November 2016 Newsletter - West Los Angeles United Methodist

West L. A. Connections
Where
Nurturing Empowerment Welcoming Service
A Monthly Publication of the West Los Angeles United Methodist Church
West Los Angeles
United Methodist Church
1913 Purdue Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310-479-1379
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wlaumc.com
Sunday Worship Services
 9:30 AM
English Language Worship
Nursery and Sunday School
 10:30 AM
Fellowship Time for both congregations
 11:00 AM
Japanese Language Worship
Church Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM
Pastors' Office Hours
Rev. Gary: Tues-Fri, 9 AM to 2 PM
Rev. Janet: Tues-Fri, 9 AM to 2 PM
Rev. Becky: Sat, 10 AM to 12 PM
Staff
Rev. Gary Oba, Senior Pastor
[email protected]
Rev. Janet Cromwell, Associate Pastor
[email protected]
Rev. Rebecca Hirata, Local Pastor
Japanese Language Ministry
[email protected]
Midori Tashiro,
Administrative Assistant and Newsletter
Coordinator
[email protected]
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission is to promote spiritual
growth - Building a community of
faith and making disciples of Christ
by reaching out with compassion,
forgiveness and love. At West LA
UMC, building a community of faith is
what we are about.
West L.A. Connections
Happens!
November 2016
November is Stewardship Month
When my daughter was in elementary school, she was fascinated by
the offering ritual -- passing the plate, congregation members filling
it with money, and then the ushers leaving it on the altar. She loved
putting her dollar into the plate and often hunted for loose coins
around the house to give. One Sunday she asked if we could stay
after worship to make sure that her beloved senior pastor, Rev. Gail,
got lots of money because she thought she did a really good job with
communion that day. I was a bit perplexed until my daughter
explained that she wanted to watch Rev. Gail put the offering money
into her purse, like a street musician collecting donations tossed into
her guitar case as pay. I had some explaining to do!
While our pastors don't exactly fill their purses or pockets directly
from the offering plate, the concept of Stewardship isn't much more
complicated than a child's pure desire to give as an expression of her
love for God, her church, and her spiritual teachers. However, the
"ritual" took on more meaning as her relationship with God matured
and she gained a greater understanding of how the offering and other
donations come through the church to enable it to function, including
supporting our pastors, paying the electric bill, hosting Vacation
Bible School, and many other ministries. She also learned that she
could make a difference, even as a child, by donating her coins, by
volunteering her time, and by treating herself, her family, friends,
and neighbors with love and respect every day of the week.
These are lessons for all of us as we reflect upon God's abundance
and how we may share it as stewards of our church. During our
Stewardship Campaign, instead of operating on auto-pilot, may we
strive for a deeper relationship with God with the awe and curiosity
of an eager child. As a result, may we discern a newfound
engagement of our hearts, minds, and souls as we mindfully and
prayerfully contemplate our giving within the context of our busy
lives. May God guide us in gracious living and gracious giving.
"Just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you
also excel in the grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7
Ms. Jeri Okamoto
Assistant Lay Leader
Page 1
November 2016
Prayers
Connecting and Nurturing through Prayer
As a community of faith, we support one another
through prayer. Please include the following persons
in your prayers.
Junko Kubo (healing and strength), Ryan Lau (Bart
Maeda’s cousin’s son–undergoing cancer treatments),
Wendy Kobayashi Lowery (health), Lyle Matsushita,
(Phyllis and Galen Murakawa’s nephew–battling
disease), Fusae Mayeda (Kenji Mayeda’s mother–
health), Rev. Gail Messner (health), Virginia Minami
(Kenji Mayeda’s cousin–health), Yoko Mori (Frances
Uchida’s friend–health), Steve Nagata (health), Kathy
Naylor (Janice Mayeda’s friend–health), Yuri & James
Ogawa
(Phyllis Murakawa’s friends-health), Herb
Okamoto (Jeri Okamoto’s father–health), Janice
Okinaga (health), Jack Ong (health), Sachiko Ota
(health), Ferdinand Range (Patricia Range Setoguchi’s
brother–health), John Sheridan (Jack Ong’s friend–
health), Mits Shimotsu (health), Janet Soares-Bean
(Janet Hifumi Gunter’s friend–health), Dorothy Stroh
(Stan Shimotsu’s friend–health), Nancy Takeda
(health), Lily Tanabe (health), George Tashiro (Naoto
Tashiro’s father–health), Larry Toy (health & strength),
Adam Vargas (missionary in Japan), Hunter Wong
recovery from illness (Phyllis & Galen Murakawa’s
grandson), Vicki and Mel Wong (Jane & Ken Harada’s
friends–Mel’s health), Sid Yamazaki (health),
Philomine Yeo (Geoff Yeo’s mother–hospice care),
Massie Yotsukura (strength and healing).
We give thanks to God and rejoice for:
 The Youth and Youth Leaders for another fun and
successful Halloween Party.
 Cheyne Lowery upon his graduation from Basic
Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
 Those who were baptized and joined the church on
October 23.
 Our church’s faithful leaders and volunteers.
 The creativity of our women as they prepare for the
Holiday Boutique.
 Guests and friends worshipping with us.
We pray for those seeking healing and comfort:
 Mateo Bravo as he undergoes cancer treatment
(childhood friend of Cheyne Lowery).
 The family of 15-year old Joseph Tachiki who died of
a brain aneurism on September 29 (friend of Joshua
Park, Brandon Yamaguchi, and Kai Kishi).
 Yuri and James Ogawa for health (Phyllis
Murakawa’s friends).
 Walter Taiji Isono’s family upon his passing on
August 4.
 The family and co-workers of Lito Reyes who died in
September (Mike Ellis’s co-worker and friend).
 Lilyan Nitta for health and strength.
 Lorraine Wong whose cancer has returned (Mark
Holmes and Helen Chang’s friend).
 Frances Uchida for strength and good health.
 Dave Cook for healing from severe back pain.
 Police officers who work hard for our community’s
safety.
 The people of Haiti following the devastating
hurricane.
 The well-being of our neighborhood.
 Peaceful resolution to conflicts around the globe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Narrative Lectionary Readings for November
The following readings serve as the foundation for
the Sunday morning 9:30 Worship Service. By reading
these scripture lessons during the week, you can
prepare your heart and mind for Sunday worship.
November 6
Jonah 1:1-17; 3:1-10 (4:1-11)
November 13
Isaiah 6:1-8
November 20
Guest Preacher, Rev. Jeanne
Roe Smith will select scripture.
November 27
Daniel 6:6-27
Prayers for church members and friends:
Please keep these persons in your prayers
and contact them with your well wishes:
Carla Bailey (health), Doris Berlan (Jane & Stan
Shimotsu’s friend–health), Michael Byrd (Kathy
Orebaugh’s nephew–health and recovery from
surgery), Mildred Cromwell (Rev. Janet’s mother–
health), Patricia Hirata (health), Ellen Ho (Ken Ho’s
mother–health), Sandra and Steve Hirose (Stacey
Hirose’s parents–health), Albert Hopkins (Kathy
Orebaugh's father–health), Nancy Ichinaga (health),
Rose Ikuta (health), Judy Kajikawa (Marlene
Sakamoto’s sister–health), Helen Kitamura (Fred
Hifumi’s sister and Shirley Fujisaki’s mother–health),
West L.A. Connections
Page 2
Poinsettias for the Sanctuary
Orders begin November 27
Poinsettia orders will be received
between November 27 and December
18. Order forms will be available at the
church in mid-November. The plants will be arranged
in the Sanctuary for the two Christmas Eve Services on
December 24, and Christmas morning.
Join us as we prepare our sanctuary for glorious
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services.
November 2016
Worship & Studies
Growing in Faith through Worship and Study
November 9:30AM Worship Services
Sunday School and Bible Studies
November 6 – 25 Sunday after Pentecost
All Saints Sunday
Family Worship and Holy Communion
Rev. Gary Oba preaching.
Text: Jonah 1:1-17; 3: 1-10 (4:1-11)
Theme: God’s forgiveness and love exceeds anything
we can possibly imagine.
Children and Youth Sunday School
th
God calls us to grow in faith and knowledge.
Children and youth are encouraged to come each
Sunday to learn about God’s love and Jesus’ ministry,
and to have fun and make new friends.
Birth to 3 Nursery (Next to sanctuary)
3 & 4 Year Olds Cool Kids Room 1
K to Grade 3 Explorer Room 3
Grades 4-8 Trekker Room 2
Grades 9-12 Youth Room 8 (Second floor)
November 13 – 26th Sunday after Pentecost
Rev. Gary Oba preaching.
Text: Isaiah 6:1-8
Theme: God chooses, forgives, and consecrates us to
serve God. Will we answer the call?
Tuesday Night Bible Study
Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Learning Center.
Following the theme, "Finding God in the World,"
participants take turns selecting and leading
discussions on topics they have come across in
newspapers, magazines, Facebook posts, blogs, etc.
New members are always welcome. Please contact
Rev. Gary for more information. No meeting will be
held on November 15.
November 20– Last Sunday after Pentecost;
Christ the King Sunday, Wesley Foundation
Serving UCLA Sunday
Deaconess Jeanne Roe Smith preaching.
November 27 – 1st Sunday of Advent
Rev. Gary Oba preaching.
Text: Daniel 6:6-27
Theme: God will foil the plans of those who set
themselves against the Lord’s anointed ones.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Alive Now” Study Group
Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 AM in Room 2.
The Wednesday morning study group uses the
Narrative Lectionary Readings (on page 2) as the basis
of their weekly discussion. Please see Rev. Gary for
more information. No meeting will be held on
November 16.
Men’s Bible Study Group
Trusts, Estate Planning, and
Planned Giving Seminar
Periodic Thursdays, 7:15-8:15 PM in Room 2.
The Men’s Study Group meets on periodic
Thursday evenings. Contact Fred Hifumi for dates.
Sunday, November 13, Noon, Learning Center
Everyone should have a trust! During this
informative seminar, Rich Yang, attorney and
Administrative Council Chair, will cover topics such as
avoiding probate and title problems, health-care
directives, power of attorney, grandchildren trusts and
new tax laws. In addition, Rev. Greg Batson,
President/CEO of the California-Pacific United
Methodist Foundation, will speak on the topic of
Planned Giving.
The church has witnessed the problems that can
arise when members become incapacitated or die
without having a trust or health-care directive. This
seminar will help persons of all ages to prepare for end
of life decisions.
Please let Rev. Gary or Jane Harada know if you
plan to attend so we can prepare for a light lunch at
Noon. We hope to see all of you at the lunch and
seminar on November 13 in the Learning Center.
West L.A. Connections
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday Morning Parking
Parking for Sunday
worship is available at the
Buddhist Temple on most
weeks, however you must
stop and get a parking pass
each Sunday from Parking
Coordinator, Daryl Hata. You
can find Daryl at the church’s
front gate.
Street parking is also
available on the 1900 blocks of Purdue, Butler, and
Corinth, as is parking on the second floor of the Trident
Center garage. Please reserve spaces in the church
parking lot for visitors, seniors 80 years-old and older,
and families with young children.
Page 3
November 2016
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
Supporting Families in Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
Ohana 2.0 Gathering
Saturday, November 19, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
We look forward to the Ohana Gathering on
Saturday, November 19, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The
Topic/Theme is “An Opportunity for Parents to Learn
About Ways to Make Their Children Shine.” A panel of
Early Childhood professionals, all colleagues of Rose
Honda, will lead the discussion. This is another golden
opportunity for parents to help their children shine!
In December, please plan to participate in the
church’s Christmas programs.
Annual Youth Thanksgiving Eve Meal
Preparation and Family Food Collection
Looking ahead, 2017 is going to be a very exciting
year! We look forward to our gathering on January 14
with Sam Pryor, who will be discussing "Meditation &
Mindfulness." Then, on February 11, Bobby Kim will
share on the topic of "Technology." These two
presentations will prove to be a rich and rewarding
beginning for Ohana 2.0 in the New Year!
Wednesday, November 23, 7:30 PM
WLA UMC Church Kitchen
Please support our Youth as they prepare
delicious, homemade turkey dinners on Thanksgiving
Eve for three deserving families. If you are interested
in supporting our Thanksgiving food deliveries to
families who would greatly appreciate your
thoughtfulness and generosity, please bring your
canned goods and turkey donations On/BEFORE
November 20.
For more information or if you would like to know
how you can help, please contact Emily Cook, Dave
Cook or Valerie Harada.
Jane Shimotsu, Ohana Coordinator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Children’s Holiday Activities
Thanksgiving Card Making
Christmas Ornament Making
Family Christmas Program
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark your calendars! There are three upcoming
activities for children and families to participate in. The
first is Thanksgiving Card Making on November 13.
This is a wonderful opportunity for children to
participate in a mission project by making cards to
reach out to people on our church’s prayer list.
Next, we have Ornament Making on November 27,
during which everyone will enjoy creating the
ornaments that decorate the tree in the sanctuary.
Last but not least, the first practice for Family
Christmas Program will be held during Sunday School
on November 20. The program will be presented
during worship on Sunday, December 11. We hope to
see you all there!
Furniture Assembly Crew
Christian Education Committee
Many thanks to Shirley, Sharon, Lenny, Jared,
Geoff, Barry and Alex (not pictured) for assembling the
new kitchen for Room 1 and a new Lego table for
Room 3! We hope our children have a great time
playing with these new items in our Sunday School
Rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Children and Youth Release Forms
Parents are asked to complete the Church
Program Registration Form for each child and youth.
Forms are available in the classrooms and from the
Church Office. Thank you!
West L.A. Connections
Page 4
November 2016
Upcoming Events
Learning, Fellowship, Serving, and Fun
Library Open for Borrowing & Browsing
Sunday, November 6, 11:00 AM
Learning Center 2nd Floor
The Church Library is open for reading and
borrowing books from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. New
books and resources are continually being added to
the collection. For more information about the Library
collection, contact Jean Dote, Haru Nakano, or Midori
Tashiro. Stop by and take a look.
Jean Dote, Library Committee
Tanoshimi-kai
On December 3, Tanoshimi-kai members will
experience the Christmas spirit as we venture to Walt
Disney Concert Hall and listen to the famed Master
Chorale accompanied by the piano and the impressive
Disney Hall organ in their annual "Festival of Carols"
concert. Prior to the concert, we shall enjoy lunch at
the Ebisu Japanese Restaurant in Little Tokyo. We will
leave the church at 10:30 am and return about 5 pm.
The "Festival of Carols" will be the final Tanoshimikai outing planned by the Leadership Team of Sadie
Hifumi, Grace Seto, Lois Tateishi, and Eleanor Nakano.
As Richard Carlson, author of Don't Sweat the Small
Stuff says in his book, "life is just one thing after
another…. Everything has a beginning and an ending
and that’s the way it’s supposed to be."
We began planning "educational fun" outings six
years ago and our first trip was the visit to Our Lady of
Angeles Cathedral. We feel it's now the right time for
us to end with this Christmas program at Walt Disney
Hall.
We're grateful and delighted with the camaraderie
all of us have enjoyed with the Nichigo congregation
ladies, English congregation members and friends, and
community friends. We rejoice with thanks for six
years of support and joyful participation, knowledge of
new places, conversations, laughter, and delicious
meals together.
Eleanor Nakano
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time Change – November 6
Get me to the church on time!
Before you go to bed on Saturday,
November 5, be sure to turn your clock 1
hour backward; for example, from 11:00
PM to 10:00 PM. Beginning November 6, sunrise and
sunset will be about 1 hour earlier than the day before,
providing more light in the morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanksgiving Dinner Party 2016
Everybody is welcome
When: Nov. 24 (Thursday) 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: W.L.A. United Methodist Church Social Hall
1913 Purdue Avenue, L.A., CA 90025
Start cooking from 9:00 AM at the Church Kitchen
R.S.V.P. Please call before Nov. 22 (Tuesday)
310-479-1379 (Church office) or 310-818-6129 (Keiko)
Let's enjoy together our Turkey dinner, games, crafts
and have a time to praise and thank God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God’s Gracious Welcome
Each week, new guests and friends come to
worship. What a blessing! We pray that, through
worship, they will feel God’s presence and love in their
lives. We also pray that they receive a warm welcome
and that they leave feeling like they have made a new
friend in the congregation.
Throughout this holiday season, let us extend
God’s gracious welcome to everyone we meet. Greet
newcomers to our church. Ask your friends to come to
worship. Invite them to be in mission alongside of you.
Most of all, enable them to feel the joy of being in
God’s glorious community of faith, hope, love, support,
and service to others.
Rev. Janet Cromwell
West Los Angeles United Methodist Church Nichigo-bu
感謝祭ディナーパーティ 2016 のお知らせ
11 月 24 日(木) 午後 5 時から 8 時まで教会の社交室にて
どなたでも参加できます。差し入れも大歓迎。
11 月 22 日(火)までにご予約をお願いします。
ご予約 310-479-1379 教会 または、310-818-6129 高橋まで
ターキーを焼いてみたい方は、朝 9 時においで下さい。
伝統的なターキー料理、ゲーム、クラフトそして主に賛美と
感謝する時を持ちます。
ウエストロサンゼルス合同メソジスト教会日語部
1913 Purdue Avenue, L.A., CA 90025
West L.A. Connections
Page 5
November 2016
United Methodist Women
Learning, Fellowship, and Service
United Methodist Women present the
Holiday Boutique
Sawtelle Japantown Community News
November 5, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The United Methodist Women of WLAUMC hold a
Christmas Holiday Boutique of handcrafted items every
other year. It takes two years for the women to plan
and prepare all the handcrafted items for the Boutique.
All of the proceeds from the sale of the Boutique
crafts and food items are donated to charitable
organizations outside of our local church. This is to
fulfill our UMW mission of providing service to women
and children. We hope that you will bring friends and
shop at the Boutique and participate in giving to others.
Country Store. A popular feature of our Boutique has
always been our Country Store. If you have any new,
or almost new, treasures smaller than a breadbox you
wish to donate, please bring them to church no later
than October 30. If you have any questions, contact
the Country Store coordinator, Rose Honda. Rose will
begin pricing the treasures the week before the
Boutique so she would appreciate any help you can
give her.
Opportunity Quilt "Scrappy CreAsians." Please
invite your friends to purchase tickets to participate in
the drawing for the opportunity quilt. The drawing will
be held at 2:00 PM at the close of our Holiday Boutique
on November 5 (winner need not be present). The
unique quilt, created by Grace Seto with Japanese
print fabrics, is on display on Sundays after worship.
Donations are $1.00 for one ticket and $5.00 for six
tickets. Don't miss this opportunity to own a beautiful
quilt!
Holiday Boutique Set-Up. On Friday, November 4, at
9:00 AM, all hands are needed to set up tables, display
goods, put up signs, etc. If you are able to help, please
notify Work-Scheduling Coordinator, Pam Ryder, as
soon as possible. In addition, she will be making a
work schedule for the day of our Boutique and would
appreciate the times of your availability.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sawtelle Japantown historical walking tour. Last
May, Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) requested
and the writer volunteered to develop and lead a tour
of Sawtelle Japantown. The 3-hours walking tour
started at the Japanese Institute of Sawtelle; the 20002100 blocks of Sawtelle Blvd; and, to Hashimoto
Nursery and the former Kobayakawa boarding houses
on the 1900 block. LTHS was so appreciative of our
efforts, they sent an unexpected orei to Sawtelle
Japantown Association (a part of JIS).
At each of 13 planned stops, one of the sons or
daughters who actually grew up there with their
proprietor-parents explained what it was like - only one
burger-taco stand, plus about 30 shops provided
groceries, a wide variety of services and a pharmacist,
all who spoke Nihongo for the issei. Amazing this has
become 82 stores, including 52 restaurants. And, still
expanding - Nihon's largest chain Udon-ya has
announced opening soon, Sawtelle is their first location
in mainland USA. Our entire tour was videographed by
the Japanese-American National Museum.
Wall murals to commemorate "100-years of
Sawtelle Japantown." A community committee, chaired
by the writer, has started to plan large, public wall
murals covering the sides of two buildings in the 2000
block of Sawtelle Blvd. These murals will showcase the
cultural legacy of our pioneering issei and nisei. We
hope to invite the public to help paint. We have
received preliminary interest to telecast this creation by
our local KNBC-TV, and in Nihon, by one of the major
domestic TV networks.
Ted Tanaka
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Japanese Film Night
Thank you very much to all, for five years of
generosity and support for our monthly “Friday Night at
the Movies” program, featuring classic and
contemporary Japanese films. I have received so
many kind words, cards, letters and gestures of
appreciation from those who look forward to the
movies. My hope is that our Japanese movie
screenings in 2017 will continue to help support and
promote the Mission Statement of this Church, our very
active and generous faith membership, and our
neighborhood community as well. On behalf of Jean,
David and myself, thank you for allowing us, in some
small measure to serve this long-standing Church and
serve God with a grateful heart.
Greg Shikata
80+! A Group
Tuesday, November 2, 11:00 AM, Aki Restaurant
80+! A group of WLA United Methodist Women
regularly meets at Aki Restaurant on the first Tuesday
of each month. Originally started to give former Circle II
women a chance to "stay connected," the fellowship
has expanded and all women who are 80 and older are
welcome to the luncheons.
The participants enjoy great fellowship, much
laughter, hearty lunches, fine service, and updates on
current and upcoming UMW activities. For more
information, please contact Aya Sase or Sets
Yamashita, 80+ Coordinators.
West L.A. Connections
Page 6
November 2016
Special Offerings
Giving to God through our Tithes and Offerings
Thank you for your generosity
Special Offerings
Memorial Offerings
Flower Donations
If you or your family would like to provide flowers
for Sunday Morning Worship, please contact the
church office or sign up on the Flower Calendar in the
Social Hall. Persons who donate flowers may take
them home at 12:00 Noon, following the Japanese
Language Worship Service.
On-line Giving
Altar Flowers for October
West L.A. Connections
The church’s website has been updated to make
on-line giving even easier. A new tab has been added
to the top of the Home Page, entitled “Donate”. By
clicking that tab, you may give a one-time gift or set up
a reoccurring pledge.
Page 7
November 2016
Japanese Ministry
Praising and Serving God Together
「感謝祭ディナー」
Every year, Nichigo holds Thanksgiving dinner on
Thanksgiving Day at 5pm. Since we do not really eat
turkey in Japan, it will be a special dinner for many. We
are very grateful for Takahashi family who has been
organizing this special dinner gathering.
今年も感謝祭のシーズンがやってきました。
日本より来られて間もない方は、七面鳥を食
べる機会など、一度もなかったかもしれませ
ん。食べたいけど、ターキーを丸焼きするの
は、量が多すぎると思う方もおられます。毎
年、私達の教会では、高橋ファミリーが中心
になり、感謝祭の夜はターキーディナーをし
ています。もし、一度食べてみたい方、料理
するのが難しいと思うかたは、教会のターキ
ーディナーに参加してみてください。
一年に一度は恒例の七面鳥を丸焼きして、マ
ッシュトポテト、ヤム、コーン、クランベリ
ー、パンプキンパイなど、アメリカ伝統料理
をエンジョイしたいと思います。
11 月 24 日(木)5 時からディナーが始まり
ます。七面鳥の料理を見たい方は、朝 10 時
から準備に入るので、参加して下さい。そし
て、食後は、賛美歌を歌ったり、一年の感謝
を忘れない時を持ちたいと思います。お友達
も誘って一緒に来て下さい。
Also, on Sunday after Thanksgiving Day, we eat
Turkey Zosui after worship service. Zosui will be very
good for our stomach after eating too much oishii food
for 3 days!
As Issei immigrants, we are very thankful for God’s
provision. He has sustained our life and provided
enough for us in America.
And just like the first church, we pray that God will
bless our time together. “They broke bread in their
homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
As we enter into a special holiday season, our God is
to be praised for who He is.
Pastor Becky Hirata 平田
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
次の日曜日、11 月 27 日には、ターキー雑炊
を礼拝後に食べます。感謝祭のホリデーに食
べすぎたお腹を癒してくれます。
日本語部カレンダー
11/6 11 時 礼拝
12 時 協議会
11/13 11 時 礼拝
12 時 聖書勉強
11/20 11 時 感謝祭礼拝
12 時 聖書勉強
11/24 10 時 感謝祭料理
5 時 感謝祭ディナー
11/27 11 時 礼拝
12 時 祈り会、雑炊ランチ
「心を一つにして宮に集まり、家でパンを裂
き、喜びと真心をもって食事をともにし、神
を賛美し、全ての民に好意を持たれた。主も
毎日救われる人々を仲間に加えてくださっ
た。」(使徒 2:46-47)初代教会を思わせる
時が持てることを祈ります。
神様を賛美して、人々に好意を持たれる教会
であり、救われる人を主が起こしてくださる
ように。アーメン。
West L.A. Connections
Page 8
November 2016
November 2016
Sunday
Monday
Let us come into God’s presence with
thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to
God with songs of praise! Psalm 95.2
Tuesday
Wednesday
7
2
3
4
5
9:30 Alive Now Study
10:30 Tai Chi
9:30 Prayer ministry
10:30 Tai Chi
9:00 Holiday Boutique
set-up
10:00-2:00 Holiday
Boutique
8 Election Day
6:30 Kelton AA
7:30 Bible Study
13
14
15
20 WF Sunday
9:30 English Service
11:00 Japanese Service
11:15 Martha Mary Circle
1:00 Ad Council Meeting
27 First Sunday in
Advent
9:30 English Service
10:30 Ornament Making
11:00 Japanese Service
Poinsettia Orders Begin.
9
10
9:30 Alive Now Study
10:30 Tai Chi
9:30 Prayer ministry
10:30 Tai Chi
11:00 Staff Meeting
11
12
9:30 UCLA Dance Grp
10:00 Memorial Service
for Kikue Shikami
7:00 Choir Rehearsal
16
17
(No Alive Now Study)
10:30 Tai Chi
9:30 Prayer ministry
10:30 Tai Chi
(No Bible Study)
7:00 Sawtelle Japantown
Meeting
7:00 Choir Rehearsal
21
22
23
24 Thanksgiving
6:30 Kelton AA
7:30 Bible Study
7:30 Youth Thanksgiving
Prep
5:00 Nichigo hosts
Thanksgiving Dinner
28
29
30
6:30 Kelton AA
7:30 Bible Study
West L.A. Connections
Daylight Savings Time
ends
7:00 Choir Rehearsal
6:30 Kelton AA
9:00 Altar Guild Set-up
Saturday
11:00 80+ Women’s
Luncheon, Aki Restaurant
9:30 Family Worship and
Communion
10:30 Holiday Boutique
After-Sale
11:00 Japanese Service
9:30 English Service
10:30 Card Making
11:00 Japanese Service
12:00 Light Lunch
12:30 Estate Planning
Presentation
Friday
1
7:30 Bible Study
6 All Saint’s Day
Thursday
9:30 Newsletter folding
9:30 Alive Now Study
10:30 Tai Chi
9:30 Alive Now Study
10:00 Tai chi
Page 9
9:00 Dinner Preparations
begin in church kitchen
18
19
9:00 Gal Friday Circle
25
Office Closed
9:30 UCLA Dance Grp
10:00 Ohana Gathering
26
Note: December
Newsletter Articles are
due on November 13.
November 2016
Holiday Boutique
Saturday, November 5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Handmade Quilts, Table Runners, and Gift Tags
Strawberry Freezer Jam and Takuan,
Baked Goods and Chirashi,
Hand-dyed Silk Scarves,
Holiday Decorations,
Candles and Soaps,
Unique Gift Items
Country Store, and much more!
.
West LA United Methodist Church
1913 Purdue Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025
wlaumc.com
310-479-1379