ruach ha’Qodesh) of Elohim. Pentecost, or Pentēkostē in Greek, means “fiftieth.” (Strong’s Concordance) Thus, BYA counts 50-days from Shavuot to Pentecost for a High Holy Day that Paul also kept: (Acts 20:16) Paul determined to sail by Ephesus because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the Day of Pentecost.  (1 Cor. 16:8-9) But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

Let’s examine that “new wine” consumed at the Feast. Per Strong’s, the KJV translates those words from “gleukos” (glyoo'-kos), a Greek word which describes a “sweet wine, used of the more saccharine (therefore highly inebriating) fermented wine.” On the other hand, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says it’s a “sweet juice pressed from the grape.” In either case, drinking of wine (or juice) didn’t cause commotion at Pentecost. Instead, it was the Holy Spirit that amazed on-lookers with Elohim’s works:(Acts 2:6-11) The multitude came together and were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying, “Behold, are not these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Elohim.” 

The early summer harvest of grapes (in late summer, it’s olives) was a first-fruits celebration in Israel with festive dancing, eating and drinking. That agricultural nation also offered praise and worship of Elohim via prayers and thanksgiving songs. Like the Believers of ancient times, BYA also gathers to celebrate YAH’s blessing upon our collective and individual temples. (James 1:17-18) Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His Own Will begat He us with the Word of Truth that we be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Although Pentecost is YAHUAH’s Appointed Time (Moedim), many out of apathy, ignorance or rebellion disregard this Feast. It’s not a Christian Holy Day as some erroneously teach. Pentecost is a special appointed time of YAHUAH! (Leviticus 23:1–2) YAHUAH spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them concerning the Feasts of YAHUAH, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My Feasts.”

The timing of Pentecost is controversial as various religious groups and some Messianic assemblies have already observed it. BYA keeps this Feast in the summer based upon the Zadokite Calendar and the timing of Israel's grape harvest. Scripture affirms it’s a summer Feast as the “new wine” libation that 1st century AD Believers drank came from a harvest of grapes, which weren't ripe to pick in the spring. More important than the Festival’s drink or timing, is a great blessing that Yah’s Followers can receive at Pentecost. Scripture attests: (Acts 1:1-4) The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all that Yahushuah began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through Ruach ha'Qodesh had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. To whom He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days and speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of Elohim. Being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which said He, “You heard of Me, for John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with Ruach ha'Qodesh not many days hence . . . You shall receive power, after that Ruach ha'Qodesh is come upon you. You shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Indeed, Pentecost is when YAHUAH meets HIS Family in a special Way with a promise to bless those commemorating this Feast. For example, Yah's Disciples received Elohim's Holy Spirit at Jerusalem, and at our 2025 Feast BYA will fellowship as a Family with an opportunity to repent and to be baptized. It's a special time for Torah to be inscribed on our hearts, to give our testimonies, and to pray for Elohim's gift of Ruach ha'Qodesh that empowers us to share the Gospel message with the world. Consider how that happened here: (Acts 2:38-42) Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Messiah Yahushuah for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of Ruach ha'Qodesh. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as Adonai our Elohim shall call.' And with many other words he did he testify and exhort saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation!' Then, they who gladly received his word were baptized. The same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
 
As modern-day Believers, we’re blessed to have such an opportunity for establishing an intimate relationship with Elohim via a Covenant of Yahushuah‘s righteous teachings, sayings and commands. As the Living Torah, He is leading and guiding the Church (His Bride) through a wilderness of life. Although not present in the form of a pillar of fire above a physical tabernacle, Elohim's fiery form resides in our spiritual temples as Ruach ha'Qodesh: (1 Corinthians 3:16) “Do you not know that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Ruach of Elohim dwells in you?

So, please join BYA at our Pentecost 2025 Festival as we seek the peace of Elohim's Spirit and focus on being a spiritually strong assembly of one accord: (John 20:21–22) Then, Yahushuah again said to them, “Peace be unto you. As My Father sent me, even so send I you.”  When He said this, He breathed upon them, and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!”

Empowered by/with Ruach ha'Qodesh, we can be better equipped to serve others and be enabled to nurture souls for harvesting into the Church, the Body of Yahushuah: (1Corinthians 12:7-14) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom; to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit; to another Faith by the same Spirit; to another the Gifts of Healing by the same Spirit; to another the Working of Miracles; to another Prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of Tongues; to another the interpretation of Tongues. But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally. For as the Body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one Body, being many, are one Body. So also, is Messiah. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether Jews (Yahudim) or Gentiles, whether we are bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the Body is not one member, but many.

Likewise, BYA gathers for Pentecost 2025 to reconstruct and perfect our spiritual temples! (1 Corinthians 3:16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of Elohim, and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you?

In summary, our relationship with YAHUAH follows the lead of Yahushuah’s Disciples. As the Holy Spirit empowers us to act in a spirit-filled life, we expect to be overcomers of sinful temptations and to be strengthened in obeying Elohim’s Torah. As our journey through life continues, may we remain steadfast in the trust that we will have a holy, righteous victory through an intimate, anointed relationship with Elohim. The glorious picture of the Heavenly Father and Son’s wondrous Plan of Redemption is embodied at Pentecost. May their revelation of Elohim's Torah and the power of Ruach ha’Qodesh be upon us as we seek answers to life’s challenging questions regarding the right Way to live; the meaning of Life; and how can we better our relationship with the Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. By whatever way you choose to celebrate this Festival, and whenever or wherever you choose to celebrate it, may your heart be softened to Elohim’s Word and may the fire of the Holy Spirit fall abundantly upon you. (Isaiah 65:8) Thus saith YAHUAH, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, ‘Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it,’ so will I do for my Servants' sakes.”

I’ll close with this prayer: as Elohim's Ruach ha'Qodesh empowers us to act in a spirit-filled life, may we obey YAHUAH's Torah and help each other to overcome our sinful inclinations. And may we reaffirm our trust in Yahushuah's holy, righteous victory via a renewed intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father as HE reveals a glorious picture of a wondrous redemption plan for humanity at Pentecost 2025. Yes, let YAH light our Way along the ancient path of Life as we affirm our desire to reconcile with Elohim through the sacrifice of Yahushuah, our Source of Spirit and Life. And may the fire of Ruach ha'Qodesh fall abundantly upon us all! Shalom, Elder Curt 

 

Announcements

2025 Shavuot Friends and family are invited to join with BYA in celebrating a Feast of Weeks and Baptism service at an outdoor gathering (Monday, July 21 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.) Location to be announced.

Thoughts for Meditation

Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist in the 17th century - “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642 astronomer) - “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”

Martin Luther - “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”