FIRST FRUITS

THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS 

The word Firstfruits means “a promise to come.” On the day of Firstfruits, Sunday, April 28, 2024, the Church Family will bring a special offering to the Lord.  This offering will represent the firstfruits of any financial income since the Feast of Tabernacles which was held (October 2023). In Leviticus 23:9-14, the first crops of the barley harvest were offered to God as an offering of thanksgiving for the promise of an abundant harvest. This offering, lifted up to the Lord, is called the early Firstfruits. In I Corinthians 15:23, Jesus is considered the firstfruit of the harvest of all who have died in him. This Feast was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. For Christians, this feast is important because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Things You Need to Know 

• The Feast of Firstfruits begins at sundown, Saturday, April 27 and ends at sundown, Sunday, April 28.
• Prepare to offer to the Lord a Firstfruit offering on Sunday, April 28. You may bring your offering to The KBC dropbox, use the mobile app, give online, text: GIVE & your dollar amount to 713-322-7711 or mail.
• You determine the amount of this special offering, symbolizing your thanksgiving to God for providing the “early” spring harvest. The “latter” spring harvest will occur during Pentecost.
• The Firstfruit offering is not your tithe. It is separate and in addition to your tithe.

Preparing for the Feast of Firstfruits and Counting of the Omer 

I. Feast of Firstfruits

On the day of Firstfruits, believers will bring the firstfruits of any financial increase received since the Feast of Tabernacles (October 2023).  The firstfruit offering, called the early firstfruit, is not your tithe or regular offering.  It is separate and in addition to your tithe.  You determine the amount of this special offering, symbolizing your thanksgiving to God for providing the “early” spring harvest.  You may bring your offering to The KBC, use the mobile app, Connection Center Kiosk, give online or by mail.

II. Counting the Omer

The daily “counting of the omer” will begin on the evening of April 23.  (See: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/sefirah/omer-calendar_cdo/jewish/Omer-Calendar.htm).

• See the Omer Calendar in the April Prayer guide.
• After marking off the day, pray the following blessing with your children until the 50th day, “We praise You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Jesus Christ, our eternal Redeemer and Savior, and commanded us to count the Omer. By faith, we wait with joyful hearts to celebrate the sending of Your Holy Spirit.”
• Remember to count the omer beginning at sundown, April 23.