Loving can be hard

Hello, WTUC Family.

I hope that you have been able to stay warm in this bitter blast of winter. We’re coming toward the end of February, but it still feels like what we would expect closer to January. Make sure to take care of your health and keep our church family in prayer as colds, flu, and other illnesses may be moving around (and also for those like yours truly who are dealing with hay fever).

This Sunday, we’re going to be gathering online via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. for our worship service, and we’re going to be hearing from God’s Word about loving others - particularly ones who have hurt us or are just “harder to love”. Sure, we know that God commands us to “love God and love our neighbor as ourselves”, but we might also go, “You don’t know how that person has hurt me.” I hope that this message is both encouraging and also pushing us forward in helping us grow into the likeness and image of Christ. Please come join us in worship, and you can learn more about the service here.

Just as an FYI, Ash Wednesday is coming up on March 5, and we will be having our online service broadcast on YouTube at 6:00 p.m. As you would expect, since it’s an online service, we won’t be able to do the imposition of ashes. If you would like to participate in a service where you are able to receive ashes, let me direct you to our friends at Mitaka Lutheran Church gathering that evening at the chapel on the campus of Japan Lutheran College and Theological Seminary. The service will take place at 7:00 p.m. Another option is to visit Tokyo Union Church on Omotesando at 7:30 p.m.

As we prepare for the Lenten season, let us remember that our walk with Christ is a daily journey, and that through both highs and lows, Christ is with us. Seasons within the church remind us of the various events within the life of the church, and these themes should be carried with us throughout the week and the year.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Stay warm, and stay safe in Christ.

Blessings,
Jonathan