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The HERALD Newsletter

Japanese Church of Christ

268 West 100 South (Japantown Street)

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

(801) 363-3251 www.jccslc.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor Brad Kramer info@jccslc.org

Fall/Winter Schedule:

10:30 a.m. Worship Service Adult and Nichigo Bible Study

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

9:30 a.m.

Pastor’s Message January 2015

As 2014 comes to an end, I trust that you are anticipating a joyful and productive 2015. Of course, no season,

no matter how promising can fully meet all our expectations because as we are often painfully aware; life simply does not work that way. As we journey through another year, we will find certain trials and even heartache that threaten to diminish the abundant life which God has promised all those who follow Him. One of the keys, I believe in living a full life in the face of various struggles is to place our focus on the promised return of Jesus for His people. The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica seeks to assure the believers there that there is

coming a time when their Lord will rapture all Christians from the earth and take them to be with Him in glory. No one knows when this event will take place, but we can all be assured that it could happen at any time. And when it does, it will mark the end of all pain and sorrow, and the beginning of a glorious eternity. “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them (those Christians who have died), in

the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17).

This is a great reality. And even though the rapture of the church may not happen in our lifetime, the Bible tells us the moment we die; we will enter the presence of Jesus Christ. As we enter into this New Year, let us fix our eyes on our Savior and live in hopeful anticipation of the time when we will see Him face to face.

God Bless You,

Pastor Brad

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January 2015 THE HERALD

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The JCC Mission Statement To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and seek spiritual growth for the entire congregation through:

Worship, prayer, and Bible study

Outreach and evangelism Loving service to the Church

and community Fellowship

Cultural activities unique to our ethnic congregation

THE HERALD A monthly publication of the Japanese Church of Christ, Salt Lake City, UT.

Pastor Brad Kramer Session Julee Mori, Finance Lorraine Crouse, Worship Hiro Iwasaki, Stewardship Greg Paige, Personnel, Education Lynne Aramaki, Building and Grounds Karen Okawa, Membership Alan Shino, Evangelism/Missions

Deacons Jan Aramaki, Moderator

Misako Bowker, Miki Harada, Keiko Ikeda, Wilma Kimura, Lillian Nakamura, Karla Paige, Danni Uyeda

Newsletter articles are due on the last Sunday of each month at noon. Send your articles to klokawa@msn.com

Website: www.jccslc.org

Mochi Sales

Thanks to all who took time during the busy holiday season to help make

mochi on December 13 and 20. We were able to sell out both weeks. Thanks to Suzanne Hata, Danni Uyeda

and Laura Olson for spearheading the project.

Condolences

Our deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Jenshi Ogawa who passed away on December 9, 2014 and to the family of Masakazu “Sok” Shiba, who passed away on December 24. May the Lord comfort you at this time of mourning.

New Officers

A Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, December 14. The

following members were elected to office (Class of 2017):

Session: Greg Paige, Hiro Iwasaki Deacons: Misako Bowker, Danni Uyeda Board of Trustees: Rick Aoki, Doug Murakami Nominating Committee: Laura Olson, Allyn Nakashima

An installation will be held during worship service on Sunday, January 11, 2015 to introduce the new officers.

Ozoni Fundraiser

The New Year’s ozoni soup will be served on Sunday,

January 4, 2015 after worship service; cost is $5.00 per bowl. Ring in the New Year!

Mount Hermon Meeting

There will be a meeting on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 12:15

p.m. to talk about Mount Hermon fundraising, travel arrangements.

Winter Break

Adult and youth Sunday School will take a little holiday break and resume on Sunday, January 11, 2015.

Per Capita

The annual Per Capita apportionment per JCC member is $38.00. Please remit this amount by the end of January. If paying by check,

please indicate “Per Capita” on the check.

Annual Report Deadline

The deadline to submit articles for the JCC annual report is Sunday, January 25, 2015. Please send your article to Betty Kubota at bmkubota@gmail.com.

Remember in Your Prayers

Please remember the following friends and family in your prayers:

Saeko Nakashima

Susan Rosvall

Miki Harada

Yaeko Tomomatsu

Yoshiko Nakagama

Jana Hansen

Frank Imai

Eunice Kato Griffin

Robert/Colleen Warren

Wat Misaka

Ogawa Family

Shawna Johnson

Joy Hashimoto

Betty Murakami

Grace Matsumura

Kristen Kobayashi

Toshiko Marse

Naraoka Family

Utako Aramaki

Garin Harada

Frank Yoshimura

Mr. “C”

Chris Miya

Bernice Kida

Marie Matsukawa

Grace Oshita

Cristal Aoki

Carleen Maholmes

Lillian Nakamura

Steve Koga

Jessie Lamb

Wayne Pendergrass

Shiba Family

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St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen

Our church was well represented at the soup kitchen in 2014 by the following team of happy, dedicated volunteers: David Harada,

Keiko Ikeda, Wilma Kimura, Betty Murakami, Ted & Yeiko Nagata. They were and are a wonderful group representing the church. Thank You, Team!

We also thank our volunteers who substituted when someone on the team couldn't make it: Miki Harada, Jean Kobayashi, Daisy Miele,

Jeanette Misaka, Betty Morishita, Susan & Koji Nagata Brown, Alli Nakamura, and Pat Otterbein. Of note, David Harada, Kay and Edith's son, started as a substitute and enjoyed it so much he's now a "regular." We're pleased! If you would like to be a part of the "fun,"

please tell someone on the team.

Congratulations

A conferment ceremony in honor of Judge Raymond Uno was held at the Grand America Hotel on December 6, 2014, in which Judge Uno received the Imperial decoration, “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.” Dr.Jeanette Misaka, a recipient of the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan in 2013, and Dr.William Higuchi, a recipient of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2011 were also recognized.

Judge Uno’s long time dedication in preserving Japanese heritage and sharing traditional Japanese culture in Utah was commended. Congratulations to all for their outstanding achievements. _______________________________________________________

Save Your Pop Tops!

The collection of soda can "Pop Tops" was started many years ago by Rose Kanzaki and were donated to help with dialysis expenses. In the past few years, pop tops have been donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Sadie Yoshimura’s neighbor is collecting them now for a donation project. Please save your pop tops and give them to Sadie.

Construction Update

A chapel building committee meeting will be held after worship service on

Sunday, January 4, 2015. ______________________________

Culture Classes for 2015

We will take a break from a Culture

Class in January. If there is a topic that you would like to learn about, let either Lorraine Crouse or Karen Okawa know. If you have a topic of interest that you would like to demonstrate or lecture on, please let us know as well!

In 2014, we learned about Japanese gardens, bonsai, origami, ikebana, temari balls, and Sho-Chiku-Bai. A special thanks to Gordon Hashimoto, Theresa Mori-Sueoka, Judy Iwamoto, Toshiko Marse and Ken Yamane for taking the time to teach us more about

the Japanese culture. _______________________________

Healthy New Year

From Reader’s Digest

Welcome the New Year with a renewed commitment to living healthy with “wellness” resolutions in 2015:

Control your portions Be active Control sodium consumption

Increase antioxidants Quit smoking Floss your teeth Wear sunscreen all year Strengthen with exercise Expect good things from yourself

January 2015 THE HERALD

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January 2015 - Worship Service Participants

January 4

January 11

January 18

Music Worship January 25

Liturgist Rick Aoki Ron Nishijima Hiro Iwasaki Greg Paige

Scripture Readers

E) Zach Paige J) Yeiko Homma

E) Nichole Kramer J) Keiko Ikeda

E) Alex Okawa J) Toshiko Marse

E) Tyler Uyeda J) Shigeko Ota

Greeter Karla Paige Sadie Yoshimura Nob Iwamoto Keiko Mori

Ushers Misako Bowker Motoko Lochner

Lorraine Crouse Joe Ota

Barry Nakamura Frank Yoshimura

Lorraine Crouse Al Kubota

Barry Nakamura

Opening Music Brian Itliong Brad Kramer

Brian Itliong Brad Kramer

Brian Itliong Brad Kramer

JCC Worship Band

Organist/Pianist Greg Paige Allyn Nakashima Yas Iwamoto Misako Bowker

Offeratory Music Greg Paige Victor Homma

Laura Olson

Yas Iwamoto Nichigo Choir

Acolyte Nichole Kramer Nichole Kramer Alex Okawa Tyler Uyeda

Communion Servers

Al Kubota Ron Nishijima Laura Olson

--- --- ---

Ed Bldg Monitor Tosh Nakaya Barry Nakamura Dylan Johnson ---

January Event Calendar Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Prayer meeting: every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Agape meeting: 2nd Sunday of the month

Taiko practice: Mon & Fri evenings at 6:00 p.m. Deacon’s meeting: 1st Sunday of the month

January Event Time

4, Sunday Ozoni Fundraiser After worship service

Building Committee Meeting After worship service

11, Sunday Sunday School resumes 9:30 a.m.

Installation of New Officers 10:30 a.m.

Mount Hermon Meeting 12:15 p.m.

15, Thursday Session Meeting 6:00 p.m.

20, Tuesday St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen 11:15 a.m.

25, Sunday Herald Deadline Noon

Annual Reports Due Noon

January Birthdays 5 Tyler Uyeda

7 Josef Sueoka

Shigeko Ota

13 Frank Imai

Joe Ota

14 Miya Titmus

15 Sumiko Rosvall

16 Larry Harada

Grace Nakamura

19 Toshiko Marse

20 Dani Murakami

26 Miki Harada

Kay Nakashima

31 Michael Darger

Upcoming Community Events

Christ Women United Annual Meeting The Christ Women United annual meeting will be held on Friday, January 30, 2015. Registration will be from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $1.00. The location is First Baptist Church, 777 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City. Election and installation of CWU officers, tea, social, fellowship.

For Community Outreach – Please bring socks and underwear for men, women

and children; pots and pans; baby diapers, baby food and wipes. Cash donations accepted – checks payable to “Church Women United” designated for Crossroads Urban Center. Free-will Offering: Stays with Local SLC / Bountiful CWU unit: Checks payable to “Church Women United.”

Utah JA History Book Reprint This book was last published in 1997, but documents 100 years of Japanese in Utah. Call Jane Sakashita (801) 582-0560 or National JACL Credit Union to

obtain a copy. $50 each; hardbound, 296 pages.

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Greetings from Truckee

Elaine Iwasaki wanted to share this photo that she and Hiro received from Utako Aramaki, who moved to Truckee, CA to

be with her eldest daughter Diane and son-in-law Finn. Utako is doing well in her new home. (Photo: Utako Aramaki and son-in-law Finn Horve.)

Christmas Wrap Up

Christmas events began Sunday morning, December 20 with worship service and lighting of the Advent wreath. Later in the evening, the annual potluck and Christmas

program were held. See more photos on Page 6 and on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. (Greg Paige has a set part-time job once he reaches retirement age…) On Christmas Eve, a candle lit chapel provided the setting for a joyous service with soup and dessert afterwards.

JCC choir was led by Mr. C.

Tyler Uyeda and Alex Okawa light the candle of Love. (Photos courtesy: Ron Nishijima)

Elise Mori performs. Nate Fukumitsu, Elizabeth Ward

The Wise Men: Zach Paige, Dylan Johnson and Josh Uyeda.

Culture Class – Sho-chiku-bai

On December 7, Theresa Mori-Sueoka showed us how to make a Sho-Chiku-Bai arrangement to display in our homes to welcome in the New Year with good luck. A full house attended the class and created beautiful arrangements of pine, bamboo and plum.

Teacher Theresa and Yeiko Homma (Photo courtesy: Lorraine Crouse)

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Photos With the Man in Red Thanks to Ron Nishijima who took all of the photos at the Christmas events. More photos are displayed on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

Rowan Erlacher isn’t too sure about this guy.

Santa’s helpers – Carson and Akemi Kawabata

Santa shares a laugh with sisters Yeiko Homma and Keiko Mori.

Saeko and Kay Nakashima

The Nishijima Family

Arlene and Rick Aoki

Al and Betty Kubota, Kory, Alan and Abi (front) Shino