TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 26, 2018

What's Important

Today is September 26, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

The Samaritan woman of John 4 already had 3 strikes against her. She was a member of a persecuted minority, a woman living in Palestine during the time of Jesus, and in an immoral relationship. She would have been ostracized by her community. An outcast. Someone gossiped and ignored. Judged and ridiculed. A persecuted minority of a persecuted minority.

And yet Jesus takes a detour to meet her. The 'I AM' puts his journey on hold to do something important in order to reveal to her the love of God.

And what were the disciples doing in all of this? They were getting supplies for the trip and not focused on what Jesus was doing nor on who he viewed as important. They were too distracted with their tasks and blinded by their own prejudices that they didn't see the person in need.

And that is our lesson.

On one had, the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan Woman at a well is an amazing demonstration of God's love for us. An actively seeking love that meets us where we are to give us hope and show that we are important and valuable to God. If you are or have ever felt like the Samaritan woman, be encouraged. God loves you. This is why we have hope. This is why we worship.

On the other hand, this story serves as a reminder to not lose sight of what is important - people. For those of us who may not relate to the Samaritan woman but instead relate more to the disciples, the challenge is to not get lost in the tasks at hand or be blinded by our prejudices but to remember the 2nd greatest commandment - to love our neighbor.

As God loved us so we need to love others. That is what is important.

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

- Frank Kim

Recording of the Sermon: HERE
Powerpoint Show of the Sermon: HERE 

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Upcoming Events

• Sept 28 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep
• Sept 29 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission
• Sept 30 (Sun) - Youth Joint Worship with Parents, 11am @ Youth Chapel
• Oct 3 (Wed) - All Generation Small Group. 7pm at the Benedicts. The Topic: “Are Miracles Possible?”
• Oct 7 (Sun) - World Communion Sunday. Joint Worship with KM. No EM Service that Sunday.
• Oct 7 (Sun) – PV Cell Group. 1pm @ Pastor Frank's Office
• Oct 18 (Thurs) – YMF Cell Group
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Registration begins Sept 23 (Sun)
  • Training begins Oct 28 (Sun)

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Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - September 19, 2018

An Appeal To Love

Today is September 19, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

This past week we looked at one of the shortest books in the bible: Philemon.

Here was Apostle Paul writing on behalf of Onesimus to Philemon to reconcile their relationship. And what was their relationship like before Apostle Paul knew them? Before they both became Christian? It was one of slave and master.

So, how does Apostle Paul go about reconciling that relationship? He does it by appealing to Philemon's christian character. 

Apostle Paul has seen Philemon love. He has seen him be kind and generous and gracious and forgiving. He has seen him show it to Christians. So, Apostle Paul appeals to Philemon to do it again. To show that same love in this situation; in this new context; with Onesimus, a fellow brother in Christ.

Apostle Paul does not exert his authority or try to force Philemon to do anything. Apostle Paul trusts in the spirit of God to work. He trusts that Philemon will respond to the word of God in voluntary obedience. Apostle Paul appeals to his friend to love and he trusts that his friend will do what is right.

And that is our challenge. 

We all know what we ought to do. We all know the basic Christian principles of love and forgiveness; of compassion and generosity. And we have showed those principles before. The challenge is to show those same principles in the broken relationships that you have. To see that family member of God and do what you ought to do.

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 Sermon: HERE
Powerpoint Show of the Sermon: HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Sept 23 (Sun) - Children Joint Worship with Parents, 11am & Children Chapel
• Sept 28 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep
• Sept 29 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission
• Sept 30 (Sun) - Youth Joint Worship with Parents, 11am @ Youth Chapel
• Oct 7 (Sun) - World Communion Sunday. Joint Worship with KM
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Registration begins Sept 23 (Sun)
  • Training begins Oct 28 (Sun)

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1 Peter 4:8 - "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Commitment & Consistency

Today is September 12, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

In the book of Deuteronomy we see Moses at the end of his life teaching about the importance of two principles in regard to us and God: commitment and consistency.

Over and over again Moses pleads to the people to love the Lord with everything and to follow all of his commands. At the same time he stresses that this commitment can't be only for 2 hours every week. It needs to be there in the morning. It needs to be there at night. It needs to be there when you're working and when you're at rest; in your neighborhood and in your community.

His purpose: for us to claim the promise of God to be blessed in order that we might be a blessing. That his what a committed and consistent life to God gives. 

This past Sunday I played a video of Wanda Goines reciting one of her poems. A link of it can be found HERE

Although I have preached on the topics she mentions, it hits differently because she has the weight of a 92 year life behind her voice. Same truth; same biblical principles, yet different impact because of the voice and context in which it is shared.

Truth through VBS may affect a child differently then the same truth from Mom and Dad. Truth experienced from Skid Row Missions may affect a person differently then a message from me about compassion. Sometimes we are more open to truth being told through our cell group members than our own spouses. Sometimes the truth spoken via a poem from another sister in Christ is exactly what our heart needs to hear.

And that is the blessing when we, as a community, live a consistent and committed lifestyle dedicated to God. 

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

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events

• Sept 12 (Wed) – All Generations Cell Group Apologetics Study. Topic: The Moral Argument for the Existence of God
• Sept 13 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group at 6:45pm
• Sept 15 (Sat) - CPG Board Game Night. 6pm-9pm at Elim Cafe
• Sept 16 (Sun) - Pre-School Joint Worship with Parents, 11am @ Pre-School Chapel
• Sept 16 (Sun) - PV Cell Group
• Sept 23 (Sun) - Children Joint Worship with Parents, 11am & Children Chapel
• Sept 28 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep
• Sept 29 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission
• Sept 30 (Sun) - Youth Joint Worship with Parents, 11am @ Youth Chapel
• Oct 7 (Sun) - World Communion Sunday. Joint Worship with KM
• Nov 30-Dec 2 (Fri-Sun) - Joint Mexico Mission with KM
  • Training begins Oct 28 (Sun)

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Genesis 12:3 - "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - September 5, 2018

Good Servants

Today is September 5, 2018

Welcome to September and your mid-week!

This past Sunday I was away on vacation and so Pastor Esther from SBMC preached and she preached from Luke 19:11-28; the parable of the 10 Minas.

Every time I read this parable I think of stewardship; of what God has entrusted me with. Pastor Esther's title was 'Good Servants' and I wonder, reflecting on the parable, if I am a good or wicked servant.

With the academic year beginning for our children and the last quarter of the year starting, let us recommit that we would be good stewards; to be good servants with the time and energy God has given us today.

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

- Frank

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Announcements

• Pastor Haein Jeong JDSN has just joined our TFPC Staff as the new Elementary Pastor. Lots of love to our interim pastor, Pastor Judie, for covering for the past year. If you see Pastor Jeong, please welcome him.

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Upcoming Events

• ​Sept 8 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group Hike with Mike! 
  • Be at church by 9am to carpool to the hiking area. Lunch will be provided afterward.
• Sept 9 (Sun) - Adult Korean School Registration Ends
  • Where to register: Lobby of the Main Sanctuary
  • Class Period: Fridays from 6pm-7:30pm starting September 14-Dec 14.
  • ​Cost: $75
• Sept 12 (Wed) – All Generations Cell Group Apologetics Study. Topic: The Moral Argument for the Existence of God
• Sept 13 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group at 6:45pm
• Sept 15 (Sat) - CPG Board Game Night. 6pm-9pm at Elim Cafe
• Sept 16 (Sun) - PV Cell Group
• Sept 28 (Fri) - Skid Row Prep
• Sept 29 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission

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 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 22, 2018

Heavenly Joy

Today is August 22, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When James writes for us to 'consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...' (James 1:2), he is writing from an eschatological perspective. That means he is writing from a heaven perspective; from the perspective of what will happened at the end of all things.

So, to understand the words of James, we need to have a correct view of heaven; a correct view of eternity for Christians.

And what is that view? Will our spirits be transported out of our bodies to an angelic realm of light? Where time and space no longer exist? Where we wear only white robes with wings and halos? Is that God's plan? Some foreign, inhuman, unfamiliar, static, unchanging, reality where we just play the harp on a cloud for millennia after millennia? 

Doesn't that sound boring to you? 

Well, if that is what you think then, from the perspective of movies, you would be right. However, from the perspective of the bible, you would be wrong.

Do you think that God's original plan for us as found in Genesis 1-2 was forever foiled by Satan? Do you think that God's plan of redemption for us does not include the earth?

If you read Genesis 1-2 and compare it with Revelation 21-22 you will see the truth of our eternity. We will not be spirits or ghosts but will have new bodies restored to splendor; imperishable and raised in glory and power. Where we will once again be given dominion with intended stewardship of the earth. Where there will be no sin or death or shame. Where there will be time and space and food and work. Where the curse is lifted and we will see the face of God.

While God may be infinite, we will still be finite meaning we will have eternity to learn and discover God and all of his creation. Cities and streets and homes and rooms and trees and fruit are all mentioned in heaven, and I believe it is we who will build and farm and cultivate those things.

Eternity is therefore both familiar yet innovative, nostalgic yet adventurous. God's original plan restored.

Therefore, with that understand, consider it pure joy when you face trials here in this broken world. Why? because, if you believe in that eternity, then the trials of this broken world will only help to increase your hope of that future and will give you joy; pure, heavenly joy. 

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

- Frank Kim

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Media

• Freshman Welcome Beach Party: HERE
• EM Family Retreat: HERE - courtesy of YouLim; HERE - courtesy of Tiffany

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Upcoming Events

• Aug 24 (Fri) – Skid Row Prep. 6pm at the Kitchen
• Aug 25 (Sat) – Skid Row Mission. Van leaves at 6:20am and will be back by 8am
• Aug 26 (Sun) – Ministry Council Meeting
• Sep 1 (Sat) - Back to School Blessing
• Sep 1 (Sat) – Hike with Mike!
• Sept 2 (Sun) – PV Cell Group
  • September 1, Saturday, 9am. Hiking at the newly renovated Harbor Regional Park. Meet at the parking lot close to the park office. Hike along the shoreline of the fresh water lake to view many types of water birds. Kids and stroller friendly hike.
  • September 8, Saturday. CPG will Hike with Mike. More information coming soon.
• Sept 8 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group Hike with Mike! 
• Sept 12 (Wed) – All Generations Cell Group Apologetics Study

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1 Peter 1:6-7 - "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."