Sept. 24: Celebrating the Life of our Saints!

Upon arriving at our church, one of my first priority was to visit and minister to our elderly members—our spiritual fathers and mothers who have faithfully loved and served this church for many years. It is their dedication and commitment that have helped lay the foundation upon which our church stands today. This month, we have said farewell to three of these beloved saints as they entered into the everlasting kingdom of Heaven. As a pastor, losing members of our church family is difficult, yet my sorrow cannot compare to that of their families.

In the face of death, it is natural for us to feel sorrow and weakness. Yet, as followers of Christ, we also find solace in the hope of His resurrection and the promise of Heaven, which transcends our grief. The Bible assures us that those who die in the Lord are truly blessed. Not all deaths are marked with blessing, but the death of those in Christ carries this promise. Revelation 14:13 declares: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’

These beloved members—Kathleen Harrington, Polly Kingsley, and Harmon Beaty—have now entered their eternal rest in the loving arms of our Savior. They have labored faithfully in service to the Lord, and their deeds remain a lasting testimony to their lives. We love and honor them, and we bless their memory forever. May they rest in eternal peace.

In the hope of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dr. Won Kim

The Lead Pastor of Thrive Church