Considering Jesus in Worcester, Mass During Summer of 2026?

We love that we get to live in Worcester
and meet people like you.

We are committed to knowing and loving the people of this historic New England city on the rise. This is why Emmaus City Church exists, named after one of the ancient stories in Scripture where Jesus met people on their journey in their moments of uncertainty and doubt and transformed their lives. 

We have experienced how Jesus moves people from despair to hope, from shame to courage, from darkness to light. Just like on the road to Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-34), He comes to us, and in His time, reveals He is with us to save us.

We invite you to consider that Jesus
is looking to meet you where you are right now.

He is present with people in the everyday places we spend most of our weeks – apartment complexes, neighborhoods, workspaces, schools, train stations, shelters, and more.

And as we see throughout His story in the Bible, it's in these every day places of life that He meets us and He invites us into a hope that transcends our fear.

Whether you have some faith or no faith, are religious, spiritual, or nonreligious, we would like to meet you and introduce you to Jesus, the way, truth, and life who makes all things new. 

Jesus welcomes you to "Come, follow Me."
What step of faith will you take next?

Learn more at JesusLovesWorcester.com

 "The Walk to Emmaus" by Rowan LeCompte + Irene Matz LeCompte

Bonus Reflections:

Tattoo Story: Emmaus Road 

The Mass in Mass? Get Curious

New England Church in Action

May God's Kingdom come, His will be done.

Que le Royaume de Dieu vienne,
que sa volonté soit faite.
愿神的国降临，愿神的旨意成就。
Nguyện xin Nước Chúa đến, ý Ngài được nên.
Jesús nuestra Rey, venga Tu reino!
🙏💗🍞🍷👑🌅🌇

With anticipation and joy,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Lent | St. Patrick's Day Community, Prayers, and Celebration

"What Does St. Patrick Teach Us about Lent?" by Bette Dickinson

A Snapshot of St. Patrick's Day

As the weather warms up (ever so slightly and sporadically) and our hearts turn to celebration in March, the story of St. Patrick ignites us again on how to provide priestly patronage to friends and strangers alike in fresh ways. 

There is great joy to be found that St. Patrick dynamically exuded himself. Patrick experienced miraculous liberation when he was a Roman Briton slave – that's right, Patrick wasn't Irish! – and after his escape from slavery, he willingly brought back to the island of his captors Jesus' bigger and better party so that Ireland might be introduced to the Light of the world during dark times. 

St. Patrick of Ireland Block Print Art devotional prayer icon by Kreg Yingst

 

St. Patrick's Freedom Story

For a quick intro to his story, St. Patrick was trafficked as a child, a mystic in spirituality (i.e. a person who sought by contemplation and self-surrender to lean into unity with Jesus in every away), worked to create an indigenous Irish faith, and planted new communities who followed Jesus in all areas of life. But I'm getting ahead of myself ...

In the Confession of St. Patrick, written in the early 400s A.D., Patrick wrote that when he was sixteen years old, he was captured by a group of Irish pirates in Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave for six years. Patrick wrote that this time in captivity was where Jesus met him and showed him how he could be forgiven and set free. 

While he was working as a shepherd in his enslavement and treated like one of his sheep, St. Patrick was strengthened through praying during his darkest moments. These times of prayer eventually led him to faith. Patrick wrote: 

There the Lord opened the sense of my unbelief that I might at last remember my sins and be converted with all my heart to the Lord my God who … comforted me as would a father his son.

After escaping his captors, he later returned to Ireland as a servant and witness to the joy and justice of the Kingdom of heaven with the people of the island where he was first brought as a slave (the International Justice Mission also has a great write up of this story on their website entitled, "St. Patrick's Day: A View on Suffering & Slavery").

IJM: St. Patrick's Day: A View on Slavery & Suffering 

Love & Friendship w/ St. Patrick

While St. Patrick's return to love and serve those who enslaved him is a pretty amazing story in and of itself, there's more. By God's grace, Patrick became the first church planter in Ireland. Thousands of individuals and families were introduced to Jesus and baptized into His family name of the Father, Son and Spirit, many of which were royalty throughout the island. This had massive impact to transform the people socially, culturally, and spiritually. And this all happened while Patrick's life was under the threat of death.

Bette Dickinson shares how he prepared for this in her wonderful Visio Divina reflection: "What Does St. Patrick Teach Us About Lent?"

I can’t think of a better figure to model for us the Lenten practices of prayer and fasting than St. Patrick. On Ash Wednesday, Patrick, the beloved apostle of Ireland, ascended Croagh Patrick and spent 40 days in prayer in fasting, mirroring Christ's time in the wilderness. On that mountain, he wrestled in prayer, contending for the spiritual renewal of Ireland.

His fasting was an act of surrender
to make space for God’s presence.
His time of fasting and prayer
became a form of spiritual warfare,
clearing the wilderness of his soul
and the land he served.

This wilderness was a place of encounter — a sacred space where God met Patrick in his weakness and filled him with divine strength. Lent invites us into our own wilderness, where we step away from the noise of life to face the deserts of our hearts. It is in this quiet, untamed space that God can reveal what needs to be healed, pruned, or released — in us, and in our world.

Through St. Patrick's humble and faithful prayer, fasting, and discipleship efforts, hundreds were ordained as servant leaders and more than 600 churches were started throughout Ireland. The churches and monasteries planted on the island became mission centers for calling, equipping, and sending people to declare and demonstrate what it means to be reconciled to God and each other, and to begin to provide glimpses together of Jesus-centered communities of grace and love that informed every area of life. 

The four keys (like the four leaves to a four-leaf clover) to Celtic discipleship and mission that Patrick taught and embodied include:

Doing Ministry as a Team

Growing a Holistic Faith

Joining God's Mission in Community

Practicing Christian Hospitality

You can read more about God's amazing work in St. Patrick and Ireland in Winfield Bevin's excellent article:
Learning from St. Patrick: 4 Celtic Virtues.

Learning from St. Patrick: 4 Celtic Virtues

St. Patrick's Lorica

Below is a poem attributed to St. Patrick known as his lorica. It was written some time in the 5th century (early 400s A.D.). In the early Church in Ireland, loricas were numerous with some written in Gaelic and some written in Latin. "Lorica" is Latin for shield or breastplate. 

This ancient Gaelic prayer of Patrick's is often recited in the morning as a praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is also a prayer for protection. I invite you to pray this prayer today, for yourself, your friends, neighbors and family, and for our city of Worcester.

I. 

I bind to myself today

The strong power of an invocation of the Trinity,

The faith of the Trinity in Unity,

The Creator of the Universe. 

II. 

I bind to myself today

The might of the Incarnation of Christ with that of His Baptism,

The might of His Crucifixion with that of His Burial,

The might of His Resurrection with that of His Ascension, and

The might of of His Coming on the Judgment Day. 

III. 

I bind to myself today ...

In the hope of Resurrection unto reward,

In the prayers of the Patriarchs,

In the predictions of the Prophets,

In the preaching of the Apostles,

In the faith of the Confessors,

In the purity of the holy Virgin,

In the deeds of righteous men. 

IV. 

I bind to myself today

The power of Heaven,

The brightness of the Sun,

The whiteness of Snow,

The splendor of Fire,

The speed of Lightning,

The swiftness of the Wind,

The depth of the Sea,

The stability of the Earth,

The firmness of Rocks. 

"Our Church Speaks" featuring St. Patrick by Ben Lansing

V. 

I bind to myself today

God's Power to pilot me,

God's Might to uphold me,

God's Wisdom to guide me,

God's Eye to look before me,

God's Ear to hear me,

God's Word to speak for me,

God's Hand to guard me,

God's Way to lie before me,

God's Shield to shelter me,

God's Host to secure me.

Against the snares of demons,

Against the seductions of vices,

Against the lusts of nature,

Against everyone who meditates injury to me,

Whether far or near,

Whether few or with many. 

VI. 

I invoke today all these virtues

Against every hostile merciless power

Which may assail my body and my soul.

Against the incantations of false prophets,

Against the black laws of heathenism,

Against the false laws of heresy,

Against the deceits of idolatry ...

Against every knowledge that blinds the soul of (humanity). 

VII. 

Christ protect me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

That I may receive abundant reward. 

VIII. 

Christ with me, Christ before me, 

Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, 

Christ above me,

Christ at my right, Christ at my left,

Christ when lying down, Christ in sitting,

Christ in rising up. 

St Patrick Surrounded by Christ by Kreg Yingst

IX. 

Christ in the heart of every (person)
who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every (person)
who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me. 

X. 

I bind to myself today

The strong power of an invocation of the Trinity,

The faith of the Trinity in Unity

The Creator of the Universe. 

XI. 

Salvation is of the Lord,

Salvation is of the Lord,

Salvation is of Christ;

May Your salvation, O Lord, be with us forever.

Bonus Songs

Canticle

Inspired by St. Patrick's Lorica

5th Century

Adapted by Taya Smith + Jon Guerra

2023 A.D.

Christ, as a light,

Illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a shield,

Overshadow me.

Christ under me,

Christ over me,

Christ beside me,

On my left and my right.

This day, be within and without me,

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak,

In the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day, be within and without me.

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Lowly and meek and all powerful.

Christ as a light,

Christ as a shield,

Christ when I'm standing,

Christ when I kneel,

Christ here beside me

On my left and my right,

Christ all around me,

All my days and my nights.

The Breastplate of St. Patrick

The Porter's Gate

Released on St. Patrick's Day

Friday, March 17, 2023

When my work takes me places
I don’t want to go,

Christ before me.

And my heart aches with sorrow 

As I hit the road,

Christ be with me.

When the care of my family 

Takes all that I have,

Christ within me.

When I’m worn and exhausted, 

Ashamed that I’m mad,

Christ defend me.

I rise up today in a strength 

That is not my own,

I’m held by the promise of God 

That I’m never alone.

When I’m tossed to the side 

And I want to give up,

Christ beside me.

When I’m busting my a%! 

But it’s never enough,

Christ beside me.

When I work hard 

But someone else gets the reward,

God’s eyes see me.

And I ask for promotion 

And they shut the door,

God’s ears hear me. 

(Chorus)

When I climb the first steps 

Toward a long held dream,

Christ above me.

I leap out in faith 

And I hope to find wings,

Christ beneath me.

Bonus Lent Post: 

The Cross Over Cravings

Bonus Irish Saints Posts:

 Ireland & 1,000+ Years of Faith

Solidarity with St. Kevin

Bonus March Saints Post:

Honoring Saints Perpetua & Felicity

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Who Would Hate Emmaus City Church in Worcester, Mass.?

Would Hitler hate what Emmaus City Church is doing? 

Funny question, right? Who cares what Hitler hates? It's not like we want to be associated with anything he likes. Sure, he probably wouldn't like us because we enjoy celebrating all the different kinds of people who represent all the diversity of languages, nations, and ethnicities in our city. He also wasn't a fan of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and writings. And we love Bonhoeffer and Life Together. 

There's also the fact that it's OK to be weak in Emmaus City. Why? Because God's grace is sufficient in weakness. We believe in a God who made Himself a servant even unto death for the sake of men, women, and children from every tribe, tongue, and nation. In Jesus, God's power is made perfect in weakness because His grace, not His force, is sufficient to transform us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

But according to a video from almost a decade ago that I recently rediscovered, there may be another reason why Hitler would hate Emmaus City Groups. The title of the video is "Why Hitler Hates Sentralized," made for the Sentralized Conference that occurred back in 2014, but in many ways would still be just as relevant to what we are working to do in 2023. Sentralized was hosted by Forge who our friends with Renaissance in the greater Boston area are connected with, and was started by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost, two voices (and Aussie voices at that) in Jesus' Church I continue to be thankful I can listen to and learn from. 

Check out the video link. It humorously captures the fun and the seriousness of the calling Jesus has given His Church. Some of my favorite quotes from the video include:

"There will be actual practitioners, not just scribes."

"They share about doing the stuff, not just thinking the stuff."

"The people will get crazy ideas of living out the Kingdom and
opening their homes up!"

"Next up they will think THEY are the church instead of focusing on going to church!"

"They'll become friends of sinners! 

Do you want them to become like Jesus? 

That Shiner Bock drinking, 

barbecue eating glutton that believed 

everyday people could be everyday missionaries?" 

"They will seek the welfare of their cities! 

They will learn to make their communities livable!"

"They will enter the ethos and ethics of the Kingdom of God!"

"They will hear 'can do' stories and will start trying it at home ... here, there, everywhere!"

"Their lives can't be given away, 

they must hold onto comfort, safety, security. 

They'll lose the American Dream!"

"They will get on the same page and be on the road to missional.
Sent for God."

When Jesus' Kingdom Breaks Through, All Hell Breaks Loose

I'd love for all of the above quotes to continue to be associated with Emmaus City Groups. We continue to learn how to give away comfort, safety, and security while embracing how to love enemies, strangers, and friends. We're still grasping to understand the culture of our city and how we can benefit its welfare and the welfare of people who have been ignored or marginalized. And we continue to be sent, not to be served, but to serve. Jesus has given us abundant life to give away. His good news is that people can be redeemed from idolatry, shame, and death, and communities and creation will be renewed.

Walking with Jesus together and becoming more like Him is fun, dangerous, and transformative. 

Want to join us?

After all, Hitler hates all that stuff. :)

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Prayers for Each Day | Entering the Holy Wild in Worcester

"Tree of Life" by Shin Maeng at shinhappen.com

Join together in prayer to enter the Holy Wild with God

The more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild. 

+ G.K. Chesterton

Sunday Prayer | Worship 

"God, we worship You with fun and rest as we get to trust in the holy and wild abundance of Your love in light of what You have done for us through Jesus – giving us Your mercies that are new every morning and rescuing us from our self-centered disintegration. Set us free to worship you through relaxation and play on this Sabbath day. We wonder with gratitude as we listen to Your voice that says, 'You don't have to prove yourself or perform; be with Me in the holy wild and learn the unforced rhythms of grace, rest, and play as you worship.' You are the good, faithful, and true Lord of the Sabbath we can trust to work all things together for good. We worship You, and we rest in Your love, secure, knowing in You we have our worth, and with You we live our purpose. Amen."

Monday Prayer | Identity

 

"God, remind us that we are Your beloved today, and that the true reality of knowing whose we are and who we are in You is wildly and abundantly freeing. Remind us that we are fully known, fully loved, and fully forgiven because You are faithful and just to do all of the above and more based on Your holy character, promises, and providence. Ignite us to live into our sacred baptismal identity as Your children, Your friends and servants, and Your witnesses. Amen."

 

Tuesday Prayer | Family

"God, help us love each other as family. Give us Your holy compassion and courage to freely open our lives, our time, and our homes as You reveal what Your abundant hospitality is all about. Pour out Your wild grace into us and overflow it to others through us. May we make new friends and welcome new neighbors to be part of Your family in the days to come. Amen."

 

Wednesday Prayer | Community

  

"God, may we get to provide people and places in Worcester with abundant community that's a taste of heaven on earth. We want to be a community of City Groups who multiply Your compassion, comfort, and conviction throughout this city. Equip us and send us to practice Your holy way of life as we befriend and build bridges across neighborhoods, cultures, ethnicities, and communities. May we have the privilege to share and show what the good news of Your Kingdom sounds and looks like as we embrace Jesus' Way and grow into the unity in diversity of a wild and wonderful community that only You can create. Amen." 

 

Thursday Prayer | Spirit

 

"God, fill us abundantly with Your wild Holy Spirit in the empty spaces. Where there is disorder and chaos, bring focus and creativity. Where there is darkness and dissipation, bring revelation and form. Grow us in more understanding of the beautiful part we get to play as we participate in the true story You've written as the Alpha and Omega of time and space. Holy Spirit, counsel us with wisdom that is holy and richer than our surface understanding, joy that is wilder and deeper than the temporary happiness we too often settle for, and peace that is bolder than the criticism we face internally and externally. May we be curious and courageous through the overflow of Your love and power that drives out all fear. Amen."

 

Friday Prayer | Mission

"God, we hold onto the abundant hope that You have called and empowered us to joyfully and peacefully join You in Your missio Dei as You move in every area of life – social, economic, cultural, environmental, relational, and spiritual – to bring redemption and renewal. May we be wild witnesses of Your great salvation. May we bless and benefit our neighbors who call Worcester home. May we participate in the good and holy work You've given us to do together for the love of people, for the life of this world, and for the glory of revealing Jesus as the Savior of all creation. We rejoice that Worcester is our home. May You move in us and through us to reveal the Good News of Jesus in our workplaces, parks, restaurants, shops, universities, and more. Amen." 

 

Saturday Prayer | Sacrifice   

 

"God, we know what love is when we encounter Jesus and see how He laid down His life for us. May this abundant and wild love help us walk in step with Your Holy Spirit as we follow in Jesus' footsteps and take up our crosses You invite us to carry for Your glory and for the good of humanity. May we lay our lives down for You and others. And thank You that You are with us during times of emotional, mental, and/or physical suffering that reveal Your love sustains us. Help us to find in You more comfort than a desire to self medicate or escape. And may we join with others in their suffering, sacrificing our comfort as we get to experience You with them, the One in the holy wild who offers us the streams of living water that bring healing and make us whole. Amen."  

 

The goal of the Christian life isn’t to get over stuff but to grow through it. Jesus’ promise of an abundant life doesn’t just include an abundance of things we enjoy but also an abundance of things that will make us more like Him. + Scotty Smith

To complement these daily themes, there is also the opportunity to pray at 9:38 a.m. or 9:38 p.m. each day for God out of His abundant love and providence to send more people to join with us in being family, friends, and servants, witnesses among Jesus' Church throughout Worcester (see Matthew 9:38).

With wild grace and holy shalom,

Rev. Mike “Sully” Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us