Sunday Worship Schedule Changes from August 12th!

From the Pastor’s Desk (62)

Some of you have probably noticed the expanded parking lot on the right hand side of our trailer house when you came in to church this morning!  That’s right!  Our church is growing!  And we are increasing the parking space to accommodate the growth of our church family.

Another thing that our Korean congregation has decided to do to better handle the parking space problem is to change their worship schedule.  Beginning from Sunday, August 12^th, their first worship schedule will change from 9:15 to 9 and their second worship from 11:45 to 11:30.  Currently, their first worship draws about 100 people more than the second one.  By implementing these changes, they are hoping that some of the people who used to come to the first worship will think that 9AM is just too early for them and will change to the second worship.  This, they think, will even out the size.

Because of this situation, New Life will also have to make some changes.  The simplest thing we can do is to make our worship start at 9:30AM.  In this way, we can maintain and do all the things we have been doing all along.  We just have to come 15 minutes early. 

I think, however, that New Life has come to a point where this approach will not help but hinder our spiritual growth.  One thing I frequently communicate and remind you is that if we do not serve God by giving our time, treasure and talent, we are going to die!  Therefore, for our own sake, we must serve!

God has blessed New Life abundantly.  We have grown both in quality and quantity.  As I look around, I see so many of you, besides those who are already serving as shepherds or praise team members, who can serve in various ministries in this church by utilizing your spiritual gifts.  This will benefit not only the church but yourself as well.  You will experience fruitfulness and fulfillment in your life!

Therefore, at this time, we do not want to change our worship schedule only for logistic and administrative purposes.  Rather, we want our purpose to be more intentional and strategic, and we are going to fulfill it by changing our worship schedule from 9:43 to 11AM!

What will this accomplish for New Life?  Look at the following for various departments’ worship and ministry schedule that will take in effect beginning on Sunday, August 12^th:

This new schedule will allow all the New Life parents to bring their children to the beginning 30 minutes of our worship.  This is a special privilege that our Korean congregation does not have due to the language and cultural barrier between the parents and their children.  I, as a pastor and parent, take this 30 minutes of our worship with our children very seriously.  Seeing their parents lift up their hands and voices to passionately praise and worship God will have a tremendous impact on our children’s spiritual growth and maturity.  Lord willing, I want to continue to maintain this as long as I serve as your pastor.

The new schedule will also provide many ministry opportunities for all of you.  If you look at the schedule very carefully, you will notice that it is designed so that you will be able to serve in children or youth department as their Sunday school teachers either before or after our worship. 

Currently, New Life is serving mainly in High School Department.  Beginning from August 12^th, however, we must get more involved by serving in Middle School and Children’s Departments as well.  These children are growing up in America where the spoken language is English.  Although the volunteers from our Korean congregation are loving and faithful, we cannot deny the fact they have a difficult time communicating with these children and teenagers due to language and cultural barriers.

On the other hand, we speak the language and we know the culture.  Who can better minister to these young children who are growing up in America than people like ourselves who have gone through the same thing when we were young? 

I pray that many from New Life, especially the singles and the married couples without children, will step up to the challenge of loving, teaching and mentoring these children and youth.  You have the time, the talent and the treasure.  All you need is that loving and caring heart.  This, God will give it to you if you ask!

If God is placing a burden in your heart to serve in youth group, please contact Pastor Paul at 713-896-9200.  If you are interested in serving in our Children’s Department, come and talk with either Elise or Lynette.  They would love to help and guide you in this.

Just imagine our Children’s Department and Youth Group being served by many New Life members who are young, energetic, gifted with and passionate about children and youth.  It will be an awesome ministry and many children’s lives will be touched and impacted by the Word and the love of God!  Ten to twenty years from now, our nation will become healthier and stronger because these children who have been ministered by us will be working in the marketplace serving God as the salt and the light of the world!

This is the reason why we are changing our worship schedule beginning from Sunday, August 12^th.  It’s a purpose-driven, strategic change that will strengthen everyone!  Do people call this a win-win situation?  I think it’s a lot more than that!

Your pastor,

Eric