Greater
Greater
De Colores Community,
It’s February. Does
that make you think of cold winds, snow and freezing rain or does it bring to mind
thoughts of Valentines with red, white and pink hearts? February is the “Month
of Love”. I like to think of February as a month to dwell on the ONE who LOVES
us most. Even our best attempts at showing God our love, pale in comparison to
how He shows His love for us. Maybe we come up lacking because we have to contend
with the enemy of our soul.
One Sunday morning last
August, while getting ready for church, I stepped straight down on a round red
toothpick that was sticking up in the kitchen carpet. Four doctors and one
surgery later, the toothpick was out of my foot. I wore a surgical boot on my
right foot for six weeks as a constant reminder of the incident. Determined
that a toothpick would never get stuck in the kitchen carpet again, we removed
the carpet and replaced it with a new hardwood floor, and, you know the routine,
the new hardwood in the kitchen made the old hardwood floor in the dining room
look bad so we got new carpeting for the dining room.
Last month, I was
baking smoked sausage bites to take to the monthly Gathering and there wasn’t a
single toothpick in the house. We had thrown them all away after the August
episode. So, I called Clint and asked him to bring home a box of toothpicks. He
asked me if I was sure I wanted
toothpicks in the house again, and I assured him I did.
I very carefully opened
the box of toothpicks, placed one in each piece of sausage, covered the dish
with food wrap and took the dish to the dining room table, and returned to the
kitchen to put the toothpicks and food wrap away. And then it happened. I
dropped the whole box of toothpicks on the kitchen floor! They went everywhere.
They could really move on that hardwood. I dropped to my knees and meticulously
picked every one up — every last one of them— or so I thought.
Two weeks ago, while
walking barefoot on that dining room carpet, a familiar pain shot through my
left foot in the same place where I had injured the other foot. Guess I missed one
of those toothpicks. This time I was able to remove the toothpick myself, but I
could only find half of it. I looked and looked for the other half in the
carpet, and my sore foot reminded me to look for it often. Last night I found
it! Have you seen the movie Groundhog Day? Again, I was walking barefoot on the
carpet and there it was, sticking in the side of my big toe! Truth is stranger
than fiction. My feet are toothpick magnets!
Seriously, our lives
seem to have magnetic properties for those things that aren’t good for our
Christian lives. Sometime we make the same mistakes over and over. Can’t we
even learn from our own mistakes? The Apostle Paul said that the things he
wanted to do, he didn’t do, and the things he didn’t want to do, he found himself
doing. Guess things haven’t changed that much since he wrote those letters.
But the wonderful thing
about a life in Christ is His love and forgiveness. Karen Zimmer once told me
“Being close to Christ is at its best when we realize we don’t have to mail our
prayers to Him somewhere far away. He is so close we can just whisper in His
ear”. And, He hears, He answers, and He forgives. Now that’s real love! He
declares His love for us again and again. We just need to give Him all the
“toothpicks” in our lives. He handles them much more carefully than we do.
Oh! Don’t forget to
open the mailbox of your heart. I’m sure you’ll find Jesus has a Valentine
waiting for you there.
The
February Emmaus Gathering is going to be on the fourth Thursday this month.
March Gathering will also be changed because the third Thursday in March is
Maundy Thursday. Remember the rule. It’s always the third Thursday, except when
it’s not! So come out February 28 at 7:00 pm.
If you haven’t attended
a gathering for a while, Come on and bring the joy! Everyone would love to see
you.
We’ll be
looking for you!
De Colores!
Pat Arthur
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From Our Spiritual Director . . .
It seems
like we just finished the Christmas season and now it’s Lent. Different churches approach the Lenten season
in different fashion.
In my
church, the Augusta KY Presbyterian Church, Lent is a great time of
celebration. During Lent, the churches
in our community each host a Wednesday noon worship service followed by lunch
and fellowship. This includes the Baptist, Nazarene, Christian Church, United
Methodist, Catholic and Sharon Presbyterian Church. All of the ministers assist
in the worship service and the host church’s minister preaches the sermon. The ministerial association takes an offering
to help the needy of the community.
In
addition to the weekly services, Augusta Presbyterian Church joins with the
On
Maundy Thursday we will gather again in the
This
is our tradition during Lent in the
This
year the
We
also have a community Thanksgiving service held in a different church each
year.
Our
church and the Christian Church have a joint worship service the Sunday before
Thanksgiving. We worship in the
Christian Church and have a fellowship meal in our church.
We
deliberately engage the churches in the community with as many combined
services as possible. We find that we
are all alike in many ways.
We
will all gather together one day in that great wedding feast when there will be
no denominations and we will be as one worshipping God throughout eternity.
De Colores,
Les Grooms
Spiritual Director
Chrysalis
Flight
Southern Ohio Chrysalis Boys Flight # 22 is February 16 - 18 (Presidents
Day weekend) at Cornerstone UMC in
Candlelight for Chrysalis is Sunday evening. They can use help in the
kitchen and with housekeeping, and most importantly with prayer. Contact Joanne
Charles at 740-354-4494 or jcharles@shawnee.edu
for more information.
Lessons from the Mount
My dear child,
I hear
that you desire much in my kingdom. As you know, I have paid your debt and
adopted you so that you are no longer excluded from the kingdom. I paid that
price because I love you dearly and you couldn’t pay it for yourself.
Here
are some qualities that apply to those who are dedicated to following me. They
aren’t easy because you still struggle with your old nature, but if you
exemplify them you will be richly rewarded. I’ll break them down for you:
If you . . . You
will . . .
are poor in spirit................................ have the kingdom of heaven........................................... Matt
5:3
mourn................................................. be comforted Matt. 5:4
are meek............................................ inherit the earth........................................................... Matt.
5:5
hunger and thirst for righteousness... be
filled. Matt. 5:6
are merciful........................................ obtain mercy Matt. 5:7
are pure in heart................................ see God. Matt. 5:8
make peace........................................ be called the child of God................................................ Matt.
5:9
are persecuted for righteousness sake have the kingdom of heaven........................................... Matt.
5:10
are reviled, persecuted and evilly
spoken of for Christ’s sake................ have great reward in heaven............................................ Matt.
5: 11-12
So remember, my child, you are the salt of the earth.
If you lose that preserving quality, you will be good for nothing but to be
trampled under foot. You are also the light of the world. If you hide your light,
others cannot see the One you shine for.
The prize is worth the struggle. Lean forward and
finish the race well.
Your loving
Savior,
Jesus
Potential Pilgrims for Men’s Walk No. 29
Pilgrim Sponsor
Randy Beverly Brad
Catron
Ben Brier Mark
Crosier
Matt Brunning
Bret Caplinger Caralee
Campbell
Rodger Carter Jeffrey
Perry
Neil Hill Julie
Hill
Bill Lee Doug
Cox
Casey Millard Don
Newsome
Doug Miller Debbie
Michael
Chris Moore Eli
& Jenn Ruggles
Bill New Martin
Ford
Doug Page Cathy
Hall
Anthony Pelfrey Terry
Allen
Mac Peters Shirley
Hickman
Todd Ramsey Tom
Ramsey
Pete Ruby Tony
Siders
Donnie Ross Harley
Ross
Tony Shutts Dave
& Patricia Burriss
Jan Siders Tony
Siders
Larry Stevens Max
Hickman
Randy Webb John
Snider
Jim Whitman Brad
Catron
Walks in 2008
Men’s Walk # 29
Lay Dir.,
Dave Strickland
Women’s Walk # 40
Lay
Director, Laura Miller
Men’s Walk # 30
Lay
Director, Danny Morris
Women’s Walk # 41
Lay
Director, Linda Morris
Help
Wanted
Men’s
Walk # 29 is just a week away, and it’s a big job! We need to fill about 200
volunteer slots to help accomplish the Lord’s work. You know the drill, but in
case you’re new to Emmaus or need a refresher, here’s how it breaks down.
Kitchen: We need 3-5 workers Wednesday morning at 8:30 am to
receive foodstuffs and prepare the kitchen for the weekend. Thursday, we need
6-8 people to clean vegetables, make vegetable trays and get things set up at
1:30 and another group at 4:00 to set up for the send-off dinner and help clean
up afterward. Friday, Saturday and Sunday we need 12 volunteers per meal to
cook, serve and clean up after meals. Plan to show up at 6:30 am for breakfast,
10:30 am for lunch and 3:30 pm for supper. Sunday there is no supper crew, but
there is a clean-up crew to return the kitchen to shipshape order. Contact
Harley Barney at 740-998-6523, Lorri Stewart at 740-775-2379 or David Burriss
at 740-947-8194 or signup online at GSVEmmaus.org
Housekeeping: We need a set-up crew of 6-8 on Wednesday evening at 6:00
pm to set up beds and move things into place for the weekend. We also need
crews to clean restrooms: Thursday, 4 are needed at 6:00 pm; Friday, 4 are
needed at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm; Saturday, 4 are needed at 9:00 am and 6:00 pm;
and Sunday, 4 are needed at 8:00 am. We need a group to prepare the church for
Sunday School and worship Sunday morning at 7:30 am. A crew for final clean-up
and inspection is needed Sunday at 5:00 pm. Contact Richard Schumacher at
937-981-4296 or Dena Benner at 937-981-4162, or signup online at GSVEmmaus.org.
Prayer
Vigil: We at GSVE are committed to
bathing each Emmaus weekend in prayer. To do that we need people to commit to
one-hour prayer slots for the entire 72-hour weekend. The prayer vigil will be
available to sign during the January Gathering. You may also sign up online by
going to the GSVEmmaus.org website, call
Amy Edler at 740-642-2938 or email Amy at
2007 GSVE
Board Members
POSITION NAME TERM
YR. PHONE eMAIL
Agape 1 Pat Cook 2 740-634-3277 pcook1529@gmail.com
Agape 2 Savilla Ruggles 1 740-998-4843 huge@bright.net
Chairperson Pat Arthur 2 740-998-4843 pattiarthur@verizon.net
Chrysalis Joanne Charles A 740-354-4494 jcharles@shawnee.edu
Computer Kevin Pancake A 740-703-8782 pancake@bright.net
Good Shepherd Karen Edmonson 1 740-998-5650 bk_edmonson@yahoo.com
Housekeeping 1 Dena Benner 3 937-981-4162 db0142@dragonbbs.com
Housekeeping 2 Richard Schumacher 2 937-981-4296
Kairos Jim
Mathers A 740-983-2120 jmathers@columbus.rr.com
Kitchen 1 Lorri
Stewart 1 740-775-2379
Kitchen 2 David
Burriss 1 740-947-8194 dpburriss@roadrunner.com
Kitchen 3 Harley
Barney 3 740-998-6523
Leadership Ed
Ruggles 3 740-998-4843 huge@bright.net
Music Dick
North 1 740-776-7420 rcnorth@verizon.net
Newsletter Amy
Edler 3 740-642-2938 amyedler@horizonview.net
Outreach Rick
Harper 1 740-998-3882 jrharper@horizonview.net
Purchasing Jim
Penix 1 740-852-2792 gbread@columbus.rr.com
Registrar, Men Tony
Siders 2 740-884-4622 tsiders@mail.gsn.k12.oh.us
Registrar, Women Denise
Kiger 2 740-335-0016 kigerd@nationwide.com
Secretary Laura
Miller 2 740-332-6003 laurabeth@wildblue.net
Social 1 Danny
Morris 3 740-437-7472 capmorris@hotmail.com
Social 2 Jim
Skinner 1 740-993-2118 2skin4him@earthlink.net
Special Projects
Spiritual
Director Les Grooms 2 937-549-2113
Sponsorship Candy
Dishong 1 740-596-4353 dishong@ohio.edu
Treasurer Arla
Bush 3 740-773-7865
Treasurer Arla Bush 3 740-773-7865
Sponsorship:
The potential pilgrim list is short,
so please pray about who you might like to sponsor. Use the registration form
from this website. Turn one in for each person you are led to sponsor. Remember
to include the $20 deposit when you mail in the application. Sponsorship is
serious. Not everyone is ready to e enjoy the Emmaus experience. So be sure to
pray before agreeing to sponsor anyone.
Men’s Walk No. 29
February 21-24, 2008
Live – In Team
|
Team Member |
Position |
Talk |
When to Pray |
|
David
Strickland |
Lay Director |
Perseverance |
Sunday
Afternoon |
|
Scott
Campbell |
Spiritual Director |
Means
of Grace |
Saturday
Morning |
|
|
Asst. Spiritual Dir. |
Sanctifying
Grace |
Sunday
Morning |
|
Danny
Morris |
Asst. Lay Director |
Fourth
Day |
Sunday
Afternoon |
|
Tom
Krouse |
Asst. Lay
Director |
Priority |
Friday
Morning |
|
Jim
Brammer |
Asst. Lay Director |
Grow
Through Study |
Saturday
Morning |
|
Marty
Ford |
Music Director |
|
|
|
Eli
Ruggles |
Music Director |
|
|
|
Mark
Crosier |
Logistics |
|
|
|
Phil
Howard |
Logistics |
|
|
|
Chuck
Reisinger |
Table Leader |
Changing
Our World |
|
|
Jim
Van Dyke |
Table Leader |
Priesthood
of Believers |
Friday
Afternoon |
|
Doug
Ramsey |
Table Leader |
Life
in Piety |
Friday
Evening |
|
Max
Hickman |
Table Leader |
Body
of Christ |
Sunday
Morning |
|
Hal
Hardiesty |
Table Leader |
Christian
Action |
Saturday
Afternoon |
|
Jon
Mark Hall |
Table Leader |
Discipleship |
Saturday
Evening |
|
Byron
Lloyd |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
|
Rusty
Penwell |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
|
Jim
Hanson |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
|
Emil
Wepprich |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
|
Brad
Catron |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
|
Dave
Burriss |
Asst. Table Leader |
|
|
The Importance of Share Groups
Are you actively
involved in an Emmaus Reunion / Share Group? Have you tried to find one and
been unable to connect with a group that suits your schedule?
Share groups help keep us
involved in Emmaus throughout the year. They keep us accountable and involved
in the ministry to which we’ve been called. According to the Upper Room, our
governing body, Emmaus team members are supposed to be active in a share group.
But more important than accountability, share groups feed your soul. They
reinforce you spiritually, and your group members hold you up when you need
them to. You grow in grace and maturity by maintaining close relationships with
other believers.
If you aren’t currently
in a share group, contact our new Good Shepherd, Karen Edmonson at
740-998-5650 or bk_edmonson@yahoo.com.
She maintains a list of active groups. If she can’t connect you with a group,
she will help you establish a new group.
Because of the men’s walk, February 21-24 and Maundy Thursday, March
20, our next two gatherings will be on the fourth Thursday
February 2008 Gathering is the 28th.
Newsletter Subscription:
Unfortunately,
the USPS doesn’t send out newsletters for free, so we have to ask for a nominal
subscription fee from those who wish to receive theirs by snail mail. If you
want to receive the GSVE newsletter through the mail in 2008, please fill in
the following form, enclose $5 and mail it to GSVE Newsletter, c/o Trinity UMC,
Your
Name
____________________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________
City
____________________________________State __________ Zip Code
(+4)____________________
Phone
_________________________________
Email__________________________________________
Walk
No. ______________________________ GSVE___ or Other
________________________________