TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 18, 2019

Shearing Comfort

Today is December 18, 2019

Welcome to your mid-week!

There is something intrinsic about the desire to be comfortable. From our Uggs to our Star Wars; from our food to our bad jokes. Give me familiarity. Give me nostalgia. Give me what I know. Give me comfort.

And yet, without discomfort, it is hard to grow. Every muscle built needs lactic acid to break. Every test passed needs that homework to study. Just look at the bible. Noah had the flood. David had Goliath. Jonah had a fish. Jeremiah had an exile. Esther had a genocide.

Discomfort. Discomfort. Discomfort. Discomfort is needed to grow and that is the point.

John 15:1-2 tells us that God is the one who prunes us so that we "will be even more fruitful."

Pruning is the taking away of things that we are attached to; things we might be comfortable having with us; but things that ultimately prevents us from producing the fruit God intended. And what is the fruit we are suppose to produce? Galatians says it like this:

Galatians 5:22-23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

People attached to the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, produce fruit that is the same - fruit not effected by the circumstances of this world or the opposition we face. This is why, sometimes, we need to endure our comfort being taken away...

God's blessing upon you as you experience discomfort in your life and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Powerpoint Show: of the Sermon: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Dec 20 (Fri) – Christmas Pageant, 7:30pm @ Main Sanctuary. Dinner is at 6pm
  • For our EM presentation, please come to the stage during our commercial (the lights will go out). We will sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful”, all 3 stanzas and the chorus twice, and then end with ‘Merry Christmas!’
  • Dinner is provided at 6pm for all participants. 
• Dec 21 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group, 6:00pm @ EM Chape
  • Come join us for great food and fun times! We will also have a White Elephant gift exchange. Please bring a wrapped gift ($20 max).
• Dec 25 (Wed) – Christmas Service, 10am @ Main Sanctuary
• Dec 27 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep
• Dec 28 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission
• Jan 5 (Sun) - New Church Service Times: 9:45am & 11:30am 
  • A new additional 9:45am Children's Service will be offered for 4 year old's-5th grade
• Jan 17-19 (Fri-Sun) - EM College Retreat
  • Registration Forms available in the EM Chapel

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Volunteers Needed!

• Youth Ministry FEMALE Teachers Needed!
  • "Youth Ministry needs more teachers to serve and minister to our youth! If you are interested in serving in the Youth Ministry as a teacher, please contact P.Edward Kim: shin.e.kim88@gmail.com​
• Skid Row Mission Leaders Needed!
  • Caroline and Phil (our current leaders) will be having their first baby early next year and need people to take over the mission. Responsibilities are one Friday night for a couple of hours and Saturday morning for the actual mission each month. Training is available. Questions/Interested please contact Caroline: ccshin@gmail.com

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