SCHEDULE CMI FOR YOUR PASSOVER CELEBRATION

What is a Passover Seder? The Jewish Passover Seder is a DINNER OF THEOLOGY and a DRAMA OF MESSIAH. The Seder supper celebrates God's  redemption of Israel out of Egypt by the blood of the lamb; the Pesach is also a dramatization of God's final paschal lamb, Yeshua HaMashiach Who shed His blood for the remission of the sins of the world. All are invited, "come and dine!"       

Choose One of Three Options

(1) a Teaching of Pesach. The Passover was the first of YHWH's annual seven feasts; in this teaching we share the origin of Passover, the presage of Passover through the Holy Scriptures, YHWH's last Passover, the New Testament celebration of the Seder, and the final Seder to be led by Yeshua in His kingdom.

(2) a Participatory Taste. Tasting the basic elements of the Pesach while hearing the teaching of Passover is festive. This option consists of Hebrew prayers, Hebrew songs, drama, teaching, and a taste of matza, charoset, maror, and the fruit of the vine. 

(3) the Full Seder Supper. The best option is the full Seder supper which consists of the biblical teaching of Pesach, a blowing of the shofar horn, Hebrew prayers, Hebrew songs, drama, the participatory tastes of the basic elements combined with the delicious dinner of meat, vegetables,  desert, and drink. This option is our very best, though it will take a full two hours to complete. Your church, fellowship, or group may cater the meal, prepare the meal yourselves if you have the facilities, or the meal may be a 'potluck' which greatly reduces the expense.

REMUNERATION = WE REQUEST A LOVE OFFERING TO COVER TRAVEL AND EXPENSES   

COST OF THE DINNER You may choose to have the meal catered, or if you have a kitchen and crew you can prepare the meal yourselves. Least expensive is the "potluck" type dinner where everyone is invited to bring their favorite recipe (we suggest for the authenticity of the Seder that no leaven be used).  

Simple Steps to Host a Passover SEDER

Step 1 – WHEN Should Your Church Host a Passover Seder?

A Seder can be held any time during the year, yet as a meal of theology and potently Christological the Seder is an excellent spring celebration as Passover corresponds to the Easter season. Originally, this feast was a holy convocation or gathering of God’s people for remembrance. The Seder supper now speaks of Yeshua, God’s final lamb. The Passover is also an excellent evangelistic presentation since it is about the Lamb of God slain “for the sins of the world.”

Step 2 – WHERE Should Your Church Host the Passover Seder? 

You will need a room large enough to accommodate your guests -all seated at tables. Most churches have a fellowship hall or similar that is used. You may strategically chose to outgrow the church facility and use a local school cafeteria or civic room. Wherever you hold the Seder supper you will need a kitchen or similar facility.

Step 3 – WHO Will Lead Your Passover Seder?

Christian Ministry to Israel is an authentic messianic or Christian mission to Jewish people since 1944. Director Lisemby is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute’s Jewish and Modern Israel Studies program. The hallmark of our mission is Yeshua the Messiah of Israel. While we weave Jewish history, customs, and the Hebrew language through the Seder, our Passover presentations center around Yeshua, the Lamb of God and High Priest to a new covenant. 

STEP 4 – HOW do We Begin Planning Our Passover Seder?

Once you contact Christian Ministry to Israel and we confirm a date, we will begin helping you plan and promote your Seder. We anticipate the Lord greatly using this event to enhance your congregation’s understanding of their Jewish roots while also encouraging your members to be perceptive of the centrality of Yeshua in the Holy Scriptures. Everyone attending will literally see Yeshua all over the room. Therefore, we also anticipate this event to be lovingly evangelistic. As we get closer to the date we have confirmed with you we will help you with preparation of the room and tables, the basic elements for Passover, matzah, parsley, horse radish, apple sauce, grape juice, and the seder meal.

You may wish to cater the dinner for an exquisite evening in formal attire, or you may have a kitchen and committee that can prepare the foods. The least expensive option is to have a pot-luck dinner, everyone bringing their favorite dish. If you request CMI can forward authentic Passover recipes to your church for those who like adventure in cooking. The drama of the Passover Seder is most effective if the Seder is biblically kosher as possible, that is, no leaven in breads, cakes, pies or drink, and kosher meats like lamb, beef, venison, chicken, and/or turkey prepared.  

 Step 5 – WHAT Else Do I Need to Know to Plan a Passover Seder for My Church?

As we near the event (two to four weeks prior to our Seder) we will contact you to answer any questions. CMI will forward to you a master copy of our Haggadah or “the telling” which is the order of service. You will want to print copies enough that everyone attending the Seder has their own program to follow along. Director Lisemby and his family will lead the Seder and will lead your elders, deacons, or other special men chosen to serve the tables. Their wives may help by lighting the table candles as they follow Mrs. Lisemby at the appropriate time for lighting.   

THE PASSOVER SEDER –  The day arrives, the room and tables are prepared, the place settings for expeced guests are set, the delicious food and drink are ready and the basic elements are in small bowls on the table. CMI arrives two hours prior to the Seder with our beautiful Israeli Passover display, sound system, video projector and projector screen, and to make sure everything is aright.

On the hour the Pastor welcomes guests and members, gives necessary instructions or announcements, then introduces Christian Ministry to Israel and the Seder begins. The shofar or ram’s horn is blown and an explanation of the Passover and its presage through Scripture is given by Dr. Lisemby as he and his family lead the Pesach presentation with Hebrew prayers, songs, drama, and teaching. During the Seder meal the Lisemby family will also perform messianic music serenading the holy gathering.

The Seder concludes two hours from its beginning as we raise our last glass of juice and toast to “Next Year in Jerusalem!”

CMI conducts Passover Seders in churches, large and small, even in homes. As for remuneration CMI is a independent faith based mission that exists for the purpose of evangelizing Jewish people with the Gospel of Yeshua/Jesus. We do not charge a fee for our presentations though a love offering to cover expenses is needed and greatly appreciated.

We look forward to scheduling a Messiah in the Passover Seder with you.

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SHOPPING FOR PESACH

Matzah - unleavened bread may be purchased at most grocery stores or may be prepared. There are usually 8 squares per box; one box will serve two tables (3 squares per table).  

Parsley – enough for each person to have a sprig for taste (to be dipped in the salt water).

Fruit Juice – must be unfermented and enough for each guest to have four sips. For the full Passover Seder meal additional drink (water, tea, cola, etc.) will be needed.

Horseradish root – cut the root into many small pieces enough for each person to have a taste, or you may make it a paste (add onion, radish).

Applesauce, cinnamon, nuts, raisins - mixture of these, and you can add other goodies to form a thick dip-like pudding.

For Meal: salad, vegetables, meat, drink, and desert. The meal may be prepared, catered, or each person or family bringing a dish “potluck” style so as to eliminate or greatly reduce cost. For the strict observance and drama of Passover please avoid leavened foods (fermented breads) and leavened drink (fermented wine). Prepare kosher meats such as lamb, chicken, beef, or fish (no pork).      

Candy – (Hershey’s Kisses) enough pieces for all children.

Hand wipes – one per person, placed at every seat.

Note: CMI will be using a small sound system, a laptop computer with video projector and screen, and a Passover display. We need two tables for our equipment. Please advise families to watch children before, during, and after the presentation; the equipment is expensive. Thank you!