9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, April 26th – During the 11 AM worship, Weng Kong Loh will preach from Philippians 4:1-19 bringing a sermon titled, “Don’t worry, Be Joyful.” After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

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About the preacher – Jaine and I joined the staff of Cru Singapore in 1990. We came to Japan in 1994, where we have served in campus ministry, as well as work with churches and organizations. We developed outreach tools like the Christmas CD, World cup related tools & the manga, ‘The Search’. My family, including our daughters, Josephine and Angela, enjoy simple things, and food like ramen, chocolate & nuts.

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Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 26th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Weng Kong Loh (CRU Singapore Mission Worker) preaching.

May 3rd       Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

May 10th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami, General Secretary of Tohoku HELP preaching.

May 17th     Jon McCurley, Community Life Director of ARI (Asian Rural Institute) preaching, Communion will be served.

May 24th     PENTECOST, MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, and celebrating the graduation of Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki.

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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, May10th after the worship – Karen Seevers, our congregational chair will facilitate this short meeting. Important issue will be approving the 2015-16 budget. See you there = )

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Emin and have fun learning about the Holy Spirit.

ES – Tentative swim and devotions dates – May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm.

MS/HS – Youth planned service for graduating seniors Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki, May 31st – save the date! Please meet at the Rogers’ house on Wednesday, April 29th at 5 p.m. for a planning meeting.  Bring your ideas for music, maybe a puppet show, liturgy, snacks, etc.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – Sunday, April 26th.

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MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, playing games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am in their living room. The method used is the, “Swedish Bible study method,” interacting with the texts for the service through our own life experiences. Their home is right across the Lutheran Campus from our sanctuary. Best coffee in town = ) Come and enjoy! (At times Adult Sunday School is held in the Upper Room, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

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WTUC Announcements:

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

*Please enjoy and refer our website https://wtuc.net/ and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others. Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee. 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 Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

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Passage for the sermon – Philippians 4:1-19

4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Exhortations

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the     secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.