Worship and Arts by Young

Dear Congregation at First Lutheran,

As I move toward  the end of my internship, I would like to express my sincere thanks to each of you.  I have enjoyed working at First Lutheran as Intern Pastor since September 2014. I will be leaving First Lutheran at the end of August, moving on to a new phase of ministry.  When I look back on my ministry here, I realize that I am so blessed. I would like to give thanks for the following:

I am grateful that God gave me a place to serve my internship at First Lutheran.  Thanks for having me serve you and for supporting my ministry, in particular Pastor Jake and the Internship Committee. I have had the privilege of preaching and teaching as well as having worship leadership.  I feel blessed by the opportunities of proclaiming the Good news and leading/assisting worship.

I am grateful that I have had the privilege of caring people. Offering communion service at Good Samaritan and visiting parishioners have become a part of my ministry here. I have found these very meaningful. I feel blessed by the opportunities of offering pastoral care.

I am grateful that I have had opportunities of working with staff, church council, ministries and committees. Without their faithful support, I could not have done what I have done.  Therefore, my sincere thanks go to WELCA, Men’s Fellowship, Altar Guild, Children/Youth ministries, Out Reach, Worship & Music, Consecration Sunday Team, Sound team, Choir, organists, Praise team.  I should not forget to mention the team I worked with to produce the Passion Play. I feel blessed for the opportunities of working side by side, acknowledging that we are created to take our journey together, not alone.

I am grateful that we have woven together and brought precious, memorable moments together. We have built webs of relationships through events, including a Reformation Sunday drama, Advent Festival, “Unforgettable Disciples” in Lent, a Passion play, “The Passion of the Christ from Birth to Death” and The Community Hymn Festival.  These have brought people–young and old, traditional and contemporary musicians, local churches and their communities–together.  I feel blessed by people who put forth their best, sharing their time and gifts.

I am grateful that I have had opportunities to see God’s love through you. Many people have shown kindness by inviting me to their house, maintaining my house, giving gifts, encouraging and appreciating as well as praying. The service I received was not just for me, but that was also to God: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 26:40). I feel blessed by your great love.

I have a strong passion for faith-shaping ministry, helping people engage in a lifelong faith, making Christ known and making a difference in the world. To that end, for my future ministry, I will focus on

• Living the Word: exploring God’s story and bring the story to life in our lives
• Harvesting Faith Story: gathering stories of our lives transformed by vibrant faith and passing them down to the next generation.

I will remember all the beautiful memories woven together through our ministry at First Lutheran. I very much enjoyed my time at First, sharing my gift and growing in my ministry skills. I pray that you dwell in the Word, finding what God is up to in First Lutheran Church.  God’s blessings to each and every one of you.                                         – Soli Deo Gloria-                     .

Intern Pastor Young Chung