My mind runs to and fro as I write these articles. I want you to know how much the Lord Jesus loves you. I want to equip you to live out your Christian life, evaluating your lives as redeemed sinners and finding a place here where we may grow in loving each other. I want to help Emmaus members to have a common vision of the mission in our neighborhood and to our family of believers. I pray that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will touch you with His death and resurrection power and make your life different. I pray that you will gather each Sunday to worship Him. He calls and gathers us together. We need His grace and the gift of His Body and Blood.

Three activities provide special ways for us to achieve the dreams identified above:

Lenten Services: Lent, a time in which we reflect on our sin and God's grace to us and our families, will begin on February 9 already. We will reflect each Wednesday on the various kinds of "hearts" that beat within us (11 AM, followed by a noon luncheon and 7 PM, including a little skit in each of the evening services): A broken heart, a stubborn heart, a restless heart, a wicked heart, a pounding heart, a lonely heart, a new heart, a bleeding heart, and an implanted heart. The title of the series is: HEART to HEART (A Heart Exam: God's and Ours). Jeremiah the prophet will help us this Lent.

Life with God: This round of Life with God classes, a 13 week study and review of our faith, will begin Monday, February 21. Jesus sent His disciples to make disciples, learners, who could celebrate His grace and share His mercy. Please come the first night. This course looks at the Apostles' Creed, Confession and Absolution, The Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, and the Ten Commandments. Bring friends. This is how we bring people to become members and to strengthen their own faith. I pray that everyone wants the congregation to grow spiritually and to have more members and to have our members grow in loving each other. We need to prepare for our pastor by growing in carrying out the Lord's mission and learning where we need help.

Reflections on our mission as we call a pastor: We have two more opportunities to give guidance to our call committee: Saturday February 12 and Saturday March 12. Members will be able to work with documents that identify issues about the congregation and its ministry. That is where you can be heard and can reflect on the future together. Please come.

Please be faithful and supportive. Worship each Sunday. Study His Word weekly.

In Christ our Lord and Savior,
Pastor Thomas Trapp