Welcome back Pastor Donald! It was good to see our pastor up at a pulpit again leading prayers after the worship. Many of our congregation are also returning from trips and vacations, and it does our hearts good to see them back safe and sound. Thank you Jesus for more answered prayers.
Absence does make us realize how much we miss people. Glory to God that we will once again see all our brothers and sisters in Christ again someday.
Last week, two typhoons pass through Korea. Fortunately for those living in Daejeon, there was not too much rain or wind as Daejeon in the middle of Korea surrounded by mountains. Today, Brother Brian talked about how Christians face difficulties in their lives by "Facing the Storm". In the Bible there are many accounts of prophets and disciples facing storms in boats. Although there are no promises that our lives will be storm free, Jesus is there to storm proof our lives so that we can learn, grow and become closer to God. Please see the sermon "Facing the Storm" (2 Corinthians 4:14-18) in the video below.
Many of members are on vacation and travelling. There is a time for everything and time off from work and school is much needed. This also means while members of the congregation are traveling, there are more empty pews which make the church look rather empty. Please remember to pray for those travelling that they will be safe and will be useful in doing the Lord's work. Also remember to pray for those who are able to attend for other reasons. We should always encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to attend church.
Of course, for some of our volunteers the work never ends. There are so many people doing good work in so many ways. Someone sets up chairs, someone else prepares the food, others set up tables and put out the food and finally they get together to clean up.
Thank God for people who are willing to work behind the scenes and expect no reward to make the church a better place. Every little bit of service is remembered by God.
Please watch today's sermon. Pastor Donald talks about how we, as Christians, misunderstand Jesus' love for us when we have to wait. This sermons shows three lessons to learn about "The Love Delayed" from Mark 6:45-52.
This last weekend was very eventful. On Saturday, the Saturday Bible Study (SBS) had its last study on July 28 for the summer of 2018. SBS will meet again in September after a break in August.
After studying Romans 6 and 7, we went out for lunch at very posh restaurant and had too much pizza, spaghetti, salad and iced coffee. In fact, we enjoyed ourselves and the food so much that no one remembered to take any pictures. This is sometimes the problem with people of my generation who prefer to preserve memories in their minds and not through digital cameras. Anyway, a good time was had by all.
On Sunday we had a great sermon from Pastor Donald. Analyzing the story of David and Bathsheba (II Samuel 11:1-21), Pastor Donald talks about the importance of having "good brakes for our hearts".
Also we had to say goodbye to one of our faithful members. David attended his last OEM service on July 29. He had been going to OEM for almost three years, and during that time he has really grown as a Christian allowing the Holy Spirit to work in him.
As Pastor Donald pointed out before the congregation prayed for David, he is a very faithful and humble man. David had operated the video camera for most of his time at OEM, and he also was a small group leader. Both of these position require diligence, and both of these positions require someone who is trustworthy and faithful.
(Here is David's last small group fellowship at OEM).
One of the realities of OEM is that many of our members will attend for a few years, or less, and move back to their home countries or onto another job assignment elsewhere. Although it is painful to see a brother or sister leave us, it is joyful to remember how much they have changed in the Lord and how much they have blessed us with their striving to know Jesus more. Just like a family they never stop being a brother or sister. Wherever they are and no matter the circumstances, they continue to be in our thoughts and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
David is off to the United Arab Emirates to teach, and he will continue to be in our prayers. Our brother will be missed, but we know he will always be a part of our family in Christ.
