el Quiri

Greater Sidney Area Emmaus newsletter November, 1998

From Your Spiritual Director

Life is better when we're thankful . . .

Fulton Oursler tells of his old nurse, who was born a slave on the eastern shore of Maryland and who attended the birth of his mother and his own birth. She taught him the greatest lesson in giving thanks and finding contentment. "I remember her as she sat at the kitchen table in our house; the hard, old, brown hands folded across her starched apron, the glistening eyes, and the husky old whispering voice saying, 'Much obliged, Lord, for the vittles.' 'Anna,' I asked, 'what's a vittle?' 'It's what I've got to eat and drink, that's vittles.' 'But you'd get your vittles whether you thanked the Lord or not.' 'Sure, but it makes everything taste better to be thankful.'"

All too often we forget to thank God for all things in our lives. We tend to be selective in giving thanks— for the good things that happen to us and for family and friends, for the food on our table, for good health. I wonder if you are like me and find it somewhat difficult to thank God for the not-so-good times in our lives. It is during those times we need to thank God for being with us, for his strength, for those who support us, etc. and maybe those times may not "taste" quite as bitter.

Let's remember, not only during the few days of this Thanksgiving season, but during all of our "Fourth Days" to be thankful for everything and maybe, just maybe, life might taste a little better not bitter.

In Peace and Love,

Kathy

Message from Your Chairman...

Greetings in the name of Jesus! I hope this letter finds all of you walking closely with our Lord. Recently Sharon, Jeremy and I attended the Rebecca St. James concert in Worthington. While we were there I learned a few things about me: 1) I don't like to listen to loud music any more, 2) I get real tired and grumpy staying out past 10:00 pm, and 3) My walk and faith in Jesus has a long way to go.

I was deeply moved by the faith and testimony of a 21-year-old singing for Jesus. She shared a genuine love for Jesus and desire to grow closer to Him. She challenged all of us as Christians to be bold and stand up for our belief and love for God. She told how her daily devotions and prayer life helps her keep her strength and faith in Him. Lately, I have had to step back and think of the verse Rebecca shared with us. It is 2 Chronicles 7:14 ; "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

This verse sounds like something we all need to hear at this time. In our land we are experiencing moral pain and decay. Yet what are we as Christians doing? Are we humbling ourselves? Are we in prayer? Do we seek the face of God? And most importantly, are we turning from our wicked ways? Or do we just accept all that is going on around us as just the way society is, or say, "I can't do anything about it." I think it is time to look at what God promises in verse 14, "then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

How is your walk with Jesus? How is your prayer life? How is your study? Are you seeking God's face?I know I have been challenged to step up my walk, how about you?

DECOLORES!!

Bill

From the Agape Room .... Judy Zweibel

My position as Agape Coordinator for the Greater Sidney Area Emmaus Community is nearing an end and after the first of the year, Mike and Sherry Clayton will be taking over. I just wanted to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve the community in this way and let you know how blessed I have been to get to know so many of you. I would also like to thank Judy Kenton, Mary Jane Applegate, Emily Campbell and all of the others who have helped me in any way during my terms. Last of all, I would like to welcome Mike and Sherry and I hope they will be as blessed as I have been.

Several people have gone on walks since I last submitted these suggestions for agape, so I’m including them again. You might want to keep them handy to refer to for all walks.

Snack Agape. If you would like to give snacks for the conference room, please take them to the church kitchen by Thursday night of the Walk, if possible, and please mark "Emmaus" or "Agape" on the containers. You can bring 2 liter bottles of soft drinks, candy, cookies, chips, veggies, etc.

Table/Bedtime Agape. 70 pieces of agape are needed for mealtime and 42 for bedtime. Please put your name, phone number and the number of pieces on the container.

Personal Agape. Pilgrim and team letters may be brought to the Agape Room from Thursday night until after Candlelight on Saturday night. Everything will be moved from the Agape Room to the office on Saturday night after Candlelight, so if you do have last minute letters, you may bring them to the office until noon on Sunday.

© Please try to have all bedtime letters for the team in the Agape Room by 8:30 p.m. of the night they are to receive them if at all possible.

©Please do not send bedtime letters for pilgrims. Letters are not distributed until Sunday afternoon, so any pilgrim’s letters specified for anytime other than Sunday will still be placed in the Sunday packets.

©Please do not send "super agape." Please limit your pilgrim’s agape to something that will fit in the packets. Not only does the "super agape" make it appear that one person is being treated differently, but it makes it cumbersome for the logs to distribute. If you would like to give your pilgrim a gift, why not give them a Fourth Day gift after the Walk for an added surprise.

©Please make sure first and last names are on all team and pilgrim letters.

72-Hour Prayer Vigil. If you would like to sign up for the Prayer Vigil, you will find the posters at all Gatherings or you can call me at 937/492-0521. If you get my answering machine, please leave your name and number and I will return your call. This is probably one of the most meaningful forms of agape, and one everyone can give. After the first of the year, you may contact Mike and Sherry Clayton at 937/492-7440.

NOV/DEC BOARD MEETING

Halter Residence - DeGraff

Thursday, December 10, 1998

Lost Pilgrims ...

Child Care at Gatherings

The Emmaus Board is looking for interested persons willing to coordinate and/or help with Child Care during Gatherings on the second Tuesday of each month.

Emmaus Training Day

An Emmaus Training Day is set for March 13, 1999. Watch your newsletters for more information.

Newsletter Subscription

Effective January 1, 1999, there will be an annual fee of $5 for a subscription. See yellow insert for more info.

Pumpkin Dessert Squares .... Nancy Smith

For crust:
1 18.5 oz package yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup)
½ cup margarine, melted
1 egg

For filling:
1 29 oz can pumpkin
2 eggs
¾ cup milk or evaporated milk
1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For topping:
1 cup reserved cake mix
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup margarine
1 cup whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. (Spray such as Pam can be used). Reserve 1 cup cake mix for topping. Combine remaining cake mix, margarine and egg; press in pan evenly, building up sides. Beat together pumpkin, eggs, milk and spices; pour over crust. Mix reserved cake mix, sugar and cinnamon; cut in margarine with fork to make crumbs. Sprinkle over filling. Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream. Yields 12 to 16 servings.

Note: Yes, there is no sugar in the filling. There is enough in the topping and crust.

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