Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart EMMAUS TRAVELER Emmaus of Southeast Michigan www.emsem.org Spring-2011 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24: 13-16 Spring Emmaus Walk Swartz Creek United Methodist Church Men’s walk # 153 March 17th-20th Women’s Walk # 154 Mar 31st –Apr 3rd Lay Director-Kenny Walkup Lay Director-Ann Randolph Spiritual Director-Tom Hart Spiritual Director-Doris Crocker Fourth Day Follow-up April 16th at Swartz Creek UMC Team training- 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, 3/5 (Please try to be at all four dates) (Congratulations to all selected to work the walk. For those not selected and still wanting to serve you can help with setup on Thursday the 17th and 31st at 12:00 noon. Please remember candlelight on the 19th of March and again on April 2nd.) 1 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart UPDATED MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS The Emmaus and /Chrysalis Mission statement: “Empowering leaders through Emmaus and Chrysalis to be the hands and feet of Christ” The Emmaus/Chrysalis Vision Statement: “Fourth Day leaders embodying Christ” Chrysalis Flights 50 and 51, sent 26 butterflies back into the world to show God’s love and plan. Pray for their continuing flight. It is not to early to be praying, thinking and nuturing a youth to go on Flights 52 and 53. The flights will be in South Lyon. Girls will be Feb 17-19, 2012 and Boys March 2-4, 2012. Blessings Chrysalis Committee of Southeast Michigan Replacing the short film “In Remembrance”? Could it happen? Really? The hope is that after the DVD “Examination of Conscience” in the chapel, in silence, the pilgrim will begin thinking about their relationship with Jesus and to prepare them for their journey. 2 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart A message from the Community Trainer Have you ever wanted to know more about the various ways you can serve on a walk? We will now be holding “mini” training sessions at the fourth day reunions along with sponsorship training. You will have an opportunity to attend two of the short training sessions that will last between 10 and 15 minutes to find out what the different areas of service entail and then enjoy a fantastic time of fellowship and of course an abundance of food. On a personal note I would like to extend an apology to those that attended the last sponsorship training and haven’t received your certificates. I have been ill and have yet to get them out to you and God willing, I will get them out to you this week. I would also like to thank all those who have supported me with prayer over the last couple months. I have felt your prayers and been blessed so greatly by the out pouring of well wishes. Thank you for blessing me and for lifting me up to our Lord in prayer. My health is improving and I should be making a full recovery very soon that is no doubt due to all the prayer! God is so good!!! Many Blessings to all of you! GLYASDI Julie Bedsole Community Trainer The purpose of EmmausThe purpose of Emmaus is to develop leaders for the church. Emmaus will inspire, challenge, and equip participants for Christian action in their homes, churches, and places of work. Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others. 3 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart A Testimonial –What happened to me on my Emmaus Walk? When I walked into the Commerce United Methodist Church on the second Sunday of January 2006, the flame in my heart for God was a votive candle. I slowly became a part of a loving and nurturing Christian family, attended bible study, became an active member and truly found “home”. When I walked into the Plymouth United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 13, 2010, to begin my Walk, the flame in my heart for God was a triple-wick candle. When I completed my journey that Sunday, the flame in my heart for God was and still is a campfire. The Emmaus Walk is more than a “retreat”. It is the foundation for leading a joyful Christ-based life…for the rest of your life. It is a journey of learning about the endlessness of God’s love through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is a celebration of the death of a sin and a life everlasting through Christ our Lord and Savior. The 72 hour commitment for this journey may seem daunting. I promise each of you; it will be a treasured journey for the rest of your days. I’m still humming the songs and smiling in the memories. One cannot capture the vastness of wisdom and insight gained on the Walk with words. THIS is a journey you must experience on your own and in your own time. As Christians, we are disciples of Jesus Christ…it is our purpose AND our privilege to spread the word of LOVE…GRACE…and MERCY. On your Emmaus journey you are given the tools to assist you in this wonderful and heartfelt life “mission”. With that said and I’m so glad I didn’t …GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I Susan Nadeau Walk 149 The Simple Hug Test There’s something in a simple hug that always warms the heart; it welcomes us back home and makes it easier to part A hug’s a way to share the joy and sad times we go through, or just a way for friends to say they like you ‘cause you’re you. Hugs are meant for anyone, for whom we really care, from your grandma to your neighbor, or a cuddly teddy bear. A hug is an amazing thing it’s just the perfect way to show the love we’re feeling but can’t find the words to say. Its funny how a little hug makes everyone feel good; in every place and language, it’s always understood. And hug’s don’t need new equipment, special batteries or parts, just open up your arms and open up your hearts (Written by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr. Nethugs.com) 4 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart A message from our Community Lay Director We say ‘Good-bye” to our outgoing Community Lay Director Dan May and “Welcome” to our incoming Community Lay director Jim Woods. Both of the men have served the Southeastern Michigan Emmaus community proudly over the last several years. Leadership in all positions as well as musicians for the walks. We look forward to the up coming walks with anticipation. We pray for all future walks to be full of pilgrims. God Bless As a reminder- Each pilgrim receives a current issue of the UPPER ROOM magazine in their go home packet. So you don’t need to bring a copy as an agape gift. Thanks! 5 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart A message from our Spiritual Director Don’t you love a new year? For one, I am glad 2010 is in the history books, and I am very optimistic about 2011. I thought we ought to look at some advice that the Apostle Paul shares with us as we begin the new year. “I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) In this passage, Paul shares three things I would like you to consider. *RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF TIME. Time is valuable. And, do you know what makes something valuable? Scarcity. You only get so many years. Time is like a valuable commodity in a very precious and delicate vessel. It might break at any moment, and we might lose it all. So, don’t waste it. How are you going to use the time you have left? Are you living for you, or are you living for God? *DON”T GET STUCK IN THE PAST. Too many of us pay more attention to things in our history. Some relish the good old days, a time of success and good times. Others are stuck reliving some old hurt or sin. And folks, that is a waste. A completed act in the past cannot be changed. So, receive God’s forgiveness. Learn from it. And, then, get over it. *ESTABLISH A PRIORITY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. If you don’t prioritize your life, someone or something else will. Since our time is precious, we need a plan to live it to its fullness. Ask yourself, “if I knew I only had one year to live, what would I do?” Be honest with your answers. What would you change? What’s stopping you? 2011 can be the best year of your life. Are you ready to meet it? I leave you with some encouragement from Jesus, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV) Community Spiritual Director 6 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart Whatever Happened to Cleopas and His Friend? Cleopas and his friend were the two disciples who walked to Emmaus and of course we know that Jesus joined them on their walk. Here’s the question? WHOM was the second person.? If you know, send the answer to me at www.traveler.org and I’ll post the answer in the next newsletter. Scripture to Remember I have loved you with and everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you (Jeremiah 31:3) Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith (Galatians 6:10) Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you (Acts 8:22) Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him. Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 22:9) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8) I pray the the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power (Ephesians 1:1719) Now in Joppa, there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas She was devoted to good works and acts of charity (Acts :36). From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded (Luke 12:48) 7 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do (John 17:4) Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant , not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuieness of your faith—being more precious than gold that though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6,7) He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was setting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan women came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink” (John 4:5-7) Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and wlways persevere in supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18 ) The king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40) Emmaus Library Series What is Emmaus? Spiritual Directors The Group Reunion Spiritual Growth through Team Experience Coming Down From the Mountain Sponsorship The Board of Directors Walking Side by Side Music Directors The Early History (Available online at www.upperroom,org/bookstore) 8 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart A poem by Byron (Barney) Fritcher-Walk #149 (Table of Jeremiah) He dreams of us all coming home do you think God ever made a wish that he dreams like you and I do you think that he ever had his heart broke and laid his head down to cry do you think that he loves to walk on the beach to feel the sand in his toes what if he seen a neat muscle car do you think he’d want one of those with all the power he holds in his hand do you think he is ever in need does the good Lord ever not get what he wants I believe that sometimes yes indeed I believe the he wants all of his kids to return to him someday but he gave us the choice to do as we want and some of us just run away you see just because he has all the power to create everything that we see doesn’t mean that he could get all he wants not if our will is free Because he loved us he gave us the right to decide the road we would choose and we aren’t that smart as we walk in our life some of us just want to loose so in life we can walk with our Lord or we can choose to walk alone does God dream? of course he does he dreams of us all coming home 9 Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart Fall walks to be held at Redford, Mi. Aldersgate UMC Men’s Walk #155 October 13th -16th, 2011 Lay Director- Dan May Women’s Walk #156 Nov. 3rd-6th, 2011 Lay Director- Cheryl Lieberman Spiritual Director and Board Representative to be determined Team Training dates: August 20th, 2011 September 10th, 2011 September 24th, 2011 October 10th, 2011 Fourth Day Follow-up November 19th, 2011 All training and follow-up at the Redford Aldersgate UMC This newsletter is a work in progress. Coments and suggestions are welcome. The goal is to have the newsletter in the emsem.org website to be available 24/7/365. Please pray for the upcoming walks. The pilgrims, team members, the Sponsors and the Emmaus community needs all of our support. GLYASDI Jerry Mowl traveler@emsem.org jermowl01@att.net 10