[ Home ] [ Photo Gallery ] [ Rabbi Joseph Merenda ] [ Just 4 Kidz ] [ Contact us ] [ Trips to Israel ]

[ Resources ] [ Rabbi Moshe Laurie ] [ Congregation Adat Ariel ] [ Links ] [ Site Index ]

Congregation Shofar Be Tzion


Shabbat Service

1st, 3rd (5th) Fridays at 6:30 p. m.
On Friday evening, there is a Biblical/Torah teaching (sermon), along with the traditional Shabbat (Sabbath) service which includes the lighting of the Shabbat candles, traditional Shabbat prayers, praise & worship, blessing of the bread & wine; finishing with the Aaronic blessing over the congregation with prayer afterwards for anyone in need.

Every Saturday Morning at 9:30 a.m.
The Saturday service centers around the reading/studying of The Torah (readings are taken from the books of Moses, the prophets and the New Testament). An Oneg Shabbat (literally “Joy of the Sabbath” = refreshments and fellowship) follows this praise and worship Torah Service.

Events


Tuesdays 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Prayer Meeting
Meets at the Groton Municipal Building to intercede for our area.
All are welcome.


Bar & Bat Mitzvah Classes Please see Rabbi Joseph or call the office. These classes are for young people 10 and up, and for all adults who are interested in learning about their covenant with God.

Information of Interest

Congregation Shofar Be Tzion is now supporting and Orphanage in Israel. See Rabbi Joseph for details.

Congregation Shofar Be Tzion will also provide for a work in Israel, which supports new Russian immigrants who are Messianic Believers and are unable to get assistance in Israel. See Rabbi Joseph for details.

We Meet at:
New Life Christian Church
1729 Center Groton Road (Rt 117)
Ledyard, CT 06339

Directions:
From 95 North or South:
Take Exit 88 (Rt 117) and drive toward Ledyard. After crossing the intersection of Rt 117 and Rt 184, the church is approximately 2.5 miles ahead on the left.
From Norwich Area:
Take Rt 12 South, turn on to Rt 214 to Ledyard Center, turn right toward Groton. The church is approximately 2.5 miles ahead on the right.
                 
Office:
P. O. Box 1262
Groton, CT 06340
Phone: 1 860 445-7706
Hours: 10:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. EST


View Larger Map

“Who We Are”

Congregation Shofar Be Tzion, a Messianic Jewish Congregation, invites and welcomes you to our worship service. Our services are conducted by Rabbi Joseph Merenda Whatever your denomination or religious background, we are delighted to have you worship with us and hope you will return to worship with us again soon. Perhaps you are travelling in the area, and will only be joining us for a brief visit. If that is the case, welcome, and may God grant you a safe trip to your destination. If you are looking for a place of worship, perhaps you will consider serving God with us. We are a family of believers, and if you are so led by God’s Spirit, we hope you will become part of our family.

First of all … Relax

Our eyes are on God. No one is watching you. You may sit, stand, kneel or take whatever position or posture helps you focus on prayer. You may join us in singing, reciting prayers, dancing, playing tambourines, or just lifting our hands to God. Again, our eyes are on God not on you, so please do not feel uncomfortable about your style of worship.

What is a Messianic Congregation?

A Messianic Congregation is a mixture of both Jewish and Gentile believers that acknowledge Jesus (Hebrew name Yeshua) to be the Messiah. We accept all 66 books of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, further believing that the Bible is the absolute, inerrant and true Word of the Living God.

In our Congregation, you will also find these practices that reflect our belief in the Savoir Yeshua (Jesus) and also express our Jewish roots and identity:

    * We worship the complete Trinity:
    Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    * We believe Salvation is only through
    Grace, by Faith in Yeshua (Jesus).
    * We celebrate Jewish Festivals and the
    traditional Christian Holidays.
    * We display crosses, menorahs, and
    stars of David.
    * We use both the Bible and Torah
    Scrolls in our worship services.
    * You will see kippot and tallit (Jewish
    prayer attire of yarmulke and prayer
    shawl) as well as suits, jeans, T-shirts
    and shorts.
    * We pray in both English and Hebrew
    (with translation).
    * We worship God in the full spectrum
    from quiet prayer to shouts of joy
    and dancing.

There are 100’s of Messianic congregations and organizations in the US, the best known being Jews for Jesus, founded in the early 70’s. Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA) and the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) are the two largest organizations now.

As with any other group or denomination, Messianic congregations can vary with a heavy emphasis on either Jewish or Christian tradition. We fall somewhere in between. It is a place where Jews can experience the fullness of the promised Messiah and Gentiles can discover their Jewish roots and heritage.

Membership

If you come and worship with us and support (tithe) the ministry, you are considered a member. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ so expect to be treated as members of the family.

Offerings

We do not “pass the plate.” The Lord is our Shepherd and the Shepherd provides for His flock. However, if you cheerfully wish to bless us with your tithes and offerings, you may use the baskets on the table in the back of the Sanctuary. Checks may be made out to: Shofar Be Tzion or Trumpet in Zion.
Our heart’s desire is to worship with you and lift our united voices to the Throne. That’s the reason we gather. Please do not let a lack of finances keep you from attending and worshipping with us.

Lighting the Sabbath candles ...

* * * * * * *