Articles for Church Newsletter


Take Note - February 2011

January 23, 2011

We often recognize that we are weak and sinful in nature.  Even with Jesus' sacrifice and God's endless guidance, we stumble and disobey God.  Apostle Peter was rebuked as a Satan by Jesus right after hearing that he would be a rock of the church (Matthew 16: 16-23).  Our battle with our sinful nature will continue, until we stand before our God and join the eternal life in heaven.

During Lent, some people decide to sacrifice a favorite part of life to get a step closer to God.  It can be chocolate or computer games, etc.  Some people do extra things instead like reading the Bible or praying more than usual.  How about praising God more during this Lenten season?  Have you considered joining one of our church choirs?  This is a great time to step in.

I once heard a joke, saying that when we gather in heaven most people will lose their earthly jobs because there will be no need to work for a living any more.  Even all pastors will be unemployed because we will hear from God directly.  But there are some people who will keep their earthly jobs. Who will those people be?  Yes!  The people who praised God with their voices and instruments!  Praising God is an ongoing activity that God loves from our life here to eternal life in heaven.

When people told me that the music during service lifted their spirit, I thanked God for using our choir members and me as an instrument to cleanse our hearts and minds.  During our busy and sinful days, we need to be cleaned by God's grace and mercy.  We may not be angels, but at least while praising God, we are doing the angels' job. 

Our church is a growing church.  We welcomed 20 new members plus their children last Sunday.  We are enjoying full classrooms with an increasing number of children and youth week after week.  As we receive more and more blessings from God, our musical offerings towards God should be equally plentiful to answer His blessings.  Let us praise God with our joyful hearts and minds!   

 

Take Note - January 2011

December 28, 2010

It was after just 2 months of dating that I asked Miah to marry me.  The answer from her parents for us was to spend at least a year to get to know each other.  People in Korea generally say that you need to spend 4 seasons (one year) with people in order to know them well.

It has been 4 seasons for me and my family since we joined the Westminster family.  We have shared times of joy, sorrow, and many other emotions with Westminster families and the people of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area....


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - December 2010

November 22, 2010

As it gets closer to the end of the year, we will be adopting a new directory.  While updating  the addresses and phone numbers of members, we sometimes need to eliminate certain names because there is no longer a reason to contact them.  In other cases, we call someone to say "hello" after a long absence.   This time of year, we recognize the importance of the relationships and realize that it needs continuing efforts to maintain.

This is true to the relationship between Jesus Christ and u...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - November 2010

October 20, 2010

While living in the United States since 1997, I have encountered various cultural differences between South Korea and the U.S.A.  Sometimes it's amazing to find that opposite expressions are used for the same situations.

For example, when Koreans leave work before their co-workers they tell them "work hard."  What do we say here in this case?  We will say "don't work too hard."  I don't think that these different sayings will make people work any differently.  It has been a "custom" in greet...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - October 2010

September 21, 2010

During the first couple weeks in this choir year, we have been blessed to see many returning and new members in each group.  The reason we need to move in to the new choir rooms for bigger space and renovated facilities became clear with the increased number of children and youth choir members in the current choir room.  Not only with numbers, but the plans we have with our church choirs will even demand more room.  We need to encourage our musical groups to grow in numbers and quality, but a...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - September 2010

August 24, 2010

“(Elijah:) I am the only one left... (God:)Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him...”  (1 Kings 19:10 and 19:18) 

This conversation happened between Elijah and God when Elijah fled with fear for Jezebel's threat right after his unbelievable victory with God's help against the prophets of Baal.  Sometimes we think that we are alone in certain situations.  It's caused by our arrogance or lack of confidence.  But i...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - August 2010

July 30, 2010

Having  children enjoy vegetables for a healthy diet has been always challenging.  One day at a picnic in the church back yard a few years ago, I was a little surprised  to see a mom pick all the vegetables out of her hamburger:  tomatoes, lettuces, and so on.  When she had only the meat and cheese left, she became finally satisfied.  When found me looking at her, she smiled and said, "I cannot ask my kids to try vegetables because I am not a good eater as you see."

One day, I picked up a CD...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - June/July 2010

May 20, 2010

We did not plan to move this soon.   But, it happens that we need to pack our stuff to move out of the house we have been in for only five and a half months.

While packing some books and music, I came upon a journal I had written in around the time Solomon was born in the year 2000.   The importance of recording is somehow equally important from national events to personal diaries. 

According to the journal, Grace lost her first tooth on June 9, 2000,  and Solomon tasted somethin...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - May 2010

April 25, 2010

When we see the trees blooming and green grass growing in the early spring, we wonder where all this life came from. 

During the winter, the lifeless trees and grass seem to have stopped breathing.  But, they have just been resting and recharging.  As the temperature rises, the snow disappears, daylight gets longer, and they are all back.  Their thriving show of life shows us how they have prepared for the new season! 

O
ur musical activities will take a rest during the summer months.  Ou...


Continue reading...
 

Take Note - April 2010

March 31, 2010

I remember a saying that I first heard a long time ago; "If you want to be happy for a week, have your hair cut. For 6 months of happiness, get a brand new car."

How do we bring happiness to our whole life?

Answers vary from person to person, but most agree that the people around us are more important than material things.  We need a certain level of financial stability to maintain our happiness, but it is only one of the factors that make our life meaningful.

Dr. Albert Schw...


Continue reading...
 

Make a free website with Yola