Sunday, June 21st

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, June 21st    During the 11 AM worship, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack will bring the sermon “Wake up Jesus” from Mark 4:35-41. We will also have a blessing for Father`s/Caregiver`s during the service. Communion will be served. Following our worship will be a Fellowship time. There will be a table set up selling goods produced or sponsored by Asian Rural Institute, http://www.ari-edu.org/en/about-us/ one of the ministries our outreach supports. This is a chance to stock up on delicious fair trade coffee from the Philippines.

***

About the preacher – Jim and Carol Sack have been long term missionaries in Japan with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan since 1982. Jim teaches clinical psychology classes in the undergraduate and graduate school as well as pastoral counseling classes in the seminary. Carol is director of “Lyra Precaria,” a ministry that provides harp music and voice at the bedside of the dying. 

***

We are looking for someone desiring to serve WTUC next year (2015-6) posting to the website and sending out the emailing – if you are interested, please talk with Pastor Teresa, wtucrev@gmail.com

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

June 21st     Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching, Father`s/Caregiver`s Blessing time, Communion will be served.

June 28th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Pastor Teresa preaching. This will be the last Sunday of the 2014-5 church year. Next service will be Sunday, September 6th, a list of local churches to visit is on the back table.

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com

Little Kids: All are welcome to stay in the service and enjoy books and coloring materials.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday, June 28th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Sermon text – Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

 

Liturgical Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Sunday, June 14th

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, June 14th – Multigenerational Sunday School will meet in the cafeteria from 9:30-10:30AM. Adult Sunday School will meet in the “Upper Room” (a classroom above the sanctuary) at this same time.

         During the 11 AM worship, Rev. Christian Zebley will bring the sermon God’s Sovereign Fix-It Plan, from Romans 8:18-25. The Gospel reading will be from Mark 4:26-34. Following our worship will be a Fellowship time. There will be a table set up selling goods produced or sponsored by Asian Rural Institute, http://www.ari-edu.org/en/about-us/ one of the ministries our outreach supports. This is a chance to stock up on delicious fair trade coffee from the Philippines.

***

About the preacher – Christian is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  Beginning in 1998, Christian and Kay served almost nine years in Japan as missionaries of the Presbyterian Church USA, building a national network of youth ministry leaders within the Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan, the UCCJ.  Anna and Emma Zebley were both born in Japan during this time. In 2006, the Zebleys were then called to Los Angeles, CA where they ministered to Christians in the entertainment industry. Christian served as the National Coordinator of Multicultural Alpha for The Alpha Course USA while based at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. In 2011, God led them to Montreat, North Carolina where they studied and partnered with Presbyterian Reformed Ministries International (www.prmi.org) to form Global Leadership Dynamics (www.globalleading.org). GLD ministers to leaders of diverse backgrounds, creates unity in the Body of Christ and forges strategic partnerships between organizations for global Kingdom impact. Since 2011, Christian has led GLD events in India, South Sudan, Japan and throughout the United States. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College BA, Princeton Theological Seminary MDiv, and currently working on a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership Studies at Denver Seminary. Kay is a graduate of Wellesley College with a degree in International Relations. She has also studied spiritual direction at San Francisco Theological Seminary. She is now a full-time educator leading the Zebley family home-school.

***

We are looking for someone desiring to serve WTUC next year (2015-6) posting to the website and sending out the emailing – if you are interested, please talk with   Pastor Teresa, wtucrev@gmail.com

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

June 14th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School (Adult Sunday School will be held in the Upper Room, Rev. Christian Zebley preaching.

June 21st     Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching, Father`s/Caregiver`s Blessing time, Communion will be served.

June 28th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Pastor Teresa preaching. This will be the last Sunday of the 2014-5 church year. Next service will be Sunday, September 6th, a list of local churches to visit is on the back table.

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com

Little Kids: All are welcome to stay in the service and enjoy books and coloring materials.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday, June 14th and June 28th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Sermon text – Romans 8:18-25

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in[a] hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes[b] for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Supporting text used in the liturgy – Psalm 20 Prayer for Victory To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,

and give you support from Zion.

3 May he remember all your offerings,

and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.Selah

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,

and fulfill all your plans.

5 May we shout for joy over your victory,

and in the name of our God set up our banners.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;

he will answer him from his holy heaven

with mighty victories by his right hand.

7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,

but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.

8 They will collapse and fall,

but we shall rise and stand upright.

9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;

answer us when we call.

Gospel reading for this Sunday – Mark 4:26-34

26He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Sunday, June 7th

11:00 AM – YOUTH WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

after fellowship time: STEERING COMMITTEE

Sunday, June 7th – During the 11 AM worship, we will have the ES/MS Youth Sunday with music, Scripture, Reader`s Theatre, liturgy and homily on the theme of God`s Steadfast Love, from Psalm 138 – all provided by our wonderful youth and friends. The Gospel reading will be from Luke 18. Communion will be served. We will also have a time of blessing and thank yous to our SS teachers and Youth Group leaders. Following our delicious refreshments during the Fellowship time, will be the last Steering Committee of our 2014-5 church year.

***

We are looking for someone desiring to serve WTUC next year (2015-6) posting to the website and sending out the emailing – if you are interested, please talk with Pastor Teresa, wtucrev@gmail.com

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

June 7th        ES Youth Sunday, SS Teacher thank yous, Communion will be served. Steering Committee meeting after Fellowship time.

June 14th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School (Adult Sunday School will be held in the Upper Room, Rev. Christian Zebley preaching.

June 21st     Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching, Communion will be served.

June 28th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Pastor Teresa preaching. This will be the last Sunday of the 2014-5 church year. Next service will be Sunday, September 6th, a list of local churches to visit is on the back table.

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to stay in the service and enjoy books and coloring materials.

ES/MS – Youth Sunday leadership June 7th

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday, June 14th and June 28th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Sermon Passage – Psalm 138 Thanksgiving and Praise Of David.

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

   before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple

   and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;

   for you have exalted your name and your word

   above everything.

3 On the day I called, you answered me,

   you increased my strength of soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,

   for they have heard the words of your mouth.

5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

   for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;

   but the haughty he perceives from far away.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

   you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;

you stretch out your hand,

   and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

   your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

   Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Gospel Passage – Luke 18:9-17 (NRSV)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children

15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

Sunday, May 24th

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

11:00 AM – PENTECOST WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, May 24th – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School from 9:30-10:30 AM. During the 11 AM worship, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, will preach from Acts 2 and John 15-6 bringing a sermon titled,“On the Breath of God.” A robust fellowship time celebrating Pentecost will follow the worship – everyone as able please bring red, orange, yellow finger foods to symbolize fire or blue finger foods, to symbolize the Spirit – invite your friends!

***

about the preacher – Jim and Carol Sack have been long term missionaries in Japan with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan since 1982. Jim teaches clinical psychology classes in the undergraduate and graduate school as well as pastoral counseling classes in the seminary. Carol is director of “Lyra Precaria,” a ministry that provides harp music and voice at the bedside of the dying. 

***

We are looking for someone desiring to serve WTUC next year (2015-6) printing bulletins, posting to the website, and sending out the emailing – if you are interested, please talk with Pastor Teresa, wtucrev@gmail.com

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

May 24th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, PENTECOST worship – bring red, orange yellow or blue finger foods to share during fellowship hour, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, celebrating our seniors, Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki (6/15), and Keita (3/16); the youth will provide our refreshments.

June 7th        ES Youth Sunday, SS Teacher thank yous, Communion will be served.

June 14th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Christian Zebley preaching.

June 21st     Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

June 28th      MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Pastor Teresa preaching. This will be the last Sunday of the 2014-5 church year. Next service will be Sunday, September 6th, a list of local churches to visit is on the back table.

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Sammie and have fun learning about “A New World.”

ES – June 3rd 5:00 pm Nogawa Park play and planning meeting for the ES Youth Sunday June 7th.

MS/HS — Sunday, May 24th at 10:00 am (planning meeting for Youth Sunday); Sunday May 31st HS Youth Sunday with testimonies, puppets and songs.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday, May 24th; June 14th and June 28th.

 

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Passages for the sermon –

Acts 2:1-21 (from NRSV) 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 15:26-27 (from NRSV) 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. 27 You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

16:4b-15 (from NRSV) 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, “Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you flameinto all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Sunday, May 10th

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

short CONGREGATIONAL MEETING after the worship

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, May 10th – During the 11 AM worship, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami will preach from Matthew 2 and Jeremiah 31 bringing a sermon titled, “Hope in the Midst of Despair.” There will be a time of blessing of mothers and caregivers during the service, and after the worship please take one of the posies that will decorate our altar. After the worship service will be short congregational meeting to vote on the 2015-16 church year budget. A robust fellowship time will follow. All are welcome!

**

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

May 10th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami, General Secretary of Tohoku HELP preaching.

May 17th     Jon McCurley, Community Life Director of ARI (Asian Rural Institute) preaching, Communion will be served.

May 24th     PENTECOST, MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, celebrating our seniors, Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki (6/15), and Keita (3/16).

June 7th        ES Youth Sunday, Communion will be served.

***

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, May 10th after the worship – Karen Seevers, our congregational chair will facilitate this short meeting. Important issue will be approving the 2015-16 budget. See you there = )

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Sara and have fun learning about Paul and Silas.

ES – May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm swim & devotions; June 3rd 5:00 pm Nogawa Park play and planning meeting for the ES Youth Sunday June 7th.

MS/HS — Sunday, May 24th at 10:00 am (planning meeting for Youth Sunday); Sunday May 31st HS Youth Sunday with testimonies, puppets and songs.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday, May 10th; May 24th; June 14th and June 28th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Passages for the sermon –

Matthew 2:17-18 17

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.”

Jeremiah 31:15-17

15 Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children;

she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not.”

16 Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future says the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country.

Sunday, May 3rd

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, May 3rd – During the 11 AM worship, Pastor Teresa will preach from Acts 8 bringing a sermon titled, “Get up…Go…Get in…Sit beside.” After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

**

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

May 3rd       Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

May 10th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami, General Secretary of Tohoku HELP preaching.

May 17th     Jon McCurley, Community Life Director of ARI (Asian Rural Institute) preaching, Communion will be served.

May 24th     PENTECOST, MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, and celebrating the graduation of Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki.

***

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, May 10th after the worship – Karen Seevers, our congregational chair will facilitate this short meeting. Important issue will be approving the 2015-16 budget. See you there = )

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Allie and have fun learning about the A Miracle at the Beautiful Gate.

ES – Tentative swim & devotions dates – May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm.

MS/HS – Planning meeting for Youth Sunday – Sunday, May 24th at 10:00 am; Sunday May 31st HS Youth Sunday with testimonies, puppets and songs.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – Sunday, May 10th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Passage for the sermon –

Acts 8:26-40 – 26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 37 [[a/NASB] And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Sunday, April 26th

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, April 26th – During the 11 AM worship, Weng Kong Loh will preach from Philippians 4:1-19 bringing a sermon titled, “Don’t worry, Be Joyful.” After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

***

About the preacher – Jaine and I joined the staff of Cru Singapore in 1990. We came to Japan in 1994, where we have served in campus ministry, as well as work with churches and organizations. We developed outreach tools like the Christmas CD, World cup related tools & the manga, ‘The Search’. My family, including our daughters, Josephine and Angela, enjoy simple things, and food like ramen, chocolate & nuts.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 26th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Weng Kong Loh (CRU Singapore Mission Worker) preaching.

May 3rd       Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

May 10th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami, General Secretary of Tohoku HELP preaching.

May 17th     Jon McCurley, Community Life Director of ARI (Asian Rural Institute) preaching, Communion will be served.

May 24th     PENTECOST, MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, and celebrating the graduation of Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki.

***

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, May10th after the worship – Karen Seevers, our congregational chair will facilitate this short meeting. Important issue will be approving the 2015-16 budget. See you there = )

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, Multi-generational-worshipgrades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Emin and have fun learning about the Holy Spirit.

ES – Tentative swim and devotions dates – May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm.

MS/HS – Youth planned service for graduating seniors Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki, May 31st – save the date! Please meet at the Rogers’ house on Wednesday, April 29th at 5 p.m. for a planning meeting.  Bring your ideas for music, maybe a puppet show, liturgy, snacks, etc.

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – Sunday, April 26th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 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 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Passage for the sermon – Philippians 4:1-19

4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Exhortations

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the     secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Sunday, April 19th

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

STEERING COMMITTEE: after the fellowship time

Sunday, April 19th – During the 11 AM worship, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack will preach from Luke 24:35-48 bringing a sermon titled, “Eat and Run.” Communion will be served. After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

***

about the preacher – Jim and Carol Sack have been long term missionaries in Japan with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Japan since 1982. Jim teaches clinical psychology classes in the undergraduate and graduate school as well as pastoral counseling classes in the seminary. Carol is director of “Lyra Precaria,” a ministry that provides harp music and voice at the bedside of the dying. 

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 26th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Weng Kong Loh (CRU Singapore Mission Worker) preaching.

May 3rd       Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

May 10th     MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Naoya Kawakami, General Secretary of Tohoku HELP preaching.

May 17th     Jon McCurley, Community Life Director of ARI (Asian Rural Institute) preaching, Communion will be served.

May 24th     PENTECOST, MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack, Professor at the Lutheran College and Seminary preaching.

May 31st       HS Youth Sunday with testimonies and songs, and celebrating the graduation of Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki.

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: All are welcome to go with Oliver and have fun learning about Zacchaeus.

ES – Tentative swim and devotions dates – May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm.

MS/HS – Youth planned service for graduating seniors Brandon, Elsa, Max and Niki, May 31st – save the date!

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday School – Sunday, April 26th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 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 Multi-generational-worshipAdult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or Jill. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

***

Passage for the sermon – Luke 24:35-48

35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

 

Sunday, March 22nd

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL – Lenten theme

9:30 AM ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL – Candle study of the sermon text

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

 

Sunday, March 22nd – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools at 9:30am. During the 11 AM worship, Makoto Fujimura will preach John 11 from bringing a sermon titled “Jesus Wept.” After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

***

About the preacher – Makoto Fujimura, is an artist, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural shaper. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. In 2014, the American Academy of Religion, named Makoto Fujimura as its ’2014 Religion and the Arts’ award recipient. Fujimura’s work is exhibited at galleries around the world, including Dillon Gallery in New York, Sato Museum in Tokyo, The Contemporary Museum of Tokyo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts Museum, Bentley Gallery in Arizona, Gallery Exit and Oxford House at Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, and Vienna’s Belvedere Museum. He is one of the first artists to paint live on stage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall as part of an ongoing collaboration with composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra. Fujimura founded the International Arts Movement in 1992. Fujimura’s second book, Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art and Culture, is a collection of essays bringing together people of all backgrounds in a conversation and meditation on culture, art, and humanity. In celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, Crossway Publishing commissioned and published The Four Holy Gospels, featuring Fujimura’s illuminations of the sacred texts. In 2011 the Fujimura Institute was established and launched the Four Qu4rtets, a collaboration between Fujimura, painter Bruce Herman, Duke theologian/pianist Jeremy Begbie, and Yale composer Christopher Theofanidis, based on T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. Bucknell University honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012. He is a recipient of four Doctor of Arts Honorary Degrees; from Belhaven University in 2011, Biola University in 2012, Cairn University in 2014 and Roanoke College in February of this year.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Time

March 21st (Sat.)       *Ann Tang is hosting a come and go party to reconnect with Sally Witmer (former WTUC member) from 3pm – 9pm at her home, light refreshments and   supper will be served. All those interested in attending the Golden Sea film (featuring Sunday`s preacher and his art) at ICU, are welcome to come for supper, see Sally and then continue onto the film (directions are available through Ann or Pastor Teresa)

*Makoto Fujimura and Tom Hastings (former WTUC member) – Saturday film showing of “Golden Sea” and interview at ICU Dialogue House (inside the cafeteria), International House 2F                              6:30-8:00pm

March 22nd     Multigenerational and Adult Sunday School, Makoto Fujimura preaching http://www.makotofujimura.com/

March 29th     Palm Sunday, Pastor Teresa preaching

April 3rd         Good Friday, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary, reflective service including 33 bell rings

April 5th         EASTER, Easter Hunt at 9:30am, please bring flowers to decorate the altar, Pastor Teresa preaching at Worship 11am, Singing Communion, ROBUST Easter brunch after service (bring something yummy, eggy or Eastery to share)

***
goldensea ***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: all are welcome to enjoy books and coloring materials in the back of the sanctuary

ES – Tentative swim and devotions dates – April 8th (PACT) 5:00pm, May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm

MS/HS – April 12th will be Praise Music Sunday. All youth are encouraged to send suggestions for music to Julie Rogers. Game Night, April 24th

MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday Schools – Sunday, March 22nd, 9:30-10:30am

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 in the cafeteria the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Who is welcome? All ages. We will be creating, discussing, Multi-generational-worshipplaying games, acting out bible stories and more. At the same time, the Sacks host the Adult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 3/22, 4/12, 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

***

Thomas John Hastings through Pickwick Publications, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers, has recently released a book (2/2015): Seeing All Things Whole: The Scientific Mysticism and Art of Kagawa Toyohiko (1888–1960). ISBN 13: 978-1-4982-0407-1 Retail: $31 Pastor Teresa has access to an excerpt if you would like it sent to you.

***

AFARI, American Friends of ARI (Asian Rural Institute), is an organization of friends, former volunteers, expats who came to know ARI through T.U.C. and mission co-workers who have deeply respected the mission and people of ARI since its founding in 1973. Each year since 2004, AFARI has sought gifts of frequent flier miles (mostly on Delta/NWA and United, but also from other airlines that carry passengers from parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands and Central/South America to Tokyo.) If you or a family member have enough miles for a one-way or round-rip flight that could be used to bring a participant from Kathmandu, Myanmar or Manila (for example), please be in touch with pamhasegawa@gmail.com at your earliest convenience. The Hasegawa family, T.U.C members from 1985-89, enjoy a lifelong bond with A.R.I. For the last 10 years their family has given at least one ticket a year to support the travel of a participant whose organization did not have the funds for air fare. AFARI members in North America agree, “It has been a joy for us to contribute to the mission of ARI in this way and we would invite you to join us, if you can, in making your own contribution of FF miles.”  

***

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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board for next year. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Each week we will be setting up the chairs for worship and preparing the sanctuary, anyone around at 10:30am is invited to be involved in the fun = ) Each week we will also return our sanctuary to it`s classroom style after the fellowship time.

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

*Interested in a paid position setting up and/or taking down the chairs of our sanctuary? Contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com

***

John 11:1-45

11Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.” 11After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” 12The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.” 13Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

17When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” 28When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus began to weep. 36So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

Sunday, March 15th

11:00 AM – WORSHIP

FELLOWSHIP TIME: after the service

Sunday, March 15th – During the 11 AM worship, Pastor Teresa will preach from Psalm 19 bringing a sermon titled “Grace!” Communion will be served. After the worship service will be a robust fellowship time. All are welcome!

***

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Any questions, please contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com, or Julie Rogers for HS; Amy Harbaugh and Steve Bennett for Upper ES and Lower MS, grades 4-7; and Carrie Bennett for Lower ES, grades K-3.

Little Kids: all are welcome to go with Allie and learn about “A Dark Friday and A Joyful Sunday”

ES – Tentative swim and devotions dates – March 18th (PACT) 5:00pm, April 8th (PACT) 5:00pm, May 13th (PACT) 5:00pm, June 3rd 5:00 pm

MS/HS – 3/15th and 4/12th will be Praise Music Sunday. All youth are encouraged to send suggestions for music to Julie Rogers. Game Night, April 24th

Next MULTIGENERATIONAL and ADULT Sunday Schools – Sunday, March 22nd, 9:30-10:30am

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Time

March 15th       Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served

March 21st       Makoto Fujimura – Saturday film showing of “Golden Sea” and interview at ICU Dialogue House, International House 2F, 6:30-8:30pm – Chance to see Tom Hastings as well!

March 22nd     Multigenerational and Adult Sunday School, Makoto Fujimura preaching http://www.makotofujimura.com/

March 29th     Palm Sunday

April 3rd         Good Friday, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary, reflective service including 33 bell rings

April 5th         EASTER, Easter Hunt at 9:30am, bring flowers to decorate the altar, Pastor Teresa preaching at Worship 11am, Singing Communion, ROBUST Easter brunch after service (bring something yummy, eggy or Eastery to share)

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 goldensea

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MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!!

We have Multigenerational Sunday School from 9:30 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 Multi-generational-worshipAdult Sunday School, also at 9:30 am 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, on the 2nd floor above the Sanctuary.) All are welcome. Need more information, contact wtucrev@gmail.com any time = ) Sunday School schedule: 3/22, 4/12, 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 6/14 and 6/28.

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Thomas John Hastings through Pickwick Publications, an imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers, has recently released a book (2/2015): Seeing All Things Whole: The Scientific Mysticism and Art of Kagawa Toyohiko (1888–1960). ISBN 13: 978-1-4982-0407-1 Retail: $31 Pastor Teresa has access to an excerpt if you would like it sent to you.

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AFARI, American Friends of ARI (Asian Rural Institute), is an organization of friends, former volunteers, expats who came to know ARI through T.U.C. and mission co-workers who have deeply respected the mission and people of ARI since its founding in 1973. Each year since 2004, AFARI has sought gifts of frequent flier miles (mostly on Delta/NWA and United, but also from other airlines that carry passengers from parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands and Central/South America to Tokyo.) If you or a family member have enough miles for a one-way or round-rip flight that could be used to bring a participant from Kathmandu, Myanmar or Manila (for example), please be in touch with pamhasegawa@gmail.com at your earliest convenience. The Hasegawa family, T.U.C members from 1985-89, enjoy a lifelong bond with A.R.I. For the last 10 years their family has given at least one ticket a year to support the travel of a participant whose organization did not have the funds for air fare. AFARI members in North America agree, “It has been a joy for us to contribute to the mission of ARI in this way and we would invite you to join us, if you can, in making your own contribution of FF miles.”  

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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, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp

*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 Ozawa.

*Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board for next year. We appreciate your contributions to our community life!

*Each week we will be setting up the chairs for worship and preparing the sanctuary, anyone around at 10:30am is invited to be involved in the fun = ) Each week we will also return our sanctuary to it`s classroom style after the fellowship time.

*Interested in baptism or membership, please contact Pastor Teresa.

*Interested in a paid position setting up and/or taking down the chairs of our sanctuary? Contact Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com

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text for the sermon – Ephesians 2:1-10

2You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.

4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.