West Tokyo Union Church

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday, January 22nd

Blessings Abound!

This Sunday (Jan 22), our own Jonathan Blanke will preaching.  The Rev. Blanke’s text will be Mark 1:14-20 and title is “Back to the Beginning,” reflecting on Jesus ministry in Galilee.  Jonathan is faculty at Japan Lutheran College and Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary.  While some of the women are away at Women’s Conference, we will be worshipping at the same 11:00 hour with you all in heart and mind (the WTUC start is officially 10:55—close enough).

Next Sunday we have the unexpected joy of hearing the Rev. Tom Hastings.  Tom is no stranger to the congregation having spent 23 year in Japan as a mission co-worker (along with his wife Carol, who is unfortunately not coming on this trip), and also at teaching at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary.  Tom will be preaching “God Incognito” with the following texts: Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43.

Following Worship on the 29^th, there will be Congregational Meeting to approve a 6 month budget.  The shorter budget is in order to align the fiscal year with the church’s program year.  That way our financial planning will more easily coordinate with our program planning.

Also on the 29^th, a Steering Committee meeting will follow the Congregational Meeting.

Pastors Susan and Teresa may be reached at wtucrev@gmail.com

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday, January 15th

This Sunday, Jan 15:  Pastor Susan Preaching, Communion Sunday.

We may trust that God is amazing and wonderful, able to create planets and mountain ranges, flowering trees and tiny insects.  But do we trust that God can get close to us?  Psalm 139 provides the text. 

Following worship, there will be a meeting about better use of the website and electronic communication.  Please feel free to join us if you are interested.

WTUC CALENDAR

Jan 20-22:   Women’s Conference Japan.  If you are interested in going, please check the website: http://wocon.net/

Jan 22:        Guest Preacher, Rev. Jonathan Blanke

Jan 29:      Congregational Meeting Following Worship to pass a 6-month budget (more information about this will be announced this Sunday), SC meeting on 2nd floor following fellowship time.

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday, January 8th

This Sunday:  The story of the Baptism of Jesus gives rise to some reflections on the meaning of Baptism.  Text is Mark 1:4-11, Pastor Susan Preaching.

Jan 15:  Susan Townsley Preaching, Text  Psalm 139
Following Worship: Conversation on Website and electronic communications.  Let us know if you’d like to join.

Jan 20-22: Women’s Conference Japan.  A lovely relaxing and engaging retreat.  Please see http://wocon.net/ for more infomation.

Jan 22: Guest Preacher, the Rev. Jonathan Blanke

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com

Journeying through the darkness

Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5″In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6″ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday December 25th

Thank you everyone who joined in for Christmas caroling at Nozomi no Ie and Choyo Gakuen on December 18th.  Great thanks to the Sack family as well for hosting a magnificent time of Holyday treats and fun afterwards. 

WTUC Calendar

Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service—6:30 p.m. – Rev Teresa Preaching/O Antiphons service with seven hymns, candle service.

Dec 25: 10:55 Worship, Christmas Morning Service – Rev Teresa/community sharing of favorite hymns, Scripture, Children’s stories, reflections and more.

Jan 1: 10:55 Worship, New Years Day Service – Rev Teresa Preaching/Communion/Toast in the New Year!

Jan 8: 10:55 Worship, – Rev Susan Preaching.

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday December 18th

Thank you Carrie Bennett, the dedicated Sunday School teachers & parents and each one of the play`s participants for the MARVELOUS Children`s Pageant last week.  The story of Jesus` birth was so well told – thank you for proclaiming it well!  Much appreciation all for bringing your talents, humor and great cookies! 

Dec 18:  10:55 Worship, Teresa Sherrill Preaching, Communion, Text: Luke 1:26-38

WTUC Calendar

 Dec 18: Christmas Carolin!! Meet at 3:00 pm for caroling at Nozomi no Ie and Choyo Gakuen followed by fellowship at Sacks.  Remember to bring your socks/present for Nozomi no Ie kids to place under the tree this Sunday.  Thank you Toyas for making the delicious Christmas cookies for the Choyo Gakuen kids!  Please bring any The Caroling Collection books you might have at home.

Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service—6:30 p.m. – Rev Teresa Preaching/Antiphon service with seven hymns, candle service.

Dec 25: 10:55 Worship, Christmas Morning Service – Rev Teresa/community sharing of favorite hymns, Scripture, Children’s stories.

Jan 1: 10:55 Worship, New Years Day Service – Rev Teresa Preaching/Communion/Toast in the New Year!

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday December 11th

This Sunday 10:55 am:  The Third Sunday of Advent.  Come join our wonderful Children’s Christmas Celebration and Pageant.

Please bring Christmas Cookies for the fellowship table.

Also 9:15: Pageant dress rehearsal

WTUC Calendar:                                                                 

Dec 18: Teresa Sherrill preaching Luke 1:26-38, Communion; 3:00 pm Christmas Caroling at Nozomi no Ie and Choyo Gakuen followed by fellowship at the Sacks.

Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 pm followed by Christmas treats, bring a friend!

Dec 25: Christmas Morning sharing time of your favorite hymns, Scriptures, stories and traditions of Christmas.

Jan 1:     Teresa Sherrill preaching, Communion and Toast for the new year.

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com

WTUC Weekly Announcement for Sunday, December 4th

This Sunday:  Repent. The word comes from the Latin word meaning to regret or feel sorrow .  The Greek word in the text is metanoeo, meaning to change ones’ mind.  An intellectual understanding of that word plays very little in the New Testament.  Rather, repentance is about turning the whole person around.  Jesus likely used the word with a rich understanding of the equivalent word in the Hebrew scrolls; shuwb which means “to turn back or turn around.  Text, Mark 1:1-8, Susan Townsley Preaching.

Before Church— Pageant rehearsal.  Please be there by 9:15 AM to receive costume. Practice begins at 9:30 AM.

Sunday School Ages 3-5: during the worship service

After Church: Steering Committee meeting.

WTUC Calendar

Dec 11:  Christmas Pageant

Dec 18:  Teresa Sherrill Preaching, Communion, Text: Luke 1:26-38
                 Christmas Caroling, 3:00 pm 

Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service—6:30 p.m. Rev Teresa preaching/Antiphon service with seven hymns, candle service

Dec 25:   Christmas Morning Service—Rev Teresa/community sharing of favorite hymns, Scripture, Children’s stories

Email address for Rev. Susan Townsley and Rev. Teresa Sherrill:  wtucrev@gmail.com