| “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25
Grace and peace to my church family in the name of Jesus Christ ! I am Pastor Sophia. This Sunday we celebrate the 131st anniversary of our church. My heart is filled with deep gratitude and awe. One hundred thirty-one years — that’s more than a century of faith, prayers, service, and steadfast love poured out in this community. It is a miracle of God that this church has continued its mission for 131 years. Our church’s history reminds us of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They faced the fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the golden statue King Nebuchadnezzar had built. They stood firm in their faith, and when they were thrown into the flames, God was there — walking with them in the fire. That same truth carries us today: Yes, Pleasant Valley UMC has also walked through fire for 131 years. Our church has seen wars, , pandemics, social changes in culture and generations—yet here we are, still standing, still worshiping, still proclaiming that God is real! Indeed, God’s presence has never left us. God walks with us and our church through every fire. We have not only survived; we have been refined — like gold shaped by the loving hands of our Creator. As we remember our past, let us also look forward with courage and hope. God is not finished with us yet. The same Spirit that sustained our ancestor of faith before us continues to empower us today — to worship, to serve, to shine the light of Christ in our community. So let us walk together, just as those three faithful friends did. Let us keep proclaiming that our God is real, and that His power is greater than any fire we face. May this anniversary remind us that we are not just celebrating years — we are celebrating God’s unshakable presence among us.To continue to bring many blessings to the community, our church needs your presence and prayers as a part of the body of Christ. We created our prayer wall. So bring your heart, prayers, friends, and empty belly to this Sunday. Let God fill your heart with compassion and love. Sophia (Seung Hae) Yoo-Hess Pastor of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church 43987 Little River Turnpike Chantilly, Virginia Office) (703)327-4461 |
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