URC Weekly 5/30/10: Fuel the Fire



Hi Family,

This holiday weekend, God gave us the Tim Duncan Retreat: No hype beforehand, no superstar praise teams or speakers, not a mass number of people, but an experience of the Lord that will give us strength and growth for a long, long time.  For our first-ever Family Retreat, every ministry of our church was simultaneously blessed with strength in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (our theme).  We gained a special closeness to our entire church and will begin the rebuilding process together…

For those who were back at home, thank you for lifting us up because the Almighty truly heard your prayers and delivered.  On the last night of the retreat, we prayed that our EM would have a burning passion for the Lord and a desperation to give our all to Him.  We committed to live with the power of prayer daily, not only for major events in our lives, in order to overcome the pressures we face; to be driven by the desire to make God proud; and to serve with ordered priorities (soldiers), excellence (athletes), and hard work (farmers), so we can accomplish great things in our church.

For all of us, whether at the retreat or not, let’s fuel the fire and inspire our entire church to be strong in His grace.  Let’s especially pour into our Youth Group students, who experienced much healing and rededicated themselves to God.  Remember them in your prayers and get involved in their lives, so we can raise them in the Lord.

1) PRAY FOR THE KIMS: Tae and Sara got in a car accident today, driving back from work.  Lots of damage to their car, but thank God everyone (both cars) is OK.  Please pray for strength and wisdom.

2) ULA’S GRADUATION DINNER: THIS THURSDAY @ 9 PM @ ULA’S.  We have ONE graduating senior this year, so let’s make it all about Ula.  She had too few tickets for the graduation ceremony, so we’re gonna celebrate her graduation and the Lakers’ game one victory at her house.  Please RSVP by Wednesday on her facebook event page (also has her address), so she knows how many to accommodate: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108255009220885

3) COMMUNITY GROUP: THIS FRIDAY @ 7 PM @ TAE/SARA’S.  We postponed due to the retreat, so there’s even more anticipation built up for our study on the question of evil in the world in the presence of a good God (the people wanna know!), led by our own Deacon Tae.  Potluck and Pool Tourney #10,185.

4) SPRING CLEANING: THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON.  You know that wall by the fridge, with a bunch of boxes on the floor, full of everything from flag football equipment to Vienna Sausages?  Gotta do something about it.  Same with the pile of tools and kids’ stuff on the desk in the Den.  Same with that huge desk near the TV that’s about to fall down and crush a small child.  We’ll throw out trash, sweep, clean, and rearrange all the furniture on Sunday.  Then the ladies will buy curtains, shelving, and containers to organize.  Finally, MTV will film “Cribs” in the URC Living Room.  Please bring appropriate clothes, and any sweeping/cleaning supplies that might be helpful.

5) SADDLEBACK CONVERSATION GATHERING: A WEEK FROM THURSDAY (6/10) @ 7 PM @ SADDLEBACK CHURCH.  As the church faces a new age of globalization and a demographic shift toward the Southern hemisphere, what will it mean for the role of American churches and leaders?  I’ll be at Sam and Charlene’s wedding rehearsal that night, but I recommend it for anyone with a heart for missions or the worldwide church.  Rick Warren and some global church leaders will guide this conversation, so if you’re interested, register on their website: http://saddleback.com/webcast/12cities12conversations/

6) SAM AND CHARLENE’S WEDDING WEEKEND: IN TWO WEEKENDS (Friday, 6/11 – Saturday, 6/12).  The BIG DAY is on that Saturday @ 5 PM, but they’re having a decorating party the day before (that Friday @ 6:30 PM @ church).  Please come out and help make this occasion the greatest ever.  Pizza will be provided, and they asked for RSVPs on their facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117118524996981

Besides the decorating party, they’ll need help on the wedding day with getting everything ready, serving food, and cleaning up.  As their family, let’s support them in prayer and in action.

7) VBS: 6/25-26 (Friday-Saturday) FROM 9 AM-6 PM both days.  Parents, register your kids either this Sunday or next Sunday ($30 first child, $25 second).  They need volunteers, so if you’re interested please talk to Director Kim (pre-school) or Mrs. Hong (Jeremiah’s mom, elementary).

8 ) FAMILY RETREAT PICS UPLOADED: See Photos section

9) SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Sam Roberson-Yi

10) DEVOTIONS: Isaiah 40-45: “To whom, then, will you compare God?  What image will you compare him to?  ‘To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One.

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -40:18, 25, 28-31

Fuel the fire…