Our tour operator, Elias Nawaweih, is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem. He has curated a pilgrimage that will not only help us experience the land, its history, and its archaeology but will also introduce us to the “Living Stones” of the Holy Land, and enrich our experience with visits to area schools. We will experience the warmth and hospitality of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and discover some of their amazing work and ministry.

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Day 1, April 2 : Departure from the USA

Depart from Chicago, ORD  for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2, April 3: Arrival – Tel Aviv - Tiberias

We arrive at Ben Gurion airport and depart northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv to start off the journey of visiting the Holy Land. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 3, April 4 : Mt. Carmel – Caesarea – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where the Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct. We visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa (the Place of Fire), and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias

Day 4, April 5 : Sea of Galilee – Magdala – Capernaum​ – Mount of Beatitudes​

We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Then we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee, with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. We then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. After a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, we drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We also have time for communion service and worship. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. 

Day 5, April 6 : Jordan Valley – Shepherds Field – Church of the Nativity - Bethlehem (ELCJHL)

After breakfast, we drive through the Jordan Valley and on to  Bethlehem to visit Shepherd's Fields, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. After lunch, we travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. We check in at our hotel and enjoy conversation and dinner with the YAGM. overnight in Bethlehem.                                                                                                                    

Day 6, April 7 : Sunday Worship (Church of the Redeemer)  - Jerusalem (ELCJHL)

After breakfast, we drive to Jerusalem to worship at the Church of the Redeemer, Then Will enjoy Lunch and meeting with Bishop Ibrahim Azar and Rev. Gabi and Meghan Alabounie.                                               

Day 7, April 8 : Augusta Victoria Hospital – LWF –  Dar Al Kalima College - Mt. of Olives –  (ELCJHL)

We start our day at Dar Al Kalima College and the Culture Center. Meet with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb to learn about the Palestinian Christians. Then to Jerusalem visit Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Later, we enjoy a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, and then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster. We continue down to Dominus Flevit and St. Mary Magdalene Church. to the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 8, April 9 : Beit Sahour Lutheran School – St. George Monastery – Baptismal Site – the Dead Sea                         

This morning We will visit the Beit Sahour Lutheran School, then we depart Bethlehem, traveling through the Judean wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days, and along the ancient road passing the good Samaritan inn. Upon reaching Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. We carry on along the ancient road toward Jericho, passing by Herod’s Winter Palace, where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC, and which was likely the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. On the way to Jericho, we head to Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing” of the Israelites. From Bet Arabah, we drive to the city of Jericho. We see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, to see the excavations of the ancient city and the Mount of Temptation. We then drive to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally found and the buildings that formed the public center of the Essenes. Then we proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9, April 10 :  Pools of Bethesda – Holy Sepulcher – Church of the Redeemer (ELCJHL) - Jerusalem

This morning after breakfast, Visit the visit to the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Beit Jala Then to Jerusalem we walk the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There, we visit Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We then visit Church of the Redeemer, Meet with Church leaders (ELCJHL) then to the Western Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. We then visit St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place. Back to Bethlehem meeting with Dr. Charlie Haddad and Ms. Eva Azar, the director and deputy director of ELCJHL educational ministries. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.                                                            

Day 10, April 11 : Departure from Tel Aviv to the US

Check-out and departure from our hotel for the return home. We arrive on the same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and at your Tour Leaders’ and Guide’s discretion.