April 1994
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: 

	On Ash Wednesday, we began the season of Lent.  We remember that Jesus suffered greatly during this time in establishing His Kingdom.  From the twelve disciples of Jesus, the world has grown to encompass millions of believers in the church.  This kingdom had a small beginning.  One man.  JESUS One man whose obedient life, atoning death and resurrection earned forgiveness for the sin of all.

	Jesus gave Himself into death for us, reconciling us to God, and thereby releasing us from hoarding the talents God had given us.  "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again".  2 Corinthians 5:15

	As we proceed through this Lenten season we are asked to die to self and live in Him who gave His life that we may have everlasting life.

	Keep the men and women of Fredericksburg Emmaus #11 and #12 in your prayers; both the team and the pilgrims.  And give thanks to the Lord for giving the church such gifted leaders in every age throughout the church.  The Lord has never failed to supply very gifted men and women.  By His Grace they rise to carry out the responsibilities delegated to them through the church - the church for which Jesus Christ gave His life.

	Jesus said, "You will be My witness. . . to the ends of the earth."  It is so important to let others know we care.

	There are opportunities all around us to continue the Lord's work.  he gives each of us the privilege of participating in the continuing life of Christ's body.  Jesus Himself served humbly and gave His life as a ransom for us all.

	The Lenten season is a study of our Lord's suffering.  We must dedicate ourselves more fully to living the kind of holy life other can imitate.  "You became imitators of us and of the Lord".  1 Thessalonians 1:6

	"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever.  Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

	It is our Lord we serve; He places great value on our labor, and that is enough for us.  Lord teach us not to look for credit for what we do, but only for the joy of serving You.

	Remember the hymn . . .Because He Lives!  I can face tomorrow.  All fear is gone.  Because I know. He holds the future.  And life is worth the living just Because He Lives!

	Lord make us able and willing communicators of Your love for the world in Your crucified and risen son.  Amen

HE IS ALIVE.....HE IS ALIVE .....HE IS ALIVE!

De Colores, Kathryn Morris
Excerpts taken from Portals of Prayer, January - March, 1993.  Published by Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue.  St. Louis, MO  63118-3968.  Reprinted by permission.

Upcoming Fredericksburg Walk

Fredericksburg Women's Walk # 12 coming May 19-22 is fast approaching; how will you serve?   In what way can you help?

	BE A CHA	Call Steve Seiden  659-8953
	Purposely Pray (Prayer Wheel)	Call Angel Fulkerson 490-6499
	Bake Goodies	Call Stacia Rice (804) 769-2368
	Make Agape Bags or Placemats	Call Diana Farrar 372-7537
	Donate Supplies	Call Pam Pinney 659-7369

The Next Fredericksburg Emmaus Gathering
	Where:	
Hopewell United Methodist Church
	Why:	Worship and Fellowship

	When:	6:00 PM,  April 9, 1994
Social Hour*:	6:00 - 7:00 PM Begin music for the Gathering:	Promptly at 7:00 Opening Prayer of Gathering:	7:30
	How:	In Grace of Our God
		& the Fellowship of His Holy Spirit
	Devotions:	Carolyn Jenkins
	Fourth Day Speaker:	Carolyn Byram
	Child Care:	
*Please bring light refreshments at this time.

The Board will meet on April 9, 1994 at 4PM.  

Mark your calendars now for the May Gathering.
Date:  May 14, 1994
Time:  6:00 PM
Place:  Hopewell United Methodist Church

Gatherings are open to fellowship for all Christians whether you have been to an Emmaus/Chrysalis/Cursillo Walk or not.  Feel free to bring friends or guests from your church to share in the Grace of our God.  For directions, see the map elsewhere in this newsletter.  Child care is ONLY provided for children through fifth grade; older children are expected to sit with their parents during the Gathering.

Mark the dates of other upcoming Gatherings!
	May 14, 1994	Hopewell UMC
	June 11, 1194	Peace UMC*
	  *Day of Deeper Understanding    1-4 pm
	July 9, 1994	Peace UMC

Upcoming Weekends

 Dates

Weekend	Dates
F'burg Emmaus Women's 12	19-22 May 1994
F'burg Emmaus Men's 13	 	3-6 November 1994
F'burg Emmaus Women's 14	8-11 December 1994

Next Newsletter deadline is April 16, 1994!

	A Rabbi once asked her students, when is the precise moment in which the night becomes day?  One of her students replied, night becomes day when the shadow in front of your face becomes a hand.  The rabbi said that this was incorrect.  Another student ventured the guess that, night turns to day at the moment you can tell that the shadow outside your window is a tree.  Once again the rabbi informed her students that this was incorrect.  A third student said, I believe you can say the night has changed to day when you can see that the shadow atop the hill on the horizon is your neighbors barn.  No, said the rabbi.  The night will not end, she went on to explain, until the moment you look into the face of a stranger and see your sister.

	We spend a lot of time in darkness.  Our society (religious, political, economic, sociological, etc.) constantly polarizes us.  You're a Methodist, I'm a Catholic.  You're a democrat, I'm a republican.  You live in the country, I live in the city.  You're young, I'm old.  You're either for and with me, or you're against me.  Period.

	If the night is ever to end we must confess the sins of that tendency.  We must confess our arrogance in proclaiming that we have all truth.  We must confess our judgmental nature.  We must confess our fear of that which is different from that which we know.  We must confess our pharisaical resistance to following our Lords lead in embracing prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors, children, the poor and the like; in other words sinners.  In other words people not at all like us.

	In Emmaus we have a real opportunity to bring a little light into our lives.  We have the opportunity to see each other as brothers and sisters; we have the opportunity to look beyond labels, stereotypes and to see daughter and sons of Christ.  But if we are to do that, we need to remember that the only real requirement to be a Christian is that you come as a sinner.  What unites us is that we all come as broken people who are in need of wholeness.  And what unites us is that we have all found acceptance and redemption from the Creator of the Universe and the Lord of Life.

Shalom,
BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED

We recently have had some board members step down.  We are seeking people to complete their terms.  The Elections Nomination Committee are seeking people to serve on the board for those who will "cycle" off after their year of service.  Please prayerfully consider placing their names in nomination. To be considered for the board you need to have teamed at least once and have participated in a Day of Deeper Understanding.  Contact George Shortridge if interested.

Reunion Groups

Small groups are the backbone of keeping the fires burning.  The weekly challenge to Study, Piety and Action as well as the special fellowship and the power of His presence amongst you are a continuing inspiration.  I encourage all of you to join or start a group.  If you want your group to be open to others, we will periodically list groups in this column of the newsletter.  Some of us group as listed below.  These are open groups and you are welcome to join in.  We'd love to see you!!
 
When
 Place
 Contact
 Address
 
 Tuesday @10:00AM
 Brenda Sunderlin' 
Home Brenda Sunderlin 659-3975 427 Telegraph Rd Stafford, Va.
  
 Wednesday @ 8:00 PM
 Sammy T's in rear
 Joe May
 Caroline Street in F'burg

"Craved On The Palm Of His Hand" Emmaus #12 Team Assignments

Team Members Assignments Talk/Readings Day & Time

1. Sandy Chittenden - Asst. Table Leader/Faithfulness Joshua 24: 14-15 1 John 1: 5-9 Fri AM Sat AM
 
2. Judy Cover - Asst. Music Director Discipleship Sat PM
 
3. Diana Farrar - Weekend Lay Dir Perseverance Sun afternoon
 
4. Mary Ruth Forstall - AWLD Psalm 62 Voice of Mary Thurs Stations /Fri
 
5. Angel Fulkerson - Table Leader/Faithfulness Christian Action Sat afternoon
 
6. Cathy Garfield - Floater Priorities Fri AM
 
7. Mary Glisson - Asst. Table Leader/Love Prayer, p.13 Image of Mary Stations Prayer, p. 9-10 Thurs PM Fri PM Sat AM
 
8. Nancy Graver - Table Leader/Peace Acts 1: 1-8 "Who Me?" Fri AM Sun AM
 
9. Jody Henley - Spiritual Dir Justifying Grace Obstacles to Grace Fri afternoon
Sat afternoon
 
10. Carolyn Jenkins - Table Leader/Love John 14: 14 Voice/Stations Thurs PM Fri PM
 
11. Sandy Klingenstein - Asst. Table Leader/Gentleness Body of Christ Sun AM
 
12. Renee Palm - Asst. Table Leader/Peace Prayer , p. 8 "Lord I Have Time" Fri AM Sat AM
 
13. Stacia Rice - AWLD Romans 8: 31-39 Fourth Day Sat afternoon Sun afternoon
 
14. Carson Riley - Spiritual Dir Prevenient Grace Means of Grace Sanctifying Grace Fri  Am Sat AM Sun AM
 
15. Jo Anne Scott - Table Leader/Joy Changing Our World Sun AM
 
16. Thelma Scovel - Asst. Table Leader/Joy Prayer p. 10-22 Psalm 51: 10-17 Thurs PM Sat afternoon
 
17. Betty Gray Thompson - Asst. Music Dir Growth Through Study Sat AM
 
18. Stephanie Thompson - Table Leader/Gentleness Life in Piety Fri PM
 
19. Jennifer Tolbert - Asst. Table Leader/Patience James 1: 2-15 "Please hear what I'm not.. Thurs PM Sat afternoon
 
20. Pat Weinhardt - AWLD Priesthood of All Believers Fri afternoon
 
21. Shirley Wilbur - Table Leader/Patience Prayer, p. 11-12 Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15 Thurs PM Sat AM

Hello and praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hallelujah!

	Let's talk about The body of Christ.  The body of Christ is similar to the body of a person, even the Bible shares this comparison.  So now, consider an injury to your body, the blood rushes to help the injured part, being there for it.  Then other parts of your of your body that are strong will take up the slack, make up for the loss of the injured part.  We were designed to operate in this same manner, rushing to assist the injured part . . of the body of Christ.  Do we so this, or are we actually going in attacking the wound like an infection setting in.  Prayer is an important part to play in rushing to help.  Have you taken time to pray?

	You see, there is scripture that backs up this plan that tells us to pray for others that we may be healed.  Check out James 5:16.  Recently, we had a horrible earthquake hit the western part of our country.  It was devastating.  Some of the people there were crying out to God for help.  These are the body of Christ, and others came rushing to help the injured part. . . But. . .there were those who couldn't help, or so they thought.  From these were words spoken that started an infection.  When there is a severe infection, it spreads and more injury is caused.  People began saying things like:  "They made their bed and they can lay in it", "They knew that this would happen, why did they move there", "I am so sick of hearing about this stuff!", and "My money would be better off somewhere else rather than building something that is just going to be destroyed again".  Have you heard any interesting ones?  These were actually areas where God allowed opportunity for us to choose whether or not to pray for others that we may be healed. . .  SELAH. . .

	At this same time, on the east coast of our dear country, there was freezing precipitation falling causing life as we're accustomed to come to a near stand still.  Trees were bowed down under the weight of snow and ice, people were slipping and falling, cars colliding, businesses closed because of an inability to show up and the utility companies had trouble keeping the customers needs met.  In the paper, I read of a 91 year old woman, who had been found on her knees in front of her wood stove frozen to the floor.  She had been praying and she was still alive.  Imagine, still alive and frozen to the floor.  People did reach out to people, yet most often I heard the complaining mouth of adults that were sick of being stuck at home with their children (children are suppose to be a blessing of the Lord) and they couldn't wait to get back to work, they were losing money.  The funny thing about that statement was that  everyone I heard that from also was able to use sick leave or vacation leave to still be paid for lost time.  Where are our priorities?  Where is our love and concern for one another and their well being?  Who are people looking to for provision?  Where was the prayers for the many without food and shelter?  The word of God says that a day will come when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. . .(Romans 14:11). . so then every one of us shall give an account to himself to God. (Romans 14:12)  SELAH. . . 

	We are not to run from our problems or are we to hide them under a rug.  We can be strengthened by our trails and temptations.  We are called to be overcomers and if we will stand against and resist the devil and his evil devises, we will be victorious, more than conquerors through Christ Jesus, the overcomers that we are called and instructed to be in the Word of God.  Let us all come together in prayer, and in the name of Jesus, whom we believe (so we say but will we act) and let us be the family, the body of  Christ that we are called to be, building up one another in the most holy faith - faith which we have in God through Jesus.  Amen!

Praying for Love and Unity
In the Body of Christ
With Love Forever in Christ' s Service,

P.S. -  I am looking for those willing to stand fast and pray for the upcoming Women's Walk in Fredericksburg.  These people are in need of the blood that rushes in to help.  The blood of Jesus that covers each of them, and us.  Can we pray, and do anything else that will help them to get revelation of this beautiful fact?  Call anytime!  490-6499

Praise, Joys, and Concerns

The list below is taken from last months Gathering.  However, I will be glad to list any others I receive from the community through a letter or telephone call..  Submit your praises or needs to the newsletter editor, Mary Ruth Forstall @ 703-659-2461 or mail to P.O. Box 34 Brooke, Va.  22430, by the first Saturday after each Gathering:

Praise and Joys
Praise and joy for my spiritual walk with Emmaus
Praise for God being in my life
Thanks for Joshua Farrar coming out of a scary bike accident O.K. Thanks you God for helmets
Praise and continued prayers for Emmaus #11 & #12 team and pilgrims

Prayers and Concerns
David  - in search for a new job
Jennifer - as she makes her decisions about the ministry
Christine - suicidal/seeking help
Joseph - Nat'l Cap. E-57 coming up
Youth Leaders 
Chrysalis #1
Healing and peace for Larry
Healing for phlebitis in Pat's foot and leg
Healing for Jim Fuller and recovery after back surgery
Family of  G. Alford - brother seriously ill
Thelma - in search  of a job
Prayers for the team going to Buckingham, Va./ Karios 8
Prayers for women team going to Goochland/ Women's Karios 2
Mr. Shaw - Cancer & Stroke
Betty Olds - stroke (mild)
Linda Kennedy - cancer chemotherapy
Father having tests for heart problem
Jenkin's newborn with heart problems and downs syndrome
Husband and his role as father and husband
Pray for Mrs. Petty and Bob Ray
Sympathy to Pat Weinhardt for the death of her sister
Pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of Penny & Stacey (at Quantico) 
Terry Family as they prepare to go to India to preach the Word of  God
Tillie Schools
Pastors and local churches
Prayers for God to work in the life of Becky
Prayer for a miracle in the life of M.E.
Pray for Elsie Medeiros - memory problems; may God slow down this condition
John - for his eyes to be opened to the Lord
Meredith Wood - 5 1/2 yr old whose body has quit producing red blood cells
Ray Terrell
Pray for the 'Soles', 'Youngs', 'Pierces', 'Herndons', death in family
Lee and her unplanned pregnancy
Jill Alford #10 - brother has brain tumor

I will be glad to list any others I receive from the..

Emmaus Newsletter__Tony Forstall