For Your Prayer, Information & Consideration – January 26, 2012

January 26, 2012 – 4:26 pm

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

• A Reminder that beginning this Sunday, the English-speaking congregation will meet for worship in the Sanctuary, and the Nichigobu will meet in Howe Hall.
• Please join us this Sunday for a baptism service at 11:00 in the Sanctuary. Candidates include Jonathan Hernandez, Joshua Hernandez, Gary Ogimachi, and Linda Ogimachi. The Nichigobu will join the baptism segment of the service. Pastor Roland will conclude the “New Beginnings, New Vision” sermon series with the message, “Making Disciples” (Matt. 28:18-20).
• Adult Sunday School (9:30-10:30) continues. Join Takeshi Nakazawa’s class, “The Creation of Man and the World We Live In” (meeting in the Sanctuary) or Bryce Yokomizo’s class (and prayer time) regarding church vision and mission (meeting in large modular).
• San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. A list of food items urgently needed by the SFV Rescue Mission is posted at the back of Howe Hall. Sign up to donate any of the items and bring them to church by Sunday, Feb. 5.
• Women’s Spring Breakfast will be held here at SFVHC (Howe Hall), on Saturday, March 10 (8:00 – 11:30 a.m.). Come and enjoy a great time of fellowship, food, crafts, and a message about “Living Intentionally” from Carrie Carmichael. Contact Cora Sagara or Diana Kim with any questions and for registration forms. Registrations are due by February 25.
• Short-term Mission Opportunities
 SFVHC will send a team to Chino, Japan July 25 – August 6. We encourage teens and families to also prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve the Lord and share the gospel. Applications due date: March 4.
 The OMS Holiness Churches is recruiting a team (27 members) from Conference churches for a short-term mission project in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Zoe International Ministries, July 17-28. Applications should be submitted to Stan Date by 2/1/2012. Contact Stan with any questions. Also see the info sheet in Howe Hall.
• Our condolences to the family of Machiko Ogawa who went home to the Lord today. Her family, including sisters Etsuko Hashimoto and Emiko Sekine, are grateful that she was a believer and know they will see her again. Pray for the Lord’s comfort as they will miss her greatly in the meantime.
• The memorial service for Setsuko Sugimura will be this Saturday, January 28, 5:00 p.m. at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church. Your continued prayers for this family are appreciated. If you would like to carpool, please contact the church office.

The passing of a loved one causes a great sadness. But there is great comfort in knowing that through faith in Jesus Christ that there is life everlasting. Such is the comfort the Ogawa and Sugimura families have. May God grant us a sense of urgency to proclaim the gospel to the world, that they might know the love of God through Jesus in this world and the next.

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For Your Prayers, Information and Consideration – January 20, 2012

January 21, 2012 – 4:59 pm

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Announcements in brief…
Growing in the Word
§  Sunday’s message: our  church’s Mission Statement, “Bringing Christ to Every Heart” (Eph. 1:15-24)
§  Adult Sunday School (9:30-10:30) class options: (1) “The Creation of Man and the World We Live In” (2) Prayer for and Q&A regarding our church vision/mission statement.
Special Events
§  Baptism Service January 29 during 11:00 service. Candidates include Jonathan Hernandez, Joshua Hernandez, Gary Ogimachi, and Linda Ogimachi.
§  Worship Venue Change. Beginning January 29th the English-speaking congregation will meet for worship in the sanctuary, the Nichigobu in Howe Hall.
§  Women’s Spring Breakfast. March 10, 8-11:30 a.m.
Fulfilling the Great Commission
§  Short-term Mission to Chino, Japan (July 25-August 6). Information meeting this Sunday, 12:30. RSVP for lunch (reply to this email). We encourage teens and families to also prayerfully consider the opportunity.
§  Short-term Mission to Chiang Mai, Thailand (July 17-28). A Holiness Conference-Zoe partnership.
§  Feeding the Hungry. Support our partnership with the SFV Rescue Mission. See sign up in Howe Hall for food items needed.
§  Making Disciples. Pray for our students who attended Winter Vision and our members who served on staff, for them grow strong in the ways of the Lord.
Our prayers and condolences to the family of Setsuko Sugimura who went home to the Lord on Thursday evening. Setsuko is the wife of Rev. Tsukasa (“Scotty”) Sugimura who was our church’s Nichigo pastor previously. She endured many health challenges through the years (including a heart transplant). We rejoice she is with Jesus and we pray for God’s comfort upon her family (daughter Joy’s wedding is next month). Service for Setsuko will be held on Saturday, January 27, 5:00 p.m. at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church.
Announcements in detail…
§  Sunday Sermon. Pr. Roland preached from Matt. 16:24-28 last Sunday regarding our church’s vision, “Loving Christ More Than Life.” In Part 2 of this “New Beginnings, New Vision” series we will see what the Word has to say about our church’s mission statement, i.e., how we will, by God’s grace, see God’s vision for us unfold.
§  Adult Sunday School. This will be a five week series. Takeshi Nakazawa will teach the Creation class. Discussions include, “Does science disprove the Bible?” “Why did God create us?” “Why are we man and woman?” Pr. Roland will lead the “Vision” class providing church members the opportunity to discuss, ask questions, and pray for our vision and mission statement. On January 29, Bryce Yokomizo will teach regarding vision and mission statements in general (something he does as an instructor at CSUN), tailoring it for a church/ministry perspective.
§  Baptism service. It’s been a while since we’ve had baptisms during service so we will be blessed to celebrate baptism as an expression of worship. The Nichigo will also join us for the front end of service up through the baptisms.
§  Venue change. Church leadership, both English and Nichigo, are united in making this switch in worship service meeting locations. Doing so will serve the needs of both congregations; your patience during the transition will be appreciated.
§  Women’s Spring Breakfast will be held here at SFVHC (Howe Hall), on Saturday, March 10 (8:00 – 11:30 a.m.). Come and enjoy a great time of fellowship, food, crafts, and a message about “Living Intentionally” from Carrie Carmichael. Questions? Contact Cora Sagara or Diana Kim.
 
§  Short-term Mission Opportunities
o    SFVHC will send a team to Chino, Japan July 25 – August 6 (note date change). We encourage teens and families to also prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve the Lord and share the gospel. Information meeting will be held this Sunday, Jan.22, 12:30 p.m. in the KV room. Lunch will be provided. Contact Diane Date if you plan to attend so we can have a head count for food and materials. Applications due date: March 4.
o    The OMS Holiness Churches is recruiting a team (27 members) from Conference churches for a short-term mission project in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Zoe International Ministries, July 17-28. Applications should be submitted to Stan Date by 2/1/2012. Contact Stan for with any questions. Also see the info sheet in Howe Hall.
 
§  San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. A list of food items urgently needed by the SFV Rescue Mission is posted at the back of Howe Hall. Sign up to donate any of the items and bring them to church by Sunday, Feb. 5.
§  Growing Disciples for Jesus. Please pray for our junior and senior high school students who attended the Winter Vision Conference last weekend. Pray also for those who served on staff. May they all grow strong in being “WORD-ly” Christians, i.e., Christians committed to know and live the Word of God.
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For Your Prayers, Information and Consideration – January 12, 2012

January 12, 2012 – 6:26 pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
• Please join us at this Sunday’s worship service when Pastor Roland brings the morning message, “Loving Christ More Than Life” (Matthew 16:
  24-28).
• Please pray for our students and those serving on staff who will be attending this year’s Winter Vision Conference. It begins tomorrow, Jan.
  13 and runs through Jan. 16.
• Women’s Spring Breakfast will be held here at SFVHC (Howe Hall), on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. Come and enjoy a
  great time of fellowship, food, crafts, and a message about “Living Intentionally” from Carrie Carmichael. Questions? Contact Cora Sagara or
  Diana Kim.
• Opportunity to Help: A list of food items urgently needed by the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission is posted at the back of Howe Hall. Sign
   up to donate any of the items and bring them to church by Sunday, February 5. Thank you for your heart for the homeless.

• Short-term Mission Opportunities:                                                                                                                                                                                                 SFVHC will be sending a short-term mission team to Chino, Japan again this summer. NEW DATES for the mission: July 26 – August 6. Information meeting: Jan.22, 12:30 p.m. in KV room. Lunch will be provided. Contact Diane Date, by Jan. 18 if you plan to attend so we can prepare enough food. Applications due: March 4, 2012.

The OMS Holiness Churches us currently recruiting a team of up to 27 members representing all of the Conference churches to serve on a short-term mission project in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Zoe International Ministries, from July 17-28, 2012. Application due date: 2/1/2012. Questions? Contact Stan Date.

See flier at the back of Howe Hall for more details.

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For Your Prayers, Information & Consideration – January 5, 2012

January 5, 2012 – 5:34 pm

January 5, 2012


Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Please be in prayer for:
• Our deacons, trustees, and church staff as they attend the Leaders’ Retreat this weekend to pray about, discuss, and make plans regarding our church’s vision. The retreat will begin on Friday evening and conclude on Sunday afternoon.

In the absence of our pastors, we will be blessed to hear a message from guest speaker, Dr. Don Harada, an elder at Community Christian Alliance Church. Please join us at this Sunday’s worship service!

• Our Nichigo brothers and sisters who will be attending the SoCal Nichigo Shinnen Seikai (New Year’s meeting) this Friday through Saturday in Ontario.

• Jennifer Trax and her family. Jen’s father, Ken Johns, went home to the Lord yesterday afternoon. Pray for Jen, Dave, Kenny, Sarah, Jeri (Jen’s sister) and her husband. The family has been through much (Dave’s brother Dan’s passing is still fresh on their hearts).

• Kristi Hazama who left today to return to her ministry in Kasukabe, Japan. 

• The Winter Vision staff as they make their final preparations for the upcoming retreat and for the students who will be attending.
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For Your Prayers, Information and Consideration – December 22, 2011

December 22, 2011 – 4:03 pm

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Please join us as we celebrate the advent season!
Saturday, Dec. 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., Howe Hall
Sunday, Dec. 25: Christmas Sunday Worship Service, 11:00 a.m. Pastor Roland will bring us the morning message. We’d like families to worship Jesus together on this special Sunday so there will be no KidVenture and no nursery care. Also there will be no coffee hour.
Sunday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Worship Service, 11:00 a.m.
Celebration of Communion
Again, we’d like families to worship together so no KidVenture, no nursery care, and no coffee hour.
Thank you, again, to all who participated in and assisted with the KidVenture Christmas program last Sunday. You all did such a great job in telling the Christmas story in a memorable way! Special thanks to Daniel Yamashita for producing and directing the original presentation. Also to Mitsu Asaoka and helpers for the wonderful Christmas coffee hour treats!
Remember to pray for those who have lost loved ones. During the holidays, the absence of a loved one can be an especially painful time.
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For Your Prayers, Information, and Consideration – December 15, 2011

December 15, 2011 – 6:36 pm

December 15, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Please join us as Pastor Raynold brings us the morning message: “The Humility of Jesus” (Luke 1:26-38. 2:1-7). The Kid Venture Christmas Program will be held this Sunday at 9:30 am in Howe Hall. Everyone, all ages in both English and Nichigo congregations are encouraged to attend. Invite family and friends to see an original presentation by Daniel Yamashita. Watch the Christmas story unfold. After the program, please join us for a special Christmas coffee hour!
Our missionary to Machida, Diane Date, returned safely Tuesday morning. We look forward to hearing about her mission; in the meantime, pray for her adjustment back to life and ministry back home.
Youth Group Christmas Party: Parents and families are invited to join Side By Side and Lamplighters for a Christmas celebration tomorrow, December 16, 7:00 pm in Howe Hall. Bring 2 or 3 (or more!) wrapped white elephant gifts per person for our group game. The more the merrier! Contact Erika Yamasaki with any questions.
24/7 Christmas Get Together: December 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Hazamas. Food will be provided but bring a white elephant Christmas gift. Come for a time of fellowship, worship, and sharing regarding what’s in store for this ministry in 2012! All college students and young adults are welcome. Contact Tommy Patikamanant or Lauren Yokomizo to rsvp and/or for more information.
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For Your Prayers, Information, and Consideration – December 8, 2011

December 8, 2011 – 4:37 pm

December 8, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent. Please join us as Pastor Raynold brings us the morning message: “The True Story of Jesus” (Luke 1:1-4, 24:18-27).
All Church Potluck Christmas Dinner & Concert is almost here! See you this Saturday, December 10. Dinner at 5:00 pm, concert at 7:00 pm. Potluck assignment by last name: A-H: Dessert / I-N: Main Dish / O-Z: Side Dish/Salad. Invite a friend!
Super Senior Christmas Luncheon will be held Saturday, December 17, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm in Howe Hall. Come, relax, enjoy and invite a senior friend. Please RSVP by Sunday, December 11 to Sumi Kimura, Shigeko Inaba or Nana Nishida.
Kid Venture Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 18 at 9:30 am in Howe Hall. Everyone, all ages in both English and Nichigo congregations are encouraged to attend. Invite family and friends to see an original presentation by Daniel Yamashita. Watch the Christmas story unfold.
Nichigo Family Christmas Dinner will be held on Sunday, December 18 at 5:30 pm in Howe Hall. Cost $7. Sign up sheet is at the back of Howe Hall. Questions? Contact Soo Todd
Missionary Updates
  • Continue to pray for Diane Date as she concludes her short-term work with the Machida church and Joy Tani. She will be returning to LA on Sunday morning
Prayerfully consider a monetary Christmas gift for our missionaries as an expression of love and appreciation for their continued work for God’s kingdom.
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For Your Prayers, Consideration, Information – Dec 1, 2011

December 1, 2011 – 12:39 pm
This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Dan Christian of Evergreen Baptist Church-SGV. His message: ”The Heart of Adoption” (Romans 8: 22-25). We will also celebrate communion together.

All Church Potluck Christmas Dinner & Concert is almost here! See you Saturday, December 10. Dinner at 5:00 pm, concert at 7:00 pm. Potluck assignment by last name: A-H: Dessert / I-N: Main Dish / O-Z: Side Dish/Salad. Help sign ups are in the back of Howe Hall. Invite a friend!

GriefShare “Surviving the Holidays” If you or someone you know are grieving the loss of a loved one, allow the Lord and others to come alongside you. The next meeting will be Sunday Dec. 4, 9:00-10:30 am in the Small Modular. For more information, contact Lynn Mori.

For your prayers:

§  The family of Dave Trax, upon the passing of his brother, Dan.
§  The family of Yone and Jane Takehara, upon the passing of their grandson, Dane Pujol.
§  Pastor Raynold and the youth ministry staff as they have a planning retreat this weekend.

Missionary Love Offering. Prayerfully consider a monetary Christmas gift for our missionaries as an expression of our love and appreciation for their continued work for God’s kingdom. Indicate “Missionary Love Offering” on your check payable to SFVHC.

 Master Plan Update and Prayer Requests. If you were not able to attend last Sunday’s meeting, here are some highlights:

§  Our Master Plan Committee has reviewed, recommended changes, and approved the revised designs prepared by our Architects, TamStudio. They have been meeting with the City Planning, Building and Safety, and Fire Departments for preliminary approvals.

§  Timeline Estimates: June 2012, secure necessary approvals -> July 2012, solicit contractor proposals -> September 2012, begin construction

§  Prayer Requests

1.     That what we build would honor God and the Gospel message of Jesus Christ; that the Lord would lead us to manage the plans and construction of our building well.
2.     For our architects, as they develop building concepts to meet our needs; that the very challenging City Planning approval process will go smoothly.
3.     That the financial needs of our Master Plan would be met, based on our “Building a Life of Faith” Campaign.

May the Lord grant you peace and hope in whatever might stir fear in or weigh on your heart, for our Savior has come and He is Christ the Lord.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

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For Your Prayers, Information and Consideration – November 23, 2011

November 23, 2011 – 2:29 pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is good to give thanks to the LORD
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning
And Your faithfulness by night…
(Psalm 92:1-2)

We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. May we pause to remember to give thanks to God for His faithfulness…and to pray especially for those who begin the holiday season without loved ones who have passed away. May they, and all of us, hold fast to God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness.
Advent Sunday, November 27
  • Master Plan Update and Prayer, 9:30 am, Howe Hall
  • Worship Service: Guest speaker Pastor Gavin Kajikawa of Lighthouse Community Church will preach, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:12-17). We will also commission Diane Date for her short-term mission to Evergreen Chapel, Machida, Japan
Operation Christmas Child: Thank you to everyone for participating in “Operation Christmas Child”! Three hundred thirty eight shoe boxes were delivered to Samaritan’s Purse! Many children will be blessed by your shoe boxes. Thanks to the Saturday AM Men’s Group for spearheading this project and to Amy for organizing the packing party!

Missionary Love Offering: Prayerfully consider a monetary Christmas gift for our missionaries as an expression of our love and appreciation for their continued work for God’s kingdom. Indicate “Missionary Love Offering” on your check payable to SFVHC. May the Lord bless you for supporting his faithful workers.

Continue to Pray for the family of Hamako Nagai who went home to the Lord. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. at Fukui Mortuary.

GriefShare “Surviving the Holidays” If you or someone you know are grieving the loss of a loved one, allow the Lord and others to come alongside you. The next meeting will be Sunday Dec. 4, 9:00-10:30 am in the Small Modular. For more information, contact Lynn Mori .

All Church Potluck Christmas Dinner & Concert. Saturday, December 10. Dinner at 5:00 pm, concert at 7:00 pm. Potluck assignment by last name: A-H: Dessert / I-N: Main Dish / O-Z: Side Dish/Salad
Help sign ups are in the back of Howe Hall
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For Your Prayers, Information, and Consideration – November 17, 2011

November 17, 2011 – 5:41 pm
Dear Brothers and Sisters

Supporting Our Missionaries. This Sunday our Adult Sunday School prayer time (9:30-10:30) will focus on missions and missionaries. Please join us as we pray for our missions program here and for the missionaries we support.
(Note to Koinonia groups: Why not use this time to come together to pray for the missionary your group adopted?)
Also, each year, our church takes a love offering for our missionaries (aka Christmas in November). These gifts are for the missionaries themselves, and not necessarily for their ministry. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show them how much we care for them and appreciate their continued work for God’s kingdom. You can contribute to the love offering by noting so on your offering envelope or check, or by placing your check directly in the “Missionary Love Offering” envelope at the back of Howe Hall.
 
Please join us this Sunday:
• Prayer Meeting (8:45-9:20 am) in Modular 1A. All are welcome.
• Kid Venture (9:30 am) Children’s program for K-6th graders, Education Bldg.
• Adult Sunday School (9:30 am) in Howe Hall – This week’s focus will be on prayer for missions and missionaries. Please join us!
• Worship Service (11:00 am) Join us as Pastor Roland brings us the morning message, “Devoted to Prayer and the Word” (Acts 6:1-7).
The SFVHC Christmas Program is Back! Our KidVenture children’s ministry is preparing a wonderful program that will be presented on Sunday, December 18, at 9:30 a.m. All children ages K-6th are welcome to join KV and participate in this event. Filming continues this Sunday, 9:30.
Baptism Class was held last Sunday. If you are interested in learning more about baptism it’s not too late. Contact Pastor Roland. Baptism service will be held on January 8, 11:00 am.

Advent 2011 begins next Sunday, November 27. We will be blessed to have Pastor Gavin Kajikawa of Lighthouse Community Church as our guest speaker.

GriefShare “Surviving the Holidays”: The Lord blessed the gathering that took place last Sunday, comforting and encouraging those present. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, allow the Lord and others to come alongside you. The next meeting will be Sunday Dec. 4, 9:00-10:30 am in the Small Modular. For more information, contact Lynn Mori (lmori1244@yahoo.com / 818.248.0860).

Operation Christmas Child (OCC): Thank you for participating in “Operation Christmas Child”. We want to invite you to our Packing Party this Sunday, November 20 after the worship service. Come help us pack some shoeboxes! Reminder: THE GIFT SHOE BOXES ARE DUE THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH. They will be delivered to Samaritans Purse after church that afternoon. Contact Willie Nakada or Stan Date if you have any questions.
Our Prayers and Condolences to the family of Hamako Nagai who went home to the Lord last Friday. We shall miss our dear sister in Christ. Hamako’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. at Fukui Mortuary (707 East Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012, 213-626-0441).

Upcoming Dates:
November
27Master Plan Update, Presentation, and Prayer, 9:30 am, Howe Hall
December
4 GriefShare meeting, 9:00 am
10 All Church Potluck Christmas Dinner & Concert, 5:00 pm
17 Super Seniors’ Christmas Luncheon, 11:30 am
18 Kid Venture Christmas Program, 9:30 -10:30 am, Howe Hall
Family Christmas Dinner (presented by our Japanese speaking dept.) 5:30 – 7:30 pm, All are invited! Cost: $7/person, children
under 11 yr. are free!
24 Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm
25 Christmas Sunday Worship Service (No Kid Venture, No Coffee Hour)
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