TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

To Trust in God’s Plan

Today September 11, 2024

Welcome to your mid-week!

On one hand, Isaiah’s 55:8 ‘my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord’ is a frustrating answer to the question of ‘why God.’ God’s sovereignty means what God has planned will happen. That, as he says in Isaiah 46:10, “…My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Meaning our understanding is not necessary in God fulfilling his plan.

And there lies the challenge of God’s sovereignty. If we cannot understand God’s plan, how can we trust in it? If we cannot know God, how can we trust him?

But this is why God sent Jesus to us. This is why Jesus is so important.

Knowing the thoughts and ways of God may be impossible, but it is possible to know Jesus.

This is why Apostle Paul said his entire focus was to know Jesus.

This is why suffering should be looked at as following in the footsteps of Christ.

I mean, Jesus was God’s beloved son and yet he was not spared the suffering of this world. On the contrary, God’s plan meant that Jesus had to suffer and die on a cross. And how did Jesus respond to that plan? With patience, humility, and trust.

And Jesus was able to trust in God the Father because Jesus knew him. And the more we know Jesus - the more we seek him with all our heart - the more we will know who God is. That he is loving and merciful and compassionate and faithful and, ultimately, good.

And from knowing him, we will be able to not just accept his sovereignty but rest in it – trusting in his control even when we do not know all the answers. That is the peace that Apostle Paul writes about in Philippians 4:7 - The peace that transcends all understanding.

And that is the peace we all have in Christ Jesus.

God’s blessing as you wrestle with the sovereignty of God while seeking to know Jesus more, 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

• Education Ministry Open Houses Are Coming

  Please come to worship and stay for the open house afterward!

  • Sunday, September 15 –- Youth

  • Sunday, September 22 – Preschool

  • Sunday September 29 - Elementary

• TFPC ‘Grit Stream’ Retreat

  TFPC has created a retreat for Korean Missionary families, to give them a place to recover and recharge from missions. The retreat will be held September 30th – October 6th. Please pray for the families attending and the planning of this retreat. If you wish to give a designated offering, please put the word ‘Grit Stream’ in the notes section

• Short-Term Winter Mexico Missions

  KM is offering short-term missionary work in Mexico to Mexicali and Tijuana. The missions will be 3 days and 2 nights. Schedule: Tijuana (11/8-10), Mexicali (11/15-17). Please contact Elder Jeong Eun-hyeon at 213-820-5100 if interested.

• Culture Class Opening (Registration: 8/27~9/14)

  The fall semester culture class opens on Tuesday, September 17th with a 13-week schedule. We hope that church members and local residents will participate in the online cultural classes.

  Lectures: Line dance, neck yoga, aerobics, daily yoga, pencil drawing, cell phone, drum, nanta, calligraphy, flower arranging, sewing, acrylic painting, & writing.

  Registration: Parish lobby and church office.

• Sept 20 (Fri) – YMF Cell Group

• Sept 25 (Wed) – YP Cell Group

• Sept 30-Oct 6 (Mon-Sun) – Grit Stream Retreat

• Audio and Praise Team Volunteers Needed!

  Those interested please fill out an application found in the back and give it to Esther

• Education Volunteers Needed!

  The Ministry of Education is recruiting teachers and volunteers who are dedicated to faith education for the next generation. For more details, please contact the department pastors or the church office. (Pre-K, Elementary, Youth)

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.