“Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (Exodus 14:21-22)

Dear Pleasant Valley UMC Family,

I am Pastor Sophia. Have you ever faced a situation that seemed impossible? A health concern, a family struggle, financial stress, or an uncertain future can sometimes make us feel just like the Israelites standing at the edge of the Red Sea. There seems to be no way forward. Even Google Maps is asking us for directions at this point.

Yet Exodus 14 reminds us that our greatest hope is that God is making a way for us. When Israel saw only water ahead and an army behind, God saw a path they could not yet see. The God who made a way through the sea is the same God who is leading us today.

As I meditated on this message, I kept thinking about one simple truth: you cannot learn to swim by standing on the shore. At some point, you must trust the one who is holding you. Faith is much the same. God often invites us to take the first step before we can see the whole path, trusting that God’s hands are holding us all along.

I believe God is inviting Pleasant Valley UMC to do just that—to step into the water together.

Like every church, we have challenges—paying bills, bringing more people to our church, etc. But we also have a calling. God has planted this church in our community to be a place of hope, prayer, love, and healing. Our church has been built on your tears, laughter, and sweat. There are so many reason that our church should exist and continue to work for our community and the world.

None of us can do everything, but each of us can take one faithful step together. Just as the Israelites crossed the sea together, we are called to move forward together in faith. When we build up our church together with our prayers, offerings, sharing God’s love with others, we will witness how God make a path for us.

So church, don’t let fear keep you standing on the shoreline. Trust that God is already making a way where we cannot yet see one.

Let’s step into building up our church together with commitment and courage, knowing that the One who led Israel through the sea is leading Pleasant Valley UMC.

I look forward to taking that journey with you. See you this Sunday.

Sophia (Seung Hae) Yoo-Hess
43987 Little River Turnpike, Chantilly, Virginia
Office) (703)3274461