What To Expect On Shabbat

Welcome. Shabbat Shalom!

We are a warm and friendly bunch of folk who share a common bond of love for the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Son, Messiah Yeshua. You are free to spend the entire Shabbat with us or just come for Shabbat service, fellowship, or any of our classes and Bible Studies.

Below, you will learn more about what happens at Beit Lechem during Shabbat and how to prepare for it.

Shabbat Service

On the last Friday of the month, we have our service on Friday night (Erev Shabbat) at 7 pm and not on Saturday morning. Please see our calendar for event dates and times.

Our Shabbat services are on Saturday and begin at 10:00 am Pacific Time. You can join us either in person or online.

Our Messianic services and Bible studies each Shabbat are led by Rabbi John Hernandez-Benheretz, who has been a pastor and Messianic Rabbi for over 20 years.

We begin every service with Messianic worship that glorifies our Father in Heaven and His Son, Messiah Yeshua. We read blessings from the Messianic Siddur (prayer book) as well as Scriptures from the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) and the Brit Chadashah (apostolic writings). Our Tanakh readings, known as Parashot, are the same as those read in Jewish synagogues around the world. Each Parasha reading is listed on our Messianic events calendar.

During the message portion of our service, Rabbi John teaches us the Hebraic perspective of these readings and/or other topics.

Join us as we worship the Lord, partake of the Living Word, and break bread together.

Friday Night (Erev) Shabbat Service

On the last Friday of the month, we have Shabbat service at 7 pm followed by oneg (joyful meal) and fellowship.

Join us as we worship the Lord, partake of the Living Word, and fellowship together.

Please see our calendar for all service dates and times.

Oneg (Fellowship Lunch)

After service, we enjoy fellowship over lunch, potluck style, with salads, fruits, meats, and, of course, dessert.

Based on the Biblical instruction in Leviticus 11, we don’t eat anything that may contain pig, shrimp, lobster, bacon, lard or any related products, so as to observe the distinction between the clean and the unclean.

Kitchen is Not Used on Shabbat
The Bible says we should not light a fire or do work on Shabbat. So please bring your food
ready to serve. Crockpots, insulated warming or cooling containers are all welcome. Please
also clean your dirty dishes at home after sunset when Shabbat ends.

Messianic Bible Study

After lunch on Shabbat and during the week, we are fed some more with the Bread of Life! Join us as we search the Scriptures for truth and understanding, Hebraic style.

Check our calendar for current dates and times of all of our classes.

Our Preferred Bible

Our Rabbi and many who attend Shabbat service here at Beit Lechem read from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB). Rabbi John also recommends the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is good, scholarly translation of original Biblical texts. However, you are free to use your own preferred print or digital Bible.

Dress / Attire

We honor the Lord as we come before Him in worship, which includes dressing in a way that respects His authority. This can range from business casual to professional. As the Talmud states “Da lifnei mi attah omed” which translates to “know before whom you stand,” we are expected to uphold the biblical values of respect and honor before our Maker as stated in Isaiah 56:7 “my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Men in our congregation, who wish to do so, wear the traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit) and a kippah during service, while some women wear shawl head coverings. They are not required but are preferred.

Parking

We have a good-size parking lot for your convenience as well as street parking on the west side of Fairford Ave. and either side of Dollison Drive west of Fairford Ave.

 

Cameras

Please do not take pictures or videos unless you have received permission from leaders.
Some of those that attend can be persecuted at work or home or have relatives in other
countries that can be put in danger due to their attendance here.

Serving / Mitzvot

The Bible teaches that we can become closer to G-d (We are NOT talking about salvation but
a more intimate relationship) only through doing the commandments, the mitzvot. When we
keep G-d’s commandments by doing physical things, we bring ourselves and the world into the
control of the spiritual power of G-d. Therefore, we encourage everyone to find a place at Beit
Lechem to be physically helpful. When you see a need, we encourage you to jump in.

When You Are In Pain

We try hard to notice when you are missing or in pain. We have a Visitation Ministry with trained volunteers who can come to you or call you on the phone. With permission, we also email prayer requests to our members.

Busy schedules sometimes prevent us from keeping in touch with our community members, but please reach out to us and let us know how we can help you. We encourage you to follow James 5:13-15.