Welcome to SFVHC

Come worship with us!

We at San Fernando Valley Holiness Church welcome you! We are a multi-generational church located in Pacoima, California and would be honored to have you worship with us. Founded by Japanese-American farmers in the early 20th century, we have since grown into an ethnically diverse community of believers.

Latest Announcements

Announcements July 2, 2009

• Thank you for your prayers for Pastor Roland. He returned safely to LA this past Tuesday and is back in the office.
• This Sunday’s worship service will begin our “ramp up” to Vacation Bible School. The upcoming Sunday sermons will relate to the biblical truths the children will be learning during VBS. Join as we listen to what God has to say to us all, young and old. This Sunday’s message will be, “I Will Not Be Afraid” (Exodus 3:7-15). We will also be blessed to hear from missionaries Greg and Nancy Nakamura, and will also commission (during second service) those from our church (Stan Date, JoAnn Mori, Willie Nakada) who are part of the Holiness Conference short-term missions team to Thailand.
• ATTENTION Kid Venture Kids and Parents – our KV staff will be taking a well deserved break during the Sundays in July. The Creative Arts Ministries will be leading the children in “CAM Camp II.” During the next four Sundays, all KV kids should begin their morning in “Big Church” to worship with the adults. They will be dismissed to CAM Camp during service.
• We are grateful to have had Pr. Gus Miranda, Mr. Mike Stark, and Dr. Scott Yoshikawa preach these past three Sundays and we thank them for their ministry. We will have the blessing of having Mr. Josh Kira guest speaking on July 12.
• For the latest update from Kurt Wegner in Tanzania, go to http://www.sfvhc.org/blog/?cat=29
  Kurt could use the following items:
  1. Bandaids – ¾” x 3” or larger
  — Boxes of ¾” x 3”
  — Boxes of assorted sized bandaids
  2. One-use antiseptic wipes
  3. Neosporin or similar
  5. Simple puzzles (25 – 50 pieces)
  6. Metal cars (Matchbox or similar), airplanes and or motorcycles. (The children like to build cities in the dirt with blocks and move vehicles around.)
  7. Marbles with interesting colors.
  If you’d like to help, please bring your donations to church by July 12. It’s been taking about a month for packages to reach Kurt. Thank you!
• FOR YOUR PRAYERS:
  For those attending Shuyokai. The summer conference, being held at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, began yesterday and will run through July 4. Pray for blessings in their worship, fellowship, study of God’s Word, and especially in their quiet times with the Lord. For the staff, pray that they would serve heartily as unto the Lord. Pray for their physical strength, stamina, and wisdom. Pray also for the guest speakers and other leaders.
  • Attending full time:
    Kagiwada family ( Tetsuo, Yuriko, Matthew, Paul, Christine, Daniel)
    Hiroko Kono
    Emiko Nakamura
    Takie Ono
    Mitsuyo Sakai
    Jun Toda
  • Thursday only:
    Terumi Benak
    Kazuko Morita
    Noriko Killey
  • Friday/Saturday:
    Ryoko Kashiwagi
    Sumire Sakakibara
    Hisho Uga
    Norio Yamada
• For General Conference, July 10-11, which will be preceded on July 9 by the Conference Pastors’ Meeting. Roland Hazama, Aki Kawamata, Tetsuo Kagiwada, Sumire Sakakibara, Sets Tomita, and Bryce Yokomizo will represent our church. Morris Nakamura will also be attending.

Posted: July 2nd, 2009 Read entry

Sermon – Scott Yoshikawa: Assurance

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Posted: June 28th, 2009 Read entry

Announcements – June 25, 2009

• Please join us this Sunday when Dr. Scott Yoshikawa will brings us the morning message. His message is titled, ” Assurance In God’s Family ( Romans 8: 12-17). (Dr. Yoshikawa is the son of Dr. Tom & Cathy Yoshikawa.)
• VBS All Staff Meeting this Sunday, June 28, immediately following the second service. This meeting is for everyone involved with VBS. If you are a volunteer, this meeting is for you! Lunch will be provided and the meeting will run about an hour. Join us for this fun and interactive introduction to Crocodile Dock. We’re looking for more volunteers so if you want to learn more about VBS, please come!!!

FOR YOUR PRAYERS:

• As the Mt Hermon conferences come to a close, pray that the staff would finish strong. Pray for their physical strength, stamina and good health. For the campers: continued blessing in their worship, fellowship, in their study of God’s Word, and especially in their quiet times with the Lord. Pray for safe travel as folks begin returning home this Saturday.
• Continue to pray for Pastor Roland as his class winds down. Pray for a strong finish for him too, and that these last days in Italy will refresh, renew and bless him. Pray also for safe travel as he heads back to LA.
• MISSIONS UPDATE:
  We began supporting 2 new missionaries this month. They are:
  • Les, Lynne & Garrett Ginoza (Zoe International Ministries – Chiang Mai, Thailand)
    Check out what the Ginozas are doing in Thailand at  http://ginozafamilyupdates.wordpress.com
    The Ginozas will be visiting us on August 16, 2009, along with Joy Tani, to give us an update.
  • Jessica Tekawa (Campus Crusade for Christ – Tokyo, Japan)
    To read Jess’ newsletters go to:  www.ministryupdates.org/tekawa
    For more  Jessica info see: www.jessicatekawa.com

Looking ahead: Greg & Nancy Nakamura will share at SFVHC on Sunday, July 5. We will also commission the 2009 SFV Thailand team.

Posted: June 25th, 2009 Read entry

Update from Kurt – June 2009

June 22, 2009

Dear friends,

I have been doing things I never expected. My house is becoming a playroom for primary kids. The computer lab is very important to the secondary students because it provides them with something to do that is interesting and different. I am hoping that they will learn workplace computer skills. I am called upon to nurse wounds from my meager first aid kit (I think some of these wounds are fake in order to get attention and a bandage). I had to monitor IVs for missionaries with malaria. I help to fix and improve computers for Lion of Judah,
Nassa Bible College, visiting missionaries and villagers. But, as expected, I am teaching math and we have finished the first semester.

It was difficult because I do not know how to be a good teacher, and stressful at times, especially around times of exams. There are not enough books in all subjects and students have to share. Each person, student, teacher or stranger on the bus, is special in some way. There are so many children and not enough adults to give them the attention and love that they need. Soon part II begins of the adventure God placed before me this year. Your adventure is no less wonderful.

Love, Kurt

The children at Lion of Judah have a swing. There originally were four swings but three have broken. The children do not complain that there is only one swing now, they just take turns. However, when the bell rings there is a race for the swing, and sometimes the race illegally begins before the bell rings.

Life is not easy for the children of Lion of Judah. They must work hard and they miss their families. They play with nothing except the things that they find around them.

There are two exciting things to do in Bulima – ride the piki pikis to the bus stop at Nyashimo, and climb the hill. I try to climb the hill once per week on Sunday at sunset.

These secondary students came to visit with me one day unannounced for a social visit. I don’t have enough chairs for this much company. I was so impressed with this gesture.

This child made this magnificent sculpture out of nothing but mud, Lake Victoria mud.

This is Nyashimo, where we wait for the bus that goes to Mwanza. Along the route to Mwanza the women wait and hope at the bus stops. They carefully wash and stack the produce of the day hoping that theirs will look better to the customer. They run for the buses hoping to make a sale through the windows of the bus. The taller women have a better chance.

These girls attend a Muslem high school in Mwanza. The infuence of Muslem religion is significant in the larger cities. In the city, you are awakened before dawn by the call to prayer from the tower of the mosque. This happens several times per day. The voice sings or chants the call to prayer, it is rather moving. Pray for the Muslems of Africa.

With the inspiration of two student teachers from a teacher’s college, we had a terrific talent show. These boys did formation marching and saluting at the command of their leader. Sometimes one boy turned left instead of right. Inspite of these mistakes, the marchers never smiled but took their role seriously. The audience was delighted.

Rubunda is my favorite teacher, he is head of the math teachers and so I must obey him. I gladly obey him. He also knows how to preach to children and he is loved by them. He was master of ceremonies at the talent show. Together, Rubunda and I discovered an error on the national math test for class seven. The problem was not solvable but the exam people said that 46% of the students answered correctly. There are also many mistakes in the government math books.

The German missionary women were very, very sick a few days before they were to return home. Over the year of their service they each contracted malaria multiple times. The doctor and nurse at the dispensary taught me how to monitor and administer the IV. I had to watch them day and night and to pull out the needle and blood came out and I didn’t know what to do. I never even took biology in school.

This is the busy dispensary and I made several trips back and forth carrying IV equipment. The people wait for hours, patiently for the attention of the one doctor. Most of the cases are related to malaria.

One night I found this snake trying to enter my house. When I told this story to the director, he said, “Did you kill it?”. I can’t even kill a spider. I suppose he kills them with his bare hands. “No, but I chased it away.”

From my house at night, when there is no moon, this is what you see - only the lights of the fishing boats. I think the lights attract the fish at night. On such a night, when you look up you see billions of stars and constellations unfamiliar. And the Big Dipper is upside down. I can’t remember, is the Big Dipper upside down in California?

In Mwanza there are many stores and the stores are in categories, each store type sells the same items and same brands. But the selection of items is limited so the store owners can only make a sale by giving the best deal. Their profit margin is thin. The street boys are everywhere, they sleep on the streets. I do not see any street girls, I don’t know how they survive. One boy was asleep on the street, we tried to wake him but could not. At first we thought he was dead; we left him, still asleep, a loaf of bread. But this is not the solution.

This is a school of art for street children in Nairobi. There is a great need to help the children of urban Africa. We must try.

I am now on semester break, I have been to Nairobi, stayed at a missionary house and again heard stories from brave, amazing people who sacrifice comfort and safety for the sake of the gospel. I took an exciting overnight train to the coast of Kenya and had an incredible ride on a ferry full of hundreds of Africans standing packed together, facing the same direction, and a few cars and one white man. The ferry is free, I hope, because I couldn’t see anyone paying for a ticket. Later, in town, a pick pocket stole all of my Kenya shillings, about $150 US. I remember the man bumping into me but I did not realize what had happened until I was unable to pay for my lunch. Fortunately, they didn’t arrest me for not paying for the lunch, they trusted me to go to the foreign exchange.

Now I am in Tanga, a port city in Tanzania where I met a funny, Muslem taxi driver who decided he was my self appointed tour guide. I told him I wanted to visit the island that I could see in the distance. I didn’t know what I was asking. He told me that it was deserted and noone goes there but he would take care of it. He found three young fishermen with a leaky old rowboat. They took me to the island, speaking kiswahili and made up a tour for me, showing me the ruins of a German settlement with cemetary, church and houses. It was a terrific tour but I couldn’t understand them. I was praying the whole time that they wouldn’t steal my camera and bury me on the island. Noone would know.

Here are two toilets. The first is in downtown Nairobi and says “Thinking Beyond a Toilet.” You purchase a ticket as if you were entering a movie theatre. Inside are potted plants and a personal assistant to pour water over your hands when you are ready. The second is in a Portuguese fort in Mombasa. The toilet seats are located at the top of the fort along the sides. The hole descends to the outside wall and everything trickles down the wall of the fort. This, I assume, discourages the enemy from ascending.

Forgive me, I will never again criticize Mariachi bands. It turns out that they are not the worse brass bands on earth. The worse brass bands on earth are the Tanzanian wedding brass bands. They drive in pickup trucks, 3 or 4 trombones and 3 or 4 trumpets. Behind them follows the bride and groom car. Its sounds as if none of the players has ever before this event blown into the instrument.

What more can I say? Except, perhaps, that I was tempted.

The overnight train from Nairobi to Mombasa on the coast of Kenya.

This Kenyan child, lost in the vast field, comes running, waves to the train.

Posted: June 23rd, 2009 Read entry

Sermon – Mike Stark: Other Fathers

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Posted: June 21st, 2009 Read entry

Announcements for June 18, 2009

• Thank you for your prayers for Pastor Roland. He arrived safely in Italy and sent his greeting…”Buon Giorno”. Continue to pray for Pastor Roland…that his time of studying abroad would be blessed and refreshing. Pray also for protection over Pattie who will be serving as a Special Camp aide this coming week at Mt. Hermon. Pray for Kerri & Kristi too.
• Thank you to all who helped clean the church this past Sunday. Terrific job! Special thanks to Tom & Lynda Kira for preparing the lunch for us.
• Please join us this Sunday when Mike Stark brings us a Father’s Day message, “Other Fathers”. We also invite you to join us for the special Father’s Day coffee hour. During the 11:15 service, we will have the added blessing of hearing from Christine Jones about her recent short-term mission trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Congratulations and God’s blessings to Pastor Tetsuo Kagiwada, who has accepted the pastoral position at our sister church, South Bay Japanese Christian Fellowship. August 23rd will be Sensei’s official last Sunday with us. We will have a joint worship service at 11:15 a.m., with a farewell potluck luncheon to follow.
• Please lift in prayer those attending Mt. Hermon. Pray for safe travel, for blessing in their worship, fellowship, study of God’s Word, and especially in their quiet times with the Lord. For the staff pray that they would serve heartily as unto the Lord. Pray for their physical strength and stamina, and for wisdom. Pray for the speakers and seminar leaders. A roster of those attending Mt. Hermon from SFVHC will be available at the back of Howe Hall.
  Correction: Courtney Gin and Daniel Yamashita will also be attending College Camp.
• Mark your calendars! VBS All Staff Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, immediately following the second service. Lunch will be provided. The meeting will run for about an hour. Join us for this fun and interactive introduction to Crocodile Dock. We’re looking for more volunteers so if you want to learn more, please come!!!
• How can I best serve God and the Church? Where do I fit in? These and other questions will be explored by the SHAPE class offered this summer during the Adult Sunday School Hour. SHAPE stands for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. Space is limited. Application required. See Mike Mori for details.
  PLEASE NOTE: Except for the SHAPE class, Adult Sunday School will be taking a break this summer. This will give us an opportunity to have occasional short workshops and special speakers during that hour.
• The SFV Rescue Mission has published a June Urgent Need List. It is posted at the back of Howe Hall. Because of declining revenues, the Mission is really stretched thin. Any donations would be appreciated. Please bring them to church by Sunday July 5th. Thank you for the heart for this ministry.
• HELP WANTED: We are looking for host families to house 4 members from Honolulu Christian Church who will be attending Shuyokai and then staying on to attend General Conference. Housing is needed from Saturday, July 4 – Wednesday, July 8. Guests are bilingual. Please contact the church office if you are able to help.
• This year’s Super Senior’s Summer Luncheon will have a Japanese theme. Come enjoy some Japanese games, songs and dance. Wear your kimono, yukata or hapi coat….and bring a senior friend. Please R.S.V.P. by Sunday, July 5, to Sumi, Shigeko, or Nana.
  • Date: July 11, 2009 – Saturday
    Time: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
    Place: SFV Holiness Church – Howe Hall
    Lunch: $10

Posted: June 19th, 2009 Read entry

Announcements June 11, 2009

• Pr. Roland will be abroad for the next two weeks as part of his seminary studies. Your prayers are appreciated. In his absence please contact Pr. Tetsuo or one of the deacons for pastoral concerns that arise, and Diane Date for any administrative matters. (Roland will have occasional access to email.) Preaching the next three Sundays:
  • June 14 – Pr. Gustavo Miranda of Centro Cristiano will bring message along with an update on his ministry
  • June 21 – Mr. Mike Stark will offer a Fathers’ Day message
  • June 28 – Dr. Scott Yoshikawa will continue our “Life in the Household of Faith” series with a message from the book of Romans
• THANK YOU to everyone who attended the annual congregational meeting last Sunday. And thanks, too, to all who helped make the meeting run smoothly:
  • - to Pastor Roland, Stan Date, Dale Gin, Tom Kira, Janice Nagatoshi, and Bryce Yokomizo for their helpful presentations.
  • - to the church for providing the lunch
  • - to Mel & Jane Okano for picking up the sandwiches
  • - to Grace Cheng, Mits Tomita & Rosie Yokomizo for serving lunch
• VOTING RESULTS:
  • Prop. 1 (Conference Budget) – Pass
  • Prop. 2 (Licensing Unordained Pastors) – Pass
  • Prop. 3 (Adopt revised OMS Constitution) – Pass
  • Prop. 4 (Adopt OMS Policy Manual) – Pass
  • SFVHC 2009-2010 Budget – Pass
• All Church Clean Up this Sunday, June 14, following the 11:15 service. Lunch will be provided. If you know of things that need to be repaired or cleaned, please let Lynda Kira know so we can add them to the list of things to do. Feel free to bring your own gradening or cleaning tools.
• Prayer Support Group will meet in Modular 2A this Sunday after the 11:15 service. Sometimes life overwhelms us and we need the support of others. If you would like to give and/or recieve prayer support, especially for those struggling with life or mental health issues, please join us. Questions? Contact Joy Takahashi.
• VBS (Vacation Bible School) will be held from July 20-24, from 9:00 – 12 noon. Come to the Croc Dock…the place for fun and learning about God. Register on the patio this Sunday. You may also sign up to serve or donate supplies. Hope to see you there!

Posted: June 11th, 2009 Read entry

Announcements June 4, 2009

• Our Annual Congregation Meeting will be held this Sunday, June 7 after the 11:15 service. Lunch will be provided. Please contact the church office if you would like a copy of the Conference propositions.
• Prayer for Caregivers: This Sunday at 8:00 a.m. we will have a time of prayer for those who are caregivers for family members and others. Come and allow the body of Christ to support you in prayer. Join us in the large modular.
• New Church Members: This Sunday we will be blessed to receive into church membership Hoon Cho, Scott Hamamoto, Aki Kawamata, Anna Park, Bob Park, and Anna Walker. Scott will be received during first service, the others during second.
• This Sunday’s sermon will be, “Training Children in Righteousness” (1 Samuel 3:10-14). Please join us!
• Vacation Bible School signups begin this Sunday during the coffee hour and after second service.
• All Church Cleanup: next Sunday, June 14 following the 11:15 service. Lunch will be provided. Thank you for your participation.
• Shuyokai Children’s Ministry Volunteers Needed: Shuyokai, a conference for the Japanese-speaking congregations in the Holiness Conference, is in need of high schoolers, 16 to 18 years olds to help with the Shuyokai Children’s Program. The conference will take place at Westmont College, July 1-4. Please contact Aki Kawamata if you are available to help.
• Volunteers Needed to Bake Cookies: As part of the Community Center’s Coordinating Council, our church has been asked to provide four dozen cookies for next Saturday’s CC Family Day. Leave word with the church office (818-896-1676) if you are able to assist.
• JEMS Summer Concert, this Saturday at Bread of Life Church in Torrance. Additional info: http://www.jems.org/news_calendar.html. AJ Malunao and Curtis Nagatoshi from our church will be participating.
• URGENT: JEMS Summer Mission worker(s) needed for project to Paraguay: Will be ministering to 50-60 children in Asuncion and Pirapo, Paraguay. Dates are July 2 (departure) to July 23 (return to LA). Cost is just under $3000 with fundraising available through JEMS. (JEMS accepts families. Family rate with principal costs being airfare and ministry materials only — second person’s cost would be around $1500; depending on airfare). Requirements include facility with children and ability to speak conversational Japanese or Spanish. Questions? Or if interested in serving, please contact us and we will provide you with Pastor John Katagi’s contact information.

Posted: June 4th, 2009 Read entry

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