Sunday, August 10, 2025: Join Us TODAY for our Emmaus Celebration either at Christ Church United Methodist in Santa Rosa or on ZOOM!

We begin with welcoming at 3:45

In Person 

in Classroom 8 at Christ Church United Methodist

1717 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, 

Or 

Join our Emmaus Celebration on Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=81718819732

Passcode: 1234

Meeting ID: 519 315 8573
Passcode: 1234

Emmaus Celebration for Sunday, August 10, 2025:

It was a Sunny day in Berkeley and Kay Jorgensen was in seminary studying to become a Unitarian priest. This particular day, she was walking down Shattuck Avenue to get herself some lunch when suddenly she felt something hit her upper arm. She stopped, turned, and saw a man standing at the bottom of the BART station steps. He waved and pointed and yelled up to her, “They’re down there!” She looked down and, indeed, there were two pennies. She reached down to pick them up and thought, “Well, now…that’s strange.” She put them in her pocket and went on her way.

When Kay got to the Blue & Gold Grocery, she picked out a sandwich, and went back to the refrigerator section of the store to get something to drink. Just then a man walked up to her and said, “You wouldn’t happen to have a couple of cents, would you?” He gestured to the drink in his hand, “If I only had just two more pennies, I could get myself this drink.” Kay realized, of course, that she did have two pennies.

 She pulled those two pennies out of her pocket, the ones that had showed up just moments before, right there at the top of the BART station stairs, and she handed them to the man. He bought his drink and left.

While Kay was paying for her own sandwich and drink, the song "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens played on the overhead speaker. It was one of her favorite songs. As she listened, she thought something unique just happened. She didn't understand exactly what, but she took note of the moment.

Years later, reflecting on that early experience of hers, Kay understood that she would trust we have what is needed before it is asked of us. This is an example of walking the journey of faith just in real life – just as we do at Emmaus. 

• Morning Has Broken

The second reading is from Mark… and although the disciples don’t collect any pennies, they collect the teaching of Jesus as he ionvites them to share his life in real time a kind of “seminary of life.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples (from Mark 1:16–20)

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

And watching him, they learn the cycle and rhythm of his life, as he moves from prayer and solitude to teaching and service in community. Jesus introduces them to a lifestyle and the only way he can do that is to invite them to live with him. 

From John 1:39: 

Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 

“But the crowds got to know where he had gone and they went after him. He made them welcome and he talked to them about the kingdom of God and he cured those who were in need of healing” (Luke 9:11). 

Can’t you just imagine the apostles standing at Jesus’ side, watching him, noticing how he does things: how he talks to people, how he waits, how he listens, how he’s patient, how he depends upon God, how he takes time for prayer, how he doesn’t respond cynically or bitterly, but trustfully and yet truthfully? Can you imagine a more powerful way to learn?  

Luke tells us that Jesus walked the journey of faith just as you and I do.

This week we’ve witnessed a journey of faith: A hunger strike to demand the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approve legislation to prevent ICE from using any Sonoma County resources to assist ICE. 

Dan Vrooman is here with us to talk about his sense of faith in action… and how his walk of faith has led him to fast this whole week.

Dan Vrooman:

Not many of us can do what Dan Vrooman is doing. But each of us walks the journey of faith each day. Do we have 2 pennies to spare? How do we show ourselves that we’re on the road – no matter how small the act.

Our Thanksgiving  Meal

As we begin our Meal of Thanksgiving I find it important to share the mission statement of one group that constantly inspires me: The Faithful Fools of San Francisco. Here is their mission statement:

“We are called to a life of presence that acknowledges each human's incredible worth. Aware of our judgments, we seek to meet people where they are through the arts, education, advocacy, and accompaniment.

We participate in shattering myths about those living in poverty, and those immigrants who struggle to survive ever more cruel treatment. We see the light, courage, intelligence, strength, and creativity of the people we encounter.

We discover on the streets our common humanity through which celebration, community, and healing occur.”

Prayers of the Community

What or who do we bring to the table? (Use hand gestures to gather them in, hold them to our heart, and lift them up.)

And so we gather all those prayers that have been said and those that have been left unsaid and we take them to the heart of our God.

Thanksgiving Prayer

On the night before he died, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to his friends saying,

All: "This is my body, broken for you."

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again he gave thanks to you, gave it to his friends and said,

All: "This is the new covenant of my lifeblood shed for you and for all. As often as you do this, do this in memory or me."

Now gathered at your table, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon all these gifts that they, and we, may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation.

In the fullness of time bring us with all your saints from every tribe and language, from every people and nation to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.

All: For it is through Him, with Him and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, O God, now and forever. Amen.

Now together, as one community, let us pray in the spirit that our brother Jesus taught us.

All: Our Mother, Our Father, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come. We pray that your good will be done. Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need. Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, from each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence beyond the evil of our days. Come swiftly Mother, Father, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy; forever your name is All in One.

Sharing Our Peace: Let us now offer to one another a sign of our peace and love.

Invitation to Communion:

Welcome to our table. This is the table established so long ago – a table of welcome that endures through the ages. Can’t you imagine all of us sitting at Jesus’ side, listening to him at dinner – experiencing how he does things: how he talks to people, how he waits, how he listens, how he’s patient,  how he takes time for prayer, how he doesn’t respond cynically or bitterly, but trustfully and yet truthfully? This is a table made for those who love. And for those who want to love more. He we receive the gifts of solidarity and friendship and a shared commitment to creating a more compassionate world. Now let us share the bread and wine together as one body.

Our closing blessing is the the Prayer for Conscience and Courage, by Joan Chittister

Divine Spirit, lead us beyond ourselves to care and protect, to nourish and shape, to challenge and energize both the life and the world You have given us. God of light and God of darkness, God of conscience and God of courage, lead us through this time of spiritual confusion and public uncertainty. Lead us beyond fear, apathy and defensiveness to new hope with hearts full of faith.

Give us the conscience it takes to comprehend what we're facing, to see what we're looking at and to say what we see, so that others, hearing us, may also brave the pressure that comes with unselfishly serving others.

Give us the courage we need to confront those things that compromise our consciences or threaten our integrity. Give us, most of all, the courage to follow those before us who challenged wrong and changed it, whatever the cost to themselves.

And the good people of this beloved Emmaus Community say: Amen! Amen!

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