New Life News – October 2009

(A monthly publication of the New Life Emmaus Community)

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT : Please forward items that you feel might be appropriate for this section to Rakbuck@flash.net .  This month’s Food for Thought was sent in by Phill Swinney and is titled “Only A Penny”

 

We hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.


Several years ago, a friend and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house


The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.  He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts.  Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.  He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America '


'No, not that; read further.'


'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.'


'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?'


'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

 

 

NEXT GATHERING :  The October Gathering will take place at 7:00 pm Tuesday, October 20st at Bethany UMC.  Directions: Directions: Take I-35 South and exit at Eisenhauer.  Turn right and proceed west on Eisenhauer.  The church will be about one mile down on the left.  Join us as we welcome the new community members from Walk 1524.

 

 

2009/10 GATHERING SCHEDULE :

 

October 20                  Bethany UMC, 4102 Eisenhauer, SA, TX 78218 210-655-5473

November 17              St Andrew's UMC, 7222 Robinhood, S.A., TX 78209 210-824-2465

December                    (no gathering scheduled) 

January 19, 2010         Rolling Oaks Christian DOC, 7150 Stahl Rd, SA, TX 78247 210-654-1744 

February 16                 Bracken UMC, 20377 FM 2252, Bracken, TX 78266 830-606-6717

March 16                     Northern Hills UMC, 3703 N Loop 1604, SA TX

April 20                       Universal City UMC, 90 Winn, Universal City, TX 78148 210-659-5555

May 18                        New Braunfels 1st UMC, 572 W San Ant St, New Braunfels, TX 78130 830-625-4513

June 15                        Alamo UMC, 4071 Foster, SA, TX 78244 210-661-6265

July                              Joint Gathering: TBA

August 17                   Schertz UMC 3460 Roy Richard Dr (3009), Schertz, TX 78154  

September 21              New Hope UMC, 10155 Old Cimarron Tr, Converse, TX 78109 210-658-1220

October 19                  Bethany UMC, 4102 Eisenhauer, SA, TX 78218 210-655-5473

November 16              St Andrew's UMC, 7222 Robinhood, S.A., TX 78209 210-824-2465

December                    (no gathering scheduled) 

January 18, 2011         Rolling Oaks Christian DOC, 7150 Stahl Rd, SA, TX 78247 210-654-1744 

 

 

If your church/community is interested in joining the New Life Emmaus community for Northeast San Antonio, please contact the Lay Leaders to be added to the 2009 listing. 

 

 

LOCAL CHURCH GATHERINGS :

 

We are posting the day & date of local church gatherings in the newsletter to invite others to come.  Please update this information by replying to this newsletter if your church changes/cancels your meeting. 

Local Gatherings scheduled:


Alamo UMC: 2nd Sunday of every month, 12:15 pm, pot luck.
First UMC New Braunfels: 4th Tuesday of every month, 7 pm. 
Northern Hills UMC: Last Monday of every month, 7 pm. 
Schertz UMC: 1st Tuesday of every month, 6:45 pm. 
St Andrew's UMC: Fridays, quarterly.

Universal City UMC: 1st Sunday, every even month (except Dec) 7 pm – Next Gathering will be in February.

 

2010 WALK SCHEDULE :

 

Walk#              Dates                           Lay Director                Site 

 

TBD                October 14 – 17          Joe Painter                   TBD

 



Post-Walk # 1524 Lay Director Report :

Walk # 1524 was held at Mt Wesley October 8-11, 2009.  A total of 26 Pilgrims, 26 Inside Team Members and 8 Outside Team Members participated in the Best Walk ever!  It is safe to say that all who participated left the Walk walking closer to Jesus than when they started.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Weekend by their prayers, their Agape, and their presence at Candlelight and Closing.  A very special thank you to the sponsors who recruited a diverse and committed group of Pilgrims from 5 different Emmaus Fourth Day Groups.  Your diligence ensured the success of the Walk.  The Inside and Outside Teams were comprised of Godly men and women who set the example for the Pilgrims and ensured they start their Fourth Days prepared for whatever might lie ahead – and for “The Joy of the Journey”.

Personally, I want to thank the New Life Emmaus Community for their confidence in me to allow me the privilege of serving as Lay Director.  It is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Joe Amend <><
Lay Director, Walk # 1524

 

 

PUN OF THE MONTHJJJ :   Courtesy of Neil Bys 

 

He drove his expensive car into a tree and found out how the Mercedes Benz.

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS : In order to provide timely response in this area, we request that you forward any prayer requests that you have by “reply” to this letter.  Those requests will be sent out VIA immediate distribution to all members of the New Life e-mail chain.

 

PRAYER VIGILS : If you are a Prayer Vigil coordinator for your local church, don’t hesitate to reply to this email if you are having trouble filling your requests.  We’ll put out an e-mail alert and get them filled ASAP.  If you have questions contact Kay Talbott at talbott65@satx.rr.com .

 

 

NEW LIFE WEB SITE : Check it out at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/newlife-sanantonio . 

 

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS :  Sent in by Lynda Martinez

 

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.  They have been identified as:  Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.

 

Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ.  The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

 

However, there have been reports of a sixth group.  A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church.  Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.

 

Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.  We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others.  They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

 

Which cell group do you belong to?

 

And guess what, no church is exempt.  However, you can spot them if you "bin lookin".