West Tokyo Union Church Weekly -Â Sunday, February 14, 2016 worshipÂ
Pastor: Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill   wtucrev@gmail.com
9:30 AM – ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL in the Sacks` home
9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY in the cafeteria with Pastor Teresa
11:00 AM –Â Carolyn Morikawa will bring the sermon, Preparing for the Emotional Roller Coasters of Life, sharing encouraging Bible verses from her journey. Carolyn will also share a Children`s Message from John 9:1-7. Steve and Carrie Bennett will be leading us in Praise Music. Our delightful FELLOWSHIP time will be after the service. A Steering Committee meeting will be in the Upper Room following our Fellowship Time.
***
As we cross with Christ into the landscape of Lent and into the mystery that lies ahead of us, may we know at least this about ourselves: that our name, too, is Beloved.
Beloved Is Where We Begin
If you would enter
into the wilderness,
do not begin
without a blessing.
Do not leave
without hearing
who you are:
Beloved,
named by the One
who has traveled this path
before you.
Do not go
without letting it echo
in your ears,
and if you find
it is hard
to let it into your heart,
do not despair.
That is what
this journey is for.
I cannot promise
this blessing will free you
from danger,
from fear,
from hunger
or thirst,
from the scorching
of sun
or the fall
of the night.
But I can tell you
that on this path
there will be help.
I can tell you
that on this way
there will be rest.
I can tell you
that you will know
the strange graces
that come to our aid
only on a road
such as this,
that fly to meet us
bearing comfort
and strength,
that come alongside us
for no other cause
than to lean themselves
toward our ear
and with their
curious insistence
whisper our name:
Beloved.
Beloved.
Beloved.
—Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace
***
Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events
February 14th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Carolyn Morikawa preaching, Youth & Friends leading worship music. Steering Committee Meeting.
February 21st – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion, organ: Kazuko Sacon.
February 28th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Dr. Wilbert Shenk preaching, organ: Kazuko Sacon.
***
Little Kidz: Please go with Oliver to learn about Jesus Walks on Water.
Confirmation Class: February 22nd at the Bennett`s home – Supper from 6:30 provided by the Ocheros, Class from 7pm. The theme will be the Prayer/Body of Christ/the Church.
ES/MS Youth: March 18th ES/MS Swim night – 5:30-7:30 at ASIJ; Hosted by the Loveman family.
HS Youth: Gathering cloth to continue with quilting projects, please give your usable material to one of the Youth.
***
MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!!Â
We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30AM 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 9:30AM 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, hosted by Dr. Toshi Sasao, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Next Sunday Schools – February 14th and 28th!
***
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, are interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa *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. *Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!
***
Text for the sermon – John 9:1-7 (NRSV)
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 Ww must work the works of him who sent me 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.