TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - MAY 10, 2023

Jesus' Siblings

 Today is May 10, 2023

Welcome to your mid-week!

In the gospel of John, Jesus' brothers encourage him to risk his life by going to a festival. The reason they do so is because they do not believe in him. In fact, their actions show that they have no respect for his ministry or for who he says he is at all.

We get similar animosity shown to Jesus by the community of Nazareth, the place where Jesus grew up.

For both Jesus' brothers and Jesus' hometown community, it was a shock to see what Jesus had grown up to become. Both had made judgement on what they thought he would become and never envisioned that he would be this kind of teacher showing this kind of power.

And, because they could not get over their previously held judgements of Jesus, they did not believe in him or follow him during his ministry. 

In many ways, our sinful self is like Jesus' brothers to our spiritual potential. As children of God we have the potential to be leaders and teachers and miracle workers but, because of how we grew up or the mistakes we did in the past, we discourage ourselves and cannot believe that we can be more than what we are now.

But, in Christ, we can be more. We can do greater things than what we are doing now.

Before Jesus, Apostle Peter was just a fisherman. 
Before Jesus, Apostle Paul was just a Pharisee.
Before Jesus, C.S. Lewis was just a professor.
Before Jesus, Billy Graham was just a teenager who was questioning his faith and considering atheism.

And Jesus' brother James? Before knowing the risen Lord, James was just a doubter who wanted to send his brother to a dangerous situation. But, after Jesus, he would become one of the pillars of the early church.

In Christ our potential is greater than what we think it is.

God's blessing as you meditate on what it means to be a child of God in context of the larger church family, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

- Rev. Frank Kim

Youtube link from last Sunday's Worship: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Announcements​

• Compassion International Presents: The Compassion Journey
  • This free event connects visitors to some of the realities faced by children growing up in extreme poverty. Step into a new culture, see life from a different perspective and participate in thought-provoking conversations with the rest of your group during this audio-guided journey through a series of interactive exhibits.
  • Dates:
    • May 27(Sat) - 9am ~ 3:40pm (For church members, we need to register to attend on this day)
    • May 28(Sun) - 9am ~ 2pm (For church members, we do not need to register if we come 2pm ~ 3:40pm on this day)
  • Registration and more information: HERE ​

• Ministry Calendar
• May 14 (Sun) – Mother’s Day
• May 16 (Tues) - YP Fellowship Dinner
• May 21 (Sun) - Church Picnic
• May 27 (Sat) - The Compassion Journey
• May 28 (Sun) - The Compassion Journey
• May 30 (Tues) - YP Small Group

• Education Announcements
• VBS Registration
  • Theme: “Twist & Turns”
  • VBS is from June 20-23 (Tues-Fri), 5:30pm-8:30pm
  • $40 per child 
  • Register here:
  •  ​

• Finance Office Announcement
  • ​For Online Offering (found HERE) please make sure to select 'English Ministry' and to scroll down and type in where you would want your offering to go in the 'Note / memo' area.   

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