Our church community is blessed this Sunday by having one of our former pastors, Teresa Sherrill, join us to preach at our online worship service! We meet at 10:00 am JST via Zoom through our usual link. For now, we will only be gathering online, through Zoom. We welcome friends and members from around the world to 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.
Rev. Teresa Sherrill was co-pastor with Rev. Susan Townsley 2011-13 and continued pastoring until 2016. After 25 years in Japan, the Sherrills listened to the needs of teens launching and parents’ health concerns and moved to Goshen, IN in 2016. Mike is now Executive Director/CEO of Mennonite Mission Network, Teresa works at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Enrollment and Financial Aid, Isaiah is a student at Ivy Tech, Jeremiah at Goshen College and Sophia is at Eastern Mennonite University. Moses still cheers us and enjoys walks around the neighborhood. We live by the precept that every day is grace.
Pastor Teresa will be preaching on the message, “God Sends,” and will be focusing on a text that mentions the Land of Goshen. Since Teresa and her family moved to Goshen, this is quite an appropriate text for her to choose. She is looking forward to seeing her beloved WTUC friends and is thankful that we can remain connected across space and oceans and borders.
Rev. Teresa says, “In Genesis 45, our OT Lectionary text for today, Joseph says to his siblings, “Come closer to me.” What do you think happened during that discussion? In addition to a great many feelings, I think that part of the discussion that enfolded was about restoration. Many of us, as well, face times where we need restoration in our families, amongst friends and in societal situations. Genesis 45 offers us insights into aspects of restoration, and we will do some pondering together about this important theme.”
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament — Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Gospel — Luke 6:27 – 38
Our hymns for this coming Sunday include:
In the Bulb There Is a Flower
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Kazuko will be playing the organ for us, Carol is the liturgist this Sunday, and Ruth will bring the children’s message with help from some friends. 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.
