Small World, Big Church

We do hope you were blessed by Dick Welscott this morning as you were in worship together.  This morning we did something a bit different.  There are a number of Korean Churches in the Denver area.  We worshiped with the Asbury Korean United Methodist Church.. We were warmly greeted.  We were seated only for a few minutes when Pastor Judy came to our seats and introduced herself and inquired who we were and where we had come from.  She had us fill out an information sheet which she used to introduce us to the congregation as worship began.  A few minutes later one of the members came with two hearing assist units, through which we would hear a translation of the pastor's message.  (all the elements of the service were in Korean.)  A few moments later another member came with a song book out of which they would sing with the pages for the congregational songs marked with a ribbon.  The song book had an English translation on the page so we could sing in our native tongue. The pastor graciously invited me to pronounce the benediction at the conclussion of the service.  

The number of people attending the service numbered about 50.  

Were we able to gain anything from a service conducted mostly in a language we did not understand?  The answer is yes!  For me,  there were four or five times throughout the service when tears began to fill my eyes.  I was moved by God's Spirit understanding that we live in a small world, but belong to a big church, Christ's church.  I was worshiping with family, brothers and sisters in Christ.  I was also touched by the pastor's message,  She challenged us to live up to our calling.  She emphasized that God can work renovation in our life.  God also brought to mind thoughts of what it would be like a month from now, when we as a family travel to Korea and Rebekkah  has an opportunity to experience her home land.  I remembered what she said at our send off, "It will be my parent's turn to stick out and for me to fit in."

After worship we were invited to join the congregation for their weekly post worship lunch together.  They served Bulgogi (which is marinated beef) with rice, lettuce, and a tradtional sauce, and Kimchi (a staple in Korea).  At our table was Pastor Judy, Megan--a Korean born American who will leave in a couple of weeks for Korea where she will teach English as a second language, Isaac--a member of the congregation who just ended a time of service in the military and will be serving with the National Guard (Isaac was the translator for the Pastor's message), and two other
American women--one a member and the other Megan's friend. 

During the meal there was prayer for one of the congregation's members who was moving to California.  What took place around the tables was significant.

I had opportunity to ask Pastor Judy about our time in Korea and about our plans to stay at the prayer mountain.  I shared my frustration in trying to make plans to stay and having at this time no confirmation.  She volunteered to make some calls and find out more information for us.

We left having been truly touched by God!