URC Weekly 11/21/10: Thank You, Jesus, Period.
Hi Family,
Once again, we spent the entire Saturday before Thanksgiving slaving away in the kitchen, frying turkeys, making 12 sides (No joke, I think about the bacon-grease-loaded-mashed-potatoes at nights now, after I had eight helpings in two days), and having an amazing time in fellowship. I was at church for 13 hours that day, and not once did I feel tired, bored, or anything but happy. For the thousandth time, I overflowed with gratitude for our entire church, but especially for all of you. That’s the thing: We’re called to be so utterly thankful for the people and provisions God gives to us, but then we should be infinitely more grateful for Jesus in our lives. This Thanksgiving, as the photo illustrates, let’s make our precious Jesus the overwhelming focus of our prayers, joy, and meaning…
1) THANK YOU, URC! An enormous thanks to each of you who game-planned, grocery-shopped, prepped, cooked, decorated, served, welcomed, you name it for our Thanksgiving with the KM Young Adults. I had at least five or six really good conversations with a KM brother/sister, and in one of them, we both had to hold back tears. Of course, I also nearly shed tears laughing during our chain charades game. Excellent evening, thanks to all of you!
2) HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Grace and I will be in San Francisco with her brother’s family from Wednesday to Saturday, and even for four days, we’ll miss y’all, as always. Praying for renewal for each of your families, in the form of spiritual revival, healing from past conflicts, and a closeness that you may not have felt in a really long time.
3) URC WORSHIP: THIS SUNDAY @ 9:30 AM @ OUR SANCTUARY (Collective groan after reading “9:30 AM”). Back to our usual worship setting, but for a special service: 1) Madeleine and Yun-Soo will be baptized, and Hyunjoo confirmed; and 2) Hyonroh will preach the Word. PLEASE PRAY for our sisters and brother, and let’s come on time to fully experience what God has in store.
4) REV. AHN’S LAST SUNDAY: This Sunday will be the last for Rev. Ahn, Vivienne, and their kids (Lauren, Luke, and Stephen). They’re moving to Korea in mid-December, so Rev. Ahn can become the praise pastor for Hallelujah Church, which will now be led by Pastor Daniel Kim (formerly from Sarang Church). Send them off with much love and many prayers.
5) SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: John Yi
6) DEVOTIONS: Hosea 7-12. Chapter 11 shows such a stark contrast between the way God loved Israel, how Israel left “marriage” with God for a life of “prostitution,” and how God will hold back His wrath and still love Israel:
God’s Love for Israel
1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more I[a] called Israel,
the further they went from me.[b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.
3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.
5 “Will they not return to Egypt
and will not Assyria rule over them
because they refuse to repent?
6 Swords will flash in their cities,
will destroy the bars of their gates
and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me.
Even if they call to the Most High,
he will by no means exalt them.
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath.[c]
10 They will follow the LORD;
he will roar like a lion.
When he roars,
his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling
like birds from Egypt,
like doves from Assyria.
I will settle them in their homes,”
declares the LORD.
Thank you, Jesus, period.
