Pastor's Note
A word from Reverend, Mark Buenafe, Senior Pastor

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. (NLT)

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 is one of my favorite Bible passages. It has recently become a life verse with all that has recently happened in life. And while the primary reality is the loss of Marick, other concerns have also come up. Some are quick to move on such as happy that the NY Mets made it to the playoffs although not making it to the World Series. Major changes that have happened or are happening within the United Methodist Church even more help re-define the focus of who we are and to be as God's Church. I also like Eugene Peterson's version in the Message: The Rescue: 3-5 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. 6-7 When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

I have learned over the years to be on the gracious receiving end of comfort. Many times, since Marick's passing have I recalled the encouragements I have given to others in pastoral ministry. I now am being reflectively careful to applying such insights in my own confusing feelings at the moments of being triggered. I have appreciated listening to the more vocal Norma and Mahal always ready to give a listening and thoughtful ear while clarifying my own reactions and feelings during this timeline we are all in.

Ironically, as we come to our first Thanksgiving since Marick's passing, this will be the second year in a row that we will not be physically together as a family. We have been intentional in making the Kairos moments with the loved ones that we will be with.

My best wishes and blessings to you during the many holiday celebrations we will encounter as we come to these closing months of 2024.

Thank you always for your undergirding persevering prayer-full support.  We can do this courageously and confidently because God is always with us.  Let us fervently pray for God's leading in both what to do and who to be as God's Church.  Rejoice, be grate-full, continue to give kindness, share God's Love and Hope.  We go the distance with God always with us.

By God's grace, Pastor Mark

Marick's Celebration of Life is Saturday, January 18, 2025, 11:00 am at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550. It would be helpful to contact the church office of your plans to attend.