Peace in a unrestful world
Dear WTUC Family,
I hope that you are staying warm in the midst of a chilly December week. It certainly feels like winter is starting to settle in. I pray that you are staying healthy in the midst of the flu spreading quickly around the area.
As we continue in our season of advent, we are going to be focusing on the theme of peace this Sunday as we light the second candle. Peace. It seems like as much as we are living in a peaceful place, it also feels like peace is so fragile, especially when we read the news or hear what’s happening to those who are not being welcomed. What does Scripture tell us about peace in the Christmas story? We’ll talk about that this Sunday during our worship service, which will be in person on the campus of Japan Lutheran College and Theological Seminary Room 105 beginning at 11:00 a.m. We will be observing the Lord’s Supper, and if you are attending, please bring finger food or a snack to share during the fellowship hour. You can read more about the service here.
Also happening this Sunday at Tokyo Union Church is the Blue Christmas Taize Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. This service is designed especially for those who struggle to find peace and joy during this season. For some, Christmas isn’t an easy time, and so this service helps all of us to contemplate the Gospel in a way that will allow us to quietly reflect and meditate. You can go to the church gathering at Omotesando, or you can visit tokyounion.org to watch it online.
Mark your calendars for a couple of other Advent/Christmas events:
We will have a guest speaker joining us in person next Sunday, December 14, and so you will want to join us. We will also have our annual visit to Nozomi no ie at 3 p.m., and so if you can come, please let Yasu Nagatsune (outreach@wtuc.net) know.
We will have our last in-person service of 2025 on Sunday, December 21. Following this service, we will have a special youth gathering for special fellowship (though adults are also welcome). Ann Tang, our Steering Committee member for membership, will be coordinating this event.
We will have special online services on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m., Christmas Day at 9 a.m., and on the First Sunday of Christmas, December 28 at 11 a.m. You can visit wtuc.net to get the links or check out our Youtube channel.
We will gather again in person for our Second Sunday of Christmas, January 4 at 11 a.m.
I hope that you have a good rest of the week, and see you on Sunday!
Blessings,
Jonathan