Week Three of Counting the Omer

Counting the Omer: Week Three of our New Covenant Reading Journey

As we enter week three of Counting the Omer, let us pray and seek the face of Adonai for spiritual renewal and transformation. I am following the UMJC prayer guide which directs us to pray for our local congregations this week. I have included the Union prayer guide in this email. Let us pray that the Lord would show us areas in which there may be need of repentance, thanksgiving, and communal growth. May I suggest taking our congregational directory and mentioning the name of each person in your prayers.

In our reading journey through the New Covenant Scriptures, we are now in the Book of Acts. There is less reading this week which gives us all an opportunity to catch up if necessary! As you may know, the Book of Acts of the Apostles is the second volume written by Luke. In fact, it was suggested to me after announcing the reading order that I should have placed Acts directly after Luke. That was a good idea!! I encourage you to read Luke 24:44-53 and then read the beginning of Acts. The end of Luke and the beginning of Acts takes place during this period in which we count 50 days to Shavuot. Let us think of ourselves as waiting in the Upper Room for the promise of the Father. In our case, we have already received the first fruits of the Spirit. We are waiting for a fresh outpouring or anointing of the Ruach HaKodesh. May we receive a new empowerment and new vision of bringing the Good News of Messiah Yeshua  to the Jewish people and the world. May we begin to offer a “new grain offering” to the Lord as we begin to approach Shavuot. As we learned on Shabbat, we are constantly thirsty for more of the refreshing waters of God. The reading of Scripture is an essential part of being quenched. As you read through Acts, notice the emphasis on the resurrection of Yeshua in the preaching of the apostles and their courage in sharing this message of Good News. Notice also the emphasis on communal prayer and fellowship. Finally, notice the continued emphasis of bringing the message to Jewish communities throughout the Book. I would love to hear other observations you are making along the way!

Shavua Tov! (Have a good week!)

Rabbi Howard