July 5, 2026 - “God Leads Our Way Ahead”

July 5, 2026-OVUMC 10:30 Spirited Traditional Worship

Pastor Sang Park

The Scriptures are Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 3:43

Thank you, thank you for our phrase band. I'm so excited that Tim joined today with his guitar. Wonderful. Good morning, all. This is the day God has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Welcome everyone. New and old friends, I see many families come together joining our service today in this wonderful weekend. We remember this great nation to be blessed to be make our journey together. I remember that after 13 years hard work as an immigrant, I joined to this nation as a good citizen in 2019. And I added full more to this nation. I hope their future will be thriving and make this country moving forward. With hope and peace and justice, God will be pleased. Thank you. And I encourage you as always find the Friendship Register at your pew so that you may write your name so that we recognize you, your presence, and being part of our service today. And now I introduce our worship liturgist for the spirit traditional service, our lay leader and great servant of the church, Ben Danner. Ben?

SPEAKER_00 5:50

Thank you, Pastor Sang. Good morning, everybody. It's great to see everybody. I know the 4th of July weekend. We've got a lot of family visiting. Some of them make us really happy when they show up. And if you're like me, they're very happy when I leave. So it's good to see everybody. I do have a couple quick uh announcements I want to highlight before we start. There's an insert in your bulletin. Uh our nominations and leadership committee is beginning our search for 2027. And there is an insert here with the different um positions and roles that you can uh take. And I've done every one of them, so you know there's nothing, you don't have to be very intelligent or have any special talent to do them. So if you feel led, pray about it. If you feel led, please drop it in the fill it out, drop it in the collection plate or return it to uh Pastor Sangerai or to the to the church office. Uh also like to remind you next Sunday is the last Sunday for the Undies for Kids Drive. There's a collection box out uh in the lobby for that as well. And um also in the next week or so we'll be having the um Brunswick Family Assistance Christmas in July. I want to remind you about that, not because we don't ever because you need reminding or to be faithful to do it. It's just because this service always complains that the 830 people get all the tags before they get here. So I wanted to make sure you you're aware that's on your radar so you can grab a tag. Um and also, as always, you can check our connection corner out in the lobby for uh everything that's going on. Um and now uh before we begin, I would like to um offer up a simple prayer that I lifted from hymn number 420. It's inspired by John 20, 21 and 22, which invites us all to let the Holy Spirit transform our lives. So if you'll bow with me. Breathe on us, breath of God, fill us with life anew, that meet that we may love what thou dost love and do what thou wouldst do. And all God's people said, Amen. And now, if you'll stand for our call in Troy, followed by the call to worship. Come all who seek the Lord's leading. Whether we are resting at the well or stepping out in faith, God goes ahead of us. Come, let us worship the God of our ancestors and our God today. Amen. Our first hymn this morning is Near to the Heart of God. That's on page four hundred seventy-two, and your hymn will or also on the screens, and it'll be followed by a praise song from our praise band.

SPEAKER_02 12:56

Teach me some out loudest on it for my baby, come for food, breathe the mountain, fix upon it, mount of my redeeming love. Here I raise mine and the kids, here the boy I help my home, and I hope I could be to arrive at home Jesus with a stranger wandering on the pool. Each impress you meet up danger, each of those branches. Oh to grieve how great a tether Daily I'm not straight to be. Let thy goodness like a better find by wondering how to leave. Pro to leave the God I hold. Is my heart or take and feel it, feel it on I put the body.

SPEAKER_00 14:30

Let's find a new new face and pass the peace of Christ this morning. We're gonna settle back in as great as you're all you guys passing to peace and welcoming everyone. Um now um we want to turn our thoughts toward the Lord and go before him this morning in prayer. If you'll bow with me. We come before you, Lord, thankful that we are blessed to live in a nation of plenty. We are aware of the blessings that affords us. Help us to also be mindful that there are those among us who are struggling. Neighbors that you have commanded us to love just as we love ourselves. Lead and guide us in the best ways to extend your love, grace, and help to them. Our prayers also go out to Haiti this morning. Be with the families of those who lost loved ones in the earthquakes there. Offer healing to the survivors and strength to those who are rendering aid. We also pray for peace in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, and all areas torn apart by war and violence. We lift the names on our prayer list today. Let them feel your presence this week as we lift them up daily in our talks with you. We also have a personal request that we would like to bring to you both aloud in our hearts. We ask that you lead the way ahead. Bring us wisdom to make right choices, and remove our doubts, fears, and confusion, as we effort to serve you joyfully. We ask these things in the name of your Son, who taught his disciples to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. The Apostle Paul reminded the church in Acts 20, verse 35, in all things I have shown you how. Giver of life, you are the source of all good things. We entrust to you our gifts that you would use them to make all know that with you they are beloved, whole, and restored. Amen. You be seated. It's time for our scripture this morning. Um, it comes from the book of Genesis. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but this is like three Sundays in a row that I've been up here that they've given me Genesis to read. So if you'll bear with me when I get to some of these names. So he said, I am Abraham's servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to him when she was old. And he and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, You shall not take a wife from my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I live, but you shall go to my father's house, to my kindred, and get a wife from my son. So I came today to the spring and said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going, I am standing here by the spring of water, let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, Please give me a little water from your jar to drink, and who will say to me, Drink, and I will draw for your camels also. Let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master's son. Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebecca coming out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew. I said to her, Please let me drink. She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, Drink, and I will also water your camels. So I drank as she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, Whose daughter are you? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Micah bore to him. So I put a ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left. And they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will. So they went away. So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse, along with Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads. May your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes. Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man, and the servant took Rebekah and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Birlaharah and was seated, settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field, and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel and said to the servant, Who is the man over there walking in the field to meet us? The servant said, That is my master. So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. This is the word of God for all the people of God. Thanks be to God.

SPEAKER_02 31:02

Jesus speaks to me.

SPEAKER_01 31:28

We come to find the joy and the gratitude and the blessed quietness into your blessed. Almighty God, unto you all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from you no seeks are hidden. Cleanse our hearts and minds by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worldly magnify your holy name through Christ our Lord. Amen. With all the fireworks and excitement scenes we have watched. But we come here also with a great story that tells us how mysterious and abundant God's presence in our lives as He guides our journey of life and faith. Today's story is a great example that how we may consider somehow minor character in the Bible, still do a major work in God's sight. You know, the servant of Abraham is the one I present to you as a role model of our life and faith. He ventured to the unknown. He was willing to take the long detour all the way to destination his master Abraham commanded. It took 450 miles through the wilderness to his mission accomplished. Well, we have been here. We have come here through those journey we have been through, which is mysteriously woven with many unknown moments of choices. Sometimes we made good, but quite often we have allowed ourselves to not so good, and we got to pay for the consequences. As we read during this summer the stories from Genesis, and I tell you again, as you remember, that these stories are not the story we all know very well from the beginning and the end. Well, you know that. But I invite you to read these stories in which we may find ourselves there. Maybe we find our own story paralleled with this story of those figures. Because this story brings us a spiritual momentum that might be a possible new beginning, which is the name of Genesis we read. Genesis literally means new beginning. So all these older stories might be providing you a tried and true story of new beginning. That's the way I do read this story. He's a son of a promise, and this promise is supposed to be fulfilled through two different ways. One, Abraham shall see his descendants grow, and second, they will be given the land of promise. Yet we can't find yet any positive sign that God's promise is fulfilling here. In fact, it goes totally into the opposite way. So there is no grandchild Abraham may enjoy on his laps. Sometimes we have that kind of children who has no desire to get married, brings some headaches to their parents. But there should be God's plan, God's time. And make it worse, in previous chapter, Genesis chapter 23, the Bible reads, his mother, Sarah, the matriarch of this family, passed away. You know, Abraham's family is now experiencing major loss and darkness. They were saddened in grieving and losing even the sight to see their future. You all know that when mom is not there, everything becomes messy. You know, and everyone started asking, where is mom? You know, that happened in this family, not just everyday life, but in many spiritual ways. So Abraham felt desperate to find a woman to be a matriarch for this family, like Sarah, who learned this household, and more importantly, bring the famous story of this family represent back. The family of God-given laughter. Remember? They have their son named Isaac, and people have known this family full of God-given laughter. Yet that darkness and sadness hovering around this family. There was a kind of weakness and crisis. This family was like living witness of the very living God. But now they need to do something. That's the circumstance that God starts making a difference. God starts involved in our ordinary life, even like finding a bride. And even more amazing thing in this story is that in that work there was one who made this mission accomplished. Unlikely figure, we may think. The servant of Abraham. He is a foreigner from Damascus, Assyria. And he has committed to his master. And so one day Abraham even thought he would inherit all his estate to this man named Eliezer. I found his name is something tires us. In Hebrew, his name means my God is my hair. And in this story, he found that God who became his heart. Most of all, humble trust in God's presence and his guidance as he journeyed into the unknown, carrying that heavy task to accomplish. As we see in the Bible, those many minor figures who made it possible the story of major figures like Isaac. Think about it. If this servant did not take that journey four hundred and fifty miles back and forth, Isaac may not find his best bride Rebecca. And there would be no twins like Jacob and Esau and twelve other children from Jacob. Yes, Elizer, this servant is not a big figure in the Bible like Abraham or Moses or David. Yet through his commitment and his hard work, the story of God's people continues. That's the way I see the history of this great nation. We have many unseen heroes and heroines who worked hard to support their family and do their best patiently and humbly to accomplish their task. There are many farmers and miners. There are school teachers and nurses and entrepreneurs who have been working hard to make this country grow and make this country flourish. To be the beacon of peace and justice in where all peoples are welcomed. There was mixed emotion, you may imagine. But now I feel more grateful that not only me as just one person with a chain, but we have. two children and their son in law my son in laws and their two addition of grandchildren. So that's my hope and pray. This country will be continue to be a weacon of peace and justice as it always has been. And friends, to follow God's presence in our journey of life is never easy. Especially it takes us to a long detour. But after all as God guides us to through that path it is good for us. And it is the path that leads us to the final destination of the promised land to the life and the truth and the blessing that God has stored. That's the way Jesus says in Matthew chapter 7 and 13 enter through the narrow gate for the gate is wide and the load is easy that leads us to destruction. And there are many who take it but for the gate is narrow and the load is hard that leads us to life and there are few who find it as I tell you I have been tempted to choose wide Lord to make my journey short God that I resist somehow as I resist in God's word as you are on the right track goes with God. Seems like ridiculous even in our days. Yeah friends that is the path that eventually will take us to the promised land will not be removed never be shaken when this servant arrived at the town when Abraham's kindred leaves the Bible he prayed to God for a sign. In verse 13 it reads Lord I'm standing here by the spring of water please help me make things go smooth this day and you know how his prayer has been answered. A beautiful lady named Rebecca she came with a jar on her shoulder and as he prayed she allowed him to drink and even offered to water his cameras as well this is a long tradition of God's people as they were defined as people of Nomad traveling all the time from one place to the other so in their Hebrew people the most precious virtue is to welcome the stranger with radical hospitality. And Rebecca showed that authentic virtue of God's people she shows such kindness with God grounded hospitality and that was the one God appointed as the bride of Isaac I read this story with the scene I remember as Rebecca say yes I will follow this man to go all the way where Isaac was living she made that old statement yes I will and her brothers and all family blessed her to make her journey guided by God's lead when I read that story you know what I remember when my sister was setting out to marry to a man she found the past and we all prayed three boys for her journey forward and they say goodbye to their sister going that all the journey with God there are some tears of saying goodbye in those days you can imagine with all the God's blessing to abide with her somehow I read this story is perhaps and woman with my memories with my sister with God's help and God's blessing she gave me good news during the week she found the first grandchild in our life our life will be guided by God yet abundantly if we take that faithfully as he is the servant of Abraham deed his life claim that my God is my heart that is the meaning of his name and zero my God is my heart friends as you go into the unknown path as you tackle some big or small challenge in your life will you find your heart the journey is long there are some unexpected twists and turns in your life but this Abraham's servant has never been forsaken because he claimed my God is my heart that's the way Abraham blessed Jesus man in verse forty as he leads the Lord before whom I have walked faithfully with send his angel with you and make your way successful. That's the blessing Abraham first send his servant and Jesus man faithfully take that command so now we are on this journey we are heading to another two hundred and fifty years ahead you have your genes in this moment in the relationship with God but there is a very simple and easy secret to make this journey successful. Yes I know that my heart is my God and he will guide my journey all the way to the promised land. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit Amen and now I invite you to the table God prepared for us all this morning. In the United Method Church I just want you to know that we are practicing open table which means to receive this communion you don't need to be our church member. Even no need to be baptized one thing you need sincerely repent your sin and earnestly yearn for God's grace. So come as you were and here we prepare three stations one for common cup for all you would join together and there is some individual cover in the back of the sanctuary which is for those who need a personal choice and also there is a gluten free blood and cup which Pastor Justin and I will uphold. So please join me the great thanksgiving found on the screen. The Lord be with you and also with lift up your heart lift thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks to praise it is right and a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you Father Almighty creator of heaven and earth you formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life when we turned away and our love failed your love remained steadfast and so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending him in the highest blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord and the highest holy are you and blessed is your son Jesus Christ by the baptism of his suffering death and resurrection you gave birth to your church delivered us from slavery to sin and death and made with us a new covenant by water and the spirit on the night in which he gave himself up for us he took bread gave thanks to you break up the bread gave it to his disciples and said take it this is my body which is given for you do this in remembrance of me. When the suffer was over he took the cup gave thanks to you and gave it to his disciples and said drink from this all of you this is my blood of the new covenant called out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. And so in remembrance of these your might acts in Jesus Christ we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ's offering for us as we proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here and on these gifts of bread and wine make them before us the body and blood of Christ that we may be for the world the body of Christ redeemed by his blood. By your spirit make us one with Christ one with each other and one in ministry to all the world until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church our honor and glory is yours Almighty Father now and forever amen and now I invite the communion to come forward and also you will come and please remember the altar is open for you to be a bit of a eternal God we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your spirit to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus

SPEAKER_02 1:06:45

Lord, I'm running for your heart. I'm running for your heart. Will I have a stone? Lord, I'm longin' for your way.

unknown 1:06:55

I'm waiting for the day.

SPEAKER_02 1:06:57

When I am a stone, when I am a stone Lord, I'm running for your heart. I'm running for your heart. When I have a stone, I'm looking for your way. I'm waiting for the day. I'm running off the heart.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:20

Not because of the firework we celebrate, but because of God's heart. God will die to you. And God will be your heart. May the Lord And the Lord make your faith upon you. And create you. May the Lord live upon you. And keep you here. And all God keeps the same.