A Note From The Chair…

I have been attending three bible studies pretty regularly since taking “my” walk to Emmaus. I started the first one two months before the walk. My first real bible study experience… Revelation! Oh my, might as well jump in real deep!

A bit intimidating to say the least, but the lessons and teachings of this book are extremely interesting. If you want to fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, you must endeavor to conform your life wholly to the life of Christ. The humbler we are in our demeanor, and the more we subject ourselves to God, the more prudent we will be in all our affairs, and the more we will enjoy peace and quiet in our hearts.

Every word of the Scriptures must be read with the same spirit in which it was written. Endeavor to be patient, enduring the failures and weaknesses of others, no matter what kind they are, for you too have many failings that must be endured by others. If you would think often of your death, of your ultimate destiny, instead of living long here, there is no question but that you would be more zealous to improve spiritually. If Christ was willing to suffer and be despised, how do you dare to complain about anyone?

There are two things that lift a person up from earthly things: simplicity and purity. You cannot be satisfied with any temporal goods because you were not created to enjoy them. Those who consider themselves the most wicked of all people, and judge themselves to be the most unworthy, are the most fit to receive the greater blessings. Understand that love of yourself hurts you more than anything in the world. Keep this short and perfect word: “Give up everything and you will find everything.”

It is often your duty to God to do what you would rather not do, and to leave undone what you wish to do. Christ would say, “Whatever you would give Me besides yourself is of no value to Me, for I seek you, not your gifts.” God walks with the simple, reveals Himself to the humble, gives understanding to the little ones, opens the perception of pure minds, and hides His grace from the curious and proud. In all we say and do, we must remember…it’s not about us it’s for the glory of God!

DeColores!

Jon Mark Hall

From our spiritual director . . .

What Informs Your Faith?

Our faith in Jesus Christ is very important to us all. We can talk about it, share it with others, and depend upon it, but have we ever thought about what informs it or how it develops? It can be a complicated question.

Scholars and theologians have looked at this from many vantage points. Accordingly, there are many different ways of identifying those things that contribute to our faith. One method is called the Wesley Quadrilateral. John Wesley believed that four primary things contribute to our faith: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. He believed that scripture was primary. The Bible is a written record of God’s activity in history with humankind. Scripture tells us who God is, what God’s intentions are for us, and who God calls us to be. It therefore serves as the most important contributor.

Tradition refers to how the church has sought to live out the Christian faith. We live the faith in community, and the church is the primary community for Christians. Throughout the ages the church has tried, through worship, study, prayer, and fellowship, to be a “sign and the provisional manifestation of the kingdom of God.” We can look to the many traditions of the church to help us understand our faith.

Reason is that ability, given to us by God, that allows us to make sense of scripture and tradition and even our own experiences. When we reflect on what we have read or experienced in worship or prayer, we can better understand what it means to be disciples of Jesus. Experience is the final component. We all experience God in different ways. We are all unique. One of our biggest challenges is to allow God to be as gracious with others as he has been with us.

There may be many other ways of looking at the things that contribute to our faith, but this method has been helpful to me. Perhaps taking the time to reflect on the development of your own faith will allow you to identify what will contribute to an even stronger faith. That will contribute to a more confident walk with Jesus. May God continue to bless you on your journey.

—Pastor Tad

Greater Scioto Valley Emmaus Walks in 2006

Men’s Walk #26

Sept. 14-17

Terry Allen, Lay Director

Women’s Walk #37

Oct. 12-15

Sharon Schumacher, Lay Director

Don’t Forget the

All-Emmaus Reunion is in between!

Saturday, September 23

Prospective Pilgrims for GSVE Men’s Walk No. 26

Pilgrim	City	Sponsor
Steve Anderson	Chillicothe	Lisa Armstrong
Richard Armstrong	Jackson	Brenda Armstrong
Rodney Armstrong	Wheelersburg	Teresa Armstrong
Kevin Coe	Chillicothe	Mark Crosier
John Davis	Bainbridge	Hal Hardiesty
Hershel Detty	Chillicothe	Bill & Becky Fetters
John Gardiner	Albany	Tom Tigner
Ed Greve	Lancaster	David Bridges
Rick Hartley	Chillicothe	Gary Rucker
Greg Johnson	Chillicothe	Lorri Stewart
Michael Kuehnert		Danny & Linda Morris
Gregory Lang	Waverly	Tom Seely
George Link		Doug Shugert
Frank Magnatta	Lucasville	Dan Hieronius
Rusty Penwell		Cathy Hall
Robert Speakman	Chillicothe	Chelsea Hall
Ben Stoltzfus	Guysville	Rusty Thomas
Jay Stump	Lancaster	David Bridges

You don’t have to be on the prayer vigil to pray for these pilgrims, but if you can, sign up. It helps us know that all the slots are covered.

The All-Emmaus Reunion is Almost Here!

September 23, 2006

Food—Fellowship--Fun

Don’t forget to mark your calendar. Plan now to attend the All-Emmaus Reunion, Saturday, September 23, 2006, 11 am to 4 pm.

· Family Games

· Music Many of Your Favorite Emmaus Musicians will be there

· Special Guest Speaker Rev. David Brown

· Covered Dish Dinner at Noon

· Fellowship

· Roast Hog and Drinks Provided

What: GSVE All-Emmaus Reunion

When: Saturday, September 23, 2006 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Who: You and your family, share group, sponsored pilgrims, table mates

Where: Clarksburg Field Days Grounds—see map below.

Why: To share the joy of the Lord, to worship our holy God

How: With music, speakers, fellowship, food and fun

Schedule of Events:

11 AM – 12 PM Music

12 PM – 1 PM Lunch—Roast Hog!!!

1 PM – 3 PM Music

3 PM – 4 PM Worship with special guest speaker Rev. David Brown

Bring Your Family and Friends!

Contact Phil Howard for more information 740-820-8557

Rain Date

September 30

Housekeeping, Kitchen, and Prayer Vigils Signups

The September Men’s Walk and October Women’s Walk will be here before you know it. Don’t forget to go to the website and sign up as many times as you can to work on the kitchen and housekeeping crews and to pray for the team and pilgrims. Signup sheets will also be available at the September gathering for the Women’s Walk`. If you can’t signup in these ways, give the Kitchen or Housekeeping chairpersons a call. They’ll be happy to hear from you.

Team for Men’s Walk #26

NAME POSITION TALK

Terry Allen Lay Director Perseverance

David Ginn Lay Dir. In Training

Jerry Drummond Asst. Lay Dir. Discipleship

Harley Barney Asst. Lay Dir Priesthood of Believers

Danny Morris Asst. Lay Dir

Ron Miller Music Priority

Clint Arthur Music

John Glaze Music

Bill Fetters Table Leader Fourth Day

Dave Bridges Table Leader Grow Through Study

Doug Ramsey Table Leader Life in Piety

Bob Imboden Table Leader Body of Christ

Jim Skinner Table Leader Changing Our World

Randy Scott Table Leader Christian Action

Joe Bowsher Asst. Table Ldr.

Gary Nicholson Asst. Table Ldr

Chuck Reisinger Asst. Table Ldr

Bruce Hines Asst. Table Ldr

Tod Gallaugher Asst. Table Ldr

Blaine Hayes Asst. Table Ldr

Roland Mitchell Spiritual Dir. Means of Grace

Phil Howard Asst. Spiritual Dir. Sanctifying Grace

Ed Ruggles Board Rep

Dave Strickland Logistics

Tom Krouse Logistics

Jon Mark Hall Technical Rep.

Scott Campbell Clergy

Chuck Case Clergy

Joe Wible Clergy

Team for Women’s Walk No. 37

Sharon Schumacher Lay Director

Carol Davis Spiritual Dir.

David Tittler Asst. Spiritual Dir.

Debbie Michael Lay Dir. in Training

Laura Miller Asst. Lay Dir.

Teresa Chaney Asst. Lay Dir.

Pat Arthur Asst. Lay Dir.

Teresa Staten Tech. Log.

Kelli Howard Logistics

Shirley Adkins Logistics

Charlene Schultz Music

Marilyn Giese Music

Savilla Ruggles Board Rep.

Diane Skinner Table Leader

Candy Dishong Table Leader

Janet Russell Table Leader

Cheryl Schomberg Table Leader

Jamie Darling Table Leader

Sandy Blakeman Table Leader

Roxanne Stonerock Asst. Table Ldr.

Debbie Barnhart Asst, Table Ldr.

Jennifer Houseman Asst. Table Ldr.

Donda Hill Asst. Table Ldr.

Tonya McClanahan Asst. Table Ldr.

Dolly McGinnis Asst. Table Ldr.

Pray for the Team as They Prepare for the Pilgrims and Their Appointment with God.

Living In God’s Will

I have a friend, a young man with a wife and young children. My friend has been called to the mission field—not just any mission field, he has been called to minister to people of Islamic faith—Arabs in their own country. In today’s tumultuous political climate, this is possibly the most dangerous mission field there is, especially for Americans.

I must confess that I have at times questioned my friend’s call to take his family to such a dangerous place. After all, would God ask this wonderful young man and his family to put their lives on the line like this? In a word—Yes.

The Apostle Paul lived a life surrendered to the will of God. When God led Paul back to Jerusalem following his missionary trips, he knew full well that danger awaited him in Jerusalem. His friends repeatedly warned him. But Paul was sure that God wanted him to go there (Acts 20:20-23). Even though they were greatly saddened by Paul’s determination to go, his friends finally conceded that “The will of God be done” (Acts 21:14).

You see, Paul (and my friend) knew that the safest place in the world is in the center of God’s will, no matter what perils that presents. When we are called to action by God, we must remember that our Lord is all-wise. He knows what is right—what is best for our lives. He has the power, and He has the will to do what is the very best for us. And, above all, He loves us more than anyone else does. So why wouldn’t He take an interest in the lives of those who surrender their lives to His will?

We are all called to the mission field. We are called to surrender our lives to the will of God, and we can take comfort and strength in the knowledge that the center of God’s will is the very best place to be.

—Editor

A Note from the Chair…