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5070 Pine Island Drive N.E.
Comstock Park, MI 49321
(616) 531-7455

 


  
 Service Times

 

 תפלות שחרית לשבת    

Men's Shabbat Morning Prayers             9:00 am

Shabbat (Saturday) Worship Service, 10:30 am

Shabbat School (pre-school~young teens) 11:30 am

Oneg (Delighting in the Shabbat with food and fellowship) 12:45 pm

 

 


  
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 Shabbat HaChodesh (Precedes the Month of Nisan)

 Shabbat HaChodesh takes place on the last Shabbat that precedes Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) Nisan. The last of the Four Special Shabbatot, these Parshiyot (Portions) are added to the regular weekly Parshiyot readings. They are read after the traditional reading and they are referred to as the "Maftir" (concluding) portion. These Four Shabbatot Parshiyot are the only ones outside of Festivals and New Moons that have an additional portion. 

The Four Parshiyot are:

*Shabbat Sh'kalim (Half -Sheket Tax):
 Read on the Shabbat that precedes the New Moon of the Month of Adar
*Shabbat Zakor (Remembrance): Read on the Shabbat that precedes Purim instructing to "Blot out the remembrance of Amalek."
*Shabbat Parah (Red Heifer): Read on the Shabbat following Purim as a reminder of the need for moral purification after the events of the Golden Calf. It is a preparation operative that leads up to Pesach (Passover).
* Shabbat HaChodesh: Read as we mentioned above on the Shabbat preceding the New Moon of Nisan the Month of Passover. It continues to instruct in the preparations and rituals of the Pesach (Passover) ceremonies.

Readings for Shabbat HaChodesh:

Torah: Sh'mot (Exodus)
12:1~20
Haftarah: Yechezk'el (Ezekiel) 45:16~46:18 (A); 45:18~46:15 (S).
Tehillim (Psalms): Chapter 77
B'rit Chadashah: Colossians 2:16~17; Revelation 21:1~22:5.

 

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 Welcome

Shalom! Welcome to the website of Adat Eytz Chayim (Tree of Life) Messianic Jewish Congregation. We are a congregation of Jewish and non~Jewish people who believe that Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is the Son of G-D, the long awaited Messiah of Yisra'el. 

As such, we conduct our services in more of a Jewish context, incorporating many elements of a synagogue style of worship. Typically our services begin with a liturgical worship time of singing praise songs in Hebrew and in English. Accompanying this element of liturgy, is the ministry of Davidic Worship, which we believe was (see "Sh'mot"  Exodus Ch 15:20-21) and is a formidable expression of worship through the means of dance. We then proceed to the liturgical element of worship in an order as demonstrated through the use of the siddurim (prayerbooks). We have chosen to use the MESSIANIC SHABBAT SIDDUR as compiled by; Jeremiah Greenberg, Director of Messianic Liturgical Resources, for that purpose. This siddur, by design, is in a wonderful, user friendly Hebrew/English format. In addition to these resources, we have chosen to use exclusively the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), as translated by David H. Stern, published by; Jewish New Testament Publications Inc. We are comfortable with this version of Scripture for many reasons. Primary in our appreciation is the sensitivity of language used for the Jewish reader, as well as an enhanced understanding of text for those seeking to embrace the Hebrew root of their faith. Along with these reasons, we appreciate the layout of the Torah (first five books) and its adherance to the traditional Parashot (portions) and the Haftarot (conclusion) portions utilizing the annual or yearly cycle of reading. As a bonus, the Complete Jewish Bible offers the suggested B'rit Chadashah (New Covenant) readings in conjunction with the traditional texts.

As a Messianic Jewish congregation, we are observant to the "moadei ADONAI" designated/appoinments of ADONAI  and the "mikraei kodesh" holy convocations, as outlined for us in Vayikra (Leviticus) Ch 23. We are also observant by the grace of ADONAI to be obedient to all of His laws and rulings to the best of our Spirit led abilities, as they may be applicable to our lives today. Knowing that people are at various levels of spiritual maturity, our desire is to teach and encourage them in an adherance to the dietary laws also as applicable.

You might ask; "Are we under the Law?" Let me say this: We all have the "yetzer hara" evil inclination or evil imagination in us (see B'resheet Genesis 6:5), and by G-D'S grace we can obtain Yeshua (salvation). However, even though we are sinners saved by grace, if we choose a life of grace only (I call this: "living in Graceland") this grace quickly becomes a spiritual band~aid, and we will tend to use it to cover all of our afflictions. Grace alone (unmerited favor that ADONAI has for us) does not do away with the mitzvote (commands) that are applicable to our lives today, as a matter of fact, grace alone is a form of "lawlessness." When we receive Yeshua into our hearts and we qualify to receive the Ruach HaChodesh (Holy Spirit), it is then that we become enabled to be as observant to        G-D'S laws as we are led. As a dear brother said recently (not a direct quote): "We do not become obedient to G-D'S laws to be saved, we desire obedience to Him because we are saved!"

Our desire as a Messianic Jewish congregation is multi-faceted, but of primary importance is the spiritual education of our children and those who honestly seek to inquire. We want to have a part in building the Body of Messiah in an effort to enlarge the Kingdom. Please see "About Us" Who We Are, for a Statement of Purpose and our "Statement of Faith." We will continue to provide additional information on this site as development continues.

Shalom uv'racha (Peace and blessing)

"p'ri tzadik eytz chayim (The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,)

v'lokeach n'fashot chacham" (and he who is wise wins souls.)   Mishlei (Proverbs) 11:30 CJB

  

 

  
 Information and Announcements Minimize

In the observance of the annual cycle of Torah Reading, each week is assigned its own portion of Scripture, or what we refer to as a Parashah. The first Parashah of the year for example is B'resheet (Genesis) and this next year 5770 it will commence on 29 Tishrei or October 17, 2009. There are 54 Parshiyot (Parashah plural), one for each week of a leap year, so that in the course of one year, we complete the entire Torah from B'resheet to D'varim (Genesis to Deuteronomy). A leap-year adds an additional 4 weeks (one month) to the usual 12 months, and we refer to this month as: ADAR II. During non-leap years (regular), there are 50 weeks, as a result some of the shorter Parshiyot are doubled up.

The weeks of Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) have different Torah portions assigned to them, so on leap years that leaves 52 weeks to accomplish 54 Parshiyot. This is achieved by doubling up 2 portions, and for non-leap years there remain 48 weeks to accomplish 54 Parshiyot and this is achieved by having 6 double Parshiyot.

 

Please go to "Events" for the monthly calendar information and scheduled services.

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   ► We are going to start collecting names for families who want to buy a whole or a half lamb.      The price will be $4.50 a pound.
e-mail Larry Hasselman at
mibeekeeper@hotmail.com, or call 231 924 5236
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Baruch HaShem and Mazel Tov to the "Fourteen" individuals that went to the Mikveh for Tevilah (Immersion) in this season of T'shuvah (Repentance)!
"....Turn from sin, return to G-d, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh!
Acts Chapter 2:38 CJB

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Yisra'el's War in the Gaza is not an incursion levied against a people that identify themselves as Palestinians, but rather it is a defensive operative levied against the Spirit of Amalek. Rabbi Sha'ul's words to the Messianic Community in Ephesus explains clearly in Ch. 6:12 stating: "For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm." CJB  Go to "Additional Readings" see Parashah #13 Sh'mot (Exodus) for more on this.
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Adat Eytz Chayim (Tree of Life)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
03/06/10
*Men’s morning prayer @ 9am every Shabbat in the Sanctuary.
 
* TORAH STUDY TODAY @ 1:30 in the basement of the Tree of Life’s House-you may use the slider or back door
 
*Come and join the Beginner Dance class from 1:00 to 1:30 every Shabbat in the sanctuary.
Come for all or part of it. No obligation. Let’s just have fun worshipping ADONAI.
 
*ADVANCED Hebrew class tomorrow @ 10am
 
* Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class will BE meeting this coming Tuesday @ 6:30pm
 
 *Pesach TOL cleaning day is Sunday, March 28, please see the sign-up sheet on the back table
 
*Tree of Life Passover celebration will be held on Monday, March 29 at the Grandville Banquet Center in Grandville.  Advance reservations are necessary.  Pick up your reservation sheet with all the details on the back table.
 
*MEN- see Doug if you wish to sing a special song on May 8 (Shabbat) for Mother’s day
 
 
*If you have a prayer request that you would like to have
e-mailed to our prayer warriors, there is a request sheet on the back wall.
 
*If you have ordered CD’s of past services, you may pick them up in the basement on the desk-blue chair room.
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DISCLAIMER: This WEB SITE has been and is the only official authorized WEB SITE of Adat Eytz Chayim, Tree of Life Congregation, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There have been unauthorized liberties taken by certain individual(s) to violate Adat Eytz Chayim and it's constituency in the putting up of a Web Site and making entries via the various "pedia" sources concerning Adat Eytz Chayim. These do not represent Adat Eytz Chayim, and they are the sole unauthorized responsibilty of those who have posted this information. We have taken measures as need to absolve these concerns with a responsible party, and in part this has been accomplished. 

"Behold how good and how pleasant is the dwelling of brothers, moreover, in unity." Tehiilim (Psalms) 133:1  (Artscroll Tehillim, Mesorah Publications, ltd.)

 

"G-D has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work He has given us. Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting G-D's message."   II Corinthians 4:1~2a (CJB)

 

 

 


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 This Week...

 

Parashah HaShavua
(Weekly
Reading)

Parshiyot #22 and #23
"Double Portion"
"Shabbat HaChodesh"

 Torah: Vayak'hel
(And Assembled) 
Sh'mot (Exodus) 35
:1~38:20
Torah: P'kudei
(Accounts)
Sh'mot (Exodus) 38:21~40:38
Haftarah: Vayak'hel1
M'lakhim Alef (I Kings) 
7:40~50 (A)
M'lakhim Alef 7:13~26
(S)
Haftarah: P'kudei
M'lakhim Alef 7:51~8:21 (A)
M'lakhim Alef 7:40~50 (S)

   B'rit Chadashah: 
Vayak'hel
II Corinthians 9:1~15;
Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 9:1~14
B'rit Chadashah: 
P'kudei
II Corinthians 3:7~18;
Revelation 15:5~8.

Tehillim (Psalms):
 Vayak'hel
Chapter 61
Tehillim: P'kudei
Chapter 45

1Footnote
On those occasions when the Haftarah Portions vary we will identify in the following manner:

(A) Ashkenazic ritual, German and Eastern European Jewry.

(S) Sephardic ritual, Middle Eastern, North African, Spanish, and Oriental Jewry.
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Go to: "Additional Readings," for some textual comparisons concern- ing: Malki-Tzedek "My King of Righteousness." 

Shemoneh Esreh, what is it and what can we learn from it?
See "Supplementary
Readings" under Resources.

SUNDAY CLASSES
Advanced Hebrew
10:00 am to 11:00 am

"The difference between one who attends Shul and one who is a member of Shul is commitment. Attendees are like the people sitting in the grandstands complaining about the sun in their eyes and bad calls by the authorities, while the members are engaged in the competitive battle on the playing field to win mens souls."                    rav chovel

                   

  

  


  
 This Month...

 

A great BIG Todah Rabah for all of the volunteer servants that make our services possible each week.

  "Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the L-RD." Colossians  3:23   

                                 

Congratulations Adat Eytz Chayim! 
As of 27 Shevat 5770-
February 11, 2010, we have  completed our Eleventh year of Ministry.  Baruch HaShem!



 

 

  

 

 


  
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