Sunday, March 30 -  Rev. Tim McKenzie will bring the message “The Gift of New Sight” from Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 9:13-25 .  After the worship we will enjoy an engaging time of fellowship.  

***

for reflection during LENT……..

Here is a four minute Desktop Meditation from YouTube of music, scenery and words of Lent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3X1cj3Ez30&feature=youtu.be

***

Chenusa Yomoah (Esther`s daughter) is doing her graduation (from Temple University Japan) Art Exhibition April 7th-13th (with a reception on April 11th at 6pm) at Gallery Conceal in Shibuya.  Esther has postcards with all the information and map.

***

MINI BAZAAR to be held on Easter Sunday (when more friends join us). Donations are therefore requested of small, clean and almost new Items, in particular accessories. There will be three price-ranges, Y300, Y500 and Y1000 and Donors are invited to place their items in the appropriate tray/box.  Unsold items may be retrieved or not after the Bazaar.  Questions:  Jill Ito or wtucrev@gmail.com

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE! MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE !! 

Upcoming Schedule for Sundays – April 6th, April 20th (Easter Egg Hunt), May 11th, May 25th, June 8th and June 22nd.   Twice a month we will have multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria.  Who is welcome?  All ages.  We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more.  If parents want their kids to join in on the fun at the multigenerational Sunday School while they attend the Adult Sunday School that will be at the Sacks – that`s great too.  This will be in addition to the regular Wednesday evening offerings for ES, MS and HS.  The Sacks will host the Adult Sunday school, also at 9:30 am in their living room on these same dates.  Their home is right across the Lutheran Campus from our sanctuary.  Best coffee in town = ) Come and enjoy!  All are welcome.  Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = )                                                                                                                                

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

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Contact Carrie Bennett for ES, Julie Rogers for MS, Amy Harbaugh for HS or Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions. Little Kids (1-5) Sunday School during church: no lessons March 23rd and 30th – lessons will resume April 6th – children are always welcome in our worship – please feel free to read books from our cabinet in the back of the sanctuary

NEXT ES Youth Grades 2-5: Wed. April 9th at the Bennett`s home from 5-6:30 pm Topic: Parable of the Sower      Teacher: Carrie   Dinner Responsibility: Loveman

NEXT MS Youth: Wed. April 16th – 5-6:30 pm at the Rogers, Bible study, helping prepare for Easter & pizza

NEXT HS Youth: Quick Meet after church (at church) on April 6th.  Movie Night April 11th…more info to follow. Meeting with the Sacks on Sunday, April 13th (early evening…more details soon).

NEXT MULTI GENERATIONAL Sunday School – April 6th from 9:30-10:30 am

NEXT ADULT Sunday School: Sunday April 6th at the Sacks from 9:30-10:30 am

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry

April 6th Pastor Teresa, Communion

April 13th Pastor Teresa, Palm Sunday Play

April 18th Good Friday service, 6:30pm

April 20th EASTER, Easter Egg Hunt, Communion, Fellowship, *Bazaar

April 27th Rev. Claudia

May 4th Pastor Teresa, Communion

May 11th Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang

May 18th Rev. Tim, Communion

May 25th Rev. Jim

***

SNACK SIGNUP Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board.  We greatly appreciate your contributions to our community life!

***

WTUC  Announcements

*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.*Please enjoy and refer our website and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/  *If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email list, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp *If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let Pastor Teresa or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.

*We are doing a Lay Eucharistic Minister training during Lent.  If interested in joining talk to Pastor Teresa.

***

GOSPEL READING John 9:1-41

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

9 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We[a] must work the works of him who sent me[b] while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.14 Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.”16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus[c] to be the Messiah[d] would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.

Spiritual Blindness

35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”[e] 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir?[f] Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “Lord,[g] I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

EPISTLE READING  Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Sunday, March 23rd -  Pastor Teresa will bring the message “Suffering Endurance Character Hope” from Romans 5.  After the worship we will enjoy an engaging time of fellowship.

***
for reflection during LENT
You call us to service; to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world.
To open our eyes not only to the beauty and love which you create,
but the injustice, hate and suffering that mankind generates.
To open our ears not only to the chattering of this coming week,
but the searching, fears and questioning of all whom we shall meet.
To open our hands not only to those we choose our lives to share,
but in welcome, love and fellowship to all who you draw near.
To open our mouths not only to speak platitudes and simple words,
but the truths you lay upon our hearts.
Your Word for this your world.
You call us to service, to be your eyes and ears,
hands and voice in this your world.
http://www.faithandworship.com/liturgy_Lent_3.htm#ixzz2wPhecuLx

***
MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE! MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE !!
Upcoming Schedule for Sundays – April 6th, April 20th (Easter Egg Hunt), May 11th, May 25th, June 8th and June 22nd.   Twice a month we will have multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria.  Who is welcome?  All ages.  We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more.  If parents want their kids to join in on the fun at the multigenerational Sunday School while they attend the Adult Sunday School that will be at the Sacks – that`s great too.  This will be in addition to the regular Wednesday evening offerings for ES, MS and HS.  The Sacks will host the Adult Sunday school, also at 9:30 am in their living room on these same dates.  Their home is right across the Lutheran Campus from our sanctuary.  Best coffee in town = ) Come and enjoy!  All are welcome.  Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = )

******************
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Contact Carrie Bennett for ES, Julie Rogers for MS, Amy Harbaugh for HS or Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions.

Little Kids (1-5) Sunday School during church: no lessons March 23rd and 30th – lessons will resume April 6th – children are always welcome in our worship – please feel free to read books from our cabinet in the back of the sanctuary

NEXT ES Youth Grades 2-5: Wed. April 9th at the Bennett`s home from 5-6:30 pm
Topic: Parable of the Sower      Teacher: Carrie   Dinner Responsibility: Loveman

NEXT MS Youth: Wed. April 16th – 5-6:30 pm at the Rogers, Bible study, helping prepare for Easter & pizza

NEXT HS Youth: Quick Meet after church (at church) on April 6th.  Movie Night April 11th…more info to follow. Meeting with the Sacks on Sunday, April 13th (early evening…more details soon).

NEXT MULTI GENERATIONAL Sunday School – April 6th from 9:30-10:30 am

NEXT ADULT Sunday School: Sunday April 6th at the Sacks from 9:30-10:30 am

***
Upcoming Preaching Ministry 
March 30th     Rev. Tim
April 6th          Pastor Teresa, Communion
April 13th        Pastor Teresa, Palm Sunday Play
April 18th        Good Friday service, 6:30pm
April 20th        EASTER, Easter Egg Hunt, Communion, Fellowship
April 27th        Rev. Claudia
May 4th           Pastor Teresa, Communion
May 11th          Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang
May 18th         Rev. Tim, Communion
May 25th         Rev. Jim

***
SNACK SIGNUP Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board.  We greatly appreciate your contributions to our community life!

***
WTUC  Announcements
*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.
*Please enjoy and refer our website and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/
*If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email list, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp
*If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let Pastor Teresa or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.
*We are doing a Lay Eucharistic Minister training during Lent.  If interested in joining talk to Pastor Teresa.

***
Readers’ Theatre: Romans 5: 1-11

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character,

and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,

…though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good…

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

Sunday, March 16th -  Adult Sunday School (@ the Sacks) and Multigenerational Sunday School (in the cafeteria) will be from 9:30am (see below).  Rev. Jim Sack will bring the message “The ‘Heaps’ of the Lord” from 2 Chronicles 31:4-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 and Luke 12:29-34 (see below) from 11am. Communion and Healing Prayers will be observed. After the worship we will enjoy a lovely time of fellowship.

***
Huff Post has an interesting article series on Lent for the family.  Enjoy clicking around here.  It includes a slideshow with Scripture and reflective pictures.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/07/table-talk-lent_n_4920129.html

***   
MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE! MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE !!
Schedule for Sundays – March 16th, April 6th, April 20th (Easter Egg Hunt), May 11th, May 25th, June 8th and June 22nd.   Twice a month we will have multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria.  Who is welcome?  All ages.  We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more.  If parents want their kids to join in on the fun at the multigenerational Sunday School while they attend the Adult Sunday School that will be at the Sacks – that`s great too.  This will be in addition to the regular Wednesday evening offerings for ES, MS and HS.  The Sacks will host the Adult Sunday school, also at 9:30 am in their living room on these same dates.  Their home is right across the Lutheran Campus from our sanctuary.  Best coffee in town = ) Come and enjoy!  All are welcome.  Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = )

******************
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Contact Carrie Bennett for ES, Julie Rogers for MS, Amy Harbaugh for HS or Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions.

Little Kids (1-5) Sunday School: March 16th during church
Topic:  Jesus is Alive, Jesus Goes to Heaven  Teacher:  Sara

NEXT ES Youth Grades 2-5: Wednesday, March 19th at the Bennett`s home from 5-6:30 pm
Topic: The Parable of the Sower   Teacher: Steve   Dinner Responsibility: Bennetts

NEXT MS Youth: Wed. March 19th from 5-6:30 pm at the Rogers, Bible study, service project & pizza

NEXT HS Youth: Sunday, March 16th from 1:30 pm at the Harbaugh/Norris house

NEXT MULTI GENERATIONAL SS – March 16th from 9:30-10:30 am -  the Oscars and the Bible!

NEXT ADULT Sunday School: Sunday March 16th at the Sacks from 9:30-10:30 am

***
Upcoming Preaching Ministry
March 16th         Sunday School, Rev. Jim, Communion
March 23rd        Pastor Teresa
March 30th        Rev. Tim
April 18th           Good Friday service, 6:30pm
April 20th          EASTER, Easter Egg Hunt, Communion, Fellowship

***
SNACK SIGNUP Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board.  We greatly appreciate your contributions to our community life!

***
WTUC  Announcements
*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.
*Please enjoy and refer our website and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/
*If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email list, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp
*If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let Pastor Teresa or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.

***
2 Chronicles 31:4-10
He commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, so that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord. As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been consecrated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps. In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. The chief priest Azariah, who was of the house of Zadok, answered him, ‘Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty to spare; for the Lord has blessed his people, so that we have this great supply left over.’

2 Corinthians 9:6-8  
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.

Luke 12:29-34
And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Sunday, March 9th -  Pastor Teresa will bring the sermon, “Following the Shepherd” from John 10.  We will also be welcoming Esther Vomoah as a member into our congregation.  After the worship we will enjoy a lovely time of fellowship.

***
Thank you Ann Tang, Peter Lee, Emin and Sopheen for hosting our Ash Wednesday service on March 5th – it was a lovely time of fellowship and opportunity for deeper reflection as we enter this time of Lent.
for our pondering …

Dear ones in Christ, it has been the custom since the time of the early Church to prepare for the suffering and death of Christ on Good Friday and for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord with special worship and acts of repentance and faith during the period of Lent. Believers are invited to prayer, to fasting, to private meditation and to engage in acts of service. Throughout the Lenten season, we will be reminded of the message of pardon proclaimed in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The words of Scripture that we heard tonight are intended to remind us of our need to renew our repentance and to grow in our faith being more and more your merciful people following after Christ`s example. You are invited to  observe during this season of Lent;  prayer, times of self examination and repentance,  consistent reading God’s holy Word, and acts of mercy as God leads.

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL IS HERE!
Schedule for Sundays – March 16th, April 6th, April 20th (Easter), May 11th, May 25th, June 8th and June 22nd.   Twice a month we will have multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria.  Who is welcome?  All ages.  We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more.  If parents want their kids to join in on the fun at the multigenerational Sunday School while they attend the Adult Sunday School that will be at the Sacks – that`s great too.  This will be in addition to the regular Wednesday evening offerings for ES, MS and HS.  The Sacks will host the Adult Sunday school, also at 9:30 am in their living room on these same dates.  Their home is right across the Lutheran Campus from our sanctuary.  Best coffee in town = ) Come and enjoy!  All are welcome.  Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = )

******************
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Contact Carrie Bennett for ES, Julie Rogers for MS, Amy Harbaugh for HS or Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions.

Little Kids (1-5) Sunday School: March 9th during church
Topic:  The Death of Jesus   Teacher: Jakob and Ben

NEXT ES Youth Grades 2-5: Wednesday, March 19th at the Bennett`s home from 5-6:30 pm
Topic: The Parable of the Sower   Teacher: Steve   Dinner Responsibility: Bennetts

NEXT MS Youth: Wed. March 19th from 5-6:30 pm at the Rogers, Bible study, service project & pizza

NEXT HS Youth: Sunday, March 16th from 1:30 pm at the Harbaugh/Norris house

NEXT MULTI GENERATIONAL SS – March 16th from 9:30-10:30 am -  the Oscars and the Bible!

NEXT ADULT Sunday School: Sunday March 16th at the Sacks from 9:30-10:30 am

***
Upcoming Preaching Ministry
March 16th        Sunday School, Rev. Jim, Communion
March 23rd        Pastor Teresa
March 30th        Rev. Tim

***
SNACK SIGNUP Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board.  We greatly appreciate your contributions to our community life!

***
WTUC  Announcements
*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.
*Please enjoy and refer our website and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/
*If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email list, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp
*If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let Pastor Teresa or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.

***
John 10 1-5 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”
6-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, a more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
11-13 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.
14-18 “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”
19-21 This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks. A lot of them were saying, “He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?” But others weren’t so sure: “These aren’t the words of a crazy man. Can a ‘maniac’ open blind eyes?”
22-24 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”
25-30 Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.”

to inaugurate the beginning of Lent

join us for simple soup and worship

Wednesday March 5th, 2014 at the Tang/Lee home

contact wtucrev@gmail.com for directions

or meet in the WTUC parking lot at 5:10pm for a ride over

Soup: 5:30pm  (bring soup, bread, fruit, salad to share)

Service: 6:30pm (including the imposition of ashes)

sponsored by West Tokyo Union Church

11:00 Sunday morning worship

@Lutheran Seminary and College ( Lutaru Shingako Daigaku)

3-10-20 Osawa  Mitaka-shi, Tokyo

https://wtuc.net             FB: West Tokyo Union Church

Ash Wednesday image found on the internet