Thanksgiving party

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Itayanagi Chapel last Thursday (November 23). It was a great time of fellowship. We enjoyed a turkey lunch as a congregation while watching performances performed by various church members. There was singing, guitar playing, and a not-so-subtle magic show. At one point the whole congregation was even playing scissors-rock-paper with a tall, green frog-man!

Thank God for the enjoyable time we had, and ask God that he will continue strengthening the fellowship we share in. Thank Him with us for his faithfulness in blessing Itayanagi Chapel through all these years.

The Deck has Returned

The deck between the church and the house has been used very extensively by kids from parenting class, english class and the church. So it was a sad day when it was dismantled in order to build the kitchen. July saw the rebuilding of deck and hauling in of the play house.

The swings, and playhouse roof are coming. Any one want to come and help with projects.

Fireworks

Fireworks is an integral part of summer activities in Japan. During the last camp, the youth worked hard and came up with a sentence. Do you know what it spells?

Is it true of you?

Nagashi Somen

It was a lot of fun. Waht is nagashi somen- well somen is a thin noodle, and nagashi means to run or flow.

Usually bamboo is used but we makeshifted a couple of eavestroughs and ran water down it. Then the somen was released bit by bit. People were lined up with chopsticks trying to catch their evening meal.

Cross Village

The chapel first started holding events called Cross Village in November 2007.

There were 13 people who displayed and sold their wares or had workshops. Martin did a stained glass workshop. Ruth Mae baked lots of goodies and sold them. About 100 non-churched people attended the event.

Cosmos Meeting

This small group meets every 2 weeks. The group is made up of those who cannot make it out to the monthly mens night and ladies night out. So it is made up of 5 seniors and a man in his 40's who comes by bicycle who prefers to ride in daylight.
We have been working our way through Johns gospel- at the current rate it will take us over a year. Whenever Martin is able to make it, which is about 20 of the 26 times, he gives a 15 minute exposition and then we talk about the passage. After about 45 minutes pass, there is a prayer time for the church. Its a rally cool time of connecting with Jesus and each other.

Swiss Night

Beat Richenbach has been our short termer since February. His time is wrapping up and so we wqanted to have a time to invite his friends and church contacts. He cooked all day May 16th and 17th and put on a spread. There were 49 in attendance- half nonchurched people. He gave a powerpoint presentation on Switzerland. The hilight was the 7 minute video clip of his hometown- wow!!! It would be hard to be impressed by scenery anywhere else after growing up there. He then gave a clear presentation of the meaning of the cross using the Swiss flag.Beat leaves us June 8th. We appreciated his servant heart.