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Why didn’t you come? (3)
Why didn’t you come? (3)
 
After the worship service I was getting up, when the pianist of the special hymn, “God’s Grace” which was sung before the sermon, greeted me. I didn’t quite remember who this person was, so I was hesitant, the pianist said, “I’m the ______ Church’s accompanist, whom you came to speak once – and my husband is the conductor of the Oakland United Korean Methodist Church.” Husband and wife both serve separate church in their musical gifts.

While I am greeting them gladly, I noticed someone was waiting for me so I turned and looked. There was a couple that I had not seen for 22 years, waiting for me smiling. They had changed a lot, but I still remember their faces. After I had moved to United States, I had planted and started a church, resigning after 7 years, and while preaching the good news to young adults, I was requested to preach only Sundays’ and had served there for about a year and half. Since this small church had no leader, not only did I help in service, but also had helped with visiting members and making a young adult’s group. The couple I met during this service, the husband was a young deacon, the wife was still un-baptized, and so she had studied and become baptized. Saturdays, they would open their house to have bible studies for young adults held there, they were an unforgettable couple.

Also I had met several people from New Jersey after I had moved back, whom I had led discipleship class for about 2 years. It was thankful that I was invited and attended this 100 year anniversary, but also able to meet with old comrades in faith.

I had learned many things during this service. If I list them, they are like this;

During the tough times in Japanese Colonial Era, many of our ancestors had left Korea to become the cornerstone of independence from Japan. After moving to the uncharted land of United States, working with harsh conditions in the sugar cane farms in Hawaii. After the contract had expired, they had moved once more to other uncharted territories of mainland United States. The courage and the hardships our ancestors had faced, and the strong faith to overcome all these was not just human plans, but also by the providence of God’s hand. The ever-growing Korean residents living abroad in United States was not by accident, but through the 100 years of growth in faith - a single seed that had become multiplied today.

Many of the original members of the Oakland United Korean Methodist Church back in 1919 had gathered for the March 1st Movement in United States to follow Korea, to support the Temporary Government. I was very awestruck by it. From them 2 of the members had received Medal of Merit from
Korea to their descendants. The church they had started in sweat and tears had affected Korea’s history as well.
In the main worship hall, there are two very large Korean flags. I think this was used to shout “Independence to Korea!” in 1919 here in United States as well as Korea. These flags were made by the church woman’s evangelism group, and were very awed by the story. Having lost the country, it was made through tears and prayer, it shows how serious our ancestors’ nobleness.

Like the church that is celebrating its 100th anniversary, they had prepared a musical night, as well as producing a book of the church’s history and are discussing about it, and the passion and devoutness; I believe God took this worship service gladly. I wanted to stay here forever after the service was over. To relive the memory of this service in time and time again, I had taken a picture of the church panorama, the cross at the top of the church, and the old church sign in my camera. I also took the picture of the Korean Flags with deep history, and pictures of the past reverends. After taking the last picture of the cross which was exceptionally shiny, I returned with a heavy heart.
 
(June 11th, 2014)
Number Title Reference
21 ​Youtuber Reverend? (23,000 views coming soon…)
20 Reverend Billy Graham’s Gospel Crusade to Korea (2)
19 Reverend Billy Graham’s Gospel Crusade to Korea (1)
18 8BQW544
17 10,001
16 16 months of Dental Care
15 Where are you?
14 Jehovah-Jireh, My Lord
13 Yes, I Do!
12 Elder KilSang Kwon
11 Why didn’t you come? (3)
10 Why didn’t you come? (2)
Page: (1/2), Total: 21