Happy New Year! / Special Meeting

Dear JCC friends and family,

Greetings on this first day of 2020. May God’s blessing and protection be on and around each of you as you begin the new year. Thanks to all who attended and took part in our recent Christmas worship and celebrations. I trust that all of you are experiencing Immanuel – God with us!

I want to let all of you know about a special gathering that is being planned at church for Saturday, January 25th, from 9:00 a.m. until around noon. On that day Rev. Courtney Stange-Tregear of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC (United Church of Christ, the denomination that we are affiliated with) will be with us to listen and to direct a conversation about the future of our church.

As you all know, we have been holding ongoing discussions during the past 2-3 years about how to solve the issue of our older building which is in disrepair. This has led to a deepening discussion about our future in general. We have asked for the UCC conference office to come and be not only a listening ear but a “neutral / third-party” to our discussion, possibly offering wisdom and various options for us as a congregation.

Please consider making your participation in this important discussion a priority as you look at your January calendar. We would love to have each one of you present – even if you can only be there for a portion of the meeting.

Finally, thanks for your prayers about our future together! The members of our board have been trying to pray regularly at 9:00 p.m. each evening for the Lord’s direction and guidance. Together, let’s prepare our hearts for seeking God’s guidance for JCC in 2020!

Thank you Bi-Lan for your faithfulness in heading up the JCC volunteer team for the St. Mary’s Food Bank each 4th Friday of the month. The team is made up of friends from several churches – Japanese Baptist Church, Japanese Episcopal Church, the Buddhist Church (and sometimes others…). Here is a photo of some of the folks who helped out last month. (Howard and Carl were there too but must have been camera shy!)

 

Please also take note of these other January happenings….

01.05  Pastor Tim preaches
01.12  Shun Takano preaches
01.18  (Saturday) Men’s Bible Study and Women’s Gathering at 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
01.19  Board meeting at 8:45 , Pastor Tim preaches
01.24  (Friday) St. Mary’s Food Bank Outreach (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
01.25  (Saturday) Important Discussion on the Future of JCC – 9:00 a.m.
01.26  Rich Nakamura preaches

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim