Sunday, September 7, 2014

 

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly

September 7, 2014     Worship 11:00 AM

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

THIS WEEK

Sunday, September the 7th -  Welcome back to worship services at WTUC – we are looking forward to seeing each and every one of you – and new friends too!  At the 11am worship service, Pastor Teresa will preach from Psalm 148, with a sermon titled, “Beginning and Ending with Praise”.  We will have Singing Communion.  After the worship service will be a fellowship time.  This Sunday is the first worship of the 2014-15 church year, and we are anticipating a robust church year!  Those who come at 10:30 are welcome to help set up the chairs and the sanctuary = )

WORSHIP  11:00 AM

FELLOWSHIP TIME (after the service – all are invited)

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Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

September 7th  -  Pastor Teresa, Worship Services resume, Singing Communion

September 15th – Back to School blessing, Multigenerational Sunday School and Adult Sunday School begin, Pastor Teresa preaching

September 22nd -  Rev. Dr. Jim Sack preaching, Communion                                                                                                             

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions. Keep watch for the fall schedule of Sunday School activities.                   

Little Kids (1-6) Please remain in worship and enjoy the books and coloring in the cabinet

Blessings of backpacks next week, September 14th – bring your backpack and computer bags for a blessing!

HS YOUTH HS youth are invited to the Rogers` home on Sunday, September 21st at 5 p.m.  Goals/plans for the year and yummy food await.  All are welcome!

NEXT MULTI GENERATIONAL Sunday School – Sunday September 14th in Cafeteria from 9:30-10:30 am

NEXT ADULT Sunday School – Sunday September 14th at the Sack`s from 9:30-10:30 am

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MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! This fall again we will have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. September`s dates are 9/14 and 9/28. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more. The Sacks will host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am in their living room. 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 = )

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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.

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

Each week we will be setting up the chairs for worship and preparing the sanctuary, anyone around at 10:30am is invited to be involved in the fun = )  Each week we will also return our sanctuary to it`s classroom style after the fellowship time.

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.  We will be having a membership class in October for all interested.

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This week`s sermon text – Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

    praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels;

    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon;

    praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens

    and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for at his command they were created,

6 and he established them for ever and ever—

    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

    stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,

    fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,

    small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,

    you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and women,

    old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

    for his name alone is exalted;

    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]

    the praise of all his faithful servants,

    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

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from Saint Francis of Assisi

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!

All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.

No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and You give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;

in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which You give Your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;

she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;

through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing Your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility.