A busy but fruitful Sunday

This last Sunday, Jon and I had a very full day. First of all, Jon was preaching for the first time! I was very proud of him and I thought that he did a great job preparing and delivering the sermon. To be honest, if someone had asked me to deliver a sermon, I probably would have run away and hid. But put me in a class of thirty crazy kids and I'll be fine. I am so thankful that God gives each of us different talents to further his kingdom and bring glory to His name.


Jon's message was on God's love and was a great reminder of how great His love is and how He has shown us His love. I'm glad that He spoke on this topic because I had been thinking a lot about it. Jon is planning on putting the sermon on here, so hopefully he does it soon. I meant to video record some of his sermon, but was so focused and distracted by him and only managed to record the prayer. Oh well. So, you will have to be satisfied with that until the sermon recording is up.


After the sermon, Jon and I led our normal English Bible Growth Group and then went to Michael and Sarah's (a couple from Ohio that joined our church a couple of months ago). We went to Michael and Sarah's to have a snack and practice a song that we were asked to sing an hour later at the New Member Banquet. So, Jon was an especially busy boy, experiencing what a pastor's day might include. Oh, forgot to mention, this new member banquet and sermon night was all in Korean. The banquet had some good food, but very spicy kimchi and there wasn't a drink in sight! The foods that cooled my burning mouth were the seaweed soup and the brightest and sweetest orange slices I've ever seen; it was literally like a Fanta orange!


After the supper, we went downstairs to the main sanctuary and the head pastor, Pastor Joe,
preached. Along with Pastor Joe, there were other members who gave testimonies and musical numbers. In between these special things, the new members were called up about 10 at a time and were greeted by the congregation and given roses as well as gifts. Jon and I were called up and several Koreans from our English congregation were there to support us and give roses to us. It was great to see their smiling faces! I have never seen a welcoming such as this and it made us feel like we were truly part of a family and loved, even though we were separated by language and culture. We set down our armful of gifts and roses and went back up to the stage to sing our song (You can listen below). We had a lot of fun worshiping and being with those who love God. I love being in other countries and attending services and worshiping in other languages because I think it's so powerful. It's amazing to see how God's love is translated and can be understood by everyone-I love it!

Anyways, this was our Sunday; I hope you enjoy the pictures and videos!
Anika

Jon preaching!


Jon's closing and prayer.


Korean worship.

Being welcomed by other members and friends.

"Beautiful One"



Introduction of Jon and I.

"Cute!" (very Korean sounding)

The group after it all. L to R: Pastor Ahn,
Latasha, Michael, Sarah, and The Engers.

And to end, a random video of Molly learning how to sit and stay.
Where Chipper is still learning, Molly learned in a couple hours. :)