TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 9, 2019

Our Vision for 2019

Today is January 9, 2019

Welcome to your mid-week!

This past Sunday we looked at Hebrews 10:1-23, the verses leading up to our new year's vision verses for 2019. We did this to see the foundational elements of why we should do our vision. And what were the main themes of the verses leading up to verses 24-25? 

Well, verses 1-18 tells us the gospel message.

How we are forgiven of our sins. How God sent his son to die for our sins. How Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. That he who was without sin takes our sin and dies in our place, paying the penalty of sin. How God's great gift not only forgives us of our sins but makes us holy and perfect, able to once again be with our maker. And this allows us to have the hope of eternal life that he showed us via his resurrection.

Verse 19 begins with 'therefore.' This means we have to first believe verses 1-18 before moving forward. If you do then...

Verse 22 tells us to draw near to God.

With such forgiveness there is no need of guilt or shame. No matter what you've done or what you are still doing, we have full assurance to draw near to God.

And, verse 23 tells us to hold on to this hope.

The gospel message is our reminder of what it took for us to be able to go home. When this world shows itself not to be our home we need to remember this message to give us hope. 

So, the foundational elements of our vision is to have faith, draw near, and hold on. And, if you can do more, then do verses 24-25. 

God's blessing upon you this week as you mediate on these elements and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Powerpoint Show of Last Sunday's message: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

---

Upcoming Events

• Jan 7-12 (Mon-Sat) – New Year’s Early Morning Prayer. 6am
• Jan 10 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group. 6:45pm in the Fellowship Hall
• Jan 12 (Sat) – New Year Family Prayer Service. 6am
• Jan 16 (Wed) - All Generations Apologetics Study. The Reliability of the Gospels, Pt 3
• Jan 20 (Sun) - PV Cell Group

---

Hebrews 10:22-23 - "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2, 2019

Our Resolution

Today is January 2, 2019

Welcome to 2019 and your mid-week!

This past Sunday we reflected back on 2018 and our 2018's vision of 'Real Church. True Christians. A Community that Pursues Holiness.' And we remembered a lot of the challenges given.

Challenges to attend, to come early, to stay late, to join a cell group, and to be a member. Challenges to embrace our differences, to utilize our skills and experiences, and to carry each other's burdens. There were challenges to reach out to the community before you and to invest in the community you have.

And there were challenges all year on what it meant to be holy. The first half of the year we talked about internal holiness starting with the mind and going to our eyes and nose and ears and mouth. The second half of the year we talked about external holiness. About reflecting and walking in and being the light.

But, with the Christmas season still fresh in our mind, I ended the last Sunday of 2018 with a reminder of why we should be a community that pursues holiness. I talked about God's act to want community with us first. 

While we were still sinners, in our weakness, God chose to want community with us because he loves us. And, in understanding his love and his desire for the best for you, can we begin to trust in the direction and commands he calls us to follow.

God's blessings upon you in 2019 and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

---

Upcoming Events

• Jan 6 (Sun) - PV Cell Group
• Jan 7-12 (Mon-Sat) – New Year’s Early Morning Prayer. 6am
• Jan 10 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group
• Jan 12 (Sat) – New Year Family Prayer Service. 6am
• Jan 16 (Wed) - All Generations Apologetics Study. The Reliability of the Gospels, Pt 3

---

Leviticus 19:2b - "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy"

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 26, 2018

That He Gave

Today is December 26, 2018

Merry Christmas and welcome to your mid-week!

Christmas is the time where we remember the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ; where we remember the day that a child was born and a son was given. But God gave more then just his son on that day.

No. Christmas is where we remember that God humbly, openly, inclusively, trustingly, mercifully, forgivingly, unexpectedly, despite the cost, gave his all to us. That is the great gift that was given by God in love.

And as we, who call ourselves his disciples, try to show that to others, we gain a deeper appreciation of that love given. And that should lead us to worship and to thanksgiving. 

God's blessing upon you as you remember the reason for this season and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Powerpoint Show of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

---

Christmas Pageant Videos

• EM's Presentation: https://youtu.be/KojLyZPMHL4
• EM's Commercial: https://youtu.be/LtWIjBLL5qY
• Youth's Presentation: http://bit.ly/TPFC_Youth
• Children's Presentation: http://bit.ly/TFPC_Childrens
• ​Pre-K's Presentation: http://bit.ly/TFPC_PreK

---

Upcoming Events

• Dec 28 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep. 6pm @ Kitchen
• Dec 29 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission. Van leaves at 6:20am
• Dec 28-30 (Fri-Sun) - Youth Retreat
• Dec 31 (Mon) – KM New Year’s Eve Service. 10:30pm
• Jan 7-12 (Mon-Sat) – New Year’s Early Morning Prayer. 6am
• Jan 10 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group
• Jan 12 (Sat) – New Year Family Prayer Service. 6am
• Jan 16 (Wed) - All Generations Apologetics Study

---

Isaiah 9:6a - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…"

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 19, 2018

Giving Unexpectedly

Today is December 19, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

Before their meeting in Genesis 33, Jacob expected that his brother Esau wanted to kill him. 

20 years prior, Jacob had stolen the blessing of their family from Esau and had fled north to escape his wrath. Jacob's mother had told him that she would send word for him once Esau's wrath subsided but she never sent word.

By all accounts Esau was still angry and still wanted to kill him. And yet, in Genesis 31, God tells Jacob to go back.

With the uncertainty of his brother's position and this direct command of God, Jacob panics. He first strategizes what he would do if his brother attacks. Then he prays to God. Then he sends extravagant gifts. Then he wrestles with God. The next day, as he approaches Esau, he bows to the ground...seven times.

By all accounts, Jacob expected the worst from his brother. What Esau gave was his best.

Genesis 33:4 tells us that "Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept."

Esau had already forgiven his brother.

Now, the bible does not tell us why Esau forgave his brother. All we know, based on what Jacob does, is that Jacob did not expect it. Jacob did not expect to be given mercy and forgiveness but that is exactly what Esau gave. And that is our challenge.

God's blessing as you wrestle with this challenge and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Powerpoint Show of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

---

Upcoming Events

• Dec 21 (Fri) - TFPC Christmas Pageant. 7:30pm in the main Sanctuary. Participants, please come at 6pm.
• Dec 28-30 (Fri-Sun) - Youth Retreat
• Dec 31 (Mon) – KM New Year’s Eve Service. 10:30pm
• Jan 7-12 (Mon-Sat) – New Year’s Early Morning Prayer. 6am
• Jan 10 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group
• Jan 12 (Sat) – New Year Family Prayer Service. 6am
• Jan 16 (Wed) - All Generations Apologetics Study

---

Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 12, 2018

Giving Despite the Cost

Today is December 12, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When Jesus called his disciples in Mark 12:43-44 to show them the poor widow's offering, I do not think that Jesus was saying she gave 'everything' in order to guilt them to give more. Nor do I think that he was criticizing the rich.

What I believe Jesus was showing them was a model of discipleship. That, to be a disciple, you need to trust God, despite the inherit cost of doing so.

I think we often have moments where we calculate the cost of following God. Godly decisions at work can cost a client or a promotion. Godly decisions in a relationship can cost that relationship. Godly decisions for oneself can cost one's pride. So, the minimize the cost to our self, we minimize doing what God would want us to do.

And that is not what it means to follow God.

When the poor widow gave everything, she was trusting God despite the cost. When the disciples left everything to follow Jesus, they were trusting God despite the cost. Following God means trusting God to the point where we give ourselves over to the commands of God despite what the world says is the inherit cost to us.

And that is our challenge.

God's blessing upon you as you wrestle with this challenge and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

Recording of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Powerpoint Show of the last Sunday's message: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

---

Upcoming Events

• Dec 12 (Wed) - All Generation Apologetics Cell Group. 7pm @ the Benedicts. Topic: The Reliability of the Gospels, Pt 2.
• Dec 13 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group. 6:45pm in the Fellowship Hall
• Dec 14 (Fri) - CPG Christmas Party. 5pm @ Fellowship Hall
• Dec 15 (Sat) - New Members Welcome Dinner. 4:30pm @ Elim Cafe 
• Dec 16 (Sun) - SBT Toy Drive for the Lawndale School District
  • Please donate $10-15 toys, unwrapped by Sunday, December 16. From Lawndale:
    
    “We asked what the kids liked: "We would appreciate (if possible of course) if we can receive board games (i.e., Headbanz, Connect Four, Jenga) that children can use with their siblings, any sport related balls (e.g., basketballs, handballs, soccer balls) for the older students, lego sets, headphones, earphones, Super hero and/or Disney toys. Thank you so, so, sooooo much!!! Anything would be appreciated!!!"

• Dec 16 (Sun) - Stewardship Sunday Appreciation Night. 4pm in the Fellowship Hall
• Dec 21 (Fri) - TFPC Christmas Pageant 
• Dec 28-30 (Fri-Sun) - Youth Retreat
  • Permission slips are available at the Youth Chapel. 
  • Where: Oak Glen Christian Conference Center. 
  • Registration dates and price:
    • 11/18-12/1     $80
    • 12/2-12/15     $90
    • 12/16 (last day to register)     $100

---

Psalm 51:17 - "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."