Overview

We at ELCA Mission Funding invite you to join us on a special trip to the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine. As we visit the places of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, we will also have the unique opportunity to visit the congregations and ministries of our partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and to see firsthand how our mission support for Palestinian Lutherans helps them, and their communities, to flourish.

Rahel Mwitula Williams serves as a Director for Global Mission Funding with ELCA Development. In this role, she seeks to develop and deepen relationships with ELCA Lutherans, participate in the church’s call to service, and create a lasting impact through ELCA Missionaries, Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers, Global Ministry projects, and the International Women Leaders initiative.

To register or for more information, please contact Rahel Mwitula Williams, director for Global Mission funding, at Rahel.Mwitula-Williams@elca.org
or 773-380-2647.

DETAILS:

Trip departs on November 2, 2023 and returns on November 15, 2023
Departure Airport: Chicago, IL (ORD) - Other cities available

PRICING:

$5,890.00 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited!
Single room supplement - $1290.00
Land only (if booking your own flights) - $4,740.00 (airfare credit $1,150.00)

PAYMENT PLAN:

$500.00 deposit per person with registration to secure space
$1,000.00 of the total amount is due on or before May 20, 2023
Balance due on or before August 20, 2023

REGISTRATION:

Registering online? Click the "BOOK NOW" button and fill out the online form; you can pay by check or with a credit card.
Registering by mail? Please download and complete the registration form (both the personal information page and the terms and conditions page signed at the bottom) with a copy of your passport and a deposit of $300.00 per person made payable to Elias Tours and mail to: 4941 Chalden Ln NE, Marietta, GA 30066
Download the Registration Form

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

Flight information will be available 3 months before the return date. Please continue to check the itinerary on the website for updated flight information.

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

For more information, contact us at info@eliastours.com or (406) 261-7791

November 2 -15, 2023 02 Nov Holy Land

Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

Airfare from Chicago, IL (ORD) - Other cities available
12 nights in 4-star hotels (Double Occupancy)
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily
Entrance fee to all sites
All ground transportation in a private tour bus

What is NOT included in the tour

All Personal Expenses
Passport fees
Transportation to and from US airports
Gratuities for guide and driver
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is required and not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For questions, quotes, or to purchase travel insurance, visit Travelex Insurance or call (800) 228-9792 and use the code 26-0057 for Elias Tours.

Highlights

What makes this tour special

ELCA HOLY LAND TRIP AND ELCJHL ENCOUNTER

We at ELCA Mission Funding invite you to join us on a special trip to the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine. As we visit the places of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection, we will also have the unique opportunity to visit the congregations and ministries of our partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and to see firsthand how our mission support for Palestinian Lutherans helps them, and their communities, to flourish.

THE CHURCH

The ELCJHL consists of six congregations and numerous ministries in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Jordan. This Arabic-speaking church of about 3,000 members is led by Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar. The ELCJHL’s mission is to proclaim the gospel through public witness, schools and diakonia programs that include environmental education, vocational training, affordable housing and senior services. The ELCJHL preserves and strengthens the Christian presence in the Holy Land, and offers a voice of compassion in a volatile environment. Through a commitment to achieving long-term sustainability, strengthening women’s and family rights, and providing support and leadership development for lay leaders and pastors, the ELCJHL is boldly living out God’s call for peace, reconciliation and love.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Palestinians continue to struggle for autonomy and nationhood, they also face a lack of access to education, health care, employment opportunities, affordable housing, strong leadership and greater recognition within the international community. The ELCJHL remains a strong Christian presence

in these demanding times, providing leadership in ecumenical efforts and offering spiritual and social services to meet the daily needs of its neigh- bors—Christians and Muslims alike. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has committed to partnering with the ELCJHL in developing and supporting these priorities of the church. Through our financial support, prayers and presence—including ELCA missionaries and the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program—as well as through personal encounters such as this trip, there is great opportunity to walk alongside this church as it continues to work toward peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land.

THE ENCOUNTER

In addition to visiting important biblical and historical sites, we will encounter the living faith of the people and ministries of the ELCJHL.
We invite you to be renewed and strengthened in your own faith as you “come and see” (John 1:39) the transformative work of this church in a challenging context and the powerful impact of our Lutheran relationships at work in the world.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Nov 02 – THU): Depart from Chicago.

Depart on your overnight flight - meals are served on board

Day 2 (Nov 03 – FRI): Arrive in Tel Aviv and travel to the Sea of Galilee

Arrive in Tel Aviv, meet your guide, drive to Tiberias via coastal plains, Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias

Day 3 (Nov 04 – SAT): Cana – Nazareth

Open buffet breakfast
This morning start with visit of Cana of Galilee
On to Nazareth visiting Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias

Day 4 (Nov 05 – SUN): Sea of Galilee.

Worship with Holy Communion by the water and end the day with a boat ride.
Open buffet breakfast
Start the day with visit to Capernaum
See the Church of the Primacy of Peter
Mount of Beatitudes
This afternoon we visit the place of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish.
Magdala
Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias.

Day 5 (Nov 06 – MON): Travel to Jerusalem.

Visit Palestinian village of Eilaboun and a devotion a top the Mount of Transfiguration
Open buffet breakfast
Check out of hotel
Start the day with visit to Palestinian village of Eilaboun
On to Mt Tabor for visit & Devotion time
Precede to Bethlehem
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Bethlehem

Day 6 (Nov 07 – TUE): Bethlehem

Christmas Lutheran Church and Church of the Nativity. Dine with ELCJHL bishop.
Visit Lutheran schools in Bethlehem
Christmas Lutheran Church
Church of Nativity & Shepherd field
Dinner at hotel with ELCJHL Bishop
Overnight in Bethlehem

Day 7 (Nov 08 – WED): Visit Evangelical Lutheran Church and School

Visit Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hope
Visit School of Hope in Ramallah
Dinner with ELCJHL pastors.
Overnight Bethlehem

Day 8 (Nov 09 – THU): Mount of Olives - Augusta Victoria Hospital

Visit LWF Vocational Training Center
LWF housing project
Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation.
Visit Church of the Ascension & Church of the Pater Noster
Panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, then walk palm Sunday route
Dominus Flevit for visit
On passing by St. Mary Magdalene Church to Garden of Gethsemane
Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane.
In the afternoon visit MT Zion to include the Upper room, King David Tomb
St.Peter in Galicantu
Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9 (Nov 10 – FRI): Wadi Qelt – Jericho – Dead Sea

Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery.
Drive to the city of Jericho
Visit Tel Jericho followed by visit of the Monastery of Temptations
Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters of the Dead Sea
Return to Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10 (Nov 11 – SAT): Meet with pastors and tour Old City.

Meet with Pastors in Old City
Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Jewish Quarter
Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site.
St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 11 (Nov 12 – SUN): Mass in the Redeemer - Visit Environmental Education - Bethlehem