Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Transitions by Pastor Jeong
Transition: Noun - The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Speaking of "process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another", the past month has been quite a transition. From the moving arrangements [U-Haul, apartment, school etc.], to the drive from Washington state, this has been a whirlwind of a month. Just the other day as I was going to the DMV for new California plates, it was during this time that I finally realized we were turning over a new leaf. When filling out all the paper work, the DMV mandatorily requested my old Washington license plates in exchange for new California plates. As I was handing them over, I knew that we were truly starting over. Transitions, at times, are very stressful. For in this new call, we also have been given a new place, new environment, new routine, new residence, new school, new friends, and as a Pastor, a new congregation. But it is in this autobahn-like transition, that we are reminded of the greatest transition given through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Colossians 1:13-14 "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Many of you have endured and lived through many different transitions. Whether it was a new job, a residential move, marriage, becoming a parent [or a grandparent], retirement, facing illnesses, or even a loss of a loved one, these times are very overwhelming to say the least. But through the endless transitions faced in one’s lifetime, we dwell upon the greatest transition [and hope] that is given through Jesus Christ. From "one state or condition to another" our gracious Lord delivers His glorious exchange in Christ Jesus. Without His graceful exchange, how could we possibly make this glorious transfer for ourselves? We thank the Lord that He sent His Son to be our Savior who faithfully went to the Cross as our sacrificial lamb [John 1:29]. And three days later, rejoicing in the promise fulfilled by way of the empty tomb [John 2:19]. From one condition to another, Jesus grants to you the greatest transition from death to life, from eternal condemnation to His pardon, from sin and separation to forgiveness and reconciliation. Through all endurance and perseverance, we continue to be resolute to the fact that in faith God delivers through His gracious Word [John 1:14]. Though we live in a world that goes through constant change, we continue to live in faith, knowing that in the water and word of Baptism, we have been brought from one condition to another. "Don’t you know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in His death, we will certainly be united with Him in His resurrection." [Romans 6:3-5].
May the Lord grant you joy in the midst of all that you have and continue to face in the upcoming days. May His word be your refuge knowing that in midst and all things, there we stand with all boldness knowing that by God and His promises, we are covered by His kingdom which has no end.
May you have a blessed month of October!
In Christ,
+Pastor Jeong
P.S. As your new Pastor, I want to thank you for the warm welcome to my family and me. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for us as we make our transition to Moorpark. We pray that this may be the beginning for many more years to come as we continue to walk together in God’s word and sacraments. If you ever need a visit, or just a moment to chat at the office or even over a cup of coffee, I am always here for you. Please feel free to give me a call anytime [714-356-6321] or send an email. We love you all in Christ Jesus!
The full newsletter can be found here:
http://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2017/2017-10-Newsletter.pdf
Speaking of "process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another", the past month has been quite a transition. From the moving arrangements [U-Haul, apartment, school etc.], to the drive from Washington state, this has been a whirlwind of a month. Just the other day as I was going to the DMV for new California plates, it was during this time that I finally realized we were turning over a new leaf. When filling out all the paper work, the DMV mandatorily requested my old Washington license plates in exchange for new California plates. As I was handing them over, I knew that we were truly starting over. Transitions, at times, are very stressful. For in this new call, we also have been given a new place, new environment, new routine, new residence, new school, new friends, and as a Pastor, a new congregation. But it is in this autobahn-like transition, that we are reminded of the greatest transition given through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Colossians 1:13-14 "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Many of you have endured and lived through many different transitions. Whether it was a new job, a residential move, marriage, becoming a parent [or a grandparent], retirement, facing illnesses, or even a loss of a loved one, these times are very overwhelming to say the least. But through the endless transitions faced in one’s lifetime, we dwell upon the greatest transition [and hope] that is given through Jesus Christ. From "one state or condition to another" our gracious Lord delivers His glorious exchange in Christ Jesus. Without His graceful exchange, how could we possibly make this glorious transfer for ourselves? We thank the Lord that He sent His Son to be our Savior who faithfully went to the Cross as our sacrificial lamb [John 1:29]. And three days later, rejoicing in the promise fulfilled by way of the empty tomb [John 2:19]. From one condition to another, Jesus grants to you the greatest transition from death to life, from eternal condemnation to His pardon, from sin and separation to forgiveness and reconciliation. Through all endurance and perseverance, we continue to be resolute to the fact that in faith God delivers through His gracious Word [John 1:14]. Though we live in a world that goes through constant change, we continue to live in faith, knowing that in the water and word of Baptism, we have been brought from one condition to another. "Don’t you know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in His death, we will certainly be united with Him in His resurrection." [Romans 6:3-5].
May the Lord grant you joy in the midst of all that you have and continue to face in the upcoming days. May His word be your refuge knowing that in midst and all things, there we stand with all boldness knowing that by God and His promises, we are covered by His kingdom which has no end.
May you have a blessed month of October!
In Christ,
+Pastor Jeong
P.S. As your new Pastor, I want to thank you for the warm welcome to my family and me. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for us as we make our transition to Moorpark. We pray that this may be the beginning for many more years to come as we continue to walk together in God’s word and sacraments. If you ever need a visit, or just a moment to chat at the office or even over a cup of coffee, I am always here for you. Please feel free to give me a call anytime [714-356-6321] or send an email. We love you all in Christ Jesus!
The full newsletter can be found here:
http://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2017/2017-10-Newsletter.pdf
posted by Faith Moorpark
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7:32 PM
