A Letter from God & A Letter to God (Pen Pal Ministry)
Pulpit Exchange Sunday
I’m
so happy to be here with you today. It’s truly an honor to worship with you.
When
I first began the candidacy process with my mentor pastor, Rev. Tom Bantom, I
visited this church for a psychological assessment. My first impression of Grey
Memorial UMC was that it was a warm, healthy, and active church. Later, through
my husband Victor’s mentor and our good friend, Rev. Tim Wilcock, we heard more remarkable things about you. And when your church was struggling with water
damage, we prayed earnestly for you.
Whenever
we have cluster services, I’ve always admired your handbell choir. You’ve been
an inspiration to us! Because of that, my husband, my daughter, and I have all
joined our church’s handbell choir. It’s also a great privilege to be part of
this Aroostook Cluster, which includes nine churches, including Grey Memorial
UMC. Every month, the lay leaders and pastors in our cluster gather to pray for
one another, share ideas for ministry, and plan events like the Aldersgate
service on May 24th and our Thanksgiving service.
Through
these connections, I learned about your Pen Pal ministry, and your church’s
example inspired us to start a similar ministry at our own church. How
beautiful it is to see the body of Christ encouraging one another! I remember
our District Superintendent once shared pictures and videos of our cluster’s worship and
gatherings with the cabinet and the bishop, saying that our cluster was a great
example of churches working together. Through pulpit exchanges and fellowship,
we continue to strengthen these bonds, reminding us that we need each other—we
are one in Christ. I am so proud to be part of this cluster, and I’m honored to
worship with you today.
The Power of a Love Letter
Recently,
my husband and I celebrated the 19th anniversary of our first date. I wore the
same jacket I had on that day, and as I did, I was flooded with memories—the
excitement I felt, the scent of spring in the air, and the love letters we
exchanged.
Victor
and I dated for 2 years and 2 months, but for 1 year and 7 months of that time,
we were in a long-distance relationship - he was in the U.S., and I was in
Korea. Our love endured through countless letters, and those letters kept our
hearts connected. They ultimately led us to marriage, and, well, we ended up
with five children! I truly believe in the power of a love letter.
Not
long ago, I heard another love letter story from a dear friend of mine, a
fellow Korean clergywoman. She recently lost her father. Now, every night
before bed, she reads the letters he wrote to her. Back when she was a busy
student, she barely skimmed them. But now, as she misses her father, she
carefully reads each letter, cherishing every word. Though
she may not physically see eternity, these letters have helped her understand
that love is eternal. There is power in love-filled letters.
A Letter from the Father
But
the greatest love letter of all comes from our Abba Father. God has been
sending us love letters every day—through the Bible, through His Son, through
our daily devotions, worship, and spiritual community.
One
of my favorite poems is A Father’s Letter[1],
which is based on God’s words in Scripture. Every sentence reminds us that even
before we were born, God knew us, planned for us, created us beautifully, and walked with us. Through Jesus Christ, He completed His love for us.
Every time I read this poem, I feel God’s love deeply. The first line, “My beloved child, you may not know Me, but I know everything about you,” always brings tears to my eyes. Even when I didn’t truly know Him, He already knew me. He called me His child. This truth gives me peace—it ends all wandering.
God
knew me before I was conceived. He made me in His image, promising to meet all
my needs and giving me a future beyond my imagination. Even in suffering, He
walks with me, wipes away my tears, and removes all pain. His love was proven
when He sent His only Son, Jesus, to the cross. Through Christ’s death and
resurrection, nothing can separate us from His love.
In
John 1:1-5, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God… All things came into being through Him.” This love letter is written by the Word. He became God’s love letter to us. This is the most powerful love
letter of all.
You Are a Fragrant Letter of Christ
Recently, as I was reflecting on this poem, 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, 3:1-3 came to mind:
Paul also writes in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance, rising up to God.” The Greek word euodia refers to the aroma of sacrifices pleasing to God. Through Christ’s death, we have received this fragrance, and as His disciples, we, too, carry this aroma by our own sacrifice on our cross.
2 Corinthians 3:1-3 says,
"You
are a letter from Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the
living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
When false apostles accused Paul of being a failure, he responded that the Corinthians themselves were his letter of recommendation—living testimonies of Christ. He didn't need another recommendation.
Even though Paul says, we are a letter of Christ, at times, I feel unworthy—like just a fragile sheet of paper. Life shakes us like the wind, words from others tear us, and our own doubts crumple us. But a letter remains unshaken when placed securely on a firm surface, on God's Words.
In C.S Lewis's "The Screwtape Letter", uncle Satan teaches Nephew Satan how to discourage people. They can't force us to do it, but they can discourage us with worldly words like "You are not good enough! You are worthless! You are a failure!" However, when we stand firm on God's Words, we can hear "You are my beloved Child (1 John 3:1), You are priceless (John 3:16), and I have a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11)"
Likewise, when
we are held firmly in Christ, no force can tear or crush us. And when this
letter—our life—is filled with Christ, it truly becomes a fragrant letter of
Christ.
At
the end of our lives, we will return to God, offering our own letter—a
response to the love letter He first sent us.
A Letter to God
Victor
and I became missionaries in Aroostook County because, 140 years ago, American
missionaries brought the gospel to Korea. Their lives were a fragrant letter
of Christ to my ancestors. Now, Korea has some of the world’s largest
churches. We wanted to give back—to be a fragrant letter of Christ here.
Recently,
our District Superintendent suggested that Victor pastor three churches
full-time, while I take on a new half-time appointment at Patten UMC. At first,
I felt overwhelmed. But then, I read the letters of faith from our
congregation—stories of perseverance through COVID, denominational struggles,
and personal hardships, yet filled with love for God, one another, and The Han
family. These letters strengthened me. Though the road ahead is uncertain, I
trust the One who has led us this far. So, Victor and I said "YES" to
His call.
A
song that has been in my heart lately is Filled. The lyrics remind me:
"Even if I am poor, I lack nothing, for I am rich in my Lord, Jesus.
Even in trials, I have hope, for I trust in His plans. Even if I fall, I will
stand again, for I am victorious in Christ.”
During
the chorus, the lyrics say: “Jesus, Jesus, I am filled with Jesus.” If
you feel moved to join, please sing along in Korea. “Nan Yesuro Yesuro Yesuro
Choongman hane Youngwon Han Wang Ne Anne Sala Kyu si ne” (난 예수로 예수로 예수로 충만하네 영원한 왕 내 안에 살아계시네”
May
our lives be a fragrant letter of Christ, filled with Jesus, until the
day we return to our Father’s arms.
I am
so glad to witness the love of Grey Memorial Church through all your
ministries, especially through the Pen Pal Ministry. I heard that Erica began
sending cards to the town manager, bishop, district superintendent, teachers,
and church members during COVID. From this simple act of kindness, the Pen Pal
Ministry grew, connecting foster and adopted children in high school with
caring pen pals. For 3–4 years now, 14 Pen Pal groups have been flourishing.
What wonderful stories! I would love to hear their testimonies. (Erica and
Melonie’s testimony)
Your
ministry has deeply inspired us. While we have been engaged in various outreach
efforts, I have been praying for ways to build more personal relationships and
provide not only physical nourishment but also spiritual nourishment. When I
learned about your Pen Pal Ministry, I realized it could serve as a bridge
between our community and our church.
Now,
our children are sending cards to nursing home residents and individuals who
receive senior meals. Some adults from our church are preparing to send cards
to children who receive food through the Backpack for Kids program, which
serves over 100 children. We have also started a Pen Pal Ministry within our
own churches. In our Women’s Group, prayer partners exchange cards with one
another. The children’s ministry team and our children, youth groups will
exchange cards on Easter. My daughter and a new member— a Chinese couple—
exchange letters in both English and Chinese. I cannot fully express the joy
this ministry has brought to so many hearts.
I am
so grateful to see God’s love letter written through our lives. I rejoice that
we have become a fragrant letter of Christ, filled with Jesus. As our unison
prayer today, let us sing this chorus together:
“Jesus, Jesus, I am filled with Jesus.”
If you feel moved to join, please sing along in Korean:
“Nan Yesuro Yesuro Yesuro Choongman hane, Youngwon Han Wang Ne Anne Sala Kyu
si ne” (난 예수로 예수로 예수로 충만하네 영원한 왕 내 안에 살아계시네).
[1] https://www.fathersloveletter.com/media-center.html
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