Emmaus Traveler: Let Jesus Grow in your Heart

advertisement
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
Download