TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 15, 2025

Faith Forward: Embracing Tension

Today January 15, 2025

Good morning and welcome to your mid-week!

We don’t get a lot of information about the disciples Nathanael, Philip, and Thomas from the biblical text. What the bible does show is that Nathanael had skepticism and bias, Philip had a misunderstanding of the truth, and Thomas had doubt.

At worse, we could label them as a racist, conspiracy theorist, and pessimist. And yet, despite these traits, Jesus started a faith relationship with them all.

From this context, when Jesus tells us in John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you…”

It hits differently. When Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:10

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

It hits differently.

I think all of us like the Mr. ‘Salvation’ Jesus; the Mr. ‘Eternal life’ Jesus; the Mr. ‘Resurrection’ Jesus. But Jesus is also the Mr. ‘Make us in to one nation’ Jesus; the Mr. ‘Make us into one family’ Jesus; the Mr. ‘Make us into one body’ Jesus.

And, as Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:21a

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”

Jesus both loves us and unites us. Meaning, to be his follower, we need to do the same. We cannot pick and choose. This is not a this or that religion. It is a this and that religion.

Meaning, Christianity is about having uncomfortable relationship. There will Nathanael’s and Philip’s and Thomas’s. There will be times of skepticism, misunderstanding, and doubt.

But, it is in those moments of tension that serve as opportunities to grow. To show the same patience and grace and encouragement and love that Jesus showed all of us.

For, at one time, all of us were Nathanael, Philip, and Thomas. And, just as Jesus transformed them, so he transformed us.

God’s blessing upon you as you mediate on embracing faith relationships and the challenges to doing so, 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

• Jan 19 (Sun) – EM Ladies Lunch & Tea, 12:30pm

• Jan 25 (Sat) – Small Group Leaders Brunch @ Pastor Frank’s

• Jan 26 (Sun) – YMF Small Group

• Jan 26 (Sun) – PV Small Group

• Feb 1 (Sat) – YP Small Group Lunch

• Feb 2 (Sun) – EM Membership Class – 1pm

• Feb 7-9 (Fri-Sun) – Spring Revival @ EM Chapel

• Feb 15 (Sat) - Men’s Bible Study, 5pm @ the Hong’s

• Feb 21 (Fri) – Women’s Bible Study

• Requesting of Offering Contribution Receipt for 2024

  For tax purposes, if you wish your Offering Contribution Receipt for 2024 please fill out the little yellow ‘Offering Contribution Summary Request’ form and turn it into the finance office.

• Relief Fund for LA Wildfire Victims

  The church leadership (Session) is organizing a relief fund to support victims of the LA wildfires, which will run until January 26. The funds will be distributed through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (P.D.A.) ministry. We encourage everyone’s active participation in this urgent relief effort. (For designated donations, please note "LA Wildfire.")

• Hannah & Barnabas Fellowship Membership Applications

  (Registration: 1/12–1/26)

  The Hannah and Barnabas fellowships for adults in their 50s–60s are accepting membership applications for 2025.

  Registration: Church lobby

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.