1 Corinthians 12:12 "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ"

Being the youngest of three brothers, I can confidently say that we are all different! But that is a good thing because we help one another through our God-given abilities. My oldest brother is a doctor and though I could do my best "webmd diagnosis" [not advised!], we depend on him to give us preliminary advice. Whenever the children have a mysterious rash, swelling, sore throat, cough or high temperature, he is our first call. We depend on him because we trust and know that he is always there for us [as we are for him]. Isn't this one of the greatest benefits of family? That is, through thick and thin, family is always here for each other.

And likewise, Church is family. We depend on one another. We trust and reach out for one another. When one is hurting, we pray and help just as any family would. When one is in need, we do our best to aid them just as any family would. Through our various talents we share our gifts just as their gifts are shared with us! We are family [and what a joy that is!] because we are united together by the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

However, the prevalence of individuality has become commonplace in our world today. Consumerism runs rampant as the question, "what's in it for me?" has become the new normal. And even within the church family, the same questions are posed and the same trouble follows. Yet at the same time, it is an opportunity to ask the question, "What does it mean to be part of the family at Faith Moorpark?"

"The first of the responsibilities might seem obvious. Woody Allen said 80 percent of success is showing up. People who don't see the blessings of membership tend to be the people who don't show up to church very often. Now, that might seem obvious too. Since they don't see the blessings of membership, they don't show up to church. But the reverse is even more true. Because they don't show up regularly, they don't experience all the blessings" [Speckhard, 63].

As it reads in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near". We show up, we encourage one another, and we come together to receive the greatest blessing in the Word and the Sacrament. [Acts 2:42-47].

And we do come together, don't we? I forget how much we do! For when we meet together we are growing together. Every single time! At Sunday Divine Service, Wednesday's vespers service, receiving the Lord's Supper together, witnessing together the gift of Holy Baptism, bible studies together, fellowshipping together [advent dinner, chili cook off, women's luncheon], council meetings together, committee meetings together, community service together [moorpark food pantry, rachel's closet], and outreaching together [moorpark country days]. In our togetherness we are reminded how important this family is for all of us. And in so doing, the Lord is working through our church family to be the beacon of light to our community.

I pray that we may continue to grow together as a family. What a wonderful time it is to be a member here at Faith Moorpark and how much you all have been a blessing to me and those around you.

Have a blessed June!

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
http://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2019/2019-06-Newsletter.pdf