FEAST OF TABERNACLES When Messiah returns...a Festival the Whole World will Keep! ZECHARIAH 14
FEAST OF THE TABERNACLES (SUKKOT) 2021 – OXFORD, NC
The Great Awakening International in conjunction with the family of Great Awakening Assemblies will be celebrating the Feast of the Tabernacles September 19-22. Sukkot 2021 will be hosted by Moreh Elder Asa & Morah Lisa Demessie and the Great Awakening Assembly North Carolina. We celebrate this feast by not doing any servile work on the 1st or 8th day of the feast (no work) and having Holy Convocations in which we come together with worship service and feast for 8 days. The Family of Great Awakening Assemblies will be celebrating the first day of the Feast of the Tabernacles together at Retreat Oak Hill in Oxford, North Carolina September 19-22, 2021.
In Hebrew, the word for a single shelter is a sukkah—plural sukkot—so the holiday was called Sukkot in Hebrew. (Pronounced “sue-COTE”.)
Every year the Great Awakening get to stay outdoors with our family in a shelter (sukkah) you build and be reminded that all of life is temporary, but that you are heading toward the Promised Land.
(Did you know that Yahusha, whom the world call Jesus, celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles? Read about it in John 7.)
SUKKOT (Sukkot = Temporary Dwellings)
13 “You shall keep the Feast of Sukkot seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress.14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. 15 For seven days you shall keep the feast to YHVH your Elohim at the place that YHVH will choose, because YHVH your Elohim will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before YHVH your Elohim at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Matzot, at the Feast of Shavuot, and at the Feast of Sukkot. They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of YHVH your Elohim that he has given you.
Sukkot is the only holiday that really encompasses two holidays: Seven days of Sukkot and one day of Shemini Atzeret [upon which we celebrate Simchat Torah]. Sukkot begins just five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot has the greatest number of unique mitzvot to fulfill on the holiday.
Prophetically, Sukkot/Tabernacles points to the millennial reign of Yahusha while also looking back to the Israelites post-Exodus journey through the wilderness, and commemorates what many believe to be the actual time of Messiah’s birth. So as we assemble to worship our King as a Kingdom of Priests (Exodus 19:6. 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6), we will truly seek to manifest Heaven on Earth, all bringing our best and serving others with our gifts…the organic Ecclesia in action!
If you have some differences of opinion on calendric systems or the exact feast dates, we still invite you to join us. Seeking the unity of the Ruach (Spirit) in the bond of peace, loving one another, respecting each other’s walk with YHVH is emphasized and encouraged, even if some of us may differ in areas of understanding. We know that we all are a work in progress and we are called to humility, “considering one another better than ourselves” as is written in Philippians 2:3.
Sukkot 2020 Immersions
IMMERSIONS
On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. The Great Awakening will hold a lake immersion for all person who wants to be immersed. The immersion will take place at the Camp Oak Hill in Oxford, NC. Candidates will be baptized in the Name of the Messiah (Yahusha, Yahushua, or Yahshua). It is anticipated that over 100 people from across the country will take part in this charge to believers. Candidates must register below.
Please Click below and fill out all the required fields and click the SUBMIT button when done. Please submit one form per person.
Tour of Camp Oak Hill
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REGISTRATION
- 3 Night 3 Day Stay
- All Activities
- All Meals and Snacks Included
- T-Shirt
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Celebrations for the entire family to enjoy
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Children & Youth Workshops
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Relationship (Marriage & Single) Workshop
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Family Feast Days
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Build your own Sukkah
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Sleep in a Sukkah or Cabin
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Sukkah Competition
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Outdoor Celebrations & Bonfire Worship Sing-alongs
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End Time Preparation Workshop
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Biblical Teachings
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Feast Meals
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Bonfires under the stars
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Fishing
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Swimming /Recreational Activities
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Campfires under the stars
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Men & Women Only Cabins
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Biblical Teachings
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Sabbath Gathering
FEAST BENEVOLENCE
If you fellowship with any Great Awakening Assembly need some financial assistance in order to attend. Please contact any GAAI Moreh and he will submit your name to the Event and Feast Day Committee. We don’t want money to be a reason why someone is unable to feast with other believers…especially if you want to be immersed.
For those who can afford to help others, you can contribute a donation toward the feast-going fund to help anyone with the costs of attending. This fund is separate from the Event and Feast Committee operating expenses of the Great Awakening.
To contribute a donation to the Fund, you do so by clicking here.
DESTINATION
Camp Oak Hill is nestled near Oxford, N.C., just an hour north of the Raleigh-Durham area, we are far enough to get away from everything but close enough to be convenient for a short retreat.
AIR TRAVEL
The closest major airport to Oxford, NC is
Raleigh-Durham International Airport which is 60 miles from Camp Oak Hill https://www.rdu.com/
Please let us know, flight arrivals/departures if needing transportation from/to airport.
LODGING
All participants of Sukkot 2021 will be staying in personal tents and/or cabins. The 12 cabins can accommodate 225+ overnight guests at Camp Oak Hill in air-conditioned, traditional sleepaway camp-style cabins. Each cabin includes bunk beds with twin sized mattresses as well as dressers.
DINING
SCHEDULE
- Financial Workshop
- Youth/Children Workshop
- Zaqen Clarence Jones
- Ancient Preppers (session)
- Youth/Children
- Music Workshop (Morah Chevon Jones)
- Significance of Sukkot
- Night of Worship
- Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Howard
- Water Libations
- Ingathering
- Waving of Lulav at the Center Sukkah
SET UP YOUR PERSONAL SUKKAH
- A valid Sukkah must consist of at least three walls. [In practice, this can be satisfied with two complete walls and a small segment of a third wall, which qualifies as a third wall.]
- Walls can be of any material, so long as they are sturdy enough to withstand a normal wind.
- One may incorporate walls of an existing structure into his Sukkah if desired. Some even use a thick hedge of bushes.
- The walls should be at least 38 inches high (3.2 ft.), but not higher than 30 feet.
- A regular tent should be suffice
Center Sukkah
Located in the center of Camp Oak Hill, the actual length and width of the tabernacle matches what is described in scripture. Only the height will be lower (9ft compared to 15ft). The “holy of holies” section will be a special area for personal prayer and the Torah will be read there 24/7 through a professional recording.
At the place where the altar would normally be, we will have a community campfire where we will have gatherings to give praise offerings and testimonies in the evenings. The campfire can also be used by anyone to gather & even cook their food while fellowshipping with others during the day.
The replica is for the purposes of teaching and memorializing YHVH’s ways (see Joshua 22:28), not for literal sacrifice or offering.
The tabernacle will be built before the feast begins. Come early (September 19th morning) if you want to assist in the building effort.
Climate
The average temperature for this time of the year is lower to upper 70’s during the day and mid 50’s at night. It can get into the upper 80’s during the day or lower 40’s at night though so dress appropriately. Inclement weather is always possible (likely) so make sure your tent and other equipment is well prepared for wind and rain.
SUKKAH COMPETITION
This year, the Great Awakening Event and Feast Day Committee team has come up with some fun and unique ways to join in celebrating the festivities for Sukkot 2021. Gather your family or close friends together for an amicable exhibit and competition of the most innovative sukkah. This fun event offers participants the chance to present innovative and original designs for a Sukkah that can be built by an individual, using materials and building methods that are sustainable and easily available. Each project will need to include details explaining the building method and the biblical story that motivated it.
The Zaqens (Elders) of the Great Awakening will select winning design submissions which will receive a prize.
ACTIVITIES
Having Fun while observing Yahuah’s Feast Days are an integral part of Sukkot 2020! These activities provide opportunities for a range of interests and abilities.
Volleyball
Volleyball is always a fun way to learn new skills and build teamwork. That’s why we have 4 different volleyball nets at Camp Oak Hill. You can play in the gym, on sand, in grass, or even in the pool.
Gym
Located in their historic gym, many a good basketball game has happened there. Other fun gym games include dodgeball, wall-ball, four-square, knockout, relay races and volleyball!
Field Sports
Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, lacrosse, kickball, Spikeball, football, softball, tennis, and more!
Arts & Crafts
You never know what will be created during arts & crafts. Decorate Sukkahs or make Sukkot bracelets are often a favorite, and fun to create!
Freedom of Choice (FOCs)
Each participant has the “freedom of choice” to select from a variety of options offered by the campgrounds on their talents and passions. Past options have included: acting/drama, gardening, bench-making, drumming, water step aerobics, a variety of sports and more!
Front Lawnin'
Ahhh, the most relaxing (or most intense) part of Sukkot 2020. No matter how you’re feeling the front lawn is perfect. Whether it is relaxing in a rocking chair enjoying the view and sitting on the dock fishing or leaping into the gaga pit for another round of fun or trying to become king in nine-square-in-the-air!
WATER ACTIVITIES
Pool
The newly-built pool, features “full-court” water basketball, volleyball, and a pair of water slides! A favorite feature is that it’s no more than 4ft deep everywhere, making the pool loads of fun even for smaller participants.
WHAT TO BRING
SUKKOT 2021 PACKING LIST
The following is recommended based on a Sunday-Wednesday stay at Sukkot 2021. Please adjust as needed.
TENT or RV or materials to build a SUKKAH
BEDDING
- 1 blanket (lightweight)
- Full & Twin size sheet set
- 1 pillow w/ pillowcase
- 1 laundry bag (NO plastic bags)
TOILETRIES
- Bath towels + 1 lake/pool towel
- Washcloths
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Comb/Brush
- Soap & Shampoo
- Sunscreen
- Shower Shoes (flip-flops work well)
CLOTHING
- 4 changes of underwear
- 4 pairs of socks
- 2 pairs of shorts/gym shorts
- 2 sets of clothes to get really dirty in
- 1 poncho or raincoat
- 1 pair tennis shoes/sneakers
- 1 pair water shoes/flip-flops
- 2 swimsuits (one-piece or tankini that covers midsection)
- Sleepwear
- Optional: sunglasses
- Optional: 1 set of “nice” clothes, such as Polo/khakis, sundress, etc. to wear on closing night
OTHER ITEMS
- Bible
- Shofar
- Flashlight
- Insect Repellant
- 1-2 Washable Face Masks
- Optional: Water Bottle
- Optional: Fishing equipment, camera
Because Sukkot was also about hospitality, bring stuff to share with another family. Who knows?
