From the Desk of the Community Lay Director: 

Summer has arrived. It brings a time of recreation, celebration, travel, and fellowship. It is truly a blessing to vacation with family and friends, to go to the beach or the mountains, and enjoy this special time of year.

We also observe a very special holiday during the summer. July 4, 1776 was a pivotal date in history. The fledgling 13 American colonies declared their independence from England. Through the struggle that ensued, our country forged a nation that has endured for more than two centuries. The freedoms that we enjoy today are a blessing from our forefathers. We should give thanks and be ever mindful of their contributions. 

George Washington, the Father of our country, prayed this prayer on April 30, 1789:

Almighty God; we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Preparations and team formation continue as we prepare for Walks this fall. Prayerfully consider serving if called upon. Pilgrim applications may be submitted to Anne Wojcik. Thanks to all for your support of our Emmaus Community. 

The next Gathering will be hosted by Glynn Baptist on July 13. Please come and join in the fellowship. 

Have a wonderful summer and special Fourth of July.

De Colores!

Phil Scott
ATTENTION MUSICIANS:

If you are interested in sharing your musical gifts at Community Gatherings or Walks, please contact Jim Hitt, the Music Board Rep, at: (912) 614-4701.
Upcoming Events
Community Gatherings:       

Friday, July 13th--7:00 p.m. Glynn Baptist

Friday, August 3rd--7:00 p.m. St Simons Island UM

If you would like to offer your church to host a Gathering in the future, or would be interested in sharing a Fourth Day testimony, please contact David DuBois for more information regarding what is required of a host church.
Reflections from the Heart
What Price, Freedom?
Trisa Chancey
GIWTE #2
Table of Mary

What holds you captive? What imprisons you? Is it some outer force, or is your prison self-inflicted?

One of the sturdiest prisons I have personally experienced is the prison of unforgiveness. I built the Unforgiveness Wall brick by brick, nursing my hurt and anger. I finally brought that hurt and anger to Jesus. I handed them over to Him cautiously, wondering if He truly understood. His hands waited patiently for me to let go. As we both held my hurt and anger, I noticed his nail-scarred hands. I brought my eyes up to look into His, and I saw reflected in His eyes great sorrow and compassion. I heard His voice echo from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

I thought to myself, “Is it true that the people who hurt me didn’t know what they were doing? How could that be?” I considered the cross, and the Roman soldiers who hung Jesus there because the religious Jews had requested, no - demanded, it. Did Jesus’ plea for forgiveness extend to the Roman soldiers as well as to the religious Jews?

It dawned on me that Jesus knew pain unlike any I would ever experience. He knew the emotional pain of being separated from his Heavenly Father. He knew the psychological pain of being betrayed by one of His closest friends. He knew the physical pain of being flogged, and He knew the pain of dying on a cross. Yes, He understood my pain, even if I couldn’t completely understand His.”

As I released the pain and hurt I carried into His hands, I felt a weight lift from me. Adding my weighty unforgiveness to what He already bore did not cause Jesus to stumble or to show any signs that the weight was heavy for Him. But the lightness that I felt releasing the unforgiveness I had held onto for so long caused a wave of love and peace to wash over me.

As I turned away from the Unforgiveness Wall I had built with such care, I realized that wall had not held the person I was angry with, but rather it had been my own prison. And one Jesus freed me from. Louis B. Smedes said it best when he said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

As we walk through July and its celebrations of our Nation’s freedoms, let’s remember where true freedom comes from, and the price Jesus paid to provide it.  


De Colores!
Golden Isles Walk to Emmaus Board Meeting

The next GIE Board Meeting will be held on July 21st at 9 A.M.

E mmaus community members are always welcome at Golden Isles Emmaus Board Meetings, which are normally held the third Saturday of each month in the Open Door Classroom at Brunswick First United Methodist Church. 
 Golden Isles Walk to Emmaus |  Contact Us