THIS SUNDAY: We are delighted that the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke will be preaching this Sunday in the following text: John 8:31-36.  Jonathan’s bio is below.

In addition, children and Middle Schoolers will be leading us in parts of the worship service, including some praise singing and sharing of their many talents.

9:30:
Grades 1-4 class
Topic: Peace (Philippians 4:6-7) Teacher: Carrie

Adult Sunday School in the Sacks home; Fruit of the Spirit series:  “PEACE” facilitated by Pastor Susan.

Confirmation class
Pastor Teresa teaches about Jesus.

 UPCOMING EVENTS:

Nov 4^th at 9:30:
Confirmation Class

Pastor Susan Teaches about the Holy Spirit  Because of the earlier worship time, this class will only be 45 minutes long.

Adult Sunday School  In the Sacks home; Fruit of the Spirit series:  “PATIENCE” facilitated by Carol Sack.

Nov 4^th at 10:30 am:  Shared worship with Mitaka Lutheran Church.  Worship will feature the Praise Puppets.

SAVE THE DATE:  Nov 18^th is our annual Potluck Thanksgiving feast.  Sign ups will start this Sunday at Church.

 Jonathan Blanke was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He first came to Japan fresh out of college as a lay missionary in the fall of 1984. He was ordained (Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) in 1992 and served as pastor/missionary at Okinawa Lutheran Church (Japan Lutheran Church [NRK]) from 1992 to 1999. Jonathan received a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Concordia Seminary Graduate School and began teaching classes in New Testament course work at Japan Lutheran College and Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary in 2004, where he continues to serve today. Jonathan is married to Juli (nee Brehmer) and has one daughter (Sarah, in college) and one son (Joel, a Senior at ASIJ). In his free time, he enjoys travel, non-fiction (is an avowed political junkie), and the outdoors.

THIS SUNDAY:  We consider the complexity of Nature as it evidences God.  Text: Job 38:1-7, 34-41, Pastor Susan Preaching.  Below, a Wordsworth Poem to inspire your contemplations.

Little Kids Sunday School (ages 1-5)  Topic this Sunday: Joseph’s Coat  Teacher: Sammie, Helper: Sarah

Confirmation (this Sunday) 9:30.   Topic:  God, lead by Pastor Susan.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Oct 28^th at 9:30:
Grades 1-4 class.  Topic: Peace (Philippians 4:6-7) Teacher: Carrie

Adult Sunday School in the Sacks home; Fruit of the Spirit series:  “PEACE” facilitated by Pastor Susan.

Confirmation class  Pastor Teresa teaches about Jesus.

Nov 4^th at 9:30:
Confirmation Class Pastor Susan Teaches about the Holy Spirit

10:30 am:  Shared worship with Mitake Lutheran Church.  Details in next week’s “WEEKLY”.

________________________________________

I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed–and gazed–but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth.

Confidence before the Throne – This Sunday (10/14/2012) Pastor Teresa will explore Hebrews 4:12-16 and the wonderful promises regarding the word of God and our welcomeness at the throne of grace.  This Sunday we will have special music performed by Jean Pierre Thoma and our own Kazuko Sacon.  It is sure to be a treat.  Coffee Fellowship follows after service.

Jean Pierre Thoma was born in Wisconsin, and has 2 master’s degrees in music and education.  He has performed worldwide in virtually all styles of music on flute, saxophone, clarinet, piano, guitar, as well as being a band director. In 15 years of teaching in varied places such as Sacred Heart HS in San Francisco, and the Auberge de Jeunesse in Carcasonne France, he has experienced students of all age levels. In addition to his spiritual life, he was in the real estate finance and development business until a year ago when he was called to follow the Lord on a more full time basis. Now based in Hilo , Hawaii at the Church of the Holy Cross, he is in discernment to become a commissioned Music Minister with the UCC. His current ecumenical tour of Japan with pianist Annu Shionoya in The Sakura Ensemble is his 3rd in two years, and this mission began just 10 days after the devastating quake and tsunami last year.  He is just returning from a visit to Ofunato Church where he is working on developing a sister church relationship with Holy Cross Church.

http://www.thomamaui.com/

Kazuko and Jean Pierre are playing Bach’s “Air” for the prelude and Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary” for the postlude.  Jean Pierre is playing Debussy`s “Syrinx” for the offertory.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER 

** Sunday Oct. 14 classes – all at 9:30 – Everyone is welcome!**

Little Kids Sunday School (ages 1-5) offered during every worship service.

Grades 1-4 Sunday School:  “Joy”;  

NEXT class October 28th on “Peace.”

Confirmation class: with Pastor Susan doing “Bible with Imagination”; 

NEXT class October 21st on “God.”

Adult Sunday School: In the Sacks home; Fruit of the Spirit series: “Joy” facilitated by Pastor Teresa. 

NEXT class October 28th on “Peace.”

HS youth group: is having a games night at the Harbaugh/Norris` home the weekend of Oct 20th.

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES.

 

WTUC  Announcements

*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.

*If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email please contact Gene Witt or the pastors.

*If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let one of the Pastors or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.

*Please enjoy and refer our website to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastors and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/

*Facebook page is up!  Go there, and “like us. ”Add thoughts, pictures – ENJOY!  Pastor Susan and Pastor Teresa will be monitoring the page.

passage for this Sunday`s sermon

Hebrews 4:12-16 New International Version (NIV)

¹²Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.¹³And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. ¹⁴Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Hebrews 4:12-16  The Message (MSG)

12-13 God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.

14-16 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

 

Tokyo Union Church is celebrating it`s 140th Anniversary with a weekend of festivities, October 12th-14th.

Friday evening, October 12

Open House at the manse

6-13 Hachiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku

Drop in between 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

For light Hors d’oeuvres and Fellowship

 

Saturday morning, October 13

Tour of Tsukiji Foreign Settlement

And the origin of TUC

Meet at 10 a.m. TUC lobby or

Meet at 11 a.m. St. Luke’s Garden Tower Lobby (2F)

Lunch at a local restaurant

 

Saturday evening, TUC, 5:00 p.m.

Celebration Concert featuring TUC

Choirs, musicians & directors

MOHN will receive all proceeds

 

Sunday morning in the Sanctuary, October 14

8:30 & 11:00 – Celebratory Worship

9:45 – Adult Forum with visiting former pastors

12:30 – Lunch in the Fellowship Hall

 

***Those Attending the 140th:

Former Pastors:

Barry Dawson 1997-2001 & 2007-2011

Jeff Powell 1992-1997

 

Former Associate/Assitant Pastors:

Mandy Stanley Miller 2000-2003

Bill Ekhardt 1998-2000

Barbara Lund 1995-1998

Mari Thorkelson 1989-1993

Chuck Hasty 1987-1988

Kathy Matsushima 1984-1986

http://www.tokyounion.org/files/alumni/TUC140th0711.pdf

 

 

News from TELL ……..

Dear friends,

TELL will hold the last suicide prevention workshop for the year next Wednesday, 17th October 2012 at the Wesley Center in Minami Aoyama. Please help spread the word.

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TELL Suicide Prevention Workshop

 

Wednesday, 17th October 2012

Wesley Center in Minami Aoyama

 

 

Over 1 million people worldwide take their own lives each year. TELL has developed a workshop aimed at reducing the myths and stigmas surrounding suicide and providing skills we can all use to support someone in need.

You too can save a life!

 

For details click here http://www.telljp.com/index.php?/en/suicide_awareness

To sign up contact lifeline1@telljp.com

******************************************************

Hope to see you there,

Jason

—

Executive Officer,

Director of Life Line Services,

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)

===============================

“Need to talk?–We’re here to listen!”

TELL Life Line: 03-5774-0992

 

TELL needs more telephone counselors.

Training starts on 15 September. For more, click here <http://www.telljp.com/index.php?/en/life_line/> 

 

“Need an English speaking doctor, lawyer, counselor…?

Try Wiki-TELL <http://www.telljp.com/> 

 

Follow us on Twitter <https://twitter.com/#%21/TokyoLifeLine> : @TokyoLifeLine