TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - MARCH 11, 2020

Love Wisdom

Today is March 11, 2020

Welcome to your mid-week!

In Proverbs chapter 8, Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman and, for the rest of the chapter, she speaks. In verse 36 she says this:

Proverbs 8:36
But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.

This implies that whoever loves her loves life. I believe this is Solomon telling us to love wisdom as a man would love a woman. And this love is not something to be taken lightly.

As someone who penned the Song of Songs and who had 700 wives, Solomon is weighting these verses with all of his experiences and knowledge. 

The word of God is more than just a text book or encyclopedia or novel. It is not something just to be used for what you want to get out of it. It is to be desired and cherished and loved. The same time and preparation; planning and thought; energy and sacrifice and focus given to the one you love needs to be given to the word of the Lord.

That's what Solomon is saying. He is saying we need to love wisdom. 'That the word of God needs to be the first thing you think of when you awake and the last thing you want to hear before you sleep.

God's blessing upon you as you spend time with the wisdom of the Lord and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim 

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Sermon PPS: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Mar 13 (Fri) - College Cell Group, 7:30pm @ Pastor Diana's
• Mar 13 (Fri) - Women's Cell Group, 7pm @ Pastor Frank's Office
• Mar 15 (Sun) - Last day for Baptism Registration
• Mar 26 (Thu) – YMF Cell Group
• Mar 27 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep
• Mar 28 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission
• Mar 29 (Sun) – Ministry Council Meeting
• April 10 (Fri) – Good Friday EM Family Service. 7:30pm at EM Chapel
• April 12 (Sun) – Joint Easter Service with KM in the Main Sanctuary. NO 9:45am service.
• Jul 11-18 (Sat-Sat) – EM/Youth Joint Summer Mission to Guadalajara, Mexico. $500 per person. Registration begins NOW, ends March 29.

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TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - MARCH 4, 2020

Afraid?

Today is March 4, 2020

Welcome to your mid-week!

When it comes to the topic of fear, the bible has three different takes on it. 

1. There is the fear that is to our detriment. It is the fear that terrorizes and gives us dread; the fear that is not from God; the fear that is driven out by love.
2. There is the fear that is reverence. It is the fear that has us express awe and honor and wonder which, when directed toward God, leads to worship.
3. There is the fear that is retribution. It is the fear that a servant has toward his master that leads to obedience. The fear that we have toward electricity that has us follow the instructions or suffer the consequences.

There are three different types of fear and all three are being experienced when we talk about the coronavirus. There is the fear of death that the virus gives us. There is the reverential fear of trust to our leaders and experts as they give us information and instructions. There is consequential fear of what would happen if we didn't listen to them which leads us to obey in what they recommend.

All three fears are being experienced in our community with the coronavirus, and all three fears are needed, biblicaly speaking, in order to obtain knowledge and wisdom. That's the fear that stated at the beginning of Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Death and experiencing evil are real fears of this broken world. And yet, God does not abandon us to our fears. God gives us a weapon to fight against this fear - the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. However, no matter how important or rich or life saving the word of God might be, without an attitude of reverence and trust - without the fear of the Lord - we remain fools. 

So the question is, before we read the word of the Lord, before we read upon the wisdom that Proverbs has to give us, do you have the fear of the Lord?

God's blessing upon you as reflect on your 'fear of the Lord' and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim 

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Sermon PPS: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Mar 4 (Wed) – Horizon’s Cell Group, 7pm @ The Benedicts
• Mar 5 (Thu) – YMF Cell Group, 6:45pm @ the Fellowship Hall
• Mar 6 (Fri) – Start of Woman’s Bible Study, 7pm @ Pastor Frank's Office
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Daylight Savings
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Cell Group Open House/Mixer @ ELIM, after 11:30am service
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Baptism Registration, last day, March 15. Forms in the office.
• Mar 13 (Fri) - College Cell Group, 7:30pm @ Pastor Diana's
• April 10 (Fri) – Good Friday EM Family Service. 7:30pm at EM Chapel
• April 12 (Sun) – Joint Easter Service with KM in the Main Sanctuary. NO 9:45am service.
• Jul 11-18 (Sat-Sat) – EM/Youth Joint Summer Mission to Guadalajara, Mexico. $500 per person. Registration begins NOW, ends March 29.

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TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 26, 2020

Our Zacchaeus Moment

Today is February 26, 2020

Welcome to your mid-week!

Zacchaeus's story is found in Luke 19:1-10 and, in his story, we get an example of true repentance.

Not only did Zacchaeus recognize and feel remorse for his sin, he turned from it by making reparations. Not only did he turn from his sin, but there was a changing of his mind that was shown by his actions. He called Jesus 'Lord' and then gave half of his possessions to the poor, loving people who, before this moment, he had taken advantage of.

From cheat to philanthropist; from being a thief to making restitution; from having a selfish perspective to a selfless and eternal perspective, Zacchaeus repented.

Jesus credits this moment with salvation. Meaning that, at this moment, he was saved and no longer lost. That means everyone who is a Christian has truly repented. Everyone who is a Christian, at one moment, was not lost.

And not being lost, is something that is a valuable, especially if you feel like you are.

Today is the start of Lent and one of the values of Lent is that it helps us reflect on our moment of repentance and the value of repentance. And, whether you participate in it or not, Lent is a good reminder to once again reflect and remember our moment of repentance, to remember our Zacchaeus moment especially if we feel spiritual lost or sidetracked. Our moment of repentance is like having a spiritual GPS and, by looking back on it, we can once again get back to going in the right direction.

God's blessing upon you as you reflect upon your Zacchaeus moment and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday

- Frank Kim 

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Sermon PPS: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Feb 28 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep
• Feb 28 (Fri) – College Cell Group @ Pastor Diana's
• Feb 29 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission
• Mar 1 (Sun) – Census 2020 Q/A Meeting. 1pm @ EM Chapel
• Mar 4 (Wed) – Horizon’s Cell Group
• Mar 5 (Thu) – YMF Cell Group
• Mar 6 (Fri) – Start of Woman’s Cell Group
  • Starting Friday, March 6, 2020
  • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Pastor Frank's Office
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Cell Group Open House/Mixer @ ELIM
• Mar 13 (Fri) - College Cell Group

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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​

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Job Opportunities!

• The Census Bureau is looking to hire full time and part time workers for the upcoming census. $25.00 per hour. There will be a Q/A Meeting Sunday, March 1st, 1pm @ EM Chapel

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TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Spiritual Rest

Today is February 19, 2020

Welcome to your mid-week!

Usually, when we think of rest, we think of not working. However, to spiritual rest, work is exactly what we need to do. Jesus says

Matthew 11:29-30
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Taking on the work of Jesus and learning about all of who he is may seem daunting at first. His work extends well before his birth and well after the cross. His lessons range from the ~1000 references of him in the bible, to the ~100 different names given to him, to the 89 chapters of the 4 gospels. There is so much that can be read and studied and meditated on. 

However, what this teaches us is that spiritual rest is not dependent on our circumstances. Unlike physical rest, spiritual rest is not dependent on our situation or on the right conditions being met. Spiritual rest is solely based on the character of Jesus Christ.

And the more we have a constant state of communion with our Lord –  not just seeking to draw near to God but to remain in Him, to know him – the more we experience this spiritual rest that is only found in him. As Philippians 4:7 says:

Philippians 4:7 
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God's blessing upon you as you draw near to the source of our rest, Jesus Christ, and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Sermon PPS: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Feb 21 (Fri) – Youth Group Apologetics Seminar, 7:30pm
• Feb 23 (Sun) – Parent’s Meeting, 12:45pm @ Youth Chapel
• Feb 23 (Sun) - Ministry Council Meeting, 1pm @ Pastor Frank's Office
• Feb 28 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep
• Feb 29 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission
• Mar 1 (Sun) – Census 2020 Q/A Meeting. 1pm.
• Mar 6 (Fri) – Start of Woman’s Cell Group
  • Starting Friday, March 6, 2020
  • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Pastor Frank's Office
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Cell Group Open House/Mixer @ ELIM

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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​

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Job Opportunities!

• The Census Bureau is looking to hire full time and part time workers for the upcoming census. $25.00 per hour. There will be a Q/A Meeting Sunday, March 1st, 1pm @ EM Chapel

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TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 12, 2020

Disappointed?

Today is February 12, 2020

Welcome to your mid-week!

The reason we experience disappointment is not limited to one answer. Some disappointment is unavoidable, a result of living in a fallen world of sin. Some disappointment is for our good, a way to refine us and have us grow. And some disappointment is the byproduct of not having a relationship with God.

This is what God told his people in Jeremiah 2:36.

Jeremiah 2:36
Why do you go about so much,  changing your ways? You will be disappointed by Egypt  as you were by Assyria.

God's people had chosen to worship other gods. They had chosen to neglect their responsibilities as God's people. They had chosen to rebel against God. And what was the byproduct of their decision?

Disappointment.

No matter what they did, they were always left unsatisfied. And their experience is a reminder to us when we face disappointment.

Just as hunger requires food and thirst requires a drink, so our soul needs the Lord. We were made to be in relationship with him.

Why did Apostle Paul write about contentment while in jail? Why did Peter talk to his community about inexpressible and glorious joy in the mist trial? Why did Jesus can talk about hope in the mist of death?

Because they had a relationship with the Lord. That is what our soul longs for.

So, if you relate to the people of God during the time of Jeremiah at all then hear God's word to them:

Jeremiah 3:12
“‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will not be angry forever.

God's blessing upon you this week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Sermon PPS: HERE
Opening Praise: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Feb 13 (Thu) – YMF Cell Group, 6:45pm @ the Fellowship Hall
• Feb 21 (Fri) – Youth Group Apologetics Seminar, 7:30pm
• Feb 23 (Sun) – Parent’s Meeting, 12:30pm 
• Feb 28 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep
• Feb 29 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission
• Mar 6 (Fri) – Start of Woman’s Cell Group
  • Starting Friday, March 6, 2020
  • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Pastor Frank's Office
• Mar 8 (Sun) – Cell Group Open House/Mixer @ ELIM

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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​

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