May 3rd, 2020
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE
| Family Worship - 3 May 2020 |
This week’s preacher is Rev. SeHyoung Lee
|
Dear Chungdong family,
Welcome to our online worship service. From Sunday, May 10th we will resume off-line worship at our Chungdong campus – Main Sanctuary at 14:00. Our 09:30 Contemporary Worship will resume on May 17th in Wesley Hall. Please note the change of venue. All services will still be recorded and uploaded every Sunday onto our YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook directly after the services. Please remember to pray for the country, the leaders and those affected by this crisis. |
HOME WORSHIP
Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Song of Praise
Rejoice the Lord is King
OPENING PRAYER
Dongmyung Lee
Heavenly Father, we come before you through the name of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for allowing us to worship you today.
Lord, so many people from all around world is now suffering corona virus.
Touch your hand on them and heal those who are sick with the virus.
and get them strength and health.
Lord, thank you for letting Korea getting of corona virus.
Let us turn and bow to you and look for guidance from you .
Today, we celebrate the week of children’s day.
Thank you for sending children to us.
Please let us bring up children in Christ, growing up to be a christian leader.
For that, let us become like a child and more depend on Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lord, You are my provider, maker, and protector.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Amen.
READING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 127:1–5
A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD. A psalm of Solomon.
If the LORD doesn’t build a house, the work of the builders is useless. If the LORD doesn’t watch over a city, it’s useless for those on guard duty to stand watch over it. It’s useless for you to work from early morning until late at night just to get food to eat. God provides for those he loves even while they sleep. Children are a gift from the LORD. They are a reward from him. Children who are born to people when they are young are like arrows in the hands of a soldier. Blessed are those who have many children. They won’t be put to shame when they go up against their enemies in court.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 18:1–5
Ryan Lee & Yehan Lee
Who Is the Most Important Person in the Kingdom?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who welcomes a little child like this one in my name welcomes me.
SERMON
Spring in my Hometown
Children’s Day
Fly you birds in the blue skies
Flow you streams over the green fields
May is green, as we grow
Today is Children’s Day, it is our world
When we grow up, we become the workers of the nation
Holding hands let’s walk forward lovingly
May is green, as we grow
Today is Children’s Day, it is our world
On May 5th – Children’s Day – Koreans sing this song while bearing the children’s dreams of green in their hearts. Korea’s Children’s Day was established by Bang Junghwan, founder of the magazine ‘Child’ and the ‘Saekdonghue’ Society, who first set the date on May 1st, 1923. After Japanese occupation ended, the nation moved Children’s Day to May 5th.
During Japanese occupation, Korean children couldn’t even learn how to speak the Korean language in their own schools. To add insult to injury, they had to change their Korean names into Japanese ones, thereby being forced to endure the pain of the uprooting of their own identity. After 1923, the Japanese occupying government would round up any children between the ages of 8 and 18 who were found wandering through the streets or abandoned, and send them to reform schools to savagely beat and berate the children in the name of reform. As the war continued on, young girls would be collected and sent out to the battlefield as comfort women.
For the children of this land, who had lost their ethnic soul and dreams of any future, such writers of children’s books wrote songs in Korean for the children, hoping to instill a sense of patriotism and pride for their nation. ‘Autumn Night,’ ‘Wild Goose,’ ‘Half Moon’ and ‘Spring in the Hometown’ are some of the more famous songs.
Half Moon
On a white boat, blue sky, galaxy
One rabbit, one laurel tree
With no sails, no paddle
Sails very well towards the western world
Crossing the galaxy to the cloudy world
Where to go past the cloudy world
From afar, shines brightly
The morning star, the lantern to guide your way.
The expressions are truly metaphorical and lyrical. The writers of children’s literature filled the songs with a sense of national identity to spread hope to the children who lived in a nation-less, dark time period.
Bang Junghwan always expressed his displeasure with the Korean term for child, ‘Ai.’ “The elderly are called ‘neulgeuni’ (old ones), the youthful ‘jeolmuni’ (youthful ones), yet why do we call children ‘ai’?” Therefore, he ended up coining the term ‘eorini’ (young ones) for children. Bang Junghwan’s final words were “I entrust the children in your care!”
Jesus knew the truth that he had to bear the cross and die. He was conflicted, wrapped up in thoughts of having to bear the sins of humanity. However, his disciples did not understand him. Rather, they got caught up in arguing amongst one another, “Who’s the greatest?” At this point, Jesus called forth a child before the disciples and told them, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
A young child is dependent on others, and in essence is a being who cannot survive without the protection of others. It needs to be fed, clothed, bathed and put to sleep, being fully reliant on the parent. A child not only needs the basic essentials of survival but also a being dependent on love, protection and education. A child is inexperienced, lacking in knowledge and needs the help of others. This is the mode of being of the child. Just like the dependent child, the children of God also become dependent on the grace of God.
Adding to this, Jesus presents the life objective of the church or community of the kingdom of God, that should be carried out. As weak and dependent beings who themselves – by the grace of God – become the people of the kingdom of God, we should accept those who are dependent economically, mentally, spiritually; those who are in the low places; poor people – all of them into our communities. The poor were represented as children who Jesus called on us to invite to the church. The reason here being that within the poor, within the child, is where God resides.
During the past three months, due to COVID-19, we have witnessed the suffering of many people throughout the world. During this time children could not go outside to run and play and be educated. Particularly, children in households without computers and electronic devices, and with working parents were greatly limited in their educational options. According to one recent survey carried out in Korea, more than 90% of households where both parents worked expressed the difficulties of a ‘paternity vacuum’ for their children.
Today the Korean church is observing Children’s Sunday. Pioneers during the dark, nationless times sought to instill national identity in children in poor conditions through their books and songs, dreaming of a day when the nation would become independent. Bang Junghwan treated children as those who deserved the equal respect as a fellow being – just as an adult. Moreover, he taught that children are the future of the world, and especially the future of adults. While based on the Donghak doctrine of ‘Innaecheon,’ or ‘People are the Heavens,’ I believe this no different than the teachings of Jesus who declared the son of man the master of the Sabbath, and told others to let the children come before him.
Just as the child becomes a dependent being, Jesus taught that the people of God need rely on the grace of God, calling out to the communities of God’s people, the church, to invite those poor and weak and dependent like children into their communities.
Due to the current global reality, we are all suffering from the coronavirus. There are poor people dying on this earth due to a lack of medical supplies and services. Children living in poor countries and families are suffering from losing their chance at a future. The Lord speaks to us. Accepting these children is the same as taking me in. Plant dreams in them, give them stories, give them futures, for that is the way to establish the kingdom of God on this earth. That the calling of the church is to restore spring in their hometown.
Spring in the Hometown
The hometown where I lived is a flower-filled, mountain village
Peach blossoms, apricot flowers, baby azaleas
A colorful, flowery palace, a charming neighborhood
I miss living there
A flowery, bird-filled neighborhood, my old hometown
Green fields, when wind blows from the south
A neighborhood of weeping willows dancing by the stream
I miss living there
For COVID 19 to pass
For the poor children on this earth,
The children of this earth
For the restoration of spring in the hometown, we pray. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
You are Mine
Call to Worship
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Song of Praise
Rejoice the Lord is King
OPENING PRAYER
Dongmyung Lee
Heavenly Father, we come before you through the name of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for allowing us to worship you today.
Lord, so many people from all around world is now suffering corona virus.
Touch your hand on them and heal those who are sick with the virus.
and get them strength and health.
Lord, thank you for letting Korea getting of corona virus.
Let us turn and bow to you and look for guidance from you .
Today, we celebrate the week of children’s day.
Thank you for sending children to us.
Please let us bring up children in Christ, growing up to be a christian leader.
For that, let us become like a child and more depend on Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lord, You are my provider, maker, and protector.
In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Amen.
READING OF THE SCRIPTURES
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 127:1–5
A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD. A psalm of Solomon.
If the LORD doesn’t build a house, the work of the builders is useless. If the LORD doesn’t watch over a city, it’s useless for those on guard duty to stand watch over it. It’s useless for you to work from early morning until late at night just to get food to eat. God provides for those he loves even while they sleep. Children are a gift from the LORD. They are a reward from him. Children who are born to people when they are young are like arrows in the hands of a soldier. Blessed are those who have many children. They won’t be put to shame when they go up against their enemies in court.
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL LESSON
Matthew 18:1–5
Ryan Lee & Yehan Lee
Who Is the Most Important Person in the Kingdom?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who welcomes a little child like this one in my name welcomes me.
SERMON
Spring in my Hometown
Children’s Day
Fly you birds in the blue skies
Flow you streams over the green fields
May is green, as we grow
Today is Children’s Day, it is our world
When we grow up, we become the workers of the nation
Holding hands let’s walk forward lovingly
May is green, as we grow
Today is Children’s Day, it is our world
On May 5th – Children’s Day – Koreans sing this song while bearing the children’s dreams of green in their hearts. Korea’s Children’s Day was established by Bang Junghwan, founder of the magazine ‘Child’ and the ‘Saekdonghue’ Society, who first set the date on May 1st, 1923. After Japanese occupation ended, the nation moved Children’s Day to May 5th.
During Japanese occupation, Korean children couldn’t even learn how to speak the Korean language in their own schools. To add insult to injury, they had to change their Korean names into Japanese ones, thereby being forced to endure the pain of the uprooting of their own identity. After 1923, the Japanese occupying government would round up any children between the ages of 8 and 18 who were found wandering through the streets or abandoned, and send them to reform schools to savagely beat and berate the children in the name of reform. As the war continued on, young girls would be collected and sent out to the battlefield as comfort women.
For the children of this land, who had lost their ethnic soul and dreams of any future, such writers of children’s books wrote songs in Korean for the children, hoping to instill a sense of patriotism and pride for their nation. ‘Autumn Night,’ ‘Wild Goose,’ ‘Half Moon’ and ‘Spring in the Hometown’ are some of the more famous songs.
Half Moon
On a white boat, blue sky, galaxy
One rabbit, one laurel tree
With no sails, no paddle
Sails very well towards the western world
Crossing the galaxy to the cloudy world
Where to go past the cloudy world
From afar, shines brightly
The morning star, the lantern to guide your way.
The expressions are truly metaphorical and lyrical. The writers of children’s literature filled the songs with a sense of national identity to spread hope to the children who lived in a nation-less, dark time period.
Bang Junghwan always expressed his displeasure with the Korean term for child, ‘Ai.’ “The elderly are called ‘neulgeuni’ (old ones), the youthful ‘jeolmuni’ (youthful ones), yet why do we call children ‘ai’?” Therefore, he ended up coining the term ‘eorini’ (young ones) for children. Bang Junghwan’s final words were “I entrust the children in your care!”
Jesus knew the truth that he had to bear the cross and die. He was conflicted, wrapped up in thoughts of having to bear the sins of humanity. However, his disciples did not understand him. Rather, they got caught up in arguing amongst one another, “Who’s the greatest?” At this point, Jesus called forth a child before the disciples and told them, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
A young child is dependent on others, and in essence is a being who cannot survive without the protection of others. It needs to be fed, clothed, bathed and put to sleep, being fully reliant on the parent. A child not only needs the basic essentials of survival but also a being dependent on love, protection and education. A child is inexperienced, lacking in knowledge and needs the help of others. This is the mode of being of the child. Just like the dependent child, the children of God also become dependent on the grace of God.
Adding to this, Jesus presents the life objective of the church or community of the kingdom of God, that should be carried out. As weak and dependent beings who themselves – by the grace of God – become the people of the kingdom of God, we should accept those who are dependent economically, mentally, spiritually; those who are in the low places; poor people – all of them into our communities. The poor were represented as children who Jesus called on us to invite to the church. The reason here being that within the poor, within the child, is where God resides.
During the past three months, due to COVID-19, we have witnessed the suffering of many people throughout the world. During this time children could not go outside to run and play and be educated. Particularly, children in households without computers and electronic devices, and with working parents were greatly limited in their educational options. According to one recent survey carried out in Korea, more than 90% of households where both parents worked expressed the difficulties of a ‘paternity vacuum’ for their children.
Today the Korean church is observing Children’s Sunday. Pioneers during the dark, nationless times sought to instill national identity in children in poor conditions through their books and songs, dreaming of a day when the nation would become independent. Bang Junghwan treated children as those who deserved the equal respect as a fellow being – just as an adult. Moreover, he taught that children are the future of the world, and especially the future of adults. While based on the Donghak doctrine of ‘Innaecheon,’ or ‘People are the Heavens,’ I believe this no different than the teachings of Jesus who declared the son of man the master of the Sabbath, and told others to let the children come before him.
Just as the child becomes a dependent being, Jesus taught that the people of God need rely on the grace of God, calling out to the communities of God’s people, the church, to invite those poor and weak and dependent like children into their communities.
Due to the current global reality, we are all suffering from the coronavirus. There are poor people dying on this earth due to a lack of medical supplies and services. Children living in poor countries and families are suffering from losing their chance at a future. The Lord speaks to us. Accepting these children is the same as taking me in. Plant dreams in them, give them stories, give them futures, for that is the way to establish the kingdom of God on this earth. That the calling of the church is to restore spring in their hometown.
Spring in the Hometown
The hometown where I lived is a flower-filled, mountain village
Peach blossoms, apricot flowers, baby azaleas
A colorful, flowery palace, a charming neighborhood
I miss living there
A flowery, bird-filled neighborhood, my old hometown
Green fields, when wind blows from the south
A neighborhood of weeping willows dancing by the stream
I miss living there
For COVID 19 to pass
For the poor children on this earth,
The children of this earth
For the restoration of spring in the hometown, we pray. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
You are Mine
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord lift His countenance upon you.
And give you peace, and give you peace,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you.
And be gracious unto you, and be gracious,
The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.
Amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord lift His countenance upon you.
And give you peace, and give you peace,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you.
And be gracious unto you, and be gracious,
The Lord be gracious, gracious unto you.
Amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen.