West Tokyo Union Church Weekly -Â Sunday, February 28, 2016 worshipÂ
Pastor: Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill   wtucrev@gmail.com
9:30 AM – Adult Sunday School at the Sacks` using the Swedish method with the sermon`s scriptures, Multigenerational Sunday School in the cafeteria with Kay Zebley.
11:00 AM -Â Dr. Wilbert Shenk will bring the sermon, Did I Hear You Say Kingdom? from Matthew 4:12-17; 10:5,7. In his sermon he will be speaking about forgiveness and provide some updates from the West Nickel Mines Amish Schoolhouse tragedy. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service.
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about the preacher – Wilbert is Senior Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture at the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary since 1995. He has previous experience as director of the Mission Training Center and associate professor of mission at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (1990–95); director of the Overseas Ministries Division of the Mennonite Board of Missions (1965–90); and a teacher in Indonesia (1955–59). He has mentored many PhD students in Japan, including our own Mike Sherrill. He will be giving lectures at the Ochanomizu Christian Center on Monday February 29 and Tuesday March 1st at “The 4th Great East Japan Earthquake International Theological Symposium†with the theme of “Being Called ‘Kirisuto-san’ – Revisiting Christian Identity in Post-disaster Japan. All are welcome – Adults 1,000 yen, Students 500 yen.
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Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events
March 6th – Lent 4 Worship, Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.
March 13th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Lent 5 Worship, Charles McJilton of Second Harvest Japan preaching, Youth and friends leading Worship.
March 20th – Lent 6 Palm Sunday Worship, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack preaching, March of the Palms, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.
March 25th – Good Friday Service at 6:30pm, in the sanctuary.
March 27th – EASTER, Pastor Teresa preaching, Easter Egg Hunt, Robust Easter Fellowship.
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Little Kidz: Please go with Sammie to learn about the Lord`s Prayer.
Confirmation Class: March 21st at the Bennett`s home – Supper from 6:30. Class from 7pm.
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. Youth and friends leading Worship March 13th.
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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 28th and March 13th! Easter Egg hunt on March 27th! All friends invited!
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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, 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!
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Text for the sermon –
Matthew 4:12-17 (NRSV)
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.â€Â 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.â€
Matthew 10:5,7
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, … 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’