Because WTUC will not be having a Christmas Eve or a Christmas Day worship service this year, we will be having a “Lessons and Carols” service on Dec. 26. Join the West Tokyo Union Church community online worship service via Zoom through our usual link. We will be doing a series of scripture readings and singing together some of our favorite Christmas carols. Various members of our congregation will be reading and some will lead the online singing. A warm 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. We hope to be able to have at least one in-person hybrid worship service per month.

Malcolm will be officiating the “Lessons and Carols,” and Kazuko will play the organ. Ruth and her puppets will join us for the children’s sermon as they talk about the origins of some of our best-loved Christmas carols. The list of readings and carols are posted below:

Isaiah 11: 1-5  – Jill
1) “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming”

Isaiah 40: 1-5 – Yoki
2) “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Micah 5: 2 and 4 – Jermy
3) “Once in David’s Royal City”

Luke 1: 26-38 (Annunciation) – Ann
4) “Joy to the World”

Matthew 1: 18-25. (Joseph’s story) – Jim
5) “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”

Luke 2: 1-7 (Birth of Jesus – Mary’s story) – June
6) “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Luke 2: 8-20 (Shepherds and angels) – Mio
7) “Angels we have heard on High”

John 1:1-14 – Adam
8) “Silent Night”

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.