SERMON: Ahab by Mark Wilmot

SERMON: #YOLO by Perlan Alatiit

SERMON: Sin in the Camp by Rex Abbott

In Japan, Young Adventists Revive Aging Church with New Life

Setagaya congregation, rebranded, hopes to train 300 young leaders

ASeventh-day Adventist congregation in the center of Tokyo, Japan, had dwindled to fewer than 10 active members, prompting fears it would be closed.

Instead, local leaders of the movement designated the church as the "Setagaya Youth Church," and today, membership is thriving as young adults continue to find nourishment for their faith.

The now-regular weekly Sabbath attendance of 25 to 30 people, one-third young adults, jumps to as many as 70 for a monthly Bible seminar. Many of the young people stay at the church over the weekend in sleeping bags, eating meals together, and going to the nearby onsen, or public bath, at night. On Saturday night there’s a fellowship time at the church for the young people.

Jin Kaidi, a Chinese young adult, age 23, is one of those young adults. He is studying chemistry at Tokyo Denki University, and began attending Adventist worship when Pastor Yasuki Aoki, who also is Youth Ministries Department director for the Japan Union Conference, invited him. Two years ago, Kaidi was baptized and now attends the Setagaya church.

“I enjoy this church because people in my age group are here,” he said.

Risa Horita, also 23, came from a non-religious family but found the Seventh-day Adventist Church while a student at Glendale Community College in California. She started attending the Setagaya Youth Church and participated in "Youth Rush Japan," an evangelistic outreach, last year. She said she “enjoys passing out tracts to homeless people along with a bottle of water.”

Church leaders, including Aoki and Daniel Fukuda, a youth literature evangelism leader who works for the Japan Union Conference, say the Setagaya Youth Church offers three programs—each once a month—with young adults in mind.

The “@Church” meetings are designed for people to invite their non-Christian friends to church for the weekend. Subjects include creation vs. evolution, what is the Bible, and what is Christianity. Every Thursday evening, there’s an English-Japanese language exchange meet-up gathering at the church for the community.

Setagaya Youth Church, in Tokyo, Japan, was once a dwindling congregation. Now, as many as 70 people attend weekend conferences there. (Japan Union Mission photo)

A deeper dive into Bible topics is offered via the “@Jesus” meetings. These have covered studies of Daniel and Revelation, 1844, the Three Angels Messages, and a program on how to give a Bible study.

Practical evangelism is taught in the “@World” meetings. The congregation seeks to do as much volunteer work in the Setagaya district as possible. A group of community people gather at the Setagaya Church every other Friday to have special fellowship meeting on how to better serve the community. A special Christmas program drew 30 visitors from the neighborhood.

Over the next few years, the @World group will plan and organize two to three weeks of literature evangelism every winter, spring, and summer for young people at various locations all over Japan.

Perhaps the most ambitious effort is “Gideon 300,” where Setagaya seeks to equip 300 young people to become disciples and leaders for the church and send them out across Japan in evangelistic efforts.

Kameyama Hartuo, who after studying theology at an Adventist college in Thailand started a self-supporting media and discipleship training ministry, also attends the Setagaya Youth Church. He preaches and leads Bible study groups there, as needed.

“Beside producing media that is relevant to young people in Japan, which is my official ministry, I love going to restaurants and ‘Izakaya’ (Japanese bars) with non-Christian friends. Of course, I don't drink there, but these friends feel free to ask me about my faith and life style and then I can break down biblical concept of life as well as my conviction in Jesus.”

From a congregation on the brink of collapse, it appears that Setegaya Youth Church is now showing the way to revival in Japan.

• —With information from Daniel Fukuda in Tokyo.

Story retrieved from http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story4800-in-japan,-seventh-day-adventist-youth-revive-an-%E2%80%9Caging%E2%80%9D-church

SERMON: God's Retribution by David Squires

Small Groups, Big Growth

OUR REAL Groups have officially started yesterday! We are excited to hear what your groups are planning to do to help one another grow in faith and love in Christ and others.

Some of us have chosen a name for their small groups. The business and professional/personal development group called themselves "Conquerors." Another group called themselves "United in Christ." The Men's group chose a "one word" for their group: Health. Feel free to choose a name and/or one word for your group and share them with us!

And for those of you who couldn't join us today, please send us an email or comment below to find your group. We have also prepared a short video to give you more ideas about our REAL Groups.

 

Have a blessed week!

Join Us!

FROM next month, we will start having our small group sessions. Comment or send us a message if you'd like to join a group!

Start Strong!

PRAISE to the LORD! We are now on the 10th day of our 10 days of prayer and we know that many of us have already gotten answers to our prayers in a way or another. We have been seeing God's miracles unfolding right before our eyes!

Send us your testimonies and share how God has blessed you again during this 10 days of prayer and fasting.

Happy Vespers!

Amazing Grace

GOD'S grace is really amazing! Last Sabbath, some of us ended up singing "Amazing Grace" three times!

Number 1: 

Gracia gave a special song during the Divine Service and towards the end of the song, everybody burst into singing:

When we've been there ten thousand years,

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise,

than when we first begun...

Number 2:

Surprise! The International Worship Group had to give a special song to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Abott, the new missionaries in our church! Nobody knew in advance so nobody practiced any songs. Well, we kinda practiced during the Divine Service so, for the second time:

The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

as long as life endures...

Number 3:

Some of us went to "spy" the potential mission field in Nishinari, the so-called homeless church. We worshipped with 25 other precious souls. We all filled the church with praises to the Lord and together as brothers and sisters we ended the blessed worship with:

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come.

'tis grace that brought me safe thus far,

and grace will lead us home...

Indoor-Outdoor

IT has been a happy Sabbath for our international group in two worship locations!

Our Team Indonesia seized the day and enjoyed the summer while it's here. They had a fun worship at Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Toyonaka.

Meanwhile, the Filipino group (plus Barbados, Bolivia and America) gave a special song on the combined worship. And the rest of our group spent the rest of the day with more "Revelations."

Sharing Your Testimony

LAST Sabbath, we heard a message on the power of giving the accounts of our personal experiences with God. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, sharing our encounters with Christ to others is powerful and effective in leading others to Christ.

Reflections

Here's what a couple of our sisters think about the sermon given by Bro. Seth, "Twice Upon a Time."

"It's a timely and profound message that brings us close to Christ. Very practical, brief and direct to the point." -Dorah Momanyi

"Even if I don't know much about the Bible, I realized that I can still share God through my personal testimony. It's encouraging knowing that." 

-Emmie Okada

If you missed this sermon, you can check it out on our YouTube channel, OSAKA SDA.

THhe Power of Our Words

Our words can discourage or inspire, wound or heal, build up or tear down. An unknown poet wrote: “A careless word may kindle strife; A cruel word may wreck a life. A bitter word may hate instill; A brutal word may smite and kill. A gracious word may smooth the way; A joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress; A loving word may heal and bless." Solomon said it best: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Someone near you is fighting life’s battles at great odds. Look out for that person today. Instead of harsh words, speak words of comfort and encouragement to inspire them with hope.
Credit: Samuel Koranteng-Pipim (http://eaglesonline.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a263b56490405bb83081ea113&id=c3eebcea59&e=4246cc632c)

Indeed, many things erroneously done may be fixed but such rarely applies to words. Wrong words may be withdrawn but too often their impact cannot. Like a broken egg splash on a floor, it can never be taken in a better shape as before. Watch your words for their impact go far than you can imagine. Jesting, unwise jokes and unnecessary statements are to be carefully guarded against. It is said of Christ that men wondered as His words, for he spoke so much unlike the people of His day. Many people we meet daily may forget our names, but few will forget the impactful words they heard us speak-- positively or negatively. GO bless your world with your words. 

Greetings from Germany!

WE received an email from Rolf, a German brother who visited us back in March. He sent us a group picture he had taken with us and thanked us for our hospitality.

During his visit, some of us took him to a family restaurant and gave him a  プリクラ experience (^_^;)

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." 

- Hebrews 13:2

Family of God

WE welcome our new brother, Katsuhito Yamane and sister, Yukiko Okazaki in our Osaka SDA family!

Let us keep them in our prayers as they embark on this wonderful relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

😊😊😊

Also this weekend, some of us also went to Hyogo for an overnight trip and fellowship. We had a great barbecue and our hearts were glad to be away from the busyness of the city life. We basked in God's great creation and enjoy one another's company.

Join us next time!

Fortunes of Misfortunes

Alas, how often we show ingratitude for the gifts of misfortune! How frequently we display little appreciation for sorrow, disappointment, and failure! Wrapped in darkness, delivered with suddenness, and often greeted by disbelief, misfortunes are the fortunes that can easily be missed by the proud, careless, and ungrateful. Yet, through them we acquire wisdom, sympathy, humility, and a healthy dependence on God. The gifts of misfortune won't always be appreciated, but can be converted to meet our needs. Tomorrow’s fortunes are enveloped in today’s misfortunes. Let’s redeem this hidden wealth by developing attitudes of gratitude for life’s vicissitudes (Philippians 4:4-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18).-- 
Samuel Koranteng-Pipim. (http://eaglesonline.org/weekly-nuggets/nuggets-archives/)

Barbecue First!

THIS Sabbath's sermon is entitled "Barbecue First." Summer is here! Perfect time for some camping and barbecue. So what does it have to do with church?

In Acts 2:42-47, Paul gave us a picture of an authentic community:

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 So how do we get to experience such community? You guessed it right! You gotta BARBECUE FIRST! Relationships just don't happen. We need to spend time to get to know people. An authentic church knows the needs of its members and meets them. KNOWING comes first. We need to get to know one another. We need to build a loving and trusting relationship for God said that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another.

Life in Japan is fast-paced and everyone is busy--all the more reason for us to slow down and re-think our priorities. At the end of the day, God will hold us accountable with what we have done with the relationships He's given us. He will not count our possessions, or check to see what we have achieved in this life.

Our REAL Groups exists so we can fellowship, open up and get to know one another more. Let's be praying for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and for God to give us the grace to respond. The Christian life is not to be lived alone. We all need one another. Let's take time to get to know our brothers and sisters! 

This summer, lets enjoy some downtime and maybe have a barbecue party!

The Rough Mountains

There are no smooth mountains. If our mountains were smooth, they would be difficult to climb. So, when God gives us mountains to climb, He leaves them rough. The bumps and rocks along the way—the obstacles and hurdles in our path—are actually stepping stones in our mountain climb. Thank God for your rough mountains—your trials and afflictions, your temptations and setbacks, your disappointments and sorrows. Without these jagged sides of life, there'll be no maturity and growth, nor mountaintop experiences. Faith climbs rough mountains. Therefore, welcome your struggles and challenges. By faith, Caleb said: “Give me the mountain” (Joshua 14:12). May we dare to say: “Give me my ROUGH mountain.”—

Credit: Samuel Koranteng-Pipim (http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a263b56490405bb83081ea113&id=9b91377be5) 

Revelations and Celebrations

LAST Sabbath Bro. Freddy Ah-wan gave us a sermon on Revelations. He reminded us the importance of studying and understanding prophecy and last-day events.

We are happy to welcome Pastor Ryu and his family to our church. His two kids, Ena and Emyon got baptised. Yay!!!

We are also still collecting donations for Sis. Rosa's church building fund. Her home church in Bolivia needs our help. Please feel free to contact her.

The Sabbath ended with a fun visit to Mizuho Home Care Center where we sang songs to the elderly patients and met their staff, nurses and caregivers.

Indeed, the earth is filled with His glory!

Nagoya Exchange Program

A couple of Sabbaths ago, 10 International Worship Group members traveled to Nagoya to fellowship and lead the AY Program.

Here's the video of the mime skit entitled "The Body of Christ" and a fun movie of the Sabbath we spent in Nagoya with our brothers and sisters there.

Feeling or Thinking?

It’s easier to feel than to think. And many who think they’re thinking are either parroting the thoughts of others or merely re-arranging their prejudices. Thinking is hard as it forces us to analyze facts before we finalize acts. Also, conclusions based on thinking are not always pleasant. But we must think! Whenever we abdicate our ability to think, or replace it with some superficial, emotional experience, we are in danger of being deceived, deluded, or unwittingly inflicting harm on others. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Let’s learn to think! Which is why Jesus repeatedly asked, “What do you think?” (cf. Matthew 18:12; 21:28; 22:17.)-- Samuel Koranteng-Pipim. 
http://eaglesonline.org/weekly-nuggets/nuggets-archives/