Our new moderator, Elder Pete Jones, has asked the church’s pastor, The Rev James Kwon, to deliver the message. 

In conversations with Pastor James I learned that last year the church sent twenty eight people to Pyongyang, North Korea (traveling via Beijing) to pray for revival.  Could they have stayed home and prayed for revival?  Yes.  But they felt compelled to go and pray on Korean soil.  Last year was the one hundredth anniversary of the first missionary efforts in Korea and the trip was made to commemorate that event.  The church also held nightly prayer gatherings in the two weeks leading up to the recent South Korean Presidential Election.  Hundreds of the faithful participated.  They prayed for the churches in Korea, for the unification of their native land and for the election of God’s choice for president. 

This is the first time our presbytery has been hosted by one of our Korean congregations.  Don’t miss it.

You may have heard me previously encouraging your participation in our presbytery meetings.  When I have encouraged pastors and elders to do so, some have refused, saying they have standing Tuesday evening events to attend or to lead and are reluctant to cancel or find substitutes.  I appreciate that sense of commitment.  Nevertheless we are called to a higher standard.  We affirmed via our ordination vows to be governed by our polity, to abide by its discipline, to be friends to our colleagues in ministry, to be active in government and discipline and to serve in the governing bodies of our church.  We can do all those things when we participate in presbytery.  Let’s free six Tuesdays each year to participate in presbytery meetings and let’s work to make those gatherings as rich and valuable as God will inspire.   What’s key, for me, is to make the best possible use of the relational time available.  Plan to worship and/or have dinner with a good friend or someone who needs an encouraging word. 

See you there!

Jerry