TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Connected Hospitality

Today is November 28, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

In the book of 3 John, Apostle John finds great joy in the actions of Gaius. In fact, John finds such great joy in Gaius' actions that John views it worthy to be commended and spoken about. That action?

Gaius' hospitality.

When missionaries came to Gaius' church, Gaius showed amazing hospitality to them even though they were strangers. For John this act of hospitality connected Gaius with the work the missionaries were doing. In essence, by showing hospitality, Gaius became a co-worker for the truth of Jesus.

When we think of missions or the command of God to love, I think we get intimidated sometimes. We hear words like sacrifice and forgiveness and phrases like 'carrying our cross' and 'dying to ourselves' and it can be overwhelming.

And yet, here, in 3 John, we see that being a co-worker for the truth of Jesus Christ can be as simple as showing some hospitality. That with a warm smile and a friendly greeting we can be connected in doing the good work God has asked us to do.

And that is our challenge. God's blessing upon you this week 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

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Pictures

• Harvest Festival 2018 - Courtesy of Tiffany Kim
• Thanksgiving Lunch 2018 - Courtesy of Tiffany Kim
• Thanksgiving Lunch 2018 - Courtesy of YouLim Kim

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Upcoming Events

• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM [POSTPONED]
  • Due to safety reasons TFPC has decided to postpone the mission trip to either March or April. Please pray for the missionary and all those in Tijuana. 
• 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 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

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1 Peter 4:9 - "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 21, 2018

Taking Bread and Giving Thanks

Today is November 21, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

During his missionary trip to Rome, Apostle Paul suffered a 14 day storm that ended with him shipwrecked. In the mist of this terrible set back Apostle Paul 

took break and gave thanks,

remembering God and teaching us the richer meaning of eating and giving thanks.

***

Ephesians 5:20 tells us to give thanks for everything
James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift is from God

So, giving thanks to God for the good should be easy. But what about the bad? Well...

Romans 5:12 tells us that this is a sinful world
1 Peter 5:8 tells us that our enemy the Devil is trying to devour us
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is against this dark world

So, when things are bad, we can remember Colossians 1:13-14 and give thanks that God rescues us from this world.

This is what Apostle Paul is doing when he is shipwrecked on that island. All his expectations and plans are shattered in that storm and he does a little quasi-communion for himself; remembering the God who rescued him.

He is doing, what Hebrews 13:15 tells us, is a sacrifice of praise. That in the worst moment we can pause and remember the God who saves us and still give thanks. And that is our challenge this Thanksgiving.

God's blessing upon you this week 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

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Upcoming Events

• Nov 23 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep
• Nov 24 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission
• Nov 25 (Sun) - TFPC Ping Pong Doubles Tournament 1:30pm-3:30pm
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Training continues THIS SUNDAY. 1pm @ ELIM
• Dec 15 (Sat) - New Members Welcome Dinner  
• 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

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1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 7, 2018

A Christian Witness

Today is November 14, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When Jesus became indignant toward the disciples for rebuking parents who brought him children, I do not think Jesus was mad because the disciples were preventing him from having an object lesson. 

Now, sure, having children present really drives home the point when Jesus says "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." However, more than just an object lesson, what Jesus was doing was showing us that he cares about children. 

Jesus cares about kids. And this would have been counter-cultural at the time.

One of the horrible things done in the Roman/Hellenistic era was something called 'exposure,' where unwanted babies would be abandoned. This was not considered murder because, a.) the child could be rescued by either gods or by any one passing by and, b.) if the child died it would be of natural causes...like starvation and being exposed to the elements...

What Jesus was doing then was something that would have been considered counter-cultural at the time. It was Jesus' showing us what it meant to be set apart. That, to be set apart is not limited to adult interactions but goes all the way to how we interact with children.

And, in doing so, Jesus teaches us what a Christian witness looks like. That our Jerusalem is the very kids we see every day.

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 Pastor Freddy Duarte's Testimony: HERE
Recording of last Sunday's praise: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Nov 15 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group. 6:45pm in the Fellowship Hall
• Nov 18 (Sun) – Thanksgiving Lunch
  • ​Every year the EM makes a Thanksgiving lunch for the entire church. We need volunteers to help on November 17, & 18 to prep and serve and clean for all three services. We are also asking for some homemade yams/sweet potatoes to add a little taste from home. This is a great event to serve side by side with the EM community. Please sign-up in the back of the chapel on Sunday.
• Nov 25 (Sun) - TFPC Ping Pong Doubles Tournament 1:30pm-3:30pm
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Training continues THIS SUNDAY. 1pm @ ELIM
• Dec 15 (Sat) - New Members Welcome Dinner  

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Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 7, 2018

In The Meantime

Today is November 7, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When the disciples asked the risen Lord in Acts 1:6 whether he was "...at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” I do not think that they were reverting back to their pre-resurrected Jesus mentality where they thought the Messiah would overthrow the Roman Empire and restore the Jewish Nation back to prominence.

No.

Having their minds opened up to the scriptures - as said in Luke 24:45 - I believe that they were asking if that moment in Revelation 7:9 - where "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" - if that moment would come next.

Jesus' answer? 

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (Acts 1:7)

Jesus doesn't rebuke or reject or correct their thinking. In fact, the prophecy of the Messiah was something that the people of God had held on to for centuries before Jesus came. It was something that gave them hope and strength and the ability to move on through the most difficult times in their history. So, when it came to the prophecy of the restored Kingdom? Jesus doesn't give a time either. What he does do is give them this command while they wait: 

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 makes it clear that we need to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Colossians 3:1-2 makes it clear that we need to set our hearts on things above, to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things.

However, as we do that; in the meantime; we need to be witnesses. Our hope and joy and strength should be in those things above; in that future promises of God. As he was faithful with the Messiah so he will be faithful with the Kingdom. But, in the meantime, we all have a responsibility to share the gospel, to show mercy and compassion to our own Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Gods' blessing upon you as you meditate and 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

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Upcoming Events

• Nov 7 (Wed) – All Generation Apologetics Study Cell Group. TODAY
  • At the Benedicts. Please make every effort to arrive by 7:00 PM. We will start the video presentation promptly at 7:15PM to allow time for discussion.
  •  Topic: ‘The Reliability of the Gospels, Pt 1’
• Nov 11,18, Dec 9 (Sun) - New Members Classes. 12:30pm-1:30pm
• Nov 18 (Sun) – Thanksgiving Lunch
  • ​Every year the EM makes a Thanksgiving lunch for the entire church. We need volunteers to help on November 14, 17, & 18 to prep and serve and clean for all three services. We are also asking for some homemade yams/sweet potatoes to add a little taste from home. This is a great event to serve side by side with the EM community. Please sign-up in the back of the chapel on Sunday.
• Nov 25 (Sun) - TFPC Ping Pong Doubles Tournament 1:30pm-3:30pm
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Training continues THIS SUNDAY. 1pm @ ELIM
• Dec 15 (Sat) - New Members Welcome Dinner [Date Updated]

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Luke 10:27 - "He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 31, 2018

The Next Mountain

Today is October 31, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

In Matthew 10, the disciples were empowered by Jesus to cast out demons. In Matthew 17, they were unable to cast out a demon. 6 chapters of empowerment and then suddenly nothing. What changed? Their faith. 

In Matthew 16, the disciples' faith were shaken when their expectations of what Jesus was suppose to do was not met. This shaken faith was shown in their inability to cast our a demon in Matthew 17.

Jesus' response was to rebuke his disciples. In Matthew 17, Jesus calls them an "unbelieving and perverse generation." The disciples had twisted the words of Jesus into what they wanted and, when what they wanted did not happen, they lost faith. They were not concerned with Godly things but with human things and, as a result, they were faced with a metaphorical mountain that seemed impossible to cross.

Jesus' lesson? To hold on to faith. With just a little faith you can do the most difficult things. Just as mountains were moved before, so the next mountain will be moved in the future. All it takes is a little faith in what Jesus has already empowered you to do.

And that is our challenge. 

If we look back at our lives we will see many different mountains and challenges that we thought, at the time, were impossible to cross. And yet, through it all, we see the faithfulness of God as we overcame each mountain.

Sometimes God did not meet our expectations. Sometimes mountains came when we least expected them too. Sometimes mountains were self inflicted. Sometimes mountains were needed to make us better. 

But, no matter how big or impossible those mountains seemed, God was always faithful.

And, as God has been faithful and good and has empowered us to move forward past these various mountains, so God will be faithful and good and will empower us in whatever mountain we currently face and whatever mountains we will face in the future. 

So then, in whatever impossible mountain you face, hold on to your faith and you will be able to move past that next mountain.

God blessings upon you this week and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday.

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events

• Oct 31 (Wed) – Harvest Festival. TODAY! Dinner & Registration at 5:45pm. 
• Nov 4 (Sun) – Daylights Savings. THIS SUNDAY! Don't forget to turn your clocks 1 hr back before you go to bed on Saturday.
• Nov 4 (Sun) - TFPC EM Members Meeting [Postponed till Further Notice]
• Nov 7 (Wed) – All Generation Apologetics Study Cell Group. Topic: ‘The Reliability of the Gospels, Pt 1’
• Nov 11,18, Dec 9 (Sun) - New Members Classes
• Nov 18 (Sun) – Thanksgiving Lunch
• Nov 25 (Sun) - TFPC Ping Pong Doubles Tournament 1:30pm-3:30pm
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Training begins Nov 4 (Sun) THIS SUNDAY. 12:45pm @ ELIM
• Dec 16 (Sun) - New Members Welcome Dinner

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Lamentations 3:23 - "They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."