Worship at Musashino Lutheran Church On Sunday, October 12 Bob & Chris worshipped at Musashino Lutheran Church in Asagaya City part of Tokyo Japan. The church used to be the church for the Japan 
Lutheran Theological Seminary until the seminary moved to it's present site in Mitaka City, also part of Tokyo. The building, recently rebuilt to meet earthquake specfications is designed to resemble Noah's Arc. Worship was a spiritual wonder for Bob and Chris. Yes they struggled at times with language; but the liturgy was familiar in the components. Since they had a romanji translation they tried to keep up in Japanese. It was a very special Sunday at Musashino. The invited preacher was Rev. Chushianta, a missionary from Finland retiring in March after serving in the Nagoya area for the past ten years. She began her ministry in Japan while in her fifties, learning the language while worshipping at Musashino. There was also an adult baptism. Since the candidate was an adult the rites for Baptism and Confirmation were both part of the service. The woman baptized had faithfully checked the Finnish pastor's sermons for proper Japanese during her ministry. After reading so much proclamation of the Gospel supplemented by conversations with pastor the Holy Spirit brought her to faith. Today was her baptism. Pastor Bob was invited to help distribute during Holy Communion. Though he asked for the words, "The blood of Christ shed for you." in Japanese he was told with a warm smile by Pastor Oshiba, the pastor of the church that folks would understand his English! The chalice and it's contents communicate a truth not bounded by language! It was a wonderful day for Bob & Chris as they enjoyed a two hour worship service to start the Sabbath of October 12, 2008. After a congregational meal following worship they returned to their apartment back in Mikata about 4:30 pm; a little tired.
Lutheran Theological Seminary until the seminary moved to it's present site in Mitaka City, also part of Tokyo. The building, recently rebuilt to meet earthquake specfications is designed to resemble Noah's Arc. Worship was a spiritual wonder for Bob and Chris. Yes they struggled at times with language; but the liturgy was familiar in the components. Since they had a romanji translation they tried to keep up in Japanese. It was a very special Sunday at Musashino. The invited preacher was Rev. Chushianta, a missionary from Finland retiring in March after serving in the Nagoya area for the past ten years. She began her ministry in Japan while in her fifties, learning the language while worshipping at Musashino. There was also an adult baptism. Since the candidate was an adult the rites for Baptism and Confirmation were both part of the service. The woman baptized had faithfully checked the Finnish pastor's sermons for proper Japanese during her ministry. After reading so much proclamation of the Gospel supplemented by conversations with pastor the Holy Spirit brought her to faith. Today was her baptism. Pastor Bob was invited to help distribute during Holy Communion. Though he asked for the words, "The blood of Christ shed for you." in Japanese he was told with a warm smile by Pastor Oshiba, the pastor of the church that folks would understand his English! The chalice and it's contents communicate a truth not bounded by language! It was a wonderful day for Bob & Chris as they enjoyed a two hour worship service to start the Sabbath of October 12, 2008. After a congregational meal following worship they returned to their apartment back in Mikata about 4:30 pm; a little tired.Keep Praying,
Zen Ben
1 comment:
Next time you plan to go to Japan, I wanna get on that train. I'll be praying for y'all.
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