SUNDAY
WORSHIP
SCHEDULE
Worship: 10:30 am
Summer Worship: 9:30 am Sunday
School: 9:00 am
Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month.
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Our focus in April
is on The Edwards working in Karuizawa,
Japan
Karuizawa, Japan lies
nestled in the shadow of Mt. Asama, about an hour north of Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train) but
much longer by car. It is a place of tremendous beauty – parks, ponds,
waterfalls, shops and lovely tourist retreats make it a popular destination. But
beyond the beauty are the stone and wood temples and smiling idols – a reminder
that the Lord Jesus is a foreigner in this place. It is to this land that
the Lord has called our friends, Tom and Nancy Edwards to minister in His name.
This past Christmas was an exciting time for the ministry in Karuizawa – a town
which considers itself the “Christmas Town” of Japan. On Christmas Eve, the
Union Church opens its doors, and many non-believers stop in to learn about the
true gift of Christmas. Nancy says it has become the “thing to do” to go to a
Christmas Eve candle light service because of the beauty of such a service. What
an incredible opportunity to present the Gospel! As each person leaves, they are
given a gift of home made cookies, candy cane and a Gospel tract.
Tour buses even stop by the
Chapel to see the illumination, and many tourists learn about Jesus. Over 20,000
Japanese tracts are given out at Christmas. Praise God for what He is doing
there!
The Edwards are a very loving and generous couple
and have many young people they are mentoring. Young Japanese love American
style weddings and church music, so many come for that and stay to hear the
Word. But actually committing to one
Savior is difficult in a land where there are so many gods to choose from.
There is also much family resistance when a young person chooses Christ and
relinquishes the family belief system. It can lead to separation or rejection by
parents, siblings or spouse and children. It can also lead to oppression and
loss of livelihood.
GREAT NEWS!
Right now the Edwards are on home
ministry assignment, to raise money for their continued work. They are hoping to
team up with the ministry of Austin and Laura Krokos, whom they met through
Forest Grove Church, to bring young Japanese students to the Master Plan
Ministry ranch near Durango, Colorado, for Bible study and mentoring. They are
currently talking with their mission about the possibility of redeployment for
such a venture. It is their hope and belief that such a venture would benefit
the Japan field church planting effort. Please lift up this plan and the
wonderful possibility of joining these two ministry teams together. The Lord has
blessed us to be part of this effort! Please pray for this great work that the
Lord may bless it, and give generously to this wonderful ministry to the people
of Japan during the month of April.
Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you! Luke 8:39
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"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You
have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.
Come and share your master's happiness!'" |
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