Dear Theophilus:: September 2003

A Note from the Pastor

Dear Emmanuel,

I'm excited about what God has been doing in our church in recent months. I've been greatly encouraged by many new faces volunteering to serve, by testimonies of spiritual growth and renewal, and by those involved with our City Line service. In numerous little ways I see that God is working in our church and wants to do something here. We need to humbly thank Him for His grace and give Him all the glory.

With these blessings I believe we also have a challenge - a calling. If this church is going to reach its potential, we need to respond with a greater desire and commitment to serve Him. We need the whole body to welcome newcomers, to invite our friends, to pray for the church, to seek God's grace and care for one another. It's going to take more than a handful of leaders to serve the needs and impact the lives of all the people who come through our doors. We need a healthy body where each member does its part (Eph 4:16).

If you have any interest in serving, please feel free to let any of the staff or small group leaders know. We'd love to help you find a place where God can use the gifts and talents He's given you. We'd love to let you know where some of our most critical and strategic needs are. We'd love to have you join the team.

To those of us who may be new, we hope that Emmanuel will be a place where you can experience God and be nurtured in your relationship with Him. We hope you find a loving community of members who care and are willing to serve. And we hope that as you grow spiritually, you also will be part of the team in building God's kingdom, both here at Emmanuel and wherever else God may place you.

God has been good to us, and we continue to seek His blessings. But we seek it not just for ourselves. We desire to build God's kingdom and spread His glory. We've been blessed to be a blessing - and we have the privilege of doing that together.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Psalm 67:1-2

In His service,

Pastor Paul Kim