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The Walk to Emmaus

"Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them...their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.  They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?' "

The Gospel of Luke 24:13, 15, 31-32

Merry Christmas everyone!  One of my children is fond of saying that “every day is Christmas…except Thanksgiving…because every day is the day we should celebrate the birth of our savior.”  When I asked, “even Easter?” his response is “Duh dad, born again!”  What would it look like if every day were Christmas?  How would you celebrate?  Would you throw parties, gather with family, greet strangers on the street and in stores with festive wishes?  Why don’t we do that?  I think we all know that December 25th is just a placeholder…a symbolic birthday…because we don’t know the exact day.  So maybe every day IS the day we should be celebrating our Savior’s birth.  What gifts do you give your friends and family – the gift of your presence, your love, a warm hug, a smile, some extra kindness or some other thoughtful gift?  How much do those gifts cost?  Mostly nothing.  One of the best gifts I have received was that of persistence – given by Kevin K., Ron D. and Jeff A., who would not ultimately let me say NO to going on a Walk.  Upon reflection, it is one of the best gifts I have ever received.  Who can you give this gift to in the coming year?  Ask them again, then again, and again…”when necessary, use words.”  Show them God’s love and share His grace.  Fully 1/3 of the talks are about grace.  Do you know anyone who couldn’t use a little grace?  Me neither!  Celebrate this season by sharing the good news with a friend or co-worker.  Offer to Sponsor them on a Walk.  Matthew 28:19-20 says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Emmaus is surely about arming disciples.  What a gift you can give this season! – Rick Bruce

Thanks Community, for a great year 2019!  The Board appreciates your presence, support, prayers, encouragement and service.

Thanks Community, for sharing the Emmaus Walk and ministry with 129 new pilgrims during the year.

2020 will soon be here and we look forward to watching and being a part of what the Lord is doing.  We recognize that each new year has uncertainty that comes with unpredictable happenings, but we also recognize that each new year brings the possibility of taking positive steps to improve our spiritual and physical lives.  As we continue our spiritual growth in 2020, we can look forward to serving our Lord and responding to the call of being His hands and feet.  If your joy in serving is Emmaus we look forward to your help again this year.

We are so thankful for the continued involvement of the 4th Day Community.  We would like to encourage your involvement in 2020.  By your reaching out and asking friends and family about going on an Emmaus Walk, we could possibly have waiting lists to help ensure full walks for the year.  If you don’t have a place of service, prayerfully the Lord will bless you with one this year.

Emmaus Walk leadership for 2020 has been identified and will soon be posted.  Please add these folks to your prayer list in support of developing their walks.  In addition, Team Selection has pulled together the list of prospective team members for the Spring Walks.  These individuals will be contacted and asked to work the walks.  If you are contacted, please pray about and give serious consideration to your serving.  Serving as most folks will tell you deepens the Emmaus blessing and joy of serving.

Congratulations to our newly elected HNEC Board members:  Janet Avery, Rhonda Fronk, Andrea Statham, Walter Balderach, Dan Pearce, and Todd Sullivan.  These people truly have servant hearts and will be great additions to the board.  Although not elected to the board, Mickie Schindewolf, Laura McMeans, and Wayne Roche did the community a great service just by stepping up and running.  We are thankful that they have accepted the opportunity to serve in other ways in the Community.  If you are interested in serving on a committee, the board always needs volunteers.  Take a moment to go to the list of the current Board of Directors, look up the area that you feel passionate about and reach out to the person leading that area for the Board.

Finally, we would like to announce that Tammie Walterbach has been elected to serve as the Community Lay Director for 2020.  In addition, Doug Spitz has accepted the role of Assistant Community Lay Director, to serve in the 2021 calendar year.  If you know these folks you understand what a blessing it is for the Community to have their leadership.  Both have extensive Emmaus experience.  Both have served as Lay Director for a Walk, and this is Tammie’s second stint on the Board.

The most outstanding qualification for both is their Emmaus HEART!  Don’t be shy!  Drop them a note of appreciation and support.  Their emails for Tammie Walterbach and Doug Spitz are: tammielahman@yahoo.com and texasspitz@gmail.com.

The HNEC Community continues to be a great place to serve and further expand your spiritual growth.  Jump in for 2020 so we can utilize the talents the Lord has blessed you with.

DeColores!

Rick and Tammie