TFPC NEWSLETTER - August 1, 2018

Jesus, Worth It?

Today is August 1, 2018

Welcome to August and your mid-week!

Last Sunday we had our EM Family Retreat (pictures to come next week!) and so I, along with 37 of us, were away from TFPC. For those at TFPC, Pastor Tim Lee guest preached and he preached from Philippians 3:1-11 about 'Glory in Christ.' 

Every time I read Philippians 3:1-11 and hear Paul tell us that he considers everything in his life as "...garbage, that I may gain Christ", I think about his context. Here was someone educated, cultured, rich, powerful, and influential and, instead of wanting to gain the best of what the world offers from those who have that kind of background, Paul considers it all

garbage that he may gain Christ.

Our challenge is whether we view Jesus Christ as Paul does. Is Christ worth it for us? Are we doing what we can to gain Christ? Are we seeking Christ? Or are we still seeking to be more educated, cultured, rich, powerful, and influential...

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

- Frank Kim

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SBT Thailand Summer Missions Report

• Caroline arrived safely from missions and is currently on her honeymoon. You can read her 'Mission Report' HERE

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Upcoming Events

• Aug 1 (Weds)[TODAY] - All Generation Cell Group Apologetics Study 
  • 7pm at the Benedicts. The topic: ‘What About Evolution?’
• Aug 5 (Sun) - Graduation/Promotion Sunday. After that Sunday, all grades will move up.
• Aug 11 (Sat) - Hike with Mike!
  • Hiking at Friendship park in San Pedro. Best view to Catalina island and LA harbor. August 11, 9am. Meet at 1850 w 9th Street San Pedro. Drive up to parking lot up on hill. 
  • Also, those interested in ‘Conquer the Bridge 2018’ on Labor Day, please talk with Mike Lyu on Sunday. Conquer the Bridge 2018: run/walk over Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro (5.3 miles). Expected to be a 2 hour brisk walk over the most scenic bridge in California. Registration at conquerthebridge.com. Ask Mike Lyu for any questions.   
• Aug 10-12 (Fri-Sun) – Youth Summer Retreat
• Aug 16 (Thurs) - YMF Cell Group
• Aug 18 (Sat) - CPG Freshman Welcome Beach Party!

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Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - July 25, 2018

For those of you going to the EM Family Retreat, check-in is from Friday, 7:30pm-9pm. Please give yourself 3 hours to get there. Here is a copy of the 

Directions to Mount Kare    &    What to Bring. 

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Light Check

Today is July 25, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

This past Sunday we held a candle light service to remind ourselves of Jesus' call for us to be the light of the world. And we did this by looking at Matthew 5.

We talked about the beatitudes and the counter-cultural perspective on life they give. We then talked about how we need to be the 'salt of the earth' - redemptive preservatives and agents of change to the world. We then talked about how we do that; how we need to to do good deeds and shine that counter-cultural perspective on life to a dark world; to be ambassadors of hope for the purpose of pointing people to see God and to glorify Him.

And we brought our 3 week series together by walking toward the light of Jesus, reflecting it, and sharing that message together in a darken chapel via candles. It was a beautiful reminder of Jesus' commands to us:

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

And that is our continued reminder; one, that hope is always there for us. And, two, of the command to shine that hope to other. God's blessing upon you this week and I look forward to seeing you all in August.

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events This Week

• July 16-31 (Mon-Tues) – Thailand Summer Missions with SBT
  • Please pray for Caroline's prayer request during this time. They are:
    • To see God working in the hearts of the children at Mango House, BN, and Happiness Center
    • To be renewed in spirit working alongside current long-term missionaries in Thailand
    • To encourage the children to study and learn an education that can help others
    • For safety and health of the missions team
    • To continue strengthening my new marriage
• July 27-29 (Fri-Sun) – EM Family Retreat at Mount Kare​
  • Please pray for the 37 of us who will be on retreat
• July 27 (Fri) - Skid Row Mission Prep. 6pm at the kitchen.
• July 28 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission. Van leaves at 6:20am.
• July 29 (Sun) - Guest Speaker: Pastor Tim Lee 
• July 29 (Sun) - Lawndale School District Backpack Drive with SBT
  • South Bay Together (SBT) is participating in the Lawndale Elementary School District Backpack Drive to help underprivileged families get ready for the new school year. If you would like to support, you can donate towards the purchase of a Backpack Kit. Each Backpack Kit is $25 and contains one backpack with school supplies.
  • If you would like to donate, click HERE below to sign up, or contact Phil Jun at philjun@gmail.com
  • You can pay by cash or make a check payable to "South Bay Mission Church" and Phil will collect it on Sunday. 
    Last day to sign-up for a backpack will be Tuesday, July 31. 
  • Video Advertisement for the event can be found here.

Upcoming Events in the Coming Weeks

• Aug 1 (Weds) - All Generation Cell Group Apologetics Study 
  • Weds, 7pm at the Benedicts. The topic: ‘What About Evolution?’
• Aug 5 (Sun) - Graduation/Promotion Sunday. After that Sunday, all grades will move up.
• Aug 11 (Sat) - Hike with Mike!
  • Hiking at Friendship park in San Pedro. Best view to Catalina island and LA harbor. August 11, 9am. Meet at 1850 w 9th Street San Pedro. Drive up to parking lot up on hill. 
  • Also, those interested in ‘Conquer the Bridge 2018’ on Labor Day, please talk with Mike Lyu on Sunday. Conquer the Bridge 2018: run/walk over Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro (5.3 miles). Expected to be a 2 hour brisk walk over the most scenic bridge in California. Registration at conquerthebridge.com. Ask Mike Lyu for any questions.   
• Aug 10-12 (Fri-Sun) – Youth Summer Retreat

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Psalm 25:5 - "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JULY 18, 2018

Map Check

Today is July 18, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

When Jesus stood up and spoke on the last and greatest day of the Festival of Tabernacles, he was invoking the image of God that the festival was celebrating. Specifically, by saying "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus was invoking the pillar of fire that guided the people of God during the time of the wilderness journey.

Jesus was saying he was the guiding light to life. The road map to life. Now, what does that mean for us?

Well, John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word.
Psalm 119:105 tells us that God's Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path.
Psalm 19:8-11 tells us that God's word is to help us live life; that by them we are warned and in keeping them there is great reward.

The word of God is our road map to life. And, as 1 John 1:7 says, if we "walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with [God], and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." Meaning that, if we follow God's road map, we can call ourselves Christians; we can claim to have a relationship with a Holy God, through Jesus, even though we are sinners. 

However, if we do not walk in the light; if we do not follow God's road map, then we cannot claim that we are True Christians. 

And that is our challenge. 

Who or what is your road map to life? Who do you trust in giving you directions and making your paths straight? God's blessings upon you as you wrestle with this challenge and I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday. 

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events

• July 16-31 (Mon-Tues) – Thailand Summer Missions with SBT
  • Please pray for Caroline's prayer request during this time. They are:
    • To see God working in the hearts of the children at Mango House, BN, and Happiness Center
    • To be renewed in spirit working alongside current long-term missionaries in Thailand
    • To encourage the children to study and learn an education that can help others
    • For safety and health of the missions team
    • To continue strengthening my new marriage
• July 27-29 (Fri-Sun) – EM Family Retreat at Mount Kare​
  • Address: 24557 CA-2, Wrightwood, CA 92397
  • What to bring: HERE
  • Check-in is from 7:30pm-9pm Friday, July 27
• July 27 (Fri) - Skid Row Mission Prep. 6pm at the kitchen.
• July 28 (Sat) - Skid Row Mission. Van leaves at 6:20am.

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​Important Summer Dates to Note

• Aug 5 (Sun) – Graduation/Promotion Sunday
• Aug 10-12 (Fri-Sun) – Youth Summer Retreat

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 Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JULY 11, 2018

Here are the PICTURES and the VIDEO from VBS 2018. A big shout out to Tiffany Kim for doing these.

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Mirror Check

Today is July 11, 2018

Welcome to your mid-week!

Mirrors reflect light. They reflect the light of whatever and whoever is in front of it. 

John 8:12 tells us that Jesus is the light of the world.
Matthew 5:13-16 tells us that we are supposed to be the light of the world.
1 Peter 1:16 tells us to be holy because God is holy.

In essence, we are a mirror. We need to reflect the light of Christ. Jesus Christ needs to be in the forefront of our lives. Our lives should reflect that Jesus is Lord. 

And, while this may look like morality and goodness, the most important aspect that we need to reflect is the gospel message we received. That message of life and death needs to be shared.

Paul says it like this:

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

And so, that is our challenge. Doing good and being moral is not the end all be all. The source of that morality must be shared. The foundation of that goodness must be proclaimed. The author and perfecter of our faith must be credited.

We need to check our mirrors and see if we really are reflecting the light of Christ or something else.

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

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events

• July 11 (Wed) [TODAY] – All Generation Cell Group Apologetics Study. 7pm at the Benedicts.
  • Upcoming Topic: the Argument from Design (the Teleological Argument), which includes the Fine Tuning of the Universe and) the Information and Design in Biology.
• July 12 (Thurs) - Young Married/Families Cell Group. 6:45pm.
• July 14 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group Outing – Rock Climbing this Saturday!
  • Where: The Hangar 18, 4926 Rosecrans ave, Hawthorne, Ca 90250
  • When: 3:30pm-5:30pm, Dinner provided afterwards. Cost: FREE! Contact Eric to RSVP.
• July 14 (Sat) Hike with Mike! This Saturday at 4pm
  • Enjoy an afternoon hike by the cool tide pool named after a favorite mollusk for Koreans. Meet at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park. The Hike will be led by docents from Palos Verdes Land Conservancy, Bring water and good hiking shoes. Questions? Please contact Mike at lyu33@yahoo.com
• July 15 (Sun) – Ministry Council Meeting. 12:30pm.
• July 15 (Sun) - PV Cell Group. 1pm
• July 15-21 (Sun-Sat) – Youth Summer Missions. They leave 1:15pm on Sunday.
• July 17-30 (Tues-Mon) – Thailand Summer Missions with SBT

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Ministry Requests

• Thailand Summer Missions Donation Request by this Sunday
  Mango House (orphanage in Chiang Mai) is asking for donations of children’s bathing suits ages 4-15. For both boys and girls. New or used is okay. Our mission team will be taking the children on an outing to a water park. Questions please contact Caroline Shin at ccshin@gmail.com

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​Important Summer Dates to Note

• July 27-29 (Fri-Sun) – EM Family Retreat at Mount Kare
  • $120 per person, $400 max per family by THIS SUNDAY. This will be the last day to register.
    $60, $200 per family for those needing scholarship or who are in college* (please talk to Pastor Frank if you need financial assistance.)
    Registration Form: link
• Aug 5 (Sun) – Graduation/Promotion Sunday
• Aug 10-12 (Fri-Sun) – Youth Summer Retreat

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Proverbs 27:19 - "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart."

TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - JULY 5, 2018

Witnessing Miracles

Today is July 5, 2018

Welcome to July and your mid-week!

In Galatians 5:7-6:8 , Paul gives 8 different instructions to the church of Galatia that he labels as 'good.' They include:

Getting rid of bad influences, loving your neighbor, living by the Spirit, restoring those in sin, carrying each other's burdens, examining yourself in the light of Christ, sharing wisdom, and acting to please God.

These are good to do. However, Paul also labels them as potential sources of weariness. To encourage the church to, as it says in Ephesians 2:10, "...do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do..." Paul tells them this:

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

Paul encourages them not to give into the weariness but to continue doing good. And he mentions that, in the 'proper time' we will 'reap a harvest.' What is the harvest? Why, the ability to see miracles.

This past week we held VBS at our church. With only 4 weeks to plan a 4 day event with 85 kids registered and over 50 volunteers, we were definitely trying our best to do the good work Paul describes in Galatians 5:7-6:8, but we were also getting very weary. But, instead of giving up, we finished strong; and on the last day we saw smiles where there once were frowns, laughter where there once was ambivalence, and the proclamation of Jesus as Lord as many came to know and accept the gospel message of Christ.

For those of us who did not give up, in the proper time, we reaped a harvest; we saw miracles.

I've been doing skid row missions for 2 years now. 2 years serving the same block in skid row. This past week one of the regulars approached me to tell me an update about his life. He had just passed the drug screening test and was likely about to receive housing through the welfare system. 

For a place where there is so much hopelessness, that news was a miracle; a harvest reaped at the proper time. And that is the point.

Maybe you've been trying to do the good work of God but are feeling weary. Maybe no one sees you or no one encourages you and your thinking of giving up. Maybe you have already given up. Well, if that is you, then the words of Paul are words for you. Don't grow weary in the good that you are doing and have done for God. Try again. Get back at it. Don't give up. Press on. Do that good. Your harvest will come. Don't give up. 

For at the proper time you will reap your harvest; you will see miracles too.

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

- Frank Kim

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Upcoming Events

• July 11 (Wed) – All Generation Cell Group Apologetics Study. 7pm at the Benedicts. Upcoming Topic: the Argument from Design (the Teleological Argument), which includes the Fine Tuning of the Universe and) the Information and Design in Biology.
• July 12 (Thurs) - Young Married/Families Cell Group. 6:45pm.
• July 14 (Sat) – CPG Cell Group Outing (tentative)
• July 15 (Sun) - PV Cell Group [Updated]. 1pm
• July 15 (Sun) – Ministry Council Meeting. 12:30pm.
• July 17-30 (Tues-Mon) – Thailand Summer Missions with SBT

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Ministry Requests

• Thailand Summer Missions Donation Request
  Mango House (orphanage in Chiang Mai) is asking for donations of children’s bathing suits ages 4-15. For both boys and girls. New or used is okay. Our mission team will be taking the children on an outing to a water park. Questions please contact Caroline Shin at  ccshin@gmail.com
• Youth Orchestra Requests
  Youth Orchestra is looking for more students interested in joining. They are also looking for volunteer music teachers and musical instrument donations. Questions please contact Ruth Chon at ki.ruth37@gmail.com

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​Important Summer Dates to Note

• July 14-21 (Sun-Sat) – Youth Summer Missions
• July 17-30 (Tues-Mon) – Thailand Summer Missions with SBT
• July 27-29 (Fri-Sun) – EM Family Retreat at Mount Kare
  • $100 per person, $350 max per family by July 8 [THIS SUNDAY!]
    $120 per person, $400 max per family by July 15
    $60, $200 per family for those needing scholarship or who are in college* (please talk to Pastor Frank if you need financial assistance.)
    Registration Form: link
• Aug 5 (Sun) – Graduation/Promotion Sunday
• Aug 10-12 (Fri-Sun) – Youth Summer Retreat

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Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."