Gift of Education
Peace is a process and we move in that
process as education enters our lives. What
better way to change the status quo than to
educate the children. Fr. Elias Chacour's
school in Northern Galilee attempts to
educate Christians, Jews and Moslems, and
teach basic values which enable people to
live side by side peacefully. Now, with the
enthusiastic approval of Abuna Elias
Chacour, founder of the Mar Elias
Institutions (Kindergarten through College), Alpha Ministries is
spearheading a campaign to raise scholarship funds for young
Palestinian children to attend school.
Needs are great! Currently $1,400 enables one child to
attend school for an entire year at the Ibillin Campus as they
learn about life and history. In Middle Eastern culture many
families find it difficult to send their daughters to school.
Young girls have historically stayed at home without the
opportunity for education. But, Abuna Chacour is changing this
perception. Funds are being raised by individuals,
organizations, women's groups, pastors and laity to enable
children to be educated. You may even want to adopt a child,
visit and/or communicate with them. Your life will be filled
with new excitement and wonder as you relate first hand with
your sponsored child. If you or your church, Sunday School
class, or any organized group can sponsor a child (even for part
of a school year) or would like additional information, please
contact our office or the Rev. Trish Archer (910-762-3316).
Gift of Music
Have you ever considered how much we can learn from
studying the words of our great hymns? As we sing the stanzas
our beliefs are bolstered and we often find strength in the poetry
of the theological message our hymnwriters are sharing.
ACTS is pleased to offer a unique journey to Southern
England & Wales on September 20, 1999 which will focus on
the Hymns of Our Faith. As we visit the significant places of
Charlotte Elliot, Isaac Watts, Henry Francis Lyte, Charles
and John Wesley, John Newton, Christina Rosetti, Ralph
Vaughan Williams and others we will remember the words of
some of our great hymns: Just As I Am, Joy to the World, Abide
With Me, Rock of Ages, Christ the Lord is Risen Today,
Amazing Grace and In the Bleak Midwinter. We will also spend
time in London and see the sites of this bustling city.
Dr. William Weisser, Minister of Music, Edenton Street
United Methodist Church, Raleigh, NC, will guide us through
our study and teach us the universal language of music. For a
brochure contact the ACTS Office.
Millennium Travel
- Women of the Bible February 6, 2000
Give special attention to the women of faith who have
intersected our lives through their strength, leadership and
wisdom as we survey Old and New Testament sites where
they lived and worked in the Land of the Bible.
Departures to the Holy Land include January 23, 30,
February 6, 20, 27 and 29, 2000. We will join the
Christians in Bethlehem as we celebrate the life of Christ
in the city of His birth.
- Footsteps of Paul Mar. 22 and Oct. 25, 2000
A magnificent experience awaits you as the Biblical
journey of Paul, along with many classical Greek centers
are highlighted in Greece. The crowning jewel of the trip
will be a three day Aegean Cruise to Ephesus in Turkey.
- Passion Play Departure Dates on Page 3
Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) through this
unique and powerful drama of the Passion of Christ. Feel
the pain and the glory as you witness the story of our faith.
Millennium Cruises
- Alaska Inside Passage August 26, 2000
The eight day program with optional pre-Vancouver
extension is priced to attract your attention. Ports of call
include: Vancouver, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Hubbard
Glacier, and Ketchikan with return to Vancouver. Don't
let this beauty pass you by; Call now for your brochure.
- New England & St. Lawrence River Oct. 13, 2000
Our ports of call on this 11 day cruise to the Maritime
Provinces include: Boston, Portland, Halifax, Sydney,
Quebec City, Saguenay River Cruising, St. John's New
Brunswick and Bar Harbor with return to Boston. We will
also offer a three day pre-Boston excursion. Call for
brochure describing early incentive discounts.
- Western Mediterranean Cruise including Istanbul,
Ephesus, Athens! Call now for details.
The Gift of Love
The story is told of a visitor who came to watch the Passion Play in Oberammergau in 1980, and who was given the opportunity to go backstage and meet Antion Lang, the actor who played Jesus. As the visitor was waiting to speak with Mr. Lang, he walked over to the cross that Jesus had carried in the play. Expecting it to be made out of cardboard or balsa wood, he tried to lift it. To his dismay, he could barely move it six inches off the ground. When Mr. Lang was free, this visitor walked over to him and thanked him for his terrific performance. Then, he shared that he had one question for him: "Why, Mr. Lang, do you use such a heavy cross?" to which Antion replied, "If I did not feel the weight of His cross, I could not play the part."
ACTS is pleased to offer a variety of itineraries for 2000, all of which include an overnight in Oberammergau and a ticket to the world famous Passion Play. If you are eager to participate in one of these exclusive journeys send your registration in today. Each departure has a limited number of tickets and soon will be sold out.
All of the itineraries include overnight in the quaint village of Oberammergau where you can live amongst the villagers who dedicate so much of their lives to fulfilling the promise made by their ancestors more than 365 years ago.
Gift to Our Pastors
- Giving a Journey as a GIFT to someone special who
has made a difference in your life can make a
difference in their life! We can help you work out
the surprise...
- Kudos to Duke Memorial UMC, Durham, NC for
sending retired pastor/SS teacher to the Holy Land!
Double Kudos to St. Joseph's UMC, Pikeville, NC
for sending their pastor and his wife to the Holy
Land!
- ACTS is pleased to offer a $400 Scholarship to
pastors traveling to the Holy Land for the first time
with ACTS. If you would like further information
please contact the ACTS Office.
Gift to Our Churches
Alpha Ministries would like to present a gift to your
church every time you book your cruises through ACTS.
See the Cruise Special Insert for our "Best Fare Cruise
Specials" and details on how you can give a gift to your
church!
Gift of Savings
Is your church planning an mission trip? ACTS can
arrange your group air with significant savings to your
church. We believe "every dollar saved is another dollar
toward Kingdom building."
From the Mailbox
Comments from recent Holy Land Travelers include:
Each day I remember
something that I saw or
heard on the trip that adds to my understanding of Biblical
events. Your careful planning and care in the preparation
for our visit made everything go so smoothly. I was very
pleased with everything -- the guides, the
accommodations, the food, the transportation -- and will
enthusiastically recommend ACTS to anyone
contemplating such a trip. Thank you for making this trip
a memorable event in my life."
~ Jean from Lakeland, FL
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! The trip to Israel and Jordan was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
I did not realize while I was on the trip the profound effect it was
having until I got home!
I think I still do not realize all the change that has occurred in
me. Primarily the "newness" of Jesus has been stirred within me!
Seeing the places that He walked, talked and taught has made my
faith come alive in new ways. I certainly read the Bible in a brand
new way. I realized that while I loved seeing the "holy" places, I
most loved the whole feel of the people and the land. Foremost,
our time with Abuna Chacour was the changing experience for me.
I believe I saw in him the Jesus that we read about in the Bible and
that we know walked the land. Abuna spoke the words that I
believe Jesus speaks to us!"
~ Trish from Wilmington, NC
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