In my search, I have attended Jubilee Church, an English ministry, in Seoul. Oh my goodness, what a funny and extremely engaging Pastor! I thoroughly enjoyed his message! This church is a nondenominational church and they do really great mission work from what I hear and offer many opportunities for weekend retreats. The service I attended had contemporary music and I especially enjoyed the guitar playing musicians.
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| Jubilee Church in Gangnam |
The next English worship service I attended in Seoul was a traditional service at Somang Presbyterian Church. There were about 60 or so in attendance and a full 20 choir members during this English service. I had the opportunity to speak with the Pastor, Rev. Bill Majors, after the service as the whole congregation stays right there in the main sanctuary after church to come together and chat while drinking coffee. He is an American and has lived in Korea with his wife for the past 23 years, but lived in Houston attending seminary there and makes guest speaking engagements in the states frequently. His sermon was about 'Kingdom Character' referring to what God wants us to understand about marriage and divorce.
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| Somang Presbyterian Church is just south of the river in Gangnam |
Next stop was the contemporary English Ministry service at Chungdong First Methodist Church whose Pastor is Rev. Johan Reiners. A bit smaller group than the other two churches I attended, but the most accommodating to new visitors. They even announced my name in the announcements section of the service. Communion is offered during the traditional service, however, I was not able to attend that one. I found it a huge coincidence that in my personal bible studies, I had just finished two weeks prior reading Esther in the old testament and was so intrigued by her story that I watched on the internet the movie "Esther" and loved it. Well, guess what his sermon was about? Yes, Esther! I think I found my church home in Seoul! The Pastor was making his way speaking with all the visitors after the service and we especially had a nice conversation. He shocked me as he told me he is from South Africa! I could tell he did not have an American accent but never expected South Africa! We had a great conversation about the story of Esther and he even gave me another suggestion of a movie to watch about her biblical story. After speaking with many more people while sipping tea and before I left, they gave me a book that gives the stories and testimonies of people in the English ministry church. I will head back there next week to attend the service with communion..
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| Chung Dong is the first Methodist church in Korea, established in 1885. (Near City Hall in down town Seoul) |
I have posted many pictures in my posts of Buddhist Temples and other temples throughout my exploration of Korea and Japan, but in reality, Christians make up 29% and Buddhists make up 23% of South Korea's religious population. Interestingly, the current woman president, Park Geun-hye, has connections with both Buddhism and Catholicism and even Pope Francis has come to South Korea just last summer.
So, now I've had a full day of church service and sharing faith with others.... now what more is there to do? Ha! I'm in Seoul, an hour and a half away from my home, and have the rest of the day to explore! It's incredible how much there is to do right here at the footsteps of the subway train stations. Let me take you along on my tour...... After a walk past the Seoul Museum of Art and streets lined with tall trees and an ancient stone wall (designated as one of Korea's most beautiful roads by the way), there is the modern royal palace, Deoksugung Palace. I happened to be here when they had the changing of the guards and couldn't wait to take part!
Next, since it was such a beautiful day, I had to go visit and relax at the Olympic Park built to commemorate the 1988 Olympics and displays more than 200 sculptures on the grounds with a beautiful walking path and lots of kite flying, kids playing, and dogs running around too!
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| Too much fun while going a little too fast! |
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| Feeling a little sorry for the owner of this kite. |
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| Dog lovers will love this dolled up little pup! |
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These statues are near the grassy area where I decided to sprawl out to people watch and rest my feet after a long day of walking.
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My favorite part of Olympic Park is the wall displaying the Seoul Olympic Song because it's just a great tribute to World Peace. Here are the words on this wall:
See the fire in the sky We feel the beating of our hearts together This is our time to rise above We know the chance is here to live forever for all time Everything we give it all We feel the flame eternally inside us Lift our hands up to the sky The morning calm helps us to live in harmony for all time We can make this world a better place in which to live Hand in hand we can start to understand Breaking down the wall that come between us for all time
So now, it's time to go indoors. I decided to head to Lotte Department Store and do a little shopping and here is what I found.... A Fantastic Parade!
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And then a little different cultural mix... The Jamsil Fringe Stage where musicians come to show their stuff in front of a willing audience! This was rap music, not my favorite, but still very talented! I enjoyed the venue after this which was more mellow (of course, it involved the acoustic guitar, my favorite!)
There is so much to do here in Korea! I just love the adventures of traveling to see new places, meet new people, and explore this socially and culturally diverse land.
