The Feast of DedicationChanukkah, which means “Dedication,” is an 8 day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Temple following its desecration by the Greeks army. Chanukkah is also known as the “Festival of Lights” because of the re-lighting of the sacred Menorah in the Temple which miraculously burned for 8 days with only one day’s worth of oil.Chanukkah begins at sundown on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev - typically in the month of December. For 8 days, a candle is lit at sundown representing each day. On the first night one candle is lit, then two on the second and so on until eight candles are burning on the final night. A Brief HistoryAround 333 BCE - Greek forces led by Alexander the Great, conquered the entire known world including the Babylonian empire which Judea was part of. When Alexander died his empire was divided among four generals. Judea fell under control of the ruthless general, Antiochus IV. Antiochus referred to himself as “Epiphanes” or “god (Zeus) made manifest”. He outlawed the Jewish faith, worship of Jehovah and forced assimilation of the Greek culture upon the nation, with all its pagan rituals and worship of false gods.Many courageous men and women boldly stood against their oppressors; the most famous was an elderly priest, Mattathias and his five sons “ the Maccabees”. A pivotal confrontation erupted in their small village of Modin that sparked a revolt.Grecian soldiers had built an altar to Zeus in the village and ordered Mattathias to sacrifice a pig upon it. Mattathias boldly refused! When an apostate priest approached the altar to proceed with the sacrifice, Mattathias grabbed an officer’s sword and slew both the solider and the apostate priest. His sons seized the moment, slew the remaining soldiers and destroyed the pagan altar. Along with the faithful of the city they fled into the Judean hills and began a 3 year war to reclaim their country.Within the 1st year of war, the aged Mattathias grew sick. On his deathbed he passed leadership to his oldest son, Judah Maccabee, “the Hammer”. Though greatly outnumbered by the better trained and equipped Greeks, the Jewish rebels struck with guerrilla warfare. After three years, the Maccabees gained a stunning victory over the Greek army. Victoriously re-entering the city they discovered the Temple gates burned, the courtyards overgrown with weeds and an idol of Zeus erected in the Temple. They immediately began cleansing and restoring the Temple. On Kislev 25, 165 BCE, exactly 3 years to the day the Temple was rededicated to GOD.According to tradition, the Maccabees found only one small container of unpolluted oil in the Temple... just enough to supply oil to the Menorah for one day. It would take 8 days to properly prepare more oil. Miraculously, this oil burned for 8 days until the new supply could be consecrated. Observing Chanukkah TodayToday Chanukkah is observed by nightly lighting a special 9-branched menorah called a “Chanukkiah.” The ninth candle is the shamash or servant candle. The shamash stands higher than the other eight candles and is used to light the others. To commemorate the miracle of the oil, fried foods are typically eaten. The most common are latkes (potato pancakes cooked in oil), and jelly-filled doughnuts. Because the Jews were forbidden to study Torah during the days of Antiochus, they developed a way to openly study while appearing to the Greeks to be gambling. Using a 4-sided top, called a “dreidel”, they would put money in a pot, spin the dreidel but discuss Torah. Today the dreidel has one of the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, hey or shin on each side. These stand for a “Great Miracle Happened There.” “May this miraculous “Season of Lights” illuminate you with the wisdom and grace of the almighty GOD.”

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL! "Mr. Prime Minister, you are not alone! Millions of Americans stand with you and Israel and we welcome you on your visit to the United States of America."Israel:What's Right About The Middle East

THE CHUPPAHWhat is the Chuppah?The Chuppah, traditionally, is an object under which covenants are made. Our Chuppah display is an area that allows you to seclude yourself and commune with God. Whether you need to quiet yourself before service or ponder and reflect after service, you are welcome to enter the Chuppah and be one-on-one with the Lord. Elements of the Chuppah: Every element that is used in the Chuppah is there for the purpose of worshipping God with our whole selves – by engaging all of our senses with color, taste, touch, sound and smell.Covenant Meal – We take the “Covenant Meal” in remembrance of the covenant that Yeshua (Jesus) made with His disciples and all of us on the night before he gave himself as our sacrifice (Luke 22:20 NLT). As we eat the bread and drink the juice, we are setting aside our cares and focusing our hearts and our minds on the heart and mind of God.Anointing Oils – Anointing oils and fragrances were used in the scriptures for consecration and dedication. They were used to anoint Kings and Priests and to accompany sacrifices and worship in the temple. There are times during the service whether a part of prayer or worship, where we want to set ourselves apart. Even though we understand there is nothing special about the oil itself, it is used as a natural representation of a spiritual connection. They may be used to represent healing, breaking bondage, new beginnings, revelation or other situations as the spirit leads. This is something that you will often see the leadership team use, but it is for you to use during your own personal time of worship as well.Worship Elements – A time of worship with music and singing is probably not unfamiliar to you; but we add another dimension to our praise and worship with dance, praise flags/ streamers and billowing. “David danced before the Lord with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14 NLT) and so do we! There are times where we will have choreographed congregational dances, but there will also be times of free dance where everyone is welcome to grab a streamer or flag and dance before the Lord of their own accord. Dance is a very important element to worship because we use our whole being to worship God and we make it all about Him, not about those around us.Billowing – During praise & worship, billowing is done by using long cloths to create movement (a natural representation of a spiritual reaction) to change / shift the atmosphere in response to what the Spirit indicates needs to be done. It is seeking to align with what is happening in His realm and to connect heaven and earth, to activate His will and purposes in the moment. Offering Vase – You will not see a formal offering being collected during our services. The tall vase on the right side of the Chuppah is where you can place your monetary gifts. Just like all of the other elements in the Chuppah, giving is a form of worship and it is left up to you when you give. You may give before or after service or even during the message. There may be times during the service where a word speaks to you and you want to seed into that word. We want to give you the opportunity to do that as the Lord leads you.

Current Series:The Prophet Amos"Burden Bearer"

Contact Us!Do you have a question, a comment, or a concern?Don't hesitate to contact us. We'd love to hear from you!Email us at: info@ministryofshofar.orgMailing Address:P.O. Box 285Perry, IA 50220-2505Leadership TeamRabbi Matthew & Anita SpivieMelissa SpivieRebecca Sipley/TeacherGreg Brown/TeacherDeborah Mobley/TeacherJohn SipleyTammy BrownNicole BrownMurphy MobleyNeal HowardSandy Howard

A Time To DanceFebruary 26, 2012On Sunday, February 26th join us for A Time To Dance. We will be gathering from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. to share and learn davidic dances as we worship the LORD with our whole body. Men, Women and children welcome!The Feast of PURIMMarch 10, 2012On Saturday, March 10th we will celebrate The Feast of PURIM SHOFAR-style with food, dance and divine insight. Join us as we explore and offer thanksgiving to GOD for His season of Divine appointment and preservation. The Seder ExperienceApril 7, 2012On Saturday, April 7th, SHOFAR invites you to "The Seder Experience" as we celebrate the season of Pesach (Passover). In "The Seder Experience", a whole new understanding to what is commonly referred to as the “Lord’s Supper” comes to light. As you sample the core elements of the seder table and hear Rabbi Matthew explain the significance of each element, you'll realize that it was more than just a meal, it was a symbolic message of salvation that was to come. Each element at the table sent a specific and unique message from GOD to humanity of what His full plan of redemption was, - even beyond the cross and resurrection. You’ll never look at communion or the Lord’s Supper the same. So come join us as we celebrate and experience GOD's season of Pesach!

Matthew and Anita SpivieMatthew, is an enthusiastic teacher of God’s word with an unquenchable passion for Israel and the Holy Scriptures, and a love for the Jewish people. He has spent years in intense Scripture study being mentored along the way by Christian academics, pastors and Jewish Torah scholars. Having studied countless volumes of works of Christian Scholars and the great Hebrew sages and Rabbis, he has dedicated himself to the challenge of communicating God’s biblical truths – bringing fascinating insights from the Hebraic perspective. Anita, a prophetical gift, is a counselor to the women of Shofar and its leadership, mentor to the young people, and an integral and indispensable part of the ministry. Married for more than thirty years, they are blessed with one daughter, Melissa who serves with them in ministry.

We Believe... In the ONE GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; eternally existing as FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT. HE is YHWH (JEHOVAH) the GOD of IsraelYESHUA (JESUS) is deity. HE is 100% man and 100% GOD. HE was born of a virgin, lived a sinless, Torah observant life, died on the cross to atone for our sins, and arose on the third day to defeat death. HE is alive today, living in Heaven, and will be returning in the near future.The HOLY SPIRIT (RUACH HAKODESH) dwells within the believer.The Bible is divine truth and light. It is the inspired and actual Word of GOD, given to mankind through Israel. It is infallible.THE BIBLE IS ONE BOOK; not divided into “Old and New Testaments” rather ONE UNIFIED WORD. We believe it is wrong to attempt to make one part of the Bible less relevant than another, or to imply that certain principles and patterns established by GOD are now obsolete or that HE has changed.GOD HAS ONE PLAN OF SALVATION for all people, Jew and the nations, and that plan is YESHUA.ALL HUMANITY is separated from GOD by our sinful natures and the only way to a reconciled relationship with GOD is to trust HIM and submit in faith to HIS SON, YESHUA.GOD IS A GOD OF COVENANT. HE has given seven specific covenants to mankind: the Edenic, Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and the Renewed. These covenants govern all of GOD’s interaction with mankind and establish the parameters for HIS will, grace, mercy, judgements and HIS redemptive plan.IN HONORING THE SABBATH and GOD’s APPOINTED TIMES. These Feasts (Moedim) outline HIS redemptive plan for mankind – a prophetic pattern that will be carried out by YESHUA (JESUS).ISRAEL IS GOD’S CHOSEN AND COVENANT PEOPLE through whom HE continues to accomplish HIS purposes. Israel is also the set-apart land, promised to Abraham and his descendants. Modern Israel and all the land GOD set aside for them as defined in the Scriptures belongs to the Jewish people.ISRAEL REMAINS CENTRAL TO REDEMPTION. The Church has NOT replaced Israel. We do not embrace the erroneous doctrine of “replacement theology” in any form. THE JEWS ARE THE ELDER BROTHERS & SISTERS OF OUR HEBRAIC FAITH and deserve our respect and love.THE CHURCH IS NEITHER BUILDINGS NOR INSTITUTIONS; IT IS PEOPLE, the unified body of Believers in YESHUA HaMASHIACH (JESUS CHRIST).

Israel 2011...was an amazing success! Our journey to GOD's holy land of promise was such a rich blessing to all that were a part - both abroad and at home.Plans are underway for our next incredible journey, scheduled for 2013. Stay watchful as more information will be forth coming and join us on a journey of a lifetime. TESTIMONIALS“This tour far exceeded my highest expectations - it changed my walk with the LORD.” — JACKIE“It is hard to explain our spiritual journey... we were looking to enhance our Hebrew roots of Rabbi Yeshua and have more wisdom, understanding and knowledge... because of Rabbi Matthew, we got that and more. Now I have a visual” — NEAL & SANDY“Our guide, Abi, was absolutely amazing! Rabbi Matthew’s insightful teaching coupled with Abi’s knowledge ignited within us a desire to know and learn more. — GREG & TAMMY“This trip to Israel has changed me forever."— Bob"...Words that come to mind are "Awesome, Amazing, Fabulous and Fantastic!" — Sharon

SHALOM AND WELCOMEWe are a Messianic ministry given the assignment to “Reconnect People to the Heart & Mind of GOD - HIS ORIGINAL INTENT.” This means that in all things we seek to understand GOD’s original intent and purpose and to live our lives accordingly while helping others to do the same. We study GOD’s Word (the Bible) as ONE BOOK, undivided, understanding that the entire book is relevant and no part of it invalid. We recognize that "GOD is a GOD of Covenant” which means HE makes promises that will never be broken and HE remains the same yesterday, today and always. We seek to understand GOD’s Appointed Times and Seasons (Leviticus 23), which we honor & celebrate each year.Because GOD chose to reveal HIMSELF and HIS ways through the Jewish people (Genesis 12:2-3), we align ourselves with Israel and do not accept “Replacement Theology” in any form. We believe that MESSIAH (CHRIST) our Shalom, has broken down the wall that has divided Jew and non-Jew, to make of the two, in HIMSELF, “One New Man” (Ephesians 2:14-15)Given that the original language of Scripture is Hebrew, we often reference Hebraic pronunciations of names, places, and terms in our teachings. Again, our assignment is to “Reconnect People to the Heart & Mind of GOD - HIS ORIGINAL INTENT.” So, be prepared to shake your head and think again!Our Mission RECONNECTING PEOPLE to the heart and mind of GOD “HIS ORIGINAL INTENT”Our Vision • WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD and study HIS WHOLE WORD in spirit and truth• RECOVER THE FOUNDATIONAL PATTERNS and PRINCIPLES of Scripture and apply them to our lives• BLESS ISRAEL, the People and the Land• MEND THE BREACH between the Jew and the Nations

"You'll Never Read the Bible the Same"

EVERY SATURDAY - 6:00 PM3201 99th Street Lifehouse Community ChurchMAP