A year gives us many memories in our lives. When we live through a year, many stories arise. During that one year, we meet many people; we eat many foods; we do many good jobs; sometimes, we make some mistakes. Accumulating them layer by layer, a lot of stories are forming in our life. When we meet a friend after a year, we will need tons of time to share those stories.
It’s already been a year since I met you. It means that there are many stories we can share together in our church community. You welcomed me and my family from the very first time through every meeting. In our first summer, the Ice-Cream Social made us to be closer to each other. We have been together in our Sunday worship services, Bible studies, Koinonia Café, and Agape Dinner. I have visited some of you for prayer, consolation, and encouragement. We have had many committee meetings for Trustees, Worship, Finance, Mission, Education, Nomination, and SPRC. We have spent special days such as Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter together. We have fundraised and gathered many items for God’s mission together. We have celebrated many Joys among our church family. Also, we have prayed for our family, friends, neighbors, and all children of God in the world together. Those memories are so meaningful because we did them all together.
As of July, this year, another year has again allowed for us to worship God and to do our mission for our local community. Many people say that Christianity is in crisis. Their diagnosis may be partially right. However, I saw a new hope for our church because we are one body of Jesus Christ to love God and to love our neighbors. I already saw our church family in Worshipping together, taking care of each other together and reaching out our helping hands together to people who are in need. When we are together, we can be a church that God wants us to be; we can be disciples whom Jesus wants us to follow; and we can do our mission that the Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to do. Although we are all different, but we are one in the name of Jesus Christ. Last week, our Annual Conference gathered under the title, “Stronger Together.” I firmly believe that we can be stronger when we are together. I already saw it from First & Wesley UMC. So, I will be more positive and active as part of our church community next year. Let us go together for the kingdom of God here and now. Amen.
Pastor Jinha Choi