WestRock Family News for August 10, 2014
2014-08-10 · Source: tparents.org
Let us become true owners of Cheon il Guk who practice true love in resemblance to our Creator, the Heavenly Parent!
Important Happenings Around the World
TRUE MOTHER: is back in Korea
SPECIAL DAYS FOR THE FAMILY FEDERATION WORLDWIDE:
Next Ahn Shi Il is on Wednesday, Aug. 13
HERE IN AMERICA:
American program to honor the 2nd Anniversary of True Father’s Seong Hwa will take place at the Manhattan Center on Saturday, September 20. More details are coming.
IN NY District: We are planning a series of local God’s Hope for America Rallies throughout the NY District. Dates and Locations to be announced.
AND IN WESTROCK: 1-Day Divine Principle Workshop: Saturday, August 23 Divine Principle Study & Discussion: held Mondays, 7:30-9pm at the White House.
The Sermon this Week (and last week) If you missed the sermon at Belvedere this Sunday by Andrew Compton, here are 3 videos, the reading, part 1 and part 2 – Fundamentals of our Faith part 2 Reading: 140810 Reading for sermon, August 10, 2014 Andrew Compton, Belvedere http://vimeo.com/103087507
140810 Reading for sermon, Aug ust 10, 2014 Andrew Co… View on vimeo.com Preview by Yahoo
Part 1: http://vimeo.com/103088874 Pat 2: http://vimeo.com/103084072
Pastor’s Weekly Greeting Greetings everyone!
I hope you were able to view the broadcast from Korea of the 2nd Anniversary of True Father’s Seong Hwa. As always, True Mother was strong – encouraging us to complete the work of salvation which True Parents began. America needs a firefighter and a doctor more than ever before.
I personally feel, as Dr Kim and Dr Balcomb expressed through the God’s Hope for America Tour, that we are God’s hope for America – and that it is our privilege and blessing to be able to represent our True Parents – to be the firefighter and the Doctor.
I know, it looks like an impossible task – but that is only the Archangel’s perception. All we need to do is to take one small step forward, and that is not so hard. And then the next day we take another step, and we do it again and again. What seems so impossible, is really just a matter of taking that first step (and then don’t stop).
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at Belvedere. We are going to have a special service centered on the Holy Rock followed by a BBQ lunch and sharing.
And one last note: please take a look at Rev Inose’s testimony below. He shares some important points.
God Bless You and your Family! (and don’t forget to make it a great week!) Andrew Compton
Prayer Requests
Laura Nabetani is now at home – and doing better. Thank you all for your prayers!
Jiau-Lan Weinstein
Moses Kiely – 3 years old, grandson of Michael and Maria Kiely, diagnosed with leukemia
Testimonies/Reports
If you have a testimony or report to share please send it to me.
August 1, 2014
I would like to give my reflection on my participation in the Holy Ground Pilgrimage and Revival Tour, together with my heartfelt gratitude to True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind.
Before the start of the tour, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim urged us to have an “experience of a lifetime that would build our relationship of heart with Heavenly Parent and True Parents.” I therefore participated in the tour with a serious mind.
With Dr. Michael Balcomb’s leadership at the frontline, every aspect of the tour was conducted under the loving guidance of True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind. I felt immense love from Heavenly Parent and True Parents through everything, including the bus route, activities inside of the bus, encounters at the Holy Grounds, tours, and meeting with many brothers and sisters. I am grateful that the pilgrimage gave America an opportunity to be revived and become an offering to God as the Elder Son Nation, helping us kick-start the efforts for the victory of Vision 2020.
1. Meeting with True Parents at the Holy Ground
Throughout the pilgrimage, I realized how much Heavenly Parent loved America and what beautiful faith the Pilgrim Fathers and Founding Fathers had offered to God. I also felt the importance of the Holy Grounds installed by True Parents at 55 locations of the United States in 1965, and thought that Heavenly Parent and True Parents were always waiting for us at these particular sites. We can receive at the Holy Grounds their guidance and directions concerning our challenges and issues.
When I prayed at the Holy Ground in New Hampshire, Heavenly Parent clearly told me to “become a true American.” He showed me what directions I should be heading from now on. Also, in my prayer in Indiana, True Father told me that “tradition could be established through witnessing.”
Finally, at the Holy Ground in Chicago, I was told that I should “make a new start once again, remembering the times when I first joined the church as a full-time member, when I first arrived in America, and when I met with True Parents in the Pantanal.” Heavenly Parent further told me that He had already taught me what I should do, so I should simply fulfill what I had pledged before True Parents, living each day fully with no regrets.
2. The Legacy of True Parents
America had only a handful of members when True Parents established the Holy Grounds back in 1965. Seeing many dedicated members including second generation brothers and sisters today, I offered prayers of gratitude to Heavenly Parent and True Parents.
For the first time, I clearly realized that True Parents’ legacy included having many ACLC pastors and Peace Ambassadors connected to WFWP and UPF. They testified to True Parents with smiles and sometimes with tears. True Parents took good care of each of these pastors and VIPs and planted seeds of heart and true love in their original minds, so the tree of love has grown in them since. I could feel how much True Parents loved America.
3. The Grace of the Niagara Falls
True Father visited the Niagara Falls on March 21, 1965, when the weather was still cold. Watching the video from that time on the bus made me think of literally following his footsteps. When I actually saw the Niagara Falls, I was moved by its enormity more than anything.
As we toured, I remembered True Parents’ words that “True love resembles the Niagara Falls.” Seeing the vastness, strength, and beauty far beyond my imagination, I repented for my narrowness and smallness when speaking of true love in the past. As we approached the falls on a small boat and got splashed with water, an unimaginable amount of power came into me. By the end of the tour, I was freed from my own little shell and endowed with increasing power within me. I was very grateful for this experience.
4. Dr. Balcomb’s admirable leadership
Going on the bus tour under the leadership of Dr. Michael Balcomb, I saw Dr. Balcomb guided many brothers and sisters on behalf of God and True Parents. My hope and respect for him grew deeper during this period. It was very inspiring to see him not only leading the way but taking care of every member, particularly second generation, with much warmth and sensitivity.
He took our photos at the Niagara Falls and shared them on Facebook for many members to see. I am thankful that Continental Director Dr. Ki Hoon Kim and President Dr. Michael Balcomb are here in America.
5. The Grace of American Members’ Testimonies
My interactions with American brothers and sisters during the pilgrimage taught me about the hopes and wishes of Heavenly Parent and True Parents.
One American sister who had worked as a missionary overseas said, “When working as a missionary abroad, I felt the strong presence of Heavenly Parent and True Parents every day. My wish was to install a leader from the local membership. I am so proud that we succeeded in having a local member take leadership just as I prayed.” An American brother said to me, “My spiritual parent is Japanese. Japanese brothers and sisters brought me to the church, loved me, and educated me well at the early stage of my life of faith. I am grateful to them from the bottom of my heart.” Hearing American brothers and sisters testify with their eyes shining, I realized that it is our mission to find and raise such American members in this country.
I offer my heartfelt thanks to Heavenly Parent and True Parents, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, and Dr. Michael Balcomb for carrying out this wonderful project. I pledge to work with a renewed heart and determination.
With much love and gratitude,
Hiroshi Inose
Light Thought for the Day:
A man is talking to God. “God, how long is a million years?” God answers, “To me, it’s just a minute.”
“God, how much is a million dollars?” God answers, “To me, it’s just a penny.”
“God, may I have a penny?” God answered, “Sure, just wait a minute.”
Announcements: Announcements
1-Day Divine Principle Workshop: Saturday, August 23, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at the White House in Tarrytown. Fee is $20 DP Study & Discussion at the White House: Monday evenings 7:30 PM.
Sunday, Aug 17 the WestRock Council will meet after Sunday service.
Sunday, Aug 17 there will be a BBQ and sharing to celebrate the conclusion of the God’s Hope for America Tour, after Sunday service
The Second Annual Eric Holt Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Sunday, Aug 31 at the Rockland Lake NY Golf Course following Sunday Service at Belvedere. Eric was an avid golfer and this was his favorite golf venue. Those interested in participating should contact Noah Ross.
Signatures for the apology campaign for True Father’s wrongful imprisonment are being collected. If you have not signed yet, please consider signing a petition after service.
Special Offering for the 2nd Anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa Each individual and family is asked to donate $120 and $210 respectively. In addition, members are asked to make a 2nd offering (of the same amount) to support the American celebration which will take place on Sept 20 at the Manhattan Center. Donations should be made out to HSA-UWC. Thank you!
Ken Weinstein has an available apartment for rent from September 1st. He lives in Peekskill. If you are interested.
Make it a Great Week!