Open to the Community

Weekly Scheduled Events

Jewish Roots Teachings
Monday 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm replay 7:00 pm

Tuesdays
Weekly Healing Room
1 pm – 6 pm Tuesday late Afternoons
Available by appointment,
Call 314 429-3046

The ministry team lead by Adele Morse

 Weekly Wednesday 

Round Table Discussion
10:30am - 12:30pm

The Sons of Jacob, that is, The Tribes of Israel

Evelyn Kinsella and Linda Clark will be leading the discussion.

Weekly Friday
Restorers of Israel meets for Prayer for Israelstrong
2 pm – 4 pm
Friday Afternoons

“Spiritually, the gatherings are regularly filled with power and the Presence of the LORD. However, His power and Presence always manifests in a different manner, which keeps everyone in great anticipation each week. In most of the meetings we are blessed with live worship to assist us in drawing near to the LORD and then we move back and forth between worship and intercession.” Quay Messner, prayer leader.

Passover and Unleavened Bread

The Lord spoke to Moses and said “You shall proclaim, My appointed times…” Leviticus 23:1-2.

Thinking about our Jewish Roots as we enter into the “Easter” season will greatly increase the understanding of the LORD’s call to celebrate His appointed feasts spoken of in Leviticus, as He gave direction.

Last year, The House of Living Water shared Chuck Colson’s feelings of loss because of the secularization of the true “Resurrection Sunday” pointing out the pagan origin of the term “Easter.”

This year, let’s focus on the Passover season beginning with “getting out the leaven.”

So often, the Haggadah, “the telling,” of the exodus from Egypt, over shadows other elements of the biblical account. Here it is the leaven which is the issue.

“Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.” Exodus 12:15NASB

Leaven is representative of sin and as directed by Moses, the moment the Israelite had slain the Passover lamb and had partaken of it, he was to put away leaven from his household.

In Jewish homes today, there is a great preparation before the Passover, sometimes a month in advance, in order to obey this commandment to remove all leaven. No Jewish home is unaware of the LORD’s command to “remove leaven from your houses.”

Daily dishes, pots, pans, silverware, utensils are considered unclean, “Chometz” and are taken out to the garage. The wife and daughters would then go to the “sacred” place, duplicate kitchenware, never touched during the year and bring out the dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and utensils that are only used for the Passover. Many households boil these to insure no leaven could be on them.

In addition, children tell memorable stories of their mothers washing and ironing linens, curtains, all clothing to make sure no “crumbs of leaven” were in the pockets. Walls were washed and one story was told of how the wallpaper was removed and the walls painted to insure there was no leaven in the paste of the wall paper.

If there were any foods that contained leaven, a tradition was started where the wife would sell the food to a gentile neighbor of $1.00 and then after the seven days of Passover, buy back the food for the same $1.00. This was not only done in the home but it is also reported that Jewish business men that had business were leaven was contained would sell the business to a trusted Gentile friend only to reclaim it after Passover.

This is all done before the Passover then, the evening before the Passover meal, the father of the household performs the ceremony called “Searching for the Leaven.”

One family member carries a candle, another a brown paper bag and follows the father as he inspects the house for leaven. The wife has placed crumbs on a few windowsills and in a corner or two, for the family to find. Once discovered, the father would take the feather and sweep the crumb into a wooden spoon. The leaven was then place in the brown bag. This fulfills the scripture that commands “Touch not the unclean thing.” Leviticus 9:17.

After all of the leaven is accounted for and the brown bag is tied with a string, the family is able to go to bed.

The next morning the father takes the bag outside and burns the bag reciting a traditional prayer to the LORD saying, “All leaven and sourdough which is in my possession, and I have not seen it, not removed it, not known of it, shall be valueless as the dust of the earth.”

In a commentary it was written “as the leaven represents sin to the Jew, he earnestly feels that by cleansing his home, clothing, closets and putting even the thought of leaven out of his mind, he is free from all sin.”

Of course, putting away leaven, does not make a person free from the guilt of sin. Messianic Haggadahs reveal this truth as the Messiah is the Lamb that was slain once and for all for our sins.

Now with the preparation complete the Passover meal begins with unleavened bread.

“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD'S Passover. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. Leviticus 23:5-6

The LORD not only commanded the Israelites to “Put away the leaven,” He also told them to eat unleavened bread in the place of leavened bread.

Unleavened bread represents righteousness. There was to be no sin in connection with the Passover Lamb.

The unleavened bread is called Matzah. During the Passover season, Rabbis inspect the making of the Matzoth, plural for unleavened cracker type bread. Each box states, “For Passover Use Only.” A certificate can be requested to verify it’s purity in the making in a kosher kitchen free of leaven.

In Exodus 12:26-27, after the first Passover, it is written, “And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you? Then tell them…”

During the Passover Seder, seder meaning order of service, there are four questions asked by a child. The first question is, “Why is tonight different from all other nights: On all other nights we eat bread or matzah. On this night why do we eat only matzah?”

The Father then says, “It is our duty, as well as our pleasure to answer the four questions of Passover and to recite the mighty works of our faithful G-d. In answer to the first question…on all other nights we eat bread with leaven, but on Passover we eat only matzah, unleavened bread. As the children of Israel fled from Egypt, they did not have time for their dough to rise. Instead, the hot desert sun baked it flat. Scripture teaches us that leaven symbolizes sin. During this season of Passover, let us break our old habits of sin and selfishness and begin a fresh, new and holy life.”

The Father then lifts the plate that contains three matzot and says, “This is the bread of affliction.” In the matzah there can be seen the type and shadow of Yeshua/Jesus. Pierced, Zechariah 12:10, John 19:34,37; Stripes, Isaiah 53:5; Bruised, Isaiah 53:5; Bread of Affliction, Isaiah 53:4-5; Unleavened, Isaiah 55:9 and by tradition called the Greek word, Afikoman, meaning “I came, once for all.”

There is so much more to the Passover, it would be an experience to consider attending a Seder, accepting the call of the LORD to meet Him at this appointed time.

But first, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 NASB

Kathleen Murray, Writer

PURIM

The feast of Purim was established in the Book of Esther.

How did the feast come about? It all started when Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow down to the evil Haman who had been exalted to honor by King Xerxes. Haman became enraged to the point that he not only wanted to destroy Mordecai but all the Jewish people (Esther 3:5-6). Haman was able to receive sanction from the King to carry out his evil plot. The lots or “pur” (hence the name Purim) was cast and the month of Adar was chosen to carry out the annihilation of every Jewish person in all the 127 provinces of Persia.

Esther, a Jewess and relative to Mordecai, rose to power as she was chosen Xerxes’ Queen when Vashti was deposed. Mordecai makes Esther to realize that her position as Queen comes “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Esther faces death herself as she brings down Haman’s murderous plot. She has favor with the King and the plot is thwarted. The Jewish people are saved from destruction by God’s intervention.

Because of everything written in this letter and what had happened to them, the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed.

These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants (Esther 9:26-28). The Jewish people celebrate this feast every year at its appointed time on the 14th and 15th of the month of Adar (February-March).

Purim is a time of celebration for the Jewish people as they remember what a great deliverance was wrought for them by God. The 13th day of Adar starts the feast with a day of fasting which corresponds to Esther’s fast (Esther 4:15-17).

In the evening, the beginning of the 14th day, candles are lit and the people attend the synagogue where the Book of Esther is read.

When Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregation bursts out with jeers, stamps their feet and the children shake rattles. At the mention of Mordecai and Esther’s names the people utter forth blessings. On the morning of the 14th services are again held with the reading of Esther and Exodus 17:8-16.

The rest of the feast becomes a time of rejoicing, giving gifts to the poor and friends, games, and feasting.

Customs have developed that are still performed today. One is sending gifts and presents to the poor. Another custom is sending gifts of food to friends. This would include a pastry called hamantashchen (triangle cookies reminiscent of Haman hat), cake, fruit, and nuts. Yet another custom is giving to the poor a shekel coin. In Temple times each Israelite was suppose to give a half-shekel toward the maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. This practice was continued after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD as a way to support religious institutions in the land. Today, the giving of the half shekel at Purim is usually done before the megillah of Esther (scroll of Esther) reading in the evening. In some traditions, the half-shekel, an equivalent of 32 cents, may be given three times because “half-shekel” is mentioned three times in Exodus 30:13, 15. Some may remember that a silver dollar was used in the festival in the past. Today the money collected is given to the poor.

In Israel as well as where Jewish people live in the nations, Purim is a time of Purim carnivals and masquerades. In Israel it is a day off where there are parades with children wear costumes and celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people from destruction.

Prayer Focus 2010

It’s not always possible to come to The House of Living Water but you can pray with us. This year Quay Messner, Prayer Leader for the Restorers of Israel reported to the Board of THOLW that this year there will be a strong focus on praying for “Open the Gates.” Several years ago a prophetic song was given to Gwen Reeser calling St Louis’s “Walls Salvation and her Gates Holy Praise,” Isaiah 60:1

Together let’s lift up a standard of Prayer for the 70,000 Jewish people living in St. Louis:

“Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples” Isaiah 62:10

Kathleen Murray, Writer

Come Selah

The Joseph Company blesses The House of Living Water with our monthly Web page. Now, they have created the technology to bless those who use a computer or iPhone. This is how they describe it at http://comeselah.com.

The computer and the phone are doorways into our lives today. The eMezuzah helps us fulfill the Biblical commandment of Deuteronomy 6:9 “ And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates." The eMezuzah lets us write God’s Word on our electronic door posts. This simple application is designed to load to your tool bar. With a simple click on the icon the image of your choice will be displayed. Simply click on the image and the scripture will be displayed. Look for this new application only from ComeSelah.com

The process should be as follows:

1. go to the website comeselah.com
2. choose your mezuzah
3. order the mezuzah and fill out the credit card and delivery information, in this case your email address etc.
4. you will receive an order confirmation
5. once the credit card is ran your order and download information will be sent via email
6. the email will contain a download link and activation code
7. click the link, download the application
8. enter the activation code during the appropriate step or choose "trial"
9. complete installation
10. click on the icon in the lower right hand system tray or on the desktop icon.

http://www.comeselah.com
All contributions for the eMezuzah go to the Joseph Company.

The Sons of Jacob, that is, The Tribes of Israel.

The foundation of this study is the Holy Scriptures, but studied in the light of the “symbolic meaning of the Tribes of Israel in these last days.”

Using Gwen Shaw’s in-depth study on the 13 tribes of Israel, this round table discussion will look at the natural Tribes and their descendants and from these be able to identify the spiritual tribes, even physical Gentiles who will fulfill the callings, inheritances and destiny of the original Tribes of Israel.

Each member of this Round Table Discussion may begin to see character traits of the sons of Jacob in themselves and learn from this the future that may be theirs. Join us, Wednesdays, 10:30 pm to noon for this Round Table Discussion with Evelyn Kinsella and Linda Clark.

Let us Hear from YOU!

August 27th the Board of The House of Living Water met to plan what the Lord wants to do in the 5th Year of THOLW.

Although the meeting is over, we’d still like to hear from you!

Have you looked at our web page donated by The Joseph Company? What would you like to see there? Would you like to donate by PayPal on the web?

What about the Water Bearers Newsletter, envelops donated by Siemens Printing?

Have you donated books or food staples for the Jewish Food Pantry who distributes to all in need?

Are there areas of study you’d like to do at THOLW?

Are there DVD’s you’d like to see from the past or new areas in the future?

Would your church want a visit from a volunteer at THOLW to teach about the Feasts of The Lord or tell about Israel and evangelism?

Please contact us by calling 314 628-9620, email us tholw@accessus.net or write us at 12973 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141.

We want to hear from YOU!

Special Production

Remember, we have the instrumental CD available for a donation of $10 to help support the mission of THOLW.

“REJOYCE”

An inspirational musical piano recording to enhance your time with God by Karin Brant Haley, pianist, intercessor, instructor, Messianic dance leader, passionate worshipper and world-traveler. Karin donated 90 CD’s to The House of Living Water as her gift to sustain this ministry. It is available for a minimum donation of $10 covering postage and shipping.

Directions - 12973 Olive Blvd., Olive Arcade, St. Louis, MO 63141

From Hwy Interstate 270, go West on Olive Blvd. to Fee Fee Road and Olive Blvd. turn into the Olive Arcade on your right after the stop light on Fee Fee Rd.

From Hwy Interstate 44 or Interstate 64/40, go north on Hwy 141 to Olive Blvd. At the stoplight turn right (east) on Olive Blvd. the Olive Arcade will be on your left, just before the Fee Fee Road and Olive Blvd. intersection.

Volunteers

Join Evelyn in donating your time during the month to assist in the operations and ministry of The House of Living Water. Any time is fine. Call THOLW at 314 628-9620 to volunteer.

The new operating hours will be Monday through Friday,
10 am to 5 pm.
Volunteer hour can be :
10 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 5 pm
Full day 10 am – 5 pm
Once a week, Twice a week, Once a month - Come and volunteer. It's an adventure!

For Contributions

Water Bearers
To contribute and receive a tax receipt, address your check to “The House of Living Water” and send it to:

The House of Living Water
PO Box 28374
St. Louis, MO 63146

For more information or to be placed on the mailing list, call (314) 628-9620 or email tholw@accessus.net.

The House of Living Water is supported solely by free will offering. No paid employees, all volunteers. It’s your place of ministry to all those who enter from the St. Louis Community.

Evelyn Kinsella, President

Make a Pledge - Be a Water Bearer

I/We, _________________________, commit to faithfully donate $20 a month, believing in The Vision to reach out to our community with the Good News.

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address:______________________________City:____________State:____________ZIP Code:______________