Prayer Requests amazonaws com
Volume 2-52
THE VINE I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruits, because apart from me you can do nothing.
July 11, 2012 Weekly Schedule
-John 15:5
7/11-6:00pm Petra Home Group, dinner and study 7/15-9:40am Prayer Time in the Pastor’s Office 10:00am Sunday Worship Service 11:00am Fellowship and Bible Study 11:30am Sunday Reflection 12:00pm Choir Practice
Upcoming Schedule
Prayer Requests
July 14
Nicaragua Mission Training
July 21
West HG at PD
Let’s all pray for Kelli, Nathan, Michael Picot and all their families as they walk forward with the loss of Katie.
July 22
NHC Fellowship lunch
Continual healing prayer for Erik’s father, Elder Oh’s father, Cynthia’s mother, MiSuk’s father, Pastor Monch Kim
July 22
Youth Joint Worship
Pray for our new Strategic Planning Team and process. Pray for the search for search for NHC college pastor. Pray for Nicaragua Mission planning.
New Hope Church of Michigan 27075 West Nine Mile Road Southfield MI, 48033 248-356-4488 [email protected] www.thenewhopechurch.com
Katie Picot Memorial Message We are all still in shock today of this heartbreaking passing of Katie. It is just so surreal. Both Kelli and Nathan can still hear her voice. It is simply unimaginable a child so pure, so beautiful, so full of life and joy would be gone. We are full of questions and sadness. In time such as this, we are invited to not lean on wisdom of human faculties, but on divine power. We are invited also not to stand alone with our own questions and sorrow, but invited to lean on the shoulders of our family, friends, and faith community. So we come here this day, to lean on God, to seek for God's assuring and timeless love, and to lean on one another's shoulders and fall into one's another embrace. A colleague of mine once preached about his childhood after discovering a shoebox full of letters in his mother!s closet. The letters were written by his adopted parents and the adoption agency. All of those letter written four years prior to his birth. His parents, even before knowing about him, meeting him for the first time, were hard at work, preparing a place for him. Even before he received his name, he was already in their minds and hearts. The shoebox full of letters was the physical proof of this love. As Christian, we believe and also claim that love from God when we profess God as our creator, redeemer and sanctifier. Even before the first foundation of creation was made, we were in God's mind. God has known everyone of us before creation. God extends this love to us through time and space. For every one of us, God has a shoebox full of letters for us. This is how we come to know God's love for everyone of us. On this day, especially for Katie, for Kelli, Nathan, Michael and all their family members and friends, let!s read the letters from the shoeboxes. We as a community of believers enact this love letter again and again in our baptism of infants. I know Katie wasn't presented for infant baptism before her very untimely passing. Kelli and I spoke about this to wait for a better time so that shock of her cousin's passing would not be so close to the baptism. Even thought the infant baptism didn't take
place, the intent of God's love for Katie in the infant baptism has already been given to her. I like to direct our attention to the teaching our church on infant baptism as a way to recall and hold on to God's love and grace for Katie, and for us. You see, it is from Michael!s infant baptism that ties so many of you together with the New Hope Church in Michigan. I can still see all the faces of displaced church members coming to church finding that their front 4 pews were taken by a clan of Ohioans coming to witness and celebrate Michael!s baptism. There were at least 30 of you. At the conclusion of the service, one of the aunts of the family came through the receiving line. This aunt of the family took my hand, looked into my eyes, smiled, and said, "You know, God is a Presbyterian." In line with this Presbyterian faith proclamation, I call on the classical Reformed theology teaching. So that we can understand what the bible teaches about God's love and grace for us in baptism. Holy Spirit claims us in the water of baptism. We become God's people. As John Calvin, our early reformed father, writes in his stirring words, "we are not our own, but the Lord's." The crucial fact is that we are "consecrated and dedicated to God." This means, "We may think, speak, meditate, or do anything only with a view to God's glory." God sets us apart when God claims us and consecrates us. Thus, we are no longer our own, but we belong to God. You are not your own. We belong to God. Letʼs those words sink into you for a second. God's baptismal claim on us is gracious and unconditional. This extension of God's love is what we call grace. This grace is not a cheap grace. While it is completely free to us, God pays for it with Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. For in fact, the grace is also purchased from the hundreds or thousands of babies murdered by Herod in search for Jesus. God knows the pain of losing a young one. Continue next page!
2
For this God knows what it means to lose His son. The grace is extravagant, thus God's claim on us is comprehensive. From the moment we take our first breath to the moment we take our last, God's grace covers us. We have no fear, because we belong to God in life and in death. For infant baptism, it is specially named as "prevenient grace." Augustine, our church father in the 4th century, taught the believers this essential teaching. As the central tenet of our Reformed faith: this is God's incredible grace toward human. This grace is given us to even before we can utter a single word, in our most dependent state, in our weakest form, before our decision, this grace is given to us already. This grace has been given to Katie long before she was bore to Kelli and Nathan. She hasn't done a thing to earn it, deserve it, work for it, it is already given to her. What's given to her? The gift of God's eternal love. This then we know, Katie is claimed by God, loved by God, and now with God. The Psalmist tells us in our scripture lessons that (Psalm 91) we who live in the shelter of the Most High, abide in the shadow of the Almighty, we dare to proclaim God as our refuge, and fortress, because in God, we do trust. We who trust in God, shall not fear danger of any kinds. We don't fear any traps, no deadly pestilence. God's wings, God's protective presence will be our very sanctuary, the stronghold of protection against despair, debilitating sorrow, and brokenness. We fear no sorrow! Then we can walk forward with courage and faith. (Psalm 46). 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. We shall dwell in the refuge of God with courage and faith. The refuge, by the grace of God, is made of wall from our friends, ceiling and floor from our family, and the foundation from God. We do not grieve alone. We will not despair on our own. For we have one another to lean on, and we have God's comforting presence as our very help and strength. When the pain of the sorrow is too great. Psalm 46 reminds us, "be still, and know that I am God." Let's be still, and remind us of being with God. No matter what turmoil are outside of us, and inside us, as long as we keep our eyes on God, leaning on one another. We will walk on, walk on, and walk forward. Friends, the shock of Katie's passing is still with us. Yet the good news is that she is with God. God's grace covers her.
3
Announcements NHC Fellowship Lunch
Bible Verses of the Week
We will be hosting the lunch on July 22nd. The deacon board will be looking for able spirits and hands for this effort. Please talk to Chong Soo for more information.
Summer Faith Journey Looking for Faith Journey writers. Please contact Pastor David.
Children Summer Choir We will be starting a children choir for Grade 1 to 5 students. Please see Susan Kim for more information.
Summer Petra Bible Study Staring in July, Petra Home Group will gather Wednesday night for bible study from 6pm-8pm. Please see Jenni Mantey for more information.
Psalm 91 You who live in the shelter of the Most High who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
4
THE VINE I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruits, because apart from me you can do nothing.
July 11, 2012 Weekly Schedule
-John 15:5
7/11-6:00pm Petra Home Group, dinner and study 7/15-9:40am Prayer Time in the Pastor’s Office 10:00am Sunday Worship Service 11:00am Fellowship and Bible Study 11:30am Sunday Reflection 12:00pm Choir Practice
Upcoming Schedule
Prayer Requests
July 14
Nicaragua Mission Training
July 21
West HG at PD
Let’s all pray for Kelli, Nathan, Michael Picot and all their families as they walk forward with the loss of Katie.
July 22
NHC Fellowship lunch
Continual healing prayer for Erik’s father, Elder Oh’s father, Cynthia’s mother, MiSuk’s father, Pastor Monch Kim
July 22
Youth Joint Worship
Pray for our new Strategic Planning Team and process. Pray for the search for search for NHC college pastor. Pray for Nicaragua Mission planning.
New Hope Church of Michigan 27075 West Nine Mile Road Southfield MI, 48033 248-356-4488 [email protected] www.thenewhopechurch.com
Katie Picot Memorial Message We are all still in shock today of this heartbreaking passing of Katie. It is just so surreal. Both Kelli and Nathan can still hear her voice. It is simply unimaginable a child so pure, so beautiful, so full of life and joy would be gone. We are full of questions and sadness. In time such as this, we are invited to not lean on wisdom of human faculties, but on divine power. We are invited also not to stand alone with our own questions and sorrow, but invited to lean on the shoulders of our family, friends, and faith community. So we come here this day, to lean on God, to seek for God's assuring and timeless love, and to lean on one another's shoulders and fall into one's another embrace. A colleague of mine once preached about his childhood after discovering a shoebox full of letters in his mother!s closet. The letters were written by his adopted parents and the adoption agency. All of those letter written four years prior to his birth. His parents, even before knowing about him, meeting him for the first time, were hard at work, preparing a place for him. Even before he received his name, he was already in their minds and hearts. The shoebox full of letters was the physical proof of this love. As Christian, we believe and also claim that love from God when we profess God as our creator, redeemer and sanctifier. Even before the first foundation of creation was made, we were in God's mind. God has known everyone of us before creation. God extends this love to us through time and space. For every one of us, God has a shoebox full of letters for us. This is how we come to know God's love for everyone of us. On this day, especially for Katie, for Kelli, Nathan, Michael and all their family members and friends, let!s read the letters from the shoeboxes. We as a community of believers enact this love letter again and again in our baptism of infants. I know Katie wasn't presented for infant baptism before her very untimely passing. Kelli and I spoke about this to wait for a better time so that shock of her cousin's passing would not be so close to the baptism. Even thought the infant baptism didn't take
place, the intent of God's love for Katie in the infant baptism has already been given to her. I like to direct our attention to the teaching our church on infant baptism as a way to recall and hold on to God's love and grace for Katie, and for us. You see, it is from Michael!s infant baptism that ties so many of you together with the New Hope Church in Michigan. I can still see all the faces of displaced church members coming to church finding that their front 4 pews were taken by a clan of Ohioans coming to witness and celebrate Michael!s baptism. There were at least 30 of you. At the conclusion of the service, one of the aunts of the family came through the receiving line. This aunt of the family took my hand, looked into my eyes, smiled, and said, "You know, God is a Presbyterian." In line with this Presbyterian faith proclamation, I call on the classical Reformed theology teaching. So that we can understand what the bible teaches about God's love and grace for us in baptism. Holy Spirit claims us in the water of baptism. We become God's people. As John Calvin, our early reformed father, writes in his stirring words, "we are not our own, but the Lord's." The crucial fact is that we are "consecrated and dedicated to God." This means, "We may think, speak, meditate, or do anything only with a view to God's glory." God sets us apart when God claims us and consecrates us. Thus, we are no longer our own, but we belong to God. You are not your own. We belong to God. Letʼs those words sink into you for a second. God's baptismal claim on us is gracious and unconditional. This extension of God's love is what we call grace. This grace is not a cheap grace. While it is completely free to us, God pays for it with Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. For in fact, the grace is also purchased from the hundreds or thousands of babies murdered by Herod in search for Jesus. God knows the pain of losing a young one. Continue next page!
2
For this God knows what it means to lose His son. The grace is extravagant, thus God's claim on us is comprehensive. From the moment we take our first breath to the moment we take our last, God's grace covers us. We have no fear, because we belong to God in life and in death. For infant baptism, it is specially named as "prevenient grace." Augustine, our church father in the 4th century, taught the believers this essential teaching. As the central tenet of our Reformed faith: this is God's incredible grace toward human. This grace is given us to even before we can utter a single word, in our most dependent state, in our weakest form, before our decision, this grace is given to us already. This grace has been given to Katie long before she was bore to Kelli and Nathan. She hasn't done a thing to earn it, deserve it, work for it, it is already given to her. What's given to her? The gift of God's eternal love. This then we know, Katie is claimed by God, loved by God, and now with God. The Psalmist tells us in our scripture lessons that (Psalm 91) we who live in the shelter of the Most High, abide in the shadow of the Almighty, we dare to proclaim God as our refuge, and fortress, because in God, we do trust. We who trust in God, shall not fear danger of any kinds. We don't fear any traps, no deadly pestilence. God's wings, God's protective presence will be our very sanctuary, the stronghold of protection against despair, debilitating sorrow, and brokenness. We fear no sorrow! Then we can walk forward with courage and faith. (Psalm 46). 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. We shall dwell in the refuge of God with courage and faith. The refuge, by the grace of God, is made of wall from our friends, ceiling and floor from our family, and the foundation from God. We do not grieve alone. We will not despair on our own. For we have one another to lean on, and we have God's comforting presence as our very help and strength. When the pain of the sorrow is too great. Psalm 46 reminds us, "be still, and know that I am God." Let's be still, and remind us of being with God. No matter what turmoil are outside of us, and inside us, as long as we keep our eyes on God, leaning on one another. We will walk on, walk on, and walk forward. Friends, the shock of Katie's passing is still with us. Yet the good news is that she is with God. God's grace covers her.
3
Announcements NHC Fellowship Lunch
Bible Verses of the Week
We will be hosting the lunch on July 22nd. The deacon board will be looking for able spirits and hands for this effort. Please talk to Chong Soo for more information.
Summer Faith Journey Looking for Faith Journey writers. Please contact Pastor David.
Children Summer Choir We will be starting a children choir for Grade 1 to 5 students. Please see Susan Kim for more information.
Summer Petra Bible Study Staring in July, Petra Home Group will gather Wednesday night for bible study from 6pm-8pm. Please see Jenni Mantey for more information.
Psalm 91 You who live in the shelter of the Most High who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
4
