Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? February 22

Bob and Chris were in Shizuoka City on February 22nd, to share Transfiguration Sunday and preach in the life of Shimzu and Oshika Lutheran Churches. These are the two congregations under the diligent pastoral care and guidance of Akehi sensei, a faithful pastor of many years with more energy than people half his age. Worship begins bright and early every Sunday at Shimizu Lutheran Church with Matins at 7:00 am. The faithful come to be fed in the Word of God. Singing is led acapella by Akehi sensei as is the liturgy. Today his sermon for Matins was from Genesis. Akehi sensei is animated and engaging as he preaches. Worship ended before the beginning of the second Lutheran English Hour of the day at 8:00 am. The first was at 6:00 am. Bob & Chris were excited to again be part of the Lutheran English Hour led by Kusaka san former General Secretary of The Gideon’s International in Japan. The class was enthusiastic in there acquisition of English through the stories of the Bible. The day moved quickly on at 9:00 am. The service of Word and Sacrament was led by Pastor Akehi and preached by Pastor Bob. Pastor Akehi translated the sermon from the text of Mark 9:2-9. A quick ride after worship from Shimizu Lutheran Church to Oshika Lutheran Church followed the 9:00 am worship service so that both pastors could take a deep breath and lead the 11:00 am Service of the Word At this service Pastor Bob preached and Akehi sensei lead the liturgy and translated again. Worship ended in time for the 12:30 pm Bible study led by Pastor Akehi on a chapter in Leviticus. It was about 1:30pm when Pastor Akehi, Bob, Chris and a few members of Oshika Lutheran Church loaded themselves into Pastor Akehi’s van and shared lunch together. Later in the afternoon two tired folks returned to the parsonage; Bob and Chris. They were tired but thankful for a wonderful Sabbath of worship that would now be a time of rest. This was not the case of Pastor Akehi. The day would not end for this faithful servant of the Gospel until the 7:00 pm a Vespers service back at Oshika Lutheran Church was completed. This Sunday February 22, 2009 Bob & Chris celebrated the Transfiguration perhaps as never before thanks to the wonderful people of Shimizu and Oshika Lutheran Churches and the energetic and dynamic leadership of Pastor Akehi.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben