pastor’s
Note
“I don’t want to sit in a different pew from where I used to.”
“I don’t want to worship in another church.”
When I first initiated a joint service of two congregations that I had previously served, people complained. Although the first joint service on World Communion Sunday was great having one big choir, a larger group of children and a shared communion bread and cup, the worship attendance was frustrating. Only about one third of the larger church members showed up at the service.
As people experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and spread the good word, however, gradually more people came to the service every year. After five years, the joint services of the two congregations have become the highlight and a proud tradition of their ministry.
I believe that ministry is building bridges!
To build a new bridge, we need small stones. If we put them on the brook one after another, they will become larger steppingstones, and eventually those stones will allow people to cross the stream.
As the pastor of two churches - Danville UMC and Grace UMC - I am convinced that our joint service is the first small stone to start building a bridge between the two churches. It will be a powerful channel through which God’s Spirit will flow from one to the other.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) The Psalmist confesses a beautiful testimony.
On May 19th, Grace church will have “No Sunday service” in our sanctuary. We will have a joint service at 10:00 in Danville UMC instead.
I know it may be hard to accept going to another church to worship, sitting in an unfamiliar pew surrounded by the unusual circumstances.
But please remember: God is everywhere and your presence will be a small stone for our bridge!
May the risen Lord lead your way to Danville on May 19th!
Bon Courage!
Your Pastor Kyu
“I don’t want to worship in another church.”
When I first initiated a joint service of two congregations that I had previously served, people complained. Although the first joint service on World Communion Sunday was great having one big choir, a larger group of children and a shared communion bread and cup, the worship attendance was frustrating. Only about one third of the larger church members showed up at the service.
As people experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and spread the good word, however, gradually more people came to the service every year. After five years, the joint services of the two congregations have become the highlight and a proud tradition of their ministry.
I believe that ministry is building bridges!
To build a new bridge, we need small stones. If we put them on the brook one after another, they will become larger steppingstones, and eventually those stones will allow people to cross the stream.
As the pastor of two churches - Danville UMC and Grace UMC - I am convinced that our joint service is the first small stone to start building a bridge between the two churches. It will be a powerful channel through which God’s Spirit will flow from one to the other.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) The Psalmist confesses a beautiful testimony.
On May 19th, Grace church will have “No Sunday service” in our sanctuary. We will have a joint service at 10:00 in Danville UMC instead.
I know it may be hard to accept going to another church to worship, sitting in an unfamiliar pew surrounded by the unusual circumstances.
But please remember: God is everywhere and your presence will be a small stone for our bridge!
May the risen Lord lead your way to Danville on May 19th!
Bon Courage!
Your Pastor Kyu