St. Paul International Lutheran Church, Tokyo   *   Easter   April, 2008

Pastor's World: "Intentionality"

    On a flight from Narita to Los Angeles* I watched a movie about a husband and wife who owned a small movie theater, the "Orion", in a neighborhood in Japan (*AA, 2/25/08). It was all the husband and wife had and they made it their life work to show quality films and manage the theater as a small business.
    One day, a young man from the country comes to their theater and sees a film. He is so taken he asks to see the proprietor and begs for a position at the theater. He wants to learn the business and spend his life showing good films. The husband finally hires him. The young man learns how to run the old film projectors and how to help run the theatre. He lives in the theater and is given meals with the husband and wife. He learns to do the husband's work. The husband develops lung cancer, is no longer able to work, and dies.
    The young man continues to run the theater for the sake of the widow and the neighborhood children. They become like mother and father to the children. The young man never sought fame or fortune. He always was honest and caring toward his deceased boss' wife. And he loves to welcome, be a neighborly parent of the children and offer them quality movies to watch.
    Two of the children are from broken homes and form a friendship with the widow and the man. Time

April Picnic

    Sunday, April 27, we invite you to join us for a picnic lunch at Chidori ga fuchi Park and the Church Parsonage. Join us following the Sunday School and Adult Forum learning hour and go to the Church Parsonage by subway. The Parsonage is right by the park. Pick up an obento or sandwich on the way.
    We will walk to Kudahshita Subway Station (Hanzomon Line), which is 7 - 8 minutes on foot. It is \160 to the next station, Hanzomon, and the Parsonage is just 3 - 4 minutes away. Restrooms are available at the Parsonage.
    Beverage will be furnished at the Parsonage. We will have a prayer together and can have lunch at the Parsonage or outside in the park. The park has recently been refurbished and there are places to sit around every cherry tree. There is space for some games and places to run for children. The park is next to the moat around the Imperial Palace for any who would like to walk down the hill to the front of the palace.
    If anyone has either indoor or outdoor games for a group that they would like to play, please bring them along. Join us Sunday, April 27 for an afternoon of spiritual fellowship and fun. Directions to the Parsonage/Park will be available that morning following worship.
passes. The man himself grows old. The widow becomes ill and is near death. The two children, now grown, meet back in town and go to the movie theater.
    They confess to each other that the widow and the man had saved their lives. The widow dies and the man shows the last film at the theater. It is understood that this is the end for him and his small world of a neighborhood movie theater. But his life was significant. He never became well-educated; never made money; never traveled; never became powerful. But his life was intentional as he learned from the husband, as he cared for the people he knew, as he gave them the best of quality movies.
    He is a kind of Christ figure. He intentionally dedicated himself to learning from and then helping the husband and wife, and then as the wife became a widow. He scrimped and saved to show good films and keep their business going. He dedicated himself to taking care of the neighborhood children. He lived an intentional life of learning, serving, loving and giving.
    His story reminds me of a modern Christ. Jesus was intentional in loving and forgiving people. He
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St. Paul International
Lutheran Church

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

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

http://www2.gol.com/users/alleluia
InkLink Editor : Marcia K.
InkLink Production/Design :

Contact the Editor.

*        *        *        *        *
Sunday Worship
9:30 am  Holy Communion
10:40 am  Fellowship Time
11:10 am  Sunday School and Adult Forum
Wednesday Bible Study
7:00pm  Pastor H's office
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was intentional in doing God's will. The young man's story ends. But in Christ, the story never ends. With resurrection, children are still being blessed and served in Christ. It is up to us to intentionally continue the loving forgiveness of Christ. As we are intentional in following Christ and serving in his name, the gospel story will continue. Our Baptismal faith calls us to intentional worship and prayer, intentional service, intentional learning, intentional fellowship, intentional giving, intentional witness - for Christ's sake.
                     Pastor Phil Hausknecht

HYMN SING: Sunday, May 4 - 9:30 Worship
    Do you like to sing hymns? The old favorites? Spirituals? Contemporary? We invite you to a Hymn Sing on Sunday, May 4. As part of our worship we will devote time to singing a couple of verses that you select. Jog your memory; tune your vocal cords; be with us to praise, glorify and thank God in song.

RUNNING (or walking!) with TELL!
    Pastor Phil says he's running..... and Nozomi says she's walking.........! If you are interested in "going along with," let these two know by the end of April. The 9th Annual Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) Charity Walk / Runathon, takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008. The event starts near the parsonage and continues along the Imperial Palace. Check out the details at:     http://www.telljp.com/index.php?/en/event/runathon/
and grab your running/walking shoes!

Young Adult Service Project
    St. Paul's Young Adult group invites you to join them to assist 2nd Harvest Japan provide food for those who are hungry. Help feed those who are homeless in Ueno Park on a Saturday. Contribute food for single mothers and elderly who can't always afford meals. Donate time and energy in the 2nd Harvest Japan warehouse sorting and preparing food boxes. Watch the Sunday bulletin for details.

Sunday Adult Forum
    The Bible is our text as we continue the study of Genesis through April. Meet with us from 11:00 - 11:55 AM on Sundays, following our worship and fellowship together. Study with us the universal covenant God made with all humankind. Is the faith statement of Genesis relevant for us today? Bring your curiosity and be part of our discussion.

Wednesday Bible Study
    Our Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:30 PM Bible Study in English continues with the the Gospel of Matthew. Bring your Bible and come, or borrow a Bible at church. We welcome you to our discussion.

Volunteer To Assist In Worship
    Good worship requires good leadership and involvement. We invite you to assist in the leadership of worship. Please let us know if you are willing to assist with the following worship ministries:
- Usher: welcome and greet people to worship; welcome the stranger; distribute bulletins and hymn books; assist the acolyte; receive the offering and bring to the altar; clean up following worship.
- Lector (reader of lessons): receive the lessons for the upcoming Sunday via email; lead the congregation in hearing Godfs word.
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- Music: talk with our Organist, or Pastor Phil; add your music to praise and thank God in worship;
- Altar Guild: assist with changing the banners and altar appointments by season; set up the Holy Communion prior to the service and clean up after the service so the altar is ready for the Japanese worship service; make sure of supplies.
- Acolyte: children whose parents think they are ready, please let us know; acolytes will be trained in their tasks; acolytes are worship leaders as well so their tasks are important.
- Communion Assistants: Church Council members are elgible to assist with Holy Communion; tasks will be explained as each person assists.
    Thank you for your prayerful service and for helping make worship at St. Paul International Lutheran Church a spiritual experience.

Welcoming New Members

    On Sunday, April 30, during a worship service enriched with special music and new friendships, we welcomed into membership at St. Paul's, Blake C. and Francois and Edee F. May our fellowship enfold them in the love of Christ as we all grow in faith and service in him. Let us lift these friends in our prayers and welcome them into our church family with joy and thanksgiving. (And thanks to the Rakotondrajaos, Yasuko H., and Chris H. for giving their gift of music and song! We are so very blessed with your talents.)

Congratulations, Julius!

Julius H., son of Chris and Shoko, received his first communion on Sunday, April 30. His grandparents, Rev. Roger and Sharon H., visiting Japan for a few weeks, blessed us with their participation during the worship service as leaders for the scripture reading. In addition, Rev. Roger, an ELCA pastor, assisted with the Holy Communion and served Julius his first communion. We pray God's grace will strengthen Julius as he grows in faith and stature.

Notes from the Church Council

    Following the directive decided by those present at the Annual Voters' Meeting in January, members elected to serve on the Church Council met together at the first opportunity to appoint officers and chairpersons to serve the congregation. Elected are: Marcia K. (president), Yuichiro Y. (treasurer), Nancy T. and Martha H. (fellowship co-chair), Chris H. (outreach), Ron F. (Christian Ed.), Carl S. (finance). Those positions that remain open are: Worship leadership, Board of Elders (3) and Council Secretary. If you are able to help in these areas, please speak with Pastor Phil or Marcia K. And thank you for stepping forward!
    In the weeks and months ahead, the above chairpersons will be seeking "team members." Please prayerfully consider serving if you are asked to help. (Or better yet, please volunteer!) Together, working as a team, our ministry will continue strong and forward moving.
    Following are profiles of the five ministry committees:
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Purpose: Provide all members (adult and children) with the opportunity to learn and study the Bible, our Christian doctrines, and the world around us from a Christian perspective.
Duties: Plan, organize, staff, Sunday School for the children operating each Sunday in cooperation with the Japanese Center congregation. Oversee the Adult Forum on church and Christian ministry topics during the Sunday School time. Bring in outside speakers; provide mini-courses by pastor or lay person, with Bible study or book discussion as examples of content. In addition, the committee is asked to organize and promote such activities as: youth programs, early communion and catechism instruction, Lenten midweek meetings, and weekly Bible studies.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Purpose: Make the necessary provisions to ensure that our services are conducted in a God-pleasing, edifying, and orderly manner.
Duties: Recruit, train, schedule, and oversee the Altar Guild, ushers, choir, organists, musicians, readers, and acolytes. Assist the Altar Guild with the care and cleaning of the sacristy and all paraments, banners, vessels, etc.
FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Purpose: Provide members of our congregation and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy Christian fellowship and thereby support each other in our faith.
Duties: Have an early spring meeting to establish a tentative schedule for the year. Events might include: "get to know
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each other" special coffee hours, picnics, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas party, Valentine's party; Easter brunch, Mother's Day Men's Bake-Off event, Sunday potluck lunches, and Saturday day trips or retreats. Hold committee meetings prior to the events to determine what will be required, what reservations or purchases need to be made, outline the program, organize the entertainment, and divide the responsibilities. Prepare the sign-up and announce in the church bulletin and newsletter prior to date of event. Day of event, committee supervises set-up and clean-up details; divide expenses and collect before conclusion from participants to cover costs. Committee also organizes the weekly Coffee Hour set up and clean-up.
FINANCE/STEWARDSHIP/PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Purpose: Recommend annual budget to the congregation, based on estimates submitted by the various committees, in accordance with our Lord's command to manage our business affairs in an orderly manner and to oversee the financial welfare of the congregation. Ensure that the physical properties of the congregation are accounted for and cared for in a responsible, Christian, and prudent manner.
Duties: Oversee all financial affairs of the congregation. Promote and encourage good stewardship among members. Formulate property budget; receive recommended budget from other committees; compile and recommend annual budget to the Church Council. Oversee the activities of the Treasurer and the Financial Secretary. Report to the Church Council the financial condition of the congregation. Plan, project, and prepare for future major transactions. Periodically inspect the congregation's properties, including the parsonage, office furniture and equipment, etc. to ensure proper functioning and state of repair. Assure preventive maintenance of all church properties on a regular, ongoing basis. Acquire new church properties according to the wishes of the congregation and at the direction of the Church Council. Call and supervise necessary work parties. Hire and supervise necessary outside contractors and workers.
OUTREACH/BENEVOLENCE COMMITTEE
Purpose: To ensure that our congregation is aware of opportunities to serve others in the community and to make residents and visitors aware of our church, the welcome that awaits them, and the service provided.
Duties: Assist people in finding St. Paul through the various media, including internet website, newspapers, magazines, and brochures provided to hotels. Foster a supporting and caring atmosphere at St. Paul through the use of greeters, a guest book and visitor cards, and follow-up letters. Oversee and assist with a monthly newsletter and church calendar. The editor of the church newsletter serves on the Outreach/Benevolence committee. Publicize concerts and other events that take place, particularly at the Lutheran Center. Report to the Church Council on the disbursement of the benevolence fund. Keep congregation informed of benevolence needs that might be met through congregational and /or individual giving. Inform the congregation of opportunities for volunteer service.
THANK YOU - to all who served to make our Easter Resurrection Celebration special: musicians, leaders in worship and Sunday School, including the Center Japanese congregation who lead the Kids'Day activities, and everyone who contributed to our fellowship. Your cooperation and enthusiasm richly blesses our life as a congregation.
Thank you to Henitsoa R. and Joseph P. for the photos of our Easter celebration.
* * Mission Statement * *
St. Paul International Lutheran Church brings together people of diverse backgrounds who are deepening and sharing their Christian faith through English language worship, fellowship, education, and community outreach.
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St. Paul International Lutheran Church     April ,  2008
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