Dear My Beloved Family of God
2021 Lent can be a time of mourning and grief since we have lost many of our loved ones, near and far! We also lost a half million lives due to COVID-19 nationally. I pray for all of them that our loving God embrace their souls with warm bright light and everlasting hope and life and that the Holy Spirit comfort their families and friends on their long grieving journey.
For this Lent, we may decide to give up something to discipline our lives – sweets, sodas, TV, social medias, etc. But during the pandemic, we have already given up so much – in-person gatherings, singing together, hugging together, visiting one another, etc. So, I’d like to encourage all to do something positive and constructive…with thanksgiving and gratitude…because God has been gracious and generous in so many ways.
Let us look into our hearts and minds and reflect on what are there! The left column below tells us the list of negative things that make our life more difficult and miserable. Let us give up on them and instead start taking up the ones on the right column! I hope this list helps us to be stronger and wiser as we continue to walk our COVID-19 challenging journey:
FOR 2021 LENT
WHAT TO GIVE UP WHAT TO TAKE UP
*Anger *Gratitude
*Bitterness *Forgiveness
*Conceit *Humility
*Despair *Hope
*Guilt *Grace
*Giving Up *Hanging On with Patience
*Hatred *Understanding
*Falseness *Authenticity
*Gossiping *Solidarity
*Jealousy *Trust/Friendship
Prayers and worship are always the best medicine for our souls. You are invited to join our online Worship Service each Sunday. You will continue to receive ZOOM invitation with Sunday Bulletin every Friday. And you have three options as follows:
1. Watch and interact on ZOOM
2. Watch without interaction live on YouTube (There are clickable links on our
website home page and our Facebook page for the Live-Stream Service)
3. Watch the recorded service on our web page and FaceBook after 7 pm Sunday
We will continue to be together and connected through prayers, praises, ministries and worship! I am thinking
of you every day and praying for you. Let us keep moving forward with our Risen Lord in our hearts!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Your Pastor, Hyesung Lee
(March 2021)