"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."  Proverbs 11:2
"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Proverbs 13:10

August 1994
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: 

	As a Christian, I believe we have to be able to open ourselves up to each other.  I realize that to do so may hurt.  We also risk revealing our true natures and that the ones we reveal ourselves to may abuse our trust.  This is an area of discovery for me.  God is teaching me.
	I believe that as your Community Lay Director, I should be open with you.  I trust you and so I will share with you some of my growth.  This past week, I have been struggling with pride.  I have lived with pride for a long time and the scriptures in Proverbs really speak to me.  I have had quarrels at work with my supervisor and then come away feeling so terrible that all I wanted to do was crawl in a hole and hide.  This is not what God wants me to do.  He talked with me while I was off by myself and He said, "Gary, if you want to be so hard on yourself, go ahead but I have forgiven you.  Now I want you to go and apologize to your supervisor."  Well, this I knew would be very awkward for me.  Pride reared its ugly head.  The last thing I wanted to do was tell my supervisor I was wrong and he was right.  I did it and boy, did I feel better after it was all over.
	I wish I could say that now that I've apologized to my supervisor, all is peachy keen at work.  It's not!  Things are pretty much the same in that area.  What has changed is me.  Little by little, as I can stand it and will listen, God is showing me what I must change to draw closer to Him.  I still slip back into the old rebellious, quarrelsome behavior, rising to the bait.  And God is always there, with His grace and mercy, pulling me back to Himself.
	I could really be bummed out about things not changing drastically right away, but I have to praise God that now I am aware that something has to change in my inner attitude.  Without the Holy Spirit sensitizing me to the error in my attitude, I'd still be back there, blind and hurting.  Praise God, I'm moving forward.
	As members of the body of Christ, we need to count on each other to make us accountable and to be able to trust each other, not judging each other as we struggled with pride, greed, sloth, lust, gluttony, anger, or whatever is our "pet sin".  I rejoice that God is drawing us nearer to Him and that we are here for each other.

In Christ's Love,

Gary Farrar

The Next Fredericksburg Emmaus Gathering
	Where:	Summitt Presbyterian
	Why:	Worship and Fellowship

	When:	6:00 PM,  August 13, 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

*Please bring drinks and light refreshments at this time.

The Board will meet on August 13, 1994 at 4PM.  

Mark your calendars now for the September Gathering.
Date:  September 10, 1994
Time:  6:00 PM
Place:  Summitt Presbyterian

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!

	September 10, 1994	Summitt Presbyterian
	October 8, 1994	Rehoboth UMC
	November 12, 1994	Rehoboth UMC

Next Newsletter Deadline is August 20, 1994

Dear Fredericksburg Emmaus Community,

	We are back from our vacation which caused us to miss the July gathering and I'm sorry we missed it.  We had a good trip, since we were able to take in the "North American Convention" in Orlando, Florida.  There were in excess of 15,000 people gathered there to simply hear the Word of God proclaimed and to study His word.  While I'm on this subject let me inform you that I will also miss the gathering in August due to another church conference we plan to attend.  After that we should be back for the duration.
	I'm excited about the things that God is doing and is going to do this summer and coming fall.  The Church of God in this community is on the move and it is so good to be a part of that.  But let me encourage you to not take anything for granted.  The devil knows his enemy and he will not stand by and silently watch.  Now we have nothing to fear, because greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world.  But we are also told to be self-controlled and alert for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  This means that we must be diligent about our own spiritual walk with the Lord and diligent about intercessory prayer.  So be praying for the team members and pilgrims for each of the upcoming weekends.  Pray the God will send His angels as ministering servants to protect each one against the evil one.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will be able to minister to each person and that each one will be open to His ministry and not quench the Spirit.  If we are faithful in this first, then the other things will go well.
	We are commanded by God to put on His full armor and to recognize that our battle is not against other human beings but against the rulers and authorities of the spiritual forces of the dark world in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6: 12).  Therefore be diligent to become familiar with and to understand how to use your spiritual armor.  You can read about this in Ephesians chapter six.  I believe that this spiritual battle is going to intensify in the days and months just ahead.  But we can be of good cheer and strong courage if we are prepared.  Let us have the mentality given to us by the Apostle Peter when he said, "The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever Amen."
	"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."  (1 Peter 4: 7-16, NIV)  My prayer for you is that you will have this perspective each day that you live.

May God be with you in your service to Him.
In His Service, Mark Dunn

Upcoming Weekends Dates

Weekend	Dates
Richmond #27 (men)	  8-11 Sept 1994
Richmond  #28 (women)	13-16  Oct  1994
Sonshine #7 (men)  	 20-23 Oct  1994
Sonshine #8 (women)	  3-6    Nov 1994
F'burg Emmaus Men's 13	  3-6    Nov 1994
Southside #9 (men)	 17-20 Nov 1994
F'burg Emmaus Women's 14	  8-11  Dec 1994
Southside #10 (women)	  8-11  Dec 1994

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's 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

Are you looking for ways to continue the excitement of your Emmaus Walk?

Grouping is an essential part of the Fourth Day.  By gathering with others and holding each other accountable for our discipleship we can continue the growth and enthusiasm of our weekends.

Saturday Mornings
@ 7:00 AM.
Andrew Chapel UMC

For more info
call Tony Forstall at 659-2461

 Bring your singing voice and your grouping card! Coffee provided

Hello and praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
Hallelujah

My heart is a bit heavy this month, but I want to share with you the thoughts and goings on I am seeing in the body of Christ, you and me.

It was 5 am when the phone rang.  I answered it to find a woman crying on the other end.  "He didn't come home, Angel.  I am scared.  I have been praying and . . ."  Her voice trailed off and immediately I began to pray for her.  God does and did answer prayer.

I got a call that my uncle, thirty-nine years old was given five days to live.  He is an alcoholic.  I have heard Jesus with him many times but still he has ended up back in the hospital dying because of the emptiness he has inside which he tries to fill with alcohol.  In my eyes he looked to be eighty years old when I saw him laying in the bed, but I go to his yellowed body that smells of vomit and filth and kiss his forehead, saying hello.  I talk to him some to ease any tension then I share Jesus.  I reach for his hand which is dirty, blood stains, dried blood under his fingernails. . .oh, I hurt for him.  This man, six years older than me, who babysat me and many others, who has cared for his family, his aged parents and had no one to care for him.  His emptiness became a world of loneliness and well, why should he have a desire to go on?  I can only pray.

Would you pray for people like this?  Pray with people like this? Would you go and hold their hand?  Be there for others?  What about in your church?  Are you being a part where you are comfortable?  Or are you stepping out in faith in an area where there is need?

I could go on and on, but I mostly cry out to the Most High God for understanding?  People sing this song:  "Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?  I have heard you calling in the night.  I will go Lord if (where) you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart. . . "

At this point so many hands go up but I ask continually if these are words that will be followed through on or just a show.  A show never will save.  God is depending on each of us to follow through on that which we speak . . .or sing.  It is not just the preacher's job.

There are many needs within the body of Christ that we might fulfill them and join together to gather in the lost.  Can you really sing "Here I am., Lord" and be there?

Christ is counting on you!

I love you!
Prayerfully in Christ,
P.S. It's been six days . .  HE IS ALIVE!

 
 Lost and Found F'burg #12

Pair of olive green (military looking) pants size 12
Purple ladies sweatshirt size large
If you are missing these from the walk, please call Diana Farrar at 372-7535.  If these items are not claimed by the September gathering, they will be donated to charity!

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

Creation '94 last weekend
Praise God for a long needed vacation and time spent with my family
Praise for loving, trustworthy and fun husbands and friends. We are blessed from Abba Father in Heaven!
Praise God for true agape love, for prayers answered and for life in Jesus!
Praise to God for the many, many blessings we have rec'd as we make our transition from Marine life to wandering Christians! Bob and Mary Glisson
Praise for all the friends I've made through my walk - Thank you Jesus
Thank you Lord for staying with me again and again - no matter where I stray
Loving friends that I call family here at Emmaus, my church and other churches that minister to me

Prayers and Concerns
Healing for Nancy Graver and strength for family
Jill Wohltjen
Lynn Warner
Marlena Clemons
John A. and his family struggles
For a friend and Kairos brother - Willie
Fredericksburg Chrysallis #1
Mini Chrysallis at prayer and bible conference
Prayer for Kairos #9
Prayer for all teenagers, parents and other leaders
Youth group from Bethel UMC on mission trip to Iowa, 8/6-14, to aid last year's flood victims
Jim and Brenda Sunderlin coming home from Fishnet
For Hans and Kelly marriage - Hans salvations and baby to be born healthy
For Ralph Powell and Wayne Payne to find both peace and love through their trails
World mission and those called to witness in His name
Jenny Wehrle, Sherry, Jet and Andrew Trudeau on their trip to Florida
Youth and Advisors going to Montreat N.C. (7/17) for a week with 100 other youth
Efforts to form Epiphany ministry
For my son Darren who will have upper GI surgery
Concern for Camp Overlook Staff
Faye Davis (who is sick) and daughter Laurana McCants
Norma Campbell - peace over the loss of husband- joy of the Lord touches her heart
Nora Hausserman
For all to grow stronger in the Lord
Traveling mercies
For the Lord to continue to guide our board members
John Tyler family (John died in June)
For all churches
For a group who had left the church and are not sure where to go and need healing prayers
For healing and guidance of a marriage that is torn by a drinking problem
Susan and Larry Black & family/ parents in hospital and daughter is getting married on Sat.
Problem at work
Campbell family after death of Robert
For Chrysalis 23/24 Northern Virginia/ July/August
Family in Stafford who needs a church home
God's healing of the depression for Alice Young
Aaron and T.J. Graham

Help Wanted!  Help Wanted!

Diana Farrar is in need of great help to get placemats done for the upcoming
Chrysalis weekend.  Please call her at 372-7535 if you are willing and able to help.

P.S.  No need to be an artist!

Emmaus Newsletter____Walton C. Forstall, II  (Tony)