Join the West Tokyo Union Church community online worship service this Sunday as Rev. Paul Shew brings us the message for this Third Sunday of Advent! Join us via Zoom through our usual link. Welcome to friends and members from around the world who join us as we continue to worship remotely. You may be distant geographically, but you are as close as our hearts and prayers. We will keep you informed via email and updated website posts concerning which future services can be held in person. The fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19, will be a hybrid service; both in-person and via Zoom.

The message for this third Sunday of Advent will be “ Shine! The Lights of Christmas.” Come find out more as Paul preaches, Malcolm leads us as liturgist, Steve and Eiko light the advent candles and Kazuko plays the organ. Ruth and her puppets will join us for the children’s sermon, also. 

The Bible passages for this Sunday are Isaiah 9:2-7, Matthew 5:13-16.

The hymns for this Sunday will be:

Opening Hymn — 188 Christ Is the World’s Light

Sermon Hymn — 206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Closing Hymn — 213 Lift Up your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

We look for light but find darkness, for brightness, but walk in gloom. We grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Even the darkness is not dark to you, the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ. You reveal deep and mysterious things; you are the light and in you is no darkness.
Our darkness is passing away and already the true light is shining. O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 

Thank you to everyone who helps to make our worship services come together each week.

We are very thankful that our little community church can keep on going even in the midst of difficulties. Many friends keep contributing to our worship services and to our parishioner connections. We appreciate everyone’s prayers, financial support and weekly acts of service as we help each other in doing the work of the Kingdom.

Gather your family and some friends together to join us in our Zoom worship service. We hope to see many of you on Sunday! You are welcome to stay on after the service to chat for awhile and to catch up with old friends and new news.