This document discusses Jewish celebrations of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot and draws parallels to Christian celebrations and gatherings. It notes how the Jewish celebrations commemorated liberation from slavery, receiving the Torah, and a period of wandering. Similarly, Christians celebrate freedom through Christ, the Living Word Jesus, and citizenship in God's kingdom. The document advocates for Christians to regularly gather together like the Jewish people did three times a year, to show they are not alone and part of something larger, and to visibly demonstrate this to neighbors.

1. But what are we called to
celebrate as the people of God?

2. 1. Our Liberation
2. Our Provision
3. Our Mobility
4. Our Membership

3. Jewish celebration (Pesach:
Passover)
of Unleavened Bread
Historically, it celebrates the
Exodus from Egypt after
generations of slavery.

4. Freedom through
Christ

5. It is for freedom that Christ
has set us free. Stand firm,
then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened
again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

6. We celebrate our
freedom through the
choices we make
everyday

7. Jewish celebration
(Shavu'ot)
of Harvest or First Fruits
Historically, it celebrates the
giving of the Torah at
Mount Sinai

8. We celebrate the Living
Word, Jesus

9. By giving of our harvest
to spread the Word

10. Jewish celebration (Sukkot)
Of Ingathering or Tabernacle
Historically, Sukkot commemorates
the forty-year period during which
the children of Israel were
wandering in the desert, living in
temporary shelters.

11. We celebrate our
citizenship in the
kingdom of God

12. By not driving our tent
pegs in too deeply

13. Dear friends, I urge you, as
foreigners and exiles, to
abstain from sinful desires, which wage
war against your soul. Live such good
lives among the pagans that, though they
accuse you of doing wrong, they may see
your good deeds and glorify God on the
day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:11-12

14. Jewish people
gathered 3 times a
year as an entire
people

15. What they celebrated:
• I am not alone
• I am part of something larger
• We need each other
Visibly showed that to their
neighbors by gathering in one
place

16. As Atlantic Coast Conference and
MC_USA
2 annual assemblies and 1 every
other year
As a church
Christmas, Easter and Church picnic

17. Gathering together regularly
By telling our stories
By speaking well of the church
By inviting people in

18. • Current Membership – 623
• Received 60 new members in five years = 9.6%
growth
• 30 new families have visited and become regular
attendees in last two years
• 152 people who regularly attend that are not yet
members
• 524 of the 775 have attended in the last six
months
• 63 new families have visited in the last six
months
• Average attendance is 315

19. 1. Our Liberation
2. Our Provision
3. Our Mobility
4. Our Membership