PASTOR'S PEN
How are we doing…?
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2a
Eastertide blessings!! I hope this finds all of
you basking in God’s resurrection power of life.
Every year, as Palm Sunday and Easter approaches,
I reflect upon that same time of year in 2004 when I began my journey with CUPC
as pastor. Looking back at former bulletins, I found that it was on Palm Sunday
in 2004 (4/4/04 to be exact) that I first preached here. It was that day when
you voted to call me as your pastor.
Well, it’s that time of year in 2009 now – which
means that it’s my FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!! It’s hard to believe that 5 years has
gone by already. It feels like I’ve just begun to get my feet wet doing
ministry alongside with all of you.
And yet, when I look back at these years, I
cannot help but think of all the amazing things that I have had the honor of
witnessing as this church has tried to be even more faithful to God’s calling.
I have seen God’s goodness and grace abound. There has been positive energy,
great ideas and creativity. There were times when I, and we as a church,
certainly felt challenged, but I believe that they have been good challenges
and I have definitely grown in many ways, and hopefully the church has too.
Like the Bible verse above, we have been running
(and sometimes walking, sometimes resting, sometimes sprinting…). We have been
pressing toward what we have discerned as what God calls us to be and do as a
community of faith. But as we continue down this path together, I would like to
take this opportunity to ask for your honest input and feedback as to ‘how we
are doing’.
Looking back at these 5 years, what has been
positive for you? Been challenging for you? What has been helpful and not
helpful? You are welcome to comment on anything that relates to the church, its
programs, the leadership, the pastor (I guess that would mean me!) You are
always welcome to contact me directly (via mail, e-mail, phone, in person), or
our Personnel Committee chair, or you can leave a message at the church
office.)
As we continue to look toward Jesus, our ‘pioneer
and perfecter of our faith’, I pray that we continue striving to be a community
with a leadership that is accountable and transparent, respectful and
forward-looking, and one that is open to feedback. And as we work together,
congregation and leadership, may we continue to run, walk, sprint – journey
alongside each other – in this ‘race’ that we call faith. Let us journey on!
Hope to hear from you soon,
Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki
DEACONS' REPORT
Welcome Spring! Hasn’t the sunshine been great?!?
Every time this year, I get so happy just watching the flowers bloom and make
rainbows on the earth. However, as beautiful as the flowers are, they also
bring along the seasonal allergies!
This month was also an anxious month for some of
our youth as the long awaited college letters came out. Wherever they end up,
we will continue to pray for them and for their journeys.
As Easter arrives, I hope everyone is able to
prepare their spirits in the way that is most meaningful to you. It is the
perfect time to remember that Jesus died for us to live, and for that, we
should praise God. We invite you all to join us for our Easter celebration.
This past month, our church has been praying our
intercessory prayers in a new style, where short phrases and one word prayers
are said. We give thanks and praise for what God has given us, and would like
to lift up those in our community and church. If you have any prayer requests,
please feel free to contact the church.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank the individuals
who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of March.
Kara Woo, Vice-Moderator
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
DR. STURGE’S BIRTHDAY
On Sunday, May 17, 2009, Christ United
Presbyterian Church will observe the 153rd Birthday of Dr. Ernest Adolphus
Sturge. He was born on April 29, 1856 in Springfield, Ohio. After worship, we
will have our coffee fellowship with refreshments and a special cake for
everyone. Please plan to be with us.
Dr.
Ernest A. Sturge, His Life and Mission
We honor Dr. Sturge as the “father of the
Japanese American Presbyterian Churches in California.” In June 1886 after five
years of medical missionary work in Thailand, Ernest A. Sturge, PhD, M.D., and
Presbyterian missionary arrived in San Francisco. He was to work with the
Chinese community but instead was assigned to serve the Japanese in San
Francisco.
Our church had its origin in the Gospel Society
founded by a group of Japanese students. The group had no pastor or other
assistance, but was eventually taken under the wing of Dr. and Mrs. Sturge.
They assisted the students in religious matters, English lessons, and obtaining
work. He rented a home on Mission St. and organized the first Japanese YMCA for
them.
On October 1914, the Japanese Congregational Church
merged with the Japanese Presbyterian Church to form the Federated Japanese
Church of Christ and moved to a building on Post St. Upon the death of Mrs.
Eugenia Sturge in 1918, Dr. Sturge gave his home (next to the church building)
on Post. St. in her memory to benefit the Japanese community, donating it to
the Japanese Church of Christ.
When the new church facility was built in 1974 on
1700 Sutter Street, a separate building with its own wall was built adjacent to
it at 1716 Sutter Street. That is known as the Sturge Memorial Building. The
Sturge Building is owned by the Japanese Church of Christ. However, the
facility is managed and operated by CUPC.
We remember and give thanks to a remarkable
servant of God who gave so much to the founding of the Japanese Presbyterian
Churches in California and San Francisco in particular.
June Eijima, Sturge Trustees Committee
