Nov
9
Hello Church,
I am planning to do something out of the ordinary this Sunday and I thought it best to warn you in advance (some people don’t like change – or so I hear:-).
During the time in the worship service usually dedicated to the “pastoral prayer” I plan to lead the congregation in a “concert of prayer” instead.
Here is how it will work:
I will introduce a topic such as a particular need in connection with the persecuted church (Nov. 13 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church).
After the topic is introduced I will ask everyone in the congregation to pray out loud all at once. This might seem strange to you at first but I would like you to consider a few things.
1) Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who live throughout the world pray like this all of the time.
2) Our God is big enough to handle all of these prayers coming to Him at once.
3) Hearing the voices of all of the saints crying out to God in prayer helps us to remember that we all have direct access to the Father.
4) Though we will be praying as individuals there is something about crying out in unison that reminds us that we are the church, the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
After a couple of minutes I will interrupt the time of prayer and close that particular topic before introducing another.
This will be good for us Emmaus! Come ready for something new and come with boldness this Sunday!
Blessings,
Joe
Posted in News
Posted by Joe
Nov
1
Hello Emmaus,
I mentioned on Sunday that November 13th is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I would like to take some time in the worship service on the 13th to lift up in prayer our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering in Jesus’ name throughout the world.
I would like to encourage you to do some research between now and then utilizing sites such as www.onewiththem.com and www.persecution.com. Both organizations make it their aim to bring awareness to the sufferings that Christians endure around the world because they are followers of Jesus Christ.
We need to be obedient to the command found in Hebrews 13:3 which says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”
Below is one story taken from persecution.com. You can subscribe to their newsletter and perhaps include the persecuted church in your regular prayer time.
Blessings,
Joe
Maldives Teacher Deported
After teaching at a school in Maldives for two years, 30-year-old Indian Christian Shijo Kakkattu was deported on Oct. 14, 2011, after police found a Bible in his house, according to Compass Direct News. A co-worker reported Kakkattu to the National Administrative Center after finding Christian materials on a school computer.
According to Minivan News, an independent news agency based in Maldives, Kakkattu accidentally transferred material from his flash drive onto the school’s computer. Mohamed Shiraj, the principal of Raafainu School in Raa Atool, told Minivan News, “The videos were in Indian, so I don’t know what they were saying, but the images were Christian.”
Police raided Kakkattu’s house and discovered a Bible and other Christian materials. They then charged him with preaching the Christian faith in the Muslim nation of Maldives, which recently tightened restrictions on preaching and practicing non-Islamic faiths. Police took Kakkattu to another island for interrogation and held him for 15 days before deporting him back to India.
Last month, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs published new regulations under the Protection of Religious Unity Act of 1994. Anything that represents a religion other than Islam is strictly prohibited, according to Compass Direct News. Web sites, blogs, newspapers and magazines are forbidden from publishing anything contradictory to Islam. Violators face two to five years in prison, house arrest or banishment. As in Kakkattu’s case, foreigners accused of proselytizing will be deported.
Sources: Compass Direct News, Minivan News
Posted: October 27, 2011
Posted in Devotional Thoughts News Joe Anady
Posted by Joe
Oct
19
On Tuesday, October 25th, and every Tuesday after that, Lord willing, we will be venturing out on a prayer walk from the church office at 6:30am. We will go out in groups of two or three and we will engage in both silent and vocal prayer using the prayer guide below. We will meet at Weston Park for a final group prayer at 7:15am.
Please take a look at the prayer guide that is attached and respond with suggestions. This is a first draft so please be gracious in that regard. The content is what matters at this time and I would love input from the members of Emmaus.
Our hope is that God would give us the city for Jesus but we know we must start with prayer.
Blessings,
Joe
City Prayer Walk Guidelines
Posted in News
Posted by Joe
Oct
18
It was a joy to have a conversation with my wife and kids tonight over dinner concerning the Emmaus Doctrinal Standard #3. And lest you get the wrong idea that the Anady’s always enjoy family devotional bliss – I assure you, we do not. With four little ones there is always something interesting going on. Tonight Damon was going from plate to plate steeling everyone else’s noodles while we were talking. The kid loves rice and noodles like you wouldn’t believe!
But even with the craziness of real life pressing in we did manage carry on with some meaningful conversation concerning the question, “What does the Bible primarily teach?” The answer is that, “The Bible primarily teaches what man should believe about God and what God requires of man.” It’s such a blessing as a father to have a template for systematically teaching my children the truths of the Bible. These questions cause us to talk about a number of different topics as we dive into the scriptures, looking at the support for these doctrinal truths. These are sweet times that I will always remember!
Parents, I encourage you to engage your children in Christ centered conversation with regularity. Teach them to savor Jesus. Instill in them a passion for God’s word and for sound doctrine. Above all, show them what it looks like to find great pleasure in the things of God. When the family devotions don’t go as planned, smile at your spouse and try it again. Show your children the grace and mercy that we have experienced in Jesus while at the same time teaching them diligently. Easier said than done right? How about I pray for you as you pray for me in this.
Just Thinking,
Joe
Posted in Devotional Thoughts Church Life Joe Anady
Posted by Joe
Sep
26
Thank you for praying for the four of us who ventured out to Minneapolis this past weekend to attend the Desiring God National Conference which focused on finishing the mission of global evangalization.
The only thing that I can say at this time is that this was a pivotal moment for Emmaus Christian Fellowship. So many things that have been on my heart, things that for 10 years have been developing within me were confirmed and honed at this conference. It was a blessing to share this experience with three other men. I believe that the impact of this conference will be much greater due to the fact that four hearts and minds were influenced instead of just one.
Please pray for the leadership of Emmaus over the next three months that God would give us clarity of mind and oneness of heart concerning the mission of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. There are truly exciting and challenging times ahead of us; let’s be sure that we are on our knees praying that God would be glorified amongst us, in this valley, and to the ends of the earth.
Some of the teaching from the conference will be available later this week on our “Resources” page under the “video” section if you care to listen in.
Blessings,
Joe
Posted in News Joe Anady
Posted by Joe
Sep
5
Of all of the encouraging things that have happened at Emmaus over the past 3 months I must say I was most encouraged by the time of fellowship we experienced at the BBQ last night. To see so many people truly enjoying one another’s company, engaging in deep conversation, and just plain having fun together blessed my heart in such a deep way. Lindsay and I stayed up till almost midnight last night rejoicing together. There was something about the event last night that seemed to appropriately celebrate all of the amazing happenings and hard work of this past summer.
Here are a few observations that led us to rejoice:
One, we heard a number of people say, “it just feels like family!” And we would agree with that assessment.
Two, our congregation is diverse in age. It was awesome to see the swimming pool filled with 20 some odd kids, more kids in the jumper, high school students on the grass talking with college students, 20, 30, 40, and 50 something’s playing wiffle ball and being competitive as all get out, and then to look and see that we are blessed with a number of more mature members; this is a huge blessing for Emmaus. From what I have heard, most new church starts lack this diversity. Let’s build on this and make sure that we love one another and minister to one another cross generationally.
Three, it seems that people in our church already know how to serve. Everyone pitched in when work needed to be done.
Four, Gabe Gomes cooks a mean tri-trip and that will not quickly be forgotten.
Thank you to those who went above and beyond to make this event happen.
Blessings,
Joe
Posted in Devotional Thoughts Church Life Joe Anady
Posted by Joe
Aug
22
Hello Emmaus,
You are all invited over to the Zerebny’s (26419 Old Agency Rd) on September 4th for a BBQ following the church service. Gabe Gomes is going to cook up some tri-tip if you all wouldn’t mind bringing a side dish, salad, or desert. Please login to The City for more details on the event. (If you dont know what The City is, you will find out more on Sunday).
Blessings,
Joe
Posted in Events
Posted by Joe
Aug
21
Please join Glen and Anna at the church office on Saturday to help with Angel Food distribution if you are able. Set up will begin at 8:00am and distribution will run from 9:00-10:30am. Anna said that we have had a good number of orders this month so praise the Lord for that!
Posted in Events News
Posted by Joe
