“Moses saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up.” (Exodus 3:2)

Dear church family

I am Pastor Sophia.

After the holidays are over, the decorations come down, the schedules return, and the excitement fades. We step back into ordinary routines carrying responsibilities, worries, and unanswered questions. Some of us feel physically exhausted; others feel emotionally drained. The quiet after the holidays feels heavier than we expected.

If that’s where you are, I want you to hear this clearly: God’s light is still there.

The world has not slowed down. News headlines still speak of uncertainty, and our personal lives still demand decisions and endurance. It can feel like walking on unfamiliar ground while life keeps saying, “Recalculating.”

In Exodus 3, Moses knew that feeling well. Once a prince, he had become a shepherd in the wilderness, tending sheep that were not even his own. He carried disappointment, fear, and deep uncertainty. Then God met him.

Moses saw a burning bush—on fire, yet not consumed. God revealed God’s holy name: “I AM WHO I AM.” When everything else feels unstable, God remains steady. God’s presence does not fade when we are tired or unsure. Even the wilderness, even an ordinary day, God’s light is right there.

This message is personal to me. There were seasons when my own life felt like a long wilderness—church conflict, broken trust, a global pandemic, and then a cancer diagnosis. One day, God gave me a dream. I was in a small boat, surrounded by high waves. The boat was shaking. But in the middle of it stood Jesus, arms wide open. The waves did not disappear, but the boat did not sink.

That is the hope I want to share with you.

Whether you have been part of our church for years, are new to our community, or are visiting for the first time, know this: you are welcome here. God’s light is not only for strong seasons or joyful moments—it is for tired hearts and uncertain days.

As we move forward together, let us be serious about receiving light from God—through worship, prayer, and a willingness to stand still on holy ground. God’s light is not for decoration; it is for transformation. That light is shining on you.

With warmth and hope,

—
Sophia (Seung Hae) Yoo-Hess

Pastor of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church

43987 Little River Turnpike, Chantilly, Virginia
Office) (703)327-4461