Our 40th Anniversary Celebration

    First, many thanks to our guest pastor, the Rev. Jonathan B., for preaching. His sermon, entitled "Something Real", gave us inspiration for our continuing reformation. Pastor James B. first worshipped with us as a Volunteer Youth Missionary back in the 1980s.
    Special music was provided by André, Nomena, and Henitsoa R. (à capella vocals), Chris & Shoko H. (percussion), Tom & Debi G. with Fumi A. (guitar & vocals), and Takako H. (Bach organ fugue). Our happy thanks to all of them for bringing a joyful noise to our celebration!     Thanks for the many preparations by Takashi I., Nancy T., Martha H., and Nancy R. I. The party was a merry mix of international foods, surprise gifts, and helpful children.     Thanks to Yoshi N. and Nancy R. I. for publicity and outreach.     Thanks to Gillian H. for research into our past, contacting former members, and digging out our previous commemorative books.     We received encouraging messages from former pastors: Westby, Going, Zehnder, Nelson, and Hustad. We also got congratulations from other Lutheran clergy, former members, and friends.     Some of our anniversary committee members have particular post-party messages.

Takashi I. says: "Thanks to everyone, this was a day to celebrate! God bless all who stood up and made their best efforts. Our 40th anniversary event was a great success."
Nancy T. says: "My heart felt thanks to all those who helped with the anniversary celebration in so many different ways: musical performances, worship assistance, setting up & cleaning up, bringing food to share, donating prizes, and greeting visitors."
Nancy R. I. says: "Whoever got the Lutheran Church Basement Women book--may I please borrow it? And I'm sorry about the cake not being chocolate inside. At least we had enough to go around for about 70 people!"

God Is With Us In Joy...

    Holy Baptism: Elika F., infant daughter of Jeannette R. F., entered the Lord's family through the sacrament of baptism by Rev. Jonathan B. on Sunday, Oct. 30th the 3rd floor chapel. Her godmother, Emiko H., along with members Yoshi N., Nancy T., Takashi I., Sumiko K., Martha H., and Nahoko P. bore witness to the joyous event. Jeannette expressed her gratitude to St. Paul's congregation for the many prayers on Elika's behalf since her premature birth on May 22nd this year. May God continue to look with kindness upon his child, Elika.

    Pastor Rich N. continues to make progress after heart surgery. His wife, Sandi, writes: Dear Friends in JAPAN, Thank You for your love and prayers! You have also been in our prayers, and we send you all our love and GOD'S BLESSINGS.

...And In Sorrow.

    Former member Jill J. W. mourns the sudden loss of her sister, Jan, in October. Blessed be the Lord God, Father of all consolation, comforter in all our sorrows. May He be with the Jacobsons in their bereavement.

    Prayers are requested for Adeline "Addie" K., daughter of former members Kris & Sara of Shelton, WA. She is suffering from a rare illness, and the family leans on the Lord for comfort.

    Baby Elika (see above) still needs our prayers as she gains weight and recovers from heart complications.

Thanksgiving Feast     ---Nov. 27th, 1-4pm

    This year's Thanksgiving Potluck dinner to be held after the worship service on Sunday, November 27th, from 1-4 p.m. at the JELA Mission Center Hall, close to Ebisu station. Please bring something to share: salad, vegetable, dessert, bread, drinks, cranberry sauce, etc. Maps will be available at church on Sundays this month, or check our web site.

    Suggested donations for the occasion will be ¥600 per adult, and ¥300 for children (no charge for infants and babies). Paper plates, napkins, and plastic forks & knives will be provided. Please bring serving utensils for dishes that you bring to share. There is a small kitchen at Ebisu with a stove, microwave and refrigerator for us to use. If you would be able to prepare a turkey, please contact Nancy T. For more information, please see Nancy T. or Martha H. (Fellowhip co-chairs). We hope to see you there!

Coming up . . .

    Christmas party -- on Saturday, December 10th from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., also to be held at the JELA Mission Center Hall in Ebisu. This will be a more casual affair than the Thanksgiving dinner and we are asking that people bring "finger foods" and light snacks to share. Please join us for fellowship and music as we enjoy the Christmas season together. For details, please see Nancy T. or Martha H.

We Welcomed Visitors!

John H., of Bartlesville, OK, has worshipped at St. Paul's since 1963. That means he has been attending services with our church family since before our incorporation! A member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, LCMS, he often visits Tokyo. Our 40th celebration marked his 179th time worshipping with us! Thank you and God bless you!
Tom & Deb L. are worshipping with us from October through December. We welcomed Tom with the Hope College, MI, choir during the summer.
Our 40th anniversary event was blessed with visitors invited by our members: Cynthia & Toshinobu H., Evelyn & Anim, the Imas (Emi's parents), Irene H., K-san, M-san, and Emiko H.
Rev. Milton & Aida P. of Lake Montezuma, AZ, showed their familiar faces again in early November. Pastor P. blessed our sacraments for communion and offered inspiring words after the worship. Now at Faith Lutheran in Cottonwood, Az, they were missionaries in Japan for many years.

Dear Friends in Christ,

    Our 40th Anniversary! What a glorious day of celebration that was: a day of worship and praise, song and prayer, food and fellowship. I know the congregation joins with me in giving special thanks to Pastor Jonathan B. for leading us in worship and also to those members and friends who shared with us their gift of music and song: the R. family, Chris & Shoko H., Tom & Debi G. and friend Fumi A., and a special postlude from our organist, Takako H. How blessed we are! And I personally want to thank the many members of our congregation who worked long and hard behind the scenes. Without your dedication and faithfulness to the life of St. Paul International Lutheran Church, this day would not have happened. I am humbled by your efforts.
    As you all know, with the resignation of Pastor James B. in October, the ministry of St. Paul's has been continuing forward with the efforts of many volunteers and guest pastors. It is with great joy that I can honestly say each Sunday morning worship service this past six weeks has been uplifting and prayerful. At times, it has seemed to be a little "touch and go", but in all things we have remembered that the Lord holds our hands and leads us; we need only have faith in Him. A few weeks ago we loudly sang, "Onward Christian Soldiers!" With this tune in our minds, I know we will boldly continue to march forward in ministry to Him.
    This month we are given the chance to do just that, because November is Stewardship month at St. Paul's. It is the month when we think particularly about St. Paul International Lutheran Church and its ministry. During the coming weeks, let's concentrate on how we can strengthen the future of our congregation by ex-changing ideas through frank discussion of our finances, and faithful hearings of each other's thoughts and opinions. Each Sunday this month, our Stewardship chairperson, Eugene Y., will be handing out Pledge cards and Time and Talent surveys. Please make sure you get one of each! Then, at home, prayerfully consider your commitment to the ministry & future of our congregation. On the 27th, we will be having Commitment Sunday, the day when we bring these pledges of our Time, Talent and Financial promises forward to the altar, placing them before God. Please plan to attend. And bring a friend. It will truly be a day of "Thanks"-giving!

                In ministry to Him,
                                         Marcia K.

St. Paul International
Lutheran Church

1-2-32 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, JAPAN 102-0071

Phone :    03-3261-3740
FAX :    03-3261-2390
E-mail :
Homepage :

InkLink Editor : Nancy R. I.
InkLink-online Editor :

Sunday worship
9:30 am, Iidabashi NRK
Lutheran Center

Church season: Pentecost⁄Advent
Colors: Green, White, Blue

All Saints' Day, Nov. 1
Christ the King, Nov. 20
Advent Begins, Nov. 27
St. Andrew, Nov. 30

November Rotation
Nov. 6 ... Cristian Education
Nov. 13 ... Council Meeting
Nov. 20 ... Christian Education
Nov. 27 ... Thanksgiving Celebration

Welcome to the Music Box

Benevolence Continues