Monday, March 16, 2020

To all at Faith,

I pray that you all are well during this time. I know that many things are going through your hearts and minds right now. I know for myself, it’s quite easy to fall down the rabbit hole of worry, wonder, “what if’s”, and uncertainty. And for all of us, how frail we are in the flesh as the chaos around us can cause much fear and trepidation. I catch myself and quickly pray.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen”. 1 Peter 5: 6-11 ESV

With the cascading effects from COVID-19, it is a very anxious time. The temperature of caution and hysteria is at an all-time high. “What are we to do? We must do something!!” as these words echo in our hearts and minds. Yet, then again, I catch myself and I pray, “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you”.

God is with you, even during times that appear to be of the unknown. It’s easy to press the panic button but we must prayerfully proceed. It’s a slippery slope I know. We do not want to be dismissive or even reckless and irresponsible towards COVID-19. Yet we do not want to proceed as if we are all alone in this. Again, it brings us to prayer.

God is with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Rather, He will be with you until the end of the age. Proceed prayerfully. Be careful to take the proper precautions but at the same time take this opportunity to meditate and dwell upon God’s word.

I pray for all of you that the Lord may grant you His peace during this time. There are many overwhelming issues at hand, and yes, the devil will attack in so many different ways. Yet we know, just as Jesus overcame the devil in the desert and crushed his head at the Cross, “it is well with my soul”.

In the plague of 1597, Phillip Nicolai, a devout Lutheran Pastor wrote, “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” LSB Hymn #516

Wake, Awake, for night is flying
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
Awake Jerusalem, arise
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near

Zion hears the watchmen singing.
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris’n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son,
Hail! Hosanna! We enter all The Wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.

Now let all the heavens adore Thee,
Let saints and angels sing before Thee
With harp and cymbals clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where, joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light, No ear has heard the might
Of Thy glory; Therefore will we Eternally
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!

Words of Phillip Nicolai that referred to faithful preparedness in the parable of the Ten Virgins [read Matthew 25:1-13]. With many of his congregation members in great diress, the plague had caused much strife in the land. Nonetheless, Pastor Nicolai reminds us to be ready and prepared in Christ Jesus. This is our greatest preparation in the faith.

Thus, it is an important time to pray and be in God’s word. For myself and all of you, we know that our true colors manifest themselves in times of great strife. Panic, worry, exhaustion, anxiety, and stress, set in. But also how compounding and overwhelming it may become. But through it all, I pray that the Word may dwell within you richly [Col3:16].

In order to adapt to these changing times, I plan to put up more online material in the coming days and weeks. It is a time where we band together as an FLC family. We unite in God’s Word that points us to the author and perfecter of our faith-Jesus Christ. This is our most important preparation. I hope that you may benefit from these materials as it encourages us to walk together in the Word.

After discussing with the Elders, we shall continue to have our doors open for Sunday Divine Service. We are closely monitoring the situation. Things can change at any moment but we proceed until further notice.

A few notes:

• If you would like a visit for communion, I am available at church and will gladly visit you at home to give you the Lord’s gifts
• For those who are unable to go to the store and are in need of certain items, please let us know. We will try our best to help you with these things.
• We are in this together. I pray for each and everyone of you. If you ever need to chat over the phone, in the home, or at my office, I’m here for you.
• In regards to church services-if you feel any symptoms, or are uncomfortable with attending service due to the circumstances, please utilize our live feed of the Divine Service on Sunday. Facebook Live
• Please continue to give your offerings to church. For those who are unable to come to service, you can give online, mail or drop by your offerings at church.
  faithmoorpark.com/giving

Remember that you are in the care of The Good Shepherd who lays His life down for the sheep. May His death and resurrection be your comfort and care as you continue to meet the days ahead.

More updates to follow.

God’s Blessings to you

+Pastor Jeong