A Note from Pastor Jae

Dear Good Shepherd family,

Thank you to Pastor John Hall for sharing God’s Word with us last Sunday. Two things from his message have stayed with me.

The first is his description of worshippers in a Black church dancing as they came forward to give their offerings. What a beautiful picture of joyful giving! As Paul writes, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Giving something to the God we love can be a joy. It reminds me of buying something for my children: yes, I am spending money, but doing something for someone I love makes me happy. It made me wonder: When I give to God, what is in my heart?

The second is that our giving reminds us that we belong together. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). When we give, we affirm our shared calling to participate in God’s mission. We are one team, offering what we have to serve God’s kingdom together.

We express that belonging not only through what we give, but also through the time we share and the care we offer one another.

There are 168 hours in a week. For about one of those hours, we gather to worship: turn toward God together, sing, listen, and pray. Before and after worship, we also turn toward one another, ask how life is going, and reconnect.

That one hour matters. And the connections we nurture can carry us through the other 167.

Good Shepherd, let’s stay connected. This week, perhaps we can begin by reaching out to someone we haven’t spoken with recently. Let’s encourage one another, give with joy, and offer our time, gifts, and strength to God’s work in the world.

We are the body of Christ. Let’s live that calling together.

Love and thanks in Christ,

Pastor Jae Song