URC Weekly 12/6/09: 2009-2010 Annual Meeting



Hi Union,

The end of 2009 means reflection on our church family in the past year, as well as a new, God-given direction for 2010.  From Thanksgiving until now, I’ve been continually filled with gratitude for God’s grace in our church, for the depths He’s lifted us out of and the heights He’s brought us to.  We’ll cover it all in our Annual Meeting this Sunday…

1) 2009-2010 ANNUAL MEETING: THIS SUNDAY AFTER WORSHIP.  We will discuss our ministry in 2009 and reveal the vision, leadership, budget, and plans for 2010.  Any believing member of URC has voting power to approve or contest our blueprint for 2010, so please come and give your input.  Before we gather, pray with us throughout the week for divine wisdom in decision-making and divine motive in our hearts.  God be glorified through the amazing things He’ll do next year.

2) “DELIVER ME” FILMING: THIS SUNDAY FROM 9-11 AM.  Grace was selected to be on a TV show on the Discovery Health channel called “Deliver Me,” which chronicles three OB/GYN doctors as they care for their pregnant patients.  They’re mostly focusing on Grace, but they want a token amount on the husband and his workplace, Union Restoration Chapel, haha.  Like I said, don’t dress in prom outfits with corsages and boutineers.  We’ll have service, as usual, and nothing will be different.  PLEASE COME EARLY, BY 9:15 AM (OK, that might be different for some of you) to pray with us in preparation for service.  Let’s also welcome the crew and take this opportunity to share the love of God with them.  God be glorified through our witness to the crew and viewers.

3) COMMUNITY GROUP: THIS FRIDAY @ 7 PM @ SANG/GRACE’S.  Potluck dinner , Yun-Soo’s (our daughter) baby shower, Bible study, dessert.

4) UCI COMMUNITY SERVICE: A WEEK FROM FRIDAY (12/18) FROM 7 AM – 4 PM (three-hour slots) @ UC Irvine Family Health Center (800 N Main Street, Santa Ana).  Part of Garnet’s Americorps internship, and she says, “We’re doing developmental screening on children of low-income families, and we need volunteers to do things from directing families, passing out forms, handing out gifts, etc. Thanks!”  Garnet said she needed as many volunteers as possible, and as the guys said in Discipleship, one great way to draw near to Jesus this Christmas is to serve those in need.  Sam got a bunch of your applications, but if you didn’t get one, talk to Sam ASAP.

5) CHRISTMAS PARTY: A WEEK FROM SATURDAY (12/19) @ 5 PM @ JAMES KIM’S HOUSE (2529 Tiffany Pl., Fullerton, 92833).  A night of food (potluck ), games, and the Gift Exchange Game (similar to Mafia, it’s an evil game that goes against most Christian principles of kindness/generosity, but 1) We go in understanding that; 2) Leave with no hard feelings; and 3) Play only once in a blue moon, so our members don’t start to harbor real bitterness against each other.  Yes, I realize this sounds bad coming from your pastor).  If you wanna play (don’t have to), bring a wrapped $15-20 gift.  Either way, come and spend a great night with THE FAMILY (said in the Italian way, with hands raised in the exclamation, “THE FAMILY!”)!

6) CHRISTMAS BAPTISM: SUNDAY (12/20) @ URC WORSHIP SERVICE. Protestants have two sacraments, where we believe the grace of Christ is given to the church: Holy Communion and baptism. If you haven’t been baptized, or not since you consciously chose to follow Christ (for both adults and children with Christian parents), this is something every believer should do as a public confession of their faith. I was baptized seven years after I became a Christian, so it’s never too late. Please let me know ASAP if you’re interested.

WE’LL MEET FOR THE REQUIRED BAPTISM CLASS @ JAMES KIM’S HOUSE BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS PARTY @ 3 PM (for teaching on foundational theology and significance of baptism).

7) 2009 WINTER RETREAT: 12/27-29 (SUN-TUE) @ CAMP MARANATHA.  Pastor Chae from OKEC will be our guest speaker, Billy Kim from Sarang Community Church will lead praise, and we’ll be in that gigantic house we were in two years ago.  Save the dates for what is always a time of deep bonding and spiritual growth.  If you didn’t signed up on Sunday, please let me know if you’re interested in going.

8 ) PRAISE BIBLE STUDY: BREAK IN DECEMBER.  Since the rest of our Sundays in December are so packed, we’ll take a break and restart in January.

9) UPDATED PICS: THE PROPOSAL.  See how Sam proposed and evidence of success (Charlene’s tears).  If you keep clicking on the next slide really fast for the proposal pics, it looks like the lowest-quality movie ever, but a movie nonetheless.

10) DEVOTIONS: Psalm 126-131 (“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”)

11) SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Charlene Park

Pray hard for God’s love and leadership in our Annual Meeting, and see you this week!