el Quiri
Greater Sidney Area Emmaus newsletter September, 1998
From Your Spiritual Director
How are YOU identified?
Earlier this week I was in Columbus making hospital calls. I was in the parking garage of Riverside Hospital making my way through the parking garage looking for a parking place. The car ahead of me had stopped and was waiting for a car to pull out of a space so he could pull in. There was an older gentleman in the already-parked car and he was taking considerable time pulling out of the space. The impatient man in the car in front of me began honking his horn, encouraging the other fellow to "hurry up and pull out!" Evidently he lost all patience, stomped on the accelerator and squealed away. I waited and got the closer space. What really grabbed me was the impatient man had a bumper sticker on his car which read, "Honk if you love Jesus!" Now I don't know if Mr. Impatient was letting us know of his great love for Jesus or not. But, he did remind me of a story:
Several centuries before Christ, Alexander the Great came out of Macedonia and Greece to conquer the Mediterranean world. In one of his campaigns, Alexander received a message that one of his soldiers had been continually and seriously, misbehaving and thereby shedding a bad light on the character of all the Greek troops. And what made it even worse was that the soldier's name was also Alexander. When the commander learned this, he sent word that he wanted to talk to the errant soldier in person. When the young man arrived at the tent of Alexander the Great, the commander asked him, "What is your name?" The reply came back, "Alexander, sir." The commander looked him straight in the eye and said forcefully, "Soldier, either change your behavior or change your name."
This story has a lesson for each of us. When we call ourselves Christians, we are identifying with Jesus Christ. When we wear a cross or put Christian stickers on our cars, we are being a witness for Him. We are being identified with the name of Christ. Is our behavior compatible with that name and with the symbol that shows that we are a Christian?
In Peace and Love,
Kathy
Music...Music...Music...
...Randy LockerLast year's "Gathering of Music" received so many favorable comments, we thought we'd try it again. This year's Gathering will be one you won't want to miss. My goal was to try and bring back as many past Sidney Music Directors as could possibly make it October 13th. To date, I've had a great response. Those that couldn't make it expressed regret that their schedule prevented them from being a part of what is sure to be a wonderful evening of memories.
I say memories because I have asked each MD to select a song that they sang on the weekend of the Walk they served. There is so much thought put into each song done on a Walk. As with every member of an Emmaus team, Music Directors try to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I've heard many tell of being very well prepared with a song for a particular time on the weekend, and then feeling the Holy Spirit lead them to another song at the last minute.
So make sure your calendar is well marked for Tuesday, October 13. You should be able to sit back, close your eyes, and let the music take you back to your own Emmaus Walk, a time that has meant so very much to all of us.
Message from Your Chairman...
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
I recently finished reading a book written by Steve Farrar titled, "Finishing Strong." This book is written for men challenging them to not only start strong in our walks with the Lord, but to also finish strong. I have really been moved by this challenge to keep on the armor of God to fight the enemy and all of his attacks.
One of the areas I began to think about in my life is Emmaus. At this time we are sending this newsletter out to over 700 people and with each walk the list keeps growing. I often sit and wonder just how many people who have attended a Walk to Emmaus are still finishing strong? The goal of Emmaus is to train Christian leaders to go back to their church and help that church grow in the love of Jesus. How many of us have fallen through the cracks because "someone else will do it" or "somebody hurt my feelings so I'm not going to be involved."
Often times we leave our Emmaus Walks feeling good and ready to take on the world so we can win everyone to Christ. But when we face difficulty, we don't finish strong. For whatever reasons, some good and some bad, we go to the safe place of just being in church instead of being the Church.
Phillipians 4:13 tells us how to finish strong with God’s help. It says; "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." Do you believe this? Are you doing all things through the strength of Christ? I know I'm not, and I need to focus on my love for Jesus, and His love for me so I can Finish Strong in Him!
DECOLORES!!
Bill
Say HI!
Like to spread your smiles around. Send a friendly hello to college students. You can start with Jennifer Painter at <688885@xavier.xu.edu>
DARKE COUNTY EMMAUS
Men’s Walk #3 - October 8-11, 1998
Women’s Walk #5 - November 12-15, 1998
Send Agape and Request for Agape to:
Nan Gregor - 1651 Greenville-Nashville Road
Greenville, OH 45331
or e-mail: magregor@bright.net
LIMA EMMAUS GATHERINGS:
Shawnee Methodist Church - 2600 Shawnee Road
(northwest corner Shawnee & Zurmehly Roads)
4th Monday of each month
6:00 p.m. Potluck Supper
(bring covered dish, drink & table service)
7:00 p.m. Worship with Fourth Day Speakers
Contact Helen Price or Diane Hile at the church
(419) 991-4806
Monthly newsletters - Share Groups
Willing Servant Volunteer Sheet
The Emmaus Board is using a new computer software program and we need your help in updating your records. We are asking that you let us know if you have ever served on a team, even if it is from another community. Some of our willing servant sheets are over 10 years old and we need to know when you have served on a team and if you are still interested in serving in any way that you can.
Please complete the enclosed sheet and return it to us. It is simple--just fill it out, fold, tape, and stamp. Thank you and may God bless you for your servant’s heart.
OCTOBER BOARD MEETING
First United Methodist Church
Thursday, October 22, 1998
From the Kitchen ...
Nancy SmithIf you sign up to cook for any of the walks, remember this is our schedule:
COOKS arrive for breakfast at 6:00 a.m., for lunch at 10:00 a.m. and for supper at 3:00 p.m.
SERVERS arrive to serve breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday; to serve lunch at 12:00 noon for Friday and Saturday, and at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday; and to serve supper at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
If you have never worked in the kitchen and think you would like to try, send a note to the Sidney Emmaus Community, Attn: Nancy Smith or give me a call at 937/492-0388.