A Note from Pastor Elijah

I have been reflecting lately on how the Artemis II mission offers a striking picture of the life of the Church. Four astronauts, representing different backgrounds and experiences, are now on their return journey from the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft. Having successfully circled the moon and tested critical systems for future missions, they are heading home as one crew with one purpose. Their journey depends on the dedicated work of thousands of people on the ground, engineers, technicians, and support teams, most of whom we will never see or know by name.

God has brought this story into our newsfeeds at just the right time. It beautifully illustrates what He is doing here at King of Kings. In Christ, “we, though many, are one body” (Romans 12:5). The Lord has drawn us together from different life stories into one congregation, united by one shared mission. Like the Artemis II team, our life together involves many interconnected “systems”: worship and preaching, care and fellowship, teaching and formation, outreach and missions, administration and stewardship. Some roles are highly visible; others are quiet and behind the scenes. Yet every part is essential.

If you’re not yet a member of King of Kings but feel God gently drawing you toward this community, we warmly invite you to join us for an inquiry session in the Library right after worship this Sunday and next. It’s a relaxed time to learn more about our life together in Christ, ask questions, and get to know us better. We would love to have you!

Thank you for the many ways you are already serving and supporting the body of Christ here. By God’s grace, may the story of Artemis II simply serve as a timely reminder of what is eternally true: one Lord, one faith, one body, and many members, on mission together for the glory of Christ.

With love,

Pastor Elijah

The Good in Good Friday: A Note from Pastor Elijah

Beloved in the Lord,

This Good Friday meets us in a world torn by war, displacement, and fear. Calling the day of Jesus’ crucifixion “good” can sound almost offensive when images of shattered cities and grieving families fill our screens. The cross itself was an act of brutal state violence; nothing about that, in itself, is good.

The goodness of this day lies in what God chose to do through the cross. In Jesus, God steps into the darkest places of our shared life, bearing human sin and suffering in self-giving love. At the cross, God does not explain evil from a safe distance; God carries it, absorbs it, and begins to break its power from within. No battlefield or broken heart is God-forsaken, because Christ has already gone there.

Good Friday is good because it belongs with Easter. If the story ended at the tomb, it would be just one more tragedy among many. But the resurrection proclaims that violence and death do not get the final word. Even in the shadows of the cross, the seeds of Easter are already sown, and a different future is being born. That is why, in a violent and anxious world, we still dare to call this day “Good” and entrust ourselves—and the nations—to the crucified and risen Lord.

Yours because His,

Pastor Elijah