West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, April 17, 2016 worship

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

11:00 AM Worship Service – Pastor Teresa will bring the sermon People Turning the World Upside Down from Acts 17. Communion will be served. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ. Ruth Ingulsrud will being us the children`s message. Please enjoy Fujiko Nielson`s Easter Season art installation. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service. Steering Committee meeting follows our fellowship time in the Upper Room.

***

encouragement of the presence of God for us today in our families and vocations –

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

I arise today, through

The strength of heaven,

The light of the sun,

The radiance of the moon,

The splendor of fire,

The speed of lightning,

The swiftness of wind,

The depth of the sea,

The stability of the earth,

The firmness of rock.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me,

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me,

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down,

Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 17 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served. Steering Committee meeting follows our fellowship time.

April 24 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Hiro Morikawa preaching, Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

May 1 – Rev. Christian Zebley preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Oliver  to learn about the Prodigal Son.

ES/MS Youth: Sun. April 24th  5:30-7pm. @ ASIJ for Pool fun, Devotion activity and Pizza!

Confirmation Class: Working on their “creeds” that they will share at Pentecost.

HS Youth: Still gathering usable cloth to continue with quilting projects.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 – April 24th, May 8th and 22nd! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – Acts 17:1-9 (NRSV)

The Uproar in Thessalonica

17 After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. 6 When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” 8 The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, 9 and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, April 10, 2016 worship

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

April 10th – 9:30 AM – Multigenerational (in the cafeteria) and Adult (in the Sack`s living room) Sunday School

11:00 AM Worship Service – Covenant Players will bring dramatic plays as the sermon and parts of the liturgy. The Gospel for this Sunday is John 21:1-19. Youth and friends will lead the congregation in worship music. Please enjoy Fujiko Nielson`s Easter Season art installation. Our special Easter offering for Second Harvest Japan will be taken for those who have not yet had a chance to give. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service.

***

Sisters and brothers,

If you lift your net and it is empty,

Come here!

We’ll cast it out again into Christ’s abundance.

If you open your eyes but do not recognize the Holy One,

Come here!

We’ll find the Risen Christ here among us.

If your life is filled with mourning,

Come here!

Christ is leading a dance of joy.

Come here, sisters and brothers!

To give blessing and honor and glory to God!

~ Rev. Quentin Chin. http://uccfiles.com/pdf/FeedmySheepEaster3April14.pdf

***

about the special Easter offering if you have not yet had an opportunity to give – Second Harvest Japan – Charles McJilton as director of Second Harvest Japan  shares about Japan`s first food bank. “We receive donations from manufacturers, retailers, farmers and individuals and then distribute them to those in need. All of the food that we handle is unexpired and safe for consumption. We give this food a second life by distributing it to welfare agencies, orphanages, women shelters, people without homes, and those in need. Second Harvest Japan aims to create a Food Safety Net in Japan. In order to do so, we deliver food to children’s homes, single-mother shelters, centers for the disabled, as well as many other welfare organizations and individuals in need. In order to deliver enough food to those who lack food security, 2HJ cooperates with food manufacturers and other companies, and hopes to use food to create new partnerships between corporations and the community. In our first year of incorporation, we delivered 30 tons of food. Since 2002, we have delivered over 12,000 tons valued at over Â¥5 billion yen. Your support of Second Harvest Japan helps us achieve our motto, ‘Food for all People’.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 10 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Covenant Players in worship, Youth and Friends leading worship.

April 17 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

April 24 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Hiro Morikawa preaching, Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

May 1 – Rev. Christian Zebley preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Sara to learn about Easter.

ES/MS Youth: Sun. April 24th  5:30-7pm. @ ASIJ for Pool fun, Devotion activity and Pizza!

Confirmation Class: Working on their “creeds” that they will share at Pentecost.

HS Youth: Still gathering usable cloth to continue with quilting projects.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 – April 10th and 24th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – John 21:1-19 (NRSV)

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

21 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,[a] Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards[b] off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, April 3, 2016 worship

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

April 3rd – 11:00 AM Worship Service – Pastor Teresa will bring the sermon, loved and freed by who is and who was and who is to come, from Revelation 1. Communion will be served. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ. Carolyn Morikawa will be bringing the children`s message. Please enjoy Fujiko Nielson`s Easter Season art installation. Our special Easter offering for Second Harvest Japan will be taken. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service.

***

Every day is Easter season

When Thomas touched the wounds

and set himself free – it was Easter season

When Peter’s three “yes’s” to Jesus

finished his three denials – it was Easter season

When Mary ready to embalm the dead

ran in fear from the empty tomb – it was Easter season

When the disciples looked from afar

at a breakfast of fish on the beach – it was Easter season

When Emmaus became synonymous with welcome

and the breaking of bread with strangers

it was Easter season

When Paul was blinded by the light

and recognised the voice niggling in his head – it was Easter season

When the hungry are fed at the table

the same table as the rich – it is Easter season

When weapons are beaten to ploughshares

and peace is a word to be shouted – it is Easter season

When the stranger is welcomed in community

and the lonely are restored to relationship – it is Easter season

~ Roddy Hamilton, http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

***

about the special Easter offering if you have not yet had an opportunity to give – Second Harvest Japan – Charles McJilton as director of Second Harvest Japan  shares about Japan`s first food bank. “We receive donations from manufacturers, retailers, farmers and individuals and then distribute them to those in need. All of the food that we handle is unexpired and safe for consumption. We give this food a second life by distributing it to welfare agencies, orphanages, women shelters, people without homes, and those in need. Second Harvest Japan aims to create a Food Safety Net in Japan. In order to do so, we deliver food to children’s homes, single-mother shelters, centers for the disabled, as well as many other welfare organizations and individuals in need. In order to deliver enough food to those who lack food security, 2HJ cooperates with food manufacturers and other companies, and hopes to use food to create new partnerships between corporations and the community. In our first year of incorporation, we delivered 30 tons of food. Since 2002, we have delivered over 12,000 tons valued at over Â¥5 billion yen. Your support of Second Harvest Japan helps us achieve our motto, ‘Food for all People’.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

April 3 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

April 10 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Covenant Players in worship, Youth and Friends leading worship.

April 17 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

April 24 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Hiro Morikawa preaching, Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know.  Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please remain in the Easter worship.

ES/MS Youth: Sun. April 24th  5:30-7pm. @ ASIJ for Pool fun, Devotion activity and Pizza!

Confirmation Class: Working on their “creeds” that they will share at Pentecost.

HS Youth: Still gathering usable cloth to continue with quilting projects.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 – April 10th and 24th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – Revelation 1:1-8

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near. 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Friday, March 25, 2016 GOOD FRIDAY service

Sunday, March 27, 2016 EASTER worship

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

March 25th – Taize style GOOD FRIDAY service at the Sack`s home from 6:30pm. All are welcome to this reflective service. Need directions, please contact wtucrev@gmail.com

March 27th – 11:00 AM – EASTER SERVICE!  Pastor Teresa will give a homily from John 20. The Zebley family and friends will also share an Easter Skit. Gene Witt will lead us on the organ. Carol Sack will play the harp. Susie, Anna and Emma will lead us in song. Please enjoy Fujiko Nielson`s Easter art installation. Our special Easter offering for Second Harvest Japan will be taken. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service. After fellowship time, we will have an EASTER EGG HUNT. Invite your friends and family = )

***

Tony Compolo`s transformative – It`s Friday – but Sunday is coming (audio – 5 minutes – enjoy!)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCQSsUKDYCU

***

about the special Easter offering – Second Harvest Japan – Charles McJilton as director of Second Harvest Japan  shares about Japan`s first food bank. “We receive donations from manufacturers, retailers, farmers and individuals and then distribute them to those in need. All of the food that we handle is unexpired and safe for consumption. We give this food a second life by distributing it to welfare agencies, orphanages, women shelters, people without homes, and those in need. Second Harvest Japan aims to create a Food Safety Net in Japan. In order to do so, we deliver food to children’s homes, single-mother shelters, centers for the disabled, as well as many other welfare organizations and individuals in need. In order to deliver enough food to those who lack food security, 2HJ cooperates with food manufacturers and other companies, and hopes to use food to create new partnerships between corporations and the community. In our first year of incorporation, we delivered 30 tons of food. Since 2002, we have delivered over 12,000 tons valued at over Â¥5 billion yen. Your support of Second Harvest Japan helps us achieve our motto, ‘Food for all People’.

***

Peter, Ann, Emin and Sopheen have invited us to their home for further Easter celebration and an Easter Egg Hunt. Delightful refreshments will be served, and feel free to bring Finger Foods. All are invited to continue celebrating our Risen Christ. Karen Seevers will be available to give rides to their home. If you need a map, please contact wtucrev@gmail.com – there is limited parking nearby.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

March 25th – Good Friday Service at 6:30pm, in the Sack`s home.

March 27th – EASTER WORSHIP, Easter Egg Hunt, Robust Easter Fellowship.

All are invited to stay and enjoy!

April 3 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

April 10 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Covenant Players in worship, Youth and Friends leading worship.

April 17 – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served.

April 24 – Multigenerational and Adult Sunday Schools, Hiro Morikawa preaching, Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

***

GATHERING GIFTS FOR March 27th EASTER SUNDAY

Looking for thespians for a skit, flowers to decorate the altar, folks to prepare the Easter Eggs, and those to hide and manage the Easter Egg Hunt. We are asking all to prepare yummies for our robust EGG-CITING Easter Fellowship Time. Please bring a finger food of something eggy, yummy or Eastery to share = )

Please let Pastor Teresa wtucrev@gmail.com know of your gifts and interest.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please remain in the Easter worship.

ES/MS Youth: Sun. April 24th  5:30-7pm. @ ASIJ for Pool fun, Devotion activity and Pizza!

Confirmation Class: Working on their “creeds” that they will share at Pentecost.

HS Youth: Still gathering usable cloth to continue with quilting projects.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 School – Easter Egg hunt after church on March 27th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – John 20:1-23 NRSV

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look[a] into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, March 20, 2016 worship 

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

11:00 AM – Rev. Dr. Jim Sack will bring the sermon “The Lord Needs it” from Luke 19. He will also share a Children`s Message. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ. Communion will be served. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service. After fellowship time, Susie will lead us in a Acapella Sing-a-long, all interested gather together and enjoy!

***

This blessing

can be heard coming

from a long way off.

This blessing

is making

its steady way

up the road

toward you.

This blessing

blooms in the throats

of women

springs from the hearts

of men

tumbles from the mouths

of children.

This blessing

is stitched into

the seams

of the cloaks

that line the road,

etched into

the branches

that trace the path,

echoes in the

breathing of the willing colt,

the click of the donkey’s hoof

against the stones.

Something is rising

beneath this blessing.

Something will try

to drown it out.

But this blessing

cannot be turned back,

cannot be made

to still its voice,

cannot cease

to sing its praise

of the one who comes

along the way

it makes.

— Jan Richardson, American author and artist, from her blog, The Painted Prayerbook.

***

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

March 20th – Palm Sunday Worship, Rev. Dr. Jim Sack preaching, March of the Palms, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon. Acapella Sing along after fellowship with all who are interested – Susie will be leading us in song.

March 25th – Good Friday Service at 6:30pm, in the Sack`s home.

March 27th – EASTER WORSHIP, Easter Egg Hunt, Robust Easter Fellowship.

***

GATHERING GIFTS FOR March 27th EASTER SUNDAY

Looking for musicians, thespians for a skit, liturgist, flowers to decorate the altar, folks to prepare the Easter Eggs, and those to hide and manage the Easter Egg Hunt. We are asking all to prepare yummies for our robust EGG-CITING Easter Fellowship Time. Please bring a finger food of something eggy, yummy or Eastery to share = )

Please let Pastor Teresa wtucrev@gmail.com know of your gifts and interest.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Allie to learn about The Two Builders.

Confirmation Class: Good Friday service at the Sack`s from 6:30pm. Pastor Teresa will be sending information about writing “your own creed” for you and your families to look at.

HS Youth: Still gathering cloth to continue with quilting projects, so please give your usable material to one of the Youth.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 School – Easter Egg hunt on March 27th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – Luke 19:28-40

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, March 13, 2016 worship 

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

9:30 AM Adult Sunday School (Swedish method looking at the Scriptures for the sermon) and Multigenerational Sunday School (Lenten activities.)

10:40 AM – Choir practice for the choir that will sing Beneath the Cross of Jesus as the Choral Song of Response during the Youth and friends worship on 3/13. All are welcome to join the practice.

11:00 AM – Charles McJilton will bring the sermon from John 8:1-11. He will also share a Children`s Message. Youth and friends will lead us in our worship. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service.

***

Psalm Reflection: Forgiveness (inspired by Psalm 51:13, 15)

Forgiveness is mercy.

Such pardon and kindness I cannot fathom.

Forgiveness is unfailing love.

Such patience and understanding I cannot comprehend.

Forgiveness is overwhelming compassion.

Such sympathy and warmth I cannot reciprocate.

Forgiveness is the blotting out of transgressions.

Such freedom and good will I do not deserve.

Forgiveness is the washing away of my iniquities.

Such purity and newness I cannot maintain.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

~ posted by Steve Brown http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/

***

about the preacher – Charles McJilton is the director of Second Harvest Japan – Japan`s first food bank. “We receive donations from manufacturers, retailers, farmers and individuals and then distribute them to those in need. All of the food that we handle is unexpired and safe for consumption. We give this food a second life by distributing it to welfare agencies, orphanages, women shelters, people without homes, and those in need. Second Harvest Japan aims to create a Food Safety Net in Japan. In order to do so, we deliver food to children’s homes, single-mother shelters, centers for the disabled, as well as many other welfare organizations and individuals in need. In order to deliver enough food to those who lack food security, 2HJ cooperates with food manufacturers and other companies, and hopes to use food to create new partnerships between corporations and the community. In our first year of incorporation, we delivered 30 tons of food. Since 2002, we have delivered over 12,000 tons valued at over Â¥5 billion yen. Your support of Second Harvest Japan helps us achieve our motto, ‘Food for all People’.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

March 13th – 9:30am Adult Sunday School and Multigenerational Sunday School, 10:40am Choir practice of “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, 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. Acapella Sing along after fellowship with all who are interested – Susie will be leading us in song.

March 25th – Good Friday Service at 6:30pm, in the sanctuary.

March 27th – EASTER, Pastor Teresa preaching, Easter Egg Hunt, Robust Easter Fellowship.

***

GATHERING GIFTS FOR March 27th EASTER SUNDAY

Looking for musicians, thespians for a skit, liturgist, flowers to decorate the altar, folks to prepare the Easter Eggs, and those to hide and manage the Easter Egg Hunt. We are asking all to prepare yummies for our robust EGG-CITING Easter Fellowship Time. Please bring a finger food of something eggy, yummy or Eastery to share = ) Please let Pastor Teresa wtucrev@gmail.com know of your gifts and interest.

***

Looking for mentors for our wonderful confirmands

This church year Aidan, Anna Z, Emma, Kai, Karen, Ken, Matai, Sophia and Tristan have been meeting monthly to prepare for confirmation on Pentecost, May 15th. They will be preparing their “creed” to read during the service. WTUC matches up a mentor with a confirmand to continue their journey of spiritual formation and growth. If you would like to be one of these grand kids mentors, please let Pastor Teresa know. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Sophia to learn about The Parable of the Talents.

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: March 16th at 5pm for bible study, pizza, and working on the quilt (3rd one!) at the Rogers’ house.  Still gathering cloth to continue with quilting projects, please give your usable material to one of the Youth. Youth and friends leading Worship March 13th.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 – March 13th – Easter Egg hunt on March 27th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – John 8:1-11(NRSV)

8 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, March 6, 2016 worship 

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

10:40 AM – Choir practice for the choir that will sing Beneath the Cross of Jesus during the Youth and friends led worship on 3/13. The choir will practice again next Sunday morning before the worship – everyone is invited to participate = )

11:00 AM –  Pastor Teresa will bring the sermon, Reconciliation from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. Ruth Ingulsrud will bring the Children`s message. Communion will be served. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ. Our delightful robust fellowship time will be after the service.

a Lenten prayer for reconciliation –

Reconciling Christ, bless our efforts to bring about reconciliation.

Give us the strength to persevere without counting the hurts,

and to find within ourselves the capacity to keep on loving.

Give us the grace to be able to stand in the middle of situations,

and to be a conduit for the deep listening

which can lead to healing and forgiveness.

Help us to conduct ourselves with dignity,

giving and expecting respect, moving from prayer to action,

and from action back again into prayer.

Grant that we may be so grounded in your love,

that our security is not threatened if we change our minds,

or begin to see a better way to act.

Bless those who are called to reconcile on a large-scale –

politicians, world leaders, leaders of business,

and those who stand in the midst of bitter conflict.

Reconciling Christ, bless us and bless all who engage

in the sacred work of envisioning new wholeness,

and bringing people and nations together.  Amen.

~ Ann Siddall, Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.  http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

March 6th – Choir practice from 10:40am of “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” for the March 13th service. Lent 4 Worship, Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion will be served. Organ: Kazuko Sacon.

March 13th – 9:30am Adult Sunday School and Multigenerational Sunday School, 10:40am Choir practice of “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, 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.

***

GATHERING GIFTS FOR March 27th EASTER SUNDAY

Looking for musicians, thespians for a skit, liturgist, flowers to decorate the altar, folks to prepare the Easter Eggs, and those to hide and manage the Easter Egg Hunt. We are asking all to prepare yummies for our robust EGG-CITING Easter Fellowship Time. Please bring a finger food of something eggy, yummy or Eastery to share = ) Please let Pastor Teresa wtucrev@gmail.com know of your gifts and interest.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Heather to learn about The Lost Sheep/Coin.

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.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 – March 13th – Easter Egg hunt on March 27th! All friends invited!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NRSV)

16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, February 28, 2016 worship 

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 -  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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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!

***

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!

***

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.” 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

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.’

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, February 21, 2016 worship 

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

11:00 AM –  Pastor Teresa will bring the sermon, Light over fear from Psalm 27. Kazuko Sacon will lead us on the organ.  Ruth Ingulsrud will bring the Children`s Message. Communion will be served. Our delightful FELLOWSHIP time will be after the service.

***

beautiful words from St. Anselm (1033-1109) for us today – reminiscent of our lectionary passages for Lent 2

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you:

You are gentle with us as a mother with her children;

Often you weep over our sins and our pride:

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds:

in sickness you nurse us,

and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life:

By your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness:

through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead:

your touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us:

in your love and tenderness remake us.

In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness:

for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

February 28th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Lent 3 Worship, Dr. Wilbert Shenk preaching, organ: Kazuko Sacon.

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.

***

Little Kidz: Please remain in the servece and enjoy books and coloring.

Confirmation Class: February 22nd at the Bennett`s home – Supper from 6:30 provided by the Ocheros, Class from 7pm. The theme will be the Prayer/Body of Christ/the Church.

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.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – Psalm 27 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh— my adversaries and foes— they shall stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6 Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! 8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help. Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10 If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence. 13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

West Tokyo Union Church Weekly - Sunday, February 14, 2016 worship 

Pastor:  Rev. Teresa Thompson Sherrill     wtucrev@gmail.com

9:30 AM – ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL in the Sacks` home

9:30 AM – MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY in the cafeteria with Pastor Teresa

11:00 AM –  Carolyn Morikawa will bring the sermon, Preparing for the Emotional Roller Coasters of Life, sharing encouraging Bible verses from her journey. Carolyn will also share a Children`s Message from John 9:1-7. Steve and Carrie Bennett will be leading us in Praise Music. Our delightful FELLOWSHIP time will be after the service. A Steering Committee meeting will be in the Upper Room following our Fellowship Time.

***

As we cross with Christ into the landscape of Lent and into the mystery that lies ahead of us, may we know at least this about ourselves: that our name, too, is Beloved.

Beloved Is Where We Begin

If you would enter

into the wilderness,

do not begin

without a blessing.

Do not leave

without hearing

who you are:

Beloved,

named by the One

who has traveled this path

before you.

Do not go

without letting it echo

in your ears,

and if you find

it is hard

to let it into your heart,

do not despair.

That is what

this journey is for.

I cannot promise

this blessing will free you

from danger,

from fear,

from hunger

or thirst,

from the scorching

of sun

or the fall

of the night.

But I can tell you

that on this path

there will be help.

I can tell you

that on this way

there will be rest.

I can tell you

that you will know

the strange graces

that come to our aid

only on a road

such as this,

that fly to meet us

bearing comfort

and strength,

that come alongside us

for no other cause

than to lean themselves

toward our ear

and with their

curious insistence

whisper our name:

Beloved.

Beloved.

Beloved.

—Jan Richardson from Circle of Grace

***

Upcoming Preaching Ministry and Community Events

February 14th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Carolyn Morikawa preaching, Youth & Friends leading worship music. Steering Committee Meeting.

February 21st – Pastor Teresa preaching, Communion, organ: Kazuko Sacon.

February 28th – Adult Sunday School, Multigenerational Sunday School, Dr. Wilbert Shenk preaching, organ: Kazuko Sacon.

***

Little Kidz: Please go with Oliver to learn about Jesus Walks on Water.

Confirmation Class: February 22nd at the Bennett`s home – Supper from 6:30 provided by the Ocheros, Class from 7pm. The theme will be the Prayer/Body of Christ/the Church.

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.

***

MULTIGENERATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL!! ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!! 

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 14th and 28th!

***

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!

***

Text for the sermon – John 9:1-7 (NRSV)

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

9 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 Ww must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.