Emmaus Road
Stories, Scripture, Hymns, and Art for the Christian Journey
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
On occasion Linda brought two developmentally challenged adults to worship with her. She brought Ruth who was an African American woman in her twenties with big, brown eyes and a delightful smile. She had the reasoning power of a five year old and whenever she saw me she gave me a big hug. Linda also brought Willy, a white male who appeared to be in his forties and who also had the mind of a child. Willy was frail. He never spoke. He limped along the aisle to his seat. He wore a brown protective helmet which looked like the helmet of a hockey goalie with no face guard. When it came time to commune during the service, all three of them came forward to kneel at the chanel rail. Along with Linda their assistant, they ate and drank at the Lord's Table. They received in faith the real presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. They received a foretaste of the feast to come. It did not matter where they lived. It did not matter how old they were. It did not matter what they could or could not understand about this sacrament. All that mattered was that they came in faith with humble and grateful hearts to receive something special and something holy.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
How do we cultivate a deeper faith as we walk our Christian paths? And as we walk, where can we turn to look for hope within hopelessness, or joy within despair? Just as Jesus revealed himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he continues to reveal himself today to modern-day believers—offering us guidance and nourishment, and patiently and compassionately walking with us in faith.
In Emmaus Road: Stories, Scripture, Hymns, and Art for the Christian Journey, author and Reverend Gary M. Schimmer shares stories of humor, surprise, justice, sorrow, and hope from his congregational ministry—stories that will stir your emotions and deepen your knowledge of the church’s faith and practice. Each story has a corresponding Bible verse, theological reflection, hymn, and art suggestion, and Rev. Schimmer invites believers to dwell on their spiritual growth in all of these ways and begin a journey to a deeper faith.
These moments of faith are offered as a gift for your reflections on the theology and practice of the Christian faith. Believers can use them to grow spiritually and to improve their preaching and teaching. More than anything, dwelling on the presence of God’s hand in the everyday lives of his children will help you deepen your faith and draw closer to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
About the Author
Rev. Gary M. Schimmer served congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (and its predecessor body) for 35 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, a master of divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and has done additional study in Christian spirituality at Spring Hill College.