Pastoral Reflections

by Pastor Dennis Brown

So much has happened in these last weeks that it is hard to know where to start, but let me try.

Peter Kim's election as next Pastor.  I cannot fully express my gratitude to the search team and to Alan Fiol who led us with such professionalism, and then to Peter and Polly Kim who agreed to have Peter succeed me in September. It was a long, arduous process, but I do believe that of all the candidates we looked at, Peter was the most qualified. He fits us from both a theological and a missional perspective. I will be working with him in these months to do all I can to prep him so that he can build on what we have built together and take it to an even better place.

Embers to a Flame Conference with Dr. Harry Reeder.  What a rich experience to have Dr. Harry Reeder with us last week in the pulpit. Even better was the opportunity that the leaders had to attend the Embers to a Flame Conference at Christ's College last week. I do believe it will serve the church for years to come as it was a primer, a reminder of what things are most important for church health. Along with Peter Kim, the elders, and the deacons, we hope to debrief and apply all we can to the life and health of the church.

Good Friday and Easter.  Do join us on Good Friday, March 30th, from 7:30 to 8:30pm in the fourth floor chapel for our annual Tenebrae Good Friday Service. We attempt to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. The tone is meant to be somber because the occasion is somber. It is a service that lets the accent fall on the darkness of the crucifixion of Christ. There will be music performed by our orchestra led by Alan Fiol, as well as readings from the crucifixion story, the lighting and extinguishing of the candles, a cross nailing, the Lord’s Supper, and the return of the Christ candle at the end looking forward to the resurrection.

Then, on Easter morning, along with the children’s choir, we hope to have a testimony and an Easter message from the end of Romans 8 that describes how Christians are actually “huper-nike”—Greek for “super conquerors”—through our resurrected Lord.

Michelle Ko Commissioning.  This Sunday, March 25th, we will commission Michelle Ko to her next assignment with Serving In Mission (SIM) in Africa. She is joining a team in Tanzania that seeks to strengthen local churches. She will also do children’s evangelism. What we know about Michelle is wherever she goes, she will be a blessing and is undaunted by anything. In her last tour, she built an AIDS orphanage for children.

After the service, you are invited to pick up her prayer card, and to give her a special gift of love. We support her out of our mission budget, but believe additional gifts are also appropriate. Pray that all of her support is reached. She is far from her goal and still needs to raise over 50% of her support. You are also invited to come to the church apartment afterward to visit with her personally. Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. This starts at 1:15pm. If you don’t know your way, meet at the church main doors at 1:00 and someone will be there to walk with you.

Welcoming Back Judy Chang.  Bill Chang is one of our longest-serving members and a former elder. He always exhibits joy and good cheer whenever you meet him even though his family has often faced serious medical issues. He is also an amazing example of fatherhood, and you can see him each Sunday with his daughter, Judy, who was born with many physical challenges. Those challenges have been particularly acute in recent months. In reality, we could have lost Judy, but because of the Lord and great medical care, she is on the mend, and will be joining us this Sunday. Bill wanted to bring a cake for our post-service fellowship time so we could celebrate her return. Do greet and welcome both Bill and Judy this Sunday.