PASTOR'S PEN
"Though Jesus was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings." Philippians 2:6-7
Happy New Year 2013!
Last month, I wrote about getting ready for Christmas - and asked if we were truly observing Advent in the way that it is meant to be. Well, Christmas has come and gone, and Christmastide came to an end on January 6. I hope your Advent was indeed meaningful, and your Christmas joyous!
Now, a question before we completely put away our literal and figurative Christmas ornaments and decorations...How will we continue to live out Christmas throughout the year?
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who came into our world. Through this event, we were given the opportunity to see and experience first-hand, what kind of lives we as human beings were called to ultimately live. We see the life of Jesus as depicted in the Bible, and we are called to follow in his footsteps.
So, Christmas is not only a birthday celebration in December. It is also an everyday reminder that Jesus - who was God that became human - showed us how to live as God's people and we are called to do the same...each and every single day. In that respect, Christmas is not just a one day event to prepare for (Advent) and celebrate (Christmastide) - it's really about an everyday ordeal that we are called to live into.
As we start the New Year, let's not put away our Christmas ornaments and decorations too quickly...at least in the figurative sense. Christmas is an everyday reminder, an everyday event that we are called to live in Jesus Christ's footsteps. For all of the children of God, perhaps there is no more wonderful way to begin the New Year - by continuing to live Christmas!
Praying for New Year's blessings, and continuing Christmas,
Pastor Grace
CLERK'S REPORT
The session acted on the following items on December 30,
2012:
- Approved to remove Yoshiko Hironaka (deceased August 30, 2012) and June Eijima (deceased December 7, 2012) from membership, with regret.
- Approved to put a quarter-page ad in the Dowa No Omatsuri program for Nihonmachi Little Friends' fundraising event in February, 2013.
- Approved to have communion on the 1st Sunday of each month, during the Seder meal on Maundy Thursday, and the Christmas Eve service for the year 2013.
Everyone is invited to attend our regular session
meetings. If you are interested in how the session, our governing body,
discusses ministry at CUPC, please come and join us! You are also welcome to
read the minutes, which are public documents. The minutes are available in the
church office.
DEACONS' REPORT
The ministry of the Deacons is the light that guides the way. May we be a support to one another in our daily walk with Christ and encourage each other to live lives that reflect Christ in us.COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank all the individuals who have contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of December and the special Christmas refreshments.The Deacons are aware there are others who do not sign up on the list, but do contribute. We would like to thank you all!
Jan Der
