“The true light that gives light to every person was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

With the last note of the hand chimes still ringing in the air, a pre-schooler behind me began to applaud. It was a time of quiet reflection, but the music was beautiful and I had to join her in the applause. The lights had been dimmed, and we were celebrating our first Christmas Eve in the new building of Nishi Okamoto Christ Church.   The carpenters still had some tools and materials in the parking lot, as well as in the fellowship room, but what a beautiful way to begin using the new building. 

This past year, was a year of challenge, fear, hope, disappointment, joy and so much more for each one of us.  Nishi Okamoto Christ Church finished the year with the feeling of God’s blessing.  In the 51st year since a small group of Christians began to gather for a home Bible Study, a new building has been finished.  Those feelings of challenge and fear were very real for the members of this small congregation.  With the economic downturn that they suddenly found themselves in this year, some wondered, “Is this a sign that God is asking us to wait? Is the door closing?”  Instead, on each step of the journey the Lord has provided the way and added blessings besides. 

On the Sunday before Christmas, Mrs. Kadotani and Miss Kimoto were the first to be baptized in this new building.  Mrs. Kadotani began to attend church a couple years ago.  She is easy to recognize because she always wears a beautiful kimono. 

Miss Kimoto first came to us a few years ago with a friend, Mr. Fujimoto.  We are going to miss her when she leaves us this spring. She will be getting married to, the now, Pastor Fujimoto, who felt the call to ministry while a member of Nishi Okamoto Church a few years ago, and is now serving a church in northern Japan since his graduation from seminary last spring.

Making up for lost time?

It feels a little like the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church is trying to make up for the time lost without a building.  Of course they were never just sitting around waiting for the building to get finished, but now that it is done they have been busy. Christmas worship on the 20th; a Christmas Eve candle service; a one day Vacation Bible School; an end of the year concert, where about half of those attending were guests; and an over night retreat for the jr-sr high youth were some of the activities during the last 2 weeks of the year.

The building dedication service will be on January 17th.  Yes, that will be the 15th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake.  It was a changing point in the life and history of the city and the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church.  The day before is a concert with a well known Christian singer, Miss Yuri Mori. Then on the 17th in the morning worship will be the earthquake memorial service, with the building dedication in the afternoon.

There will be many emotions shared on that weekend.  A time of remembering Rev. Hata and other friends and members of the church who were victims of the earthquake, as well as the celebration of healing, faith and building over these past 15 years.  Please pray for Rev. Takahashi and the Nishi Okamoto Christ Church as they continue to let the Light Of the World shine in this neighborhood.

What will this new year bring?  I hope that you are as excited as we are to see what the Lord has waiting ahead for us in 2010.

Grace and Peace,

John