Spiritual Formation
By Michiko Yaegashi
How have you seen God at work in your ministry over the year?
Adult Education
Sermon Lab - The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the text of the scriptures and the voices of one another. God uses our diverse religious experiences and backgrounds. The diversity is sometimes what makes the conversation so interesting. Some people enjoy engaging in questions and conversations. Some people simply come to listen which is also fine. No one has to say anything - but everybody is very welcome to speak if they want. The Spirit prompts and provokes thinking on the text before the sermon, which some people greatly enjoy.
Group Lectio Divina with Pastor Steve - God speaks to us as we listen to the Bible text quietly and prayerfully. We ponder and mull over the text, like a cow chews its cud. It is a quiet activity, but there are moments when people can share what they are hearing, if they wish. Some are silent throughout the whole time and that is fine. We listen carefully for God's invitations to us and sharing these is sometimes a highlight of our time together. People experience a calm and peaceful centering for the day. Anyone can come and just sit in and listen for God's voice. Newcomers are always welcome.
Pastoral Investigations – The bible study class went through The Historical Jesus, Apocalyptic Literature: Enoch, Faith and Science and most recently two Lenten Series.
Reading & Praying The Psalms – Through reading and praying and through sharing our thoughts and reflections, we have learned to delve deeper into the presence of God’s voice in the scriptures and our lives. We have also managed to create a community where people feel free to share their “ups and downs” on the spiritual journey.
TUC Friends Bible Study – This group started when several people, after a meeting at TUC, began talking and expressed an interest in learning more about spiritual warfare. God moved in their hearts to start a Bible study and He has been at work in the group by helping them to grow in their faith and understanding of God’s word. Also, their prayers are always uplifting and it’s been a wonderful experience for them to pray together to God. In addition, they felt God’s presence in the group through their fellowship as well.
Spiritual Life
The Prayer & Healing Ministry – We saw God at work when we heard reports of God's answers to prayers for healing, help and guidance, etc. in the feedback from the people we prayed for. Also, while preparing for the P&H Services, we felt God working in the center when the necessary wisdom, words, people, and works were given. In addition, we saw God at work when we talked in pairs about our mutual needs during the counseling practice session at the Counseling First Aid Workshop. As it was a very blessed workshop, we felt God's presence.
The Prayer Chain - The power of the Holy Spirit is felt as the prayer requests are sent out, knowing that each member of the prayer chain will be praying. Many people have thanked us for our prayers and there have been a significant number of praise reports.
Wednesday Prayer Group - We see God at work in the passion and perseverance of the members who have continually prayers over the years.
List the activities and the engagement of your ministry this past year.
Adult Education
1. Sermon Lab - A weekly Bible study that meets every evening at 6:30 PM on Tuesdays. They dig deeper into the Bible verses that will be preached on Sunday with the preacher. Everyone is welcome to ask questions, listen to other perspectives, and grow deeper in faith and understanding of the Holy text.
2. Group Lectio Divina with Pastor Steve - A time to spend listening to the Bible-slowly, quietly, attentively. Each Thursday morning at 8 am gather with Pastor Steve to listen to God’s word for the day. All comers are welcome.
3. Pastoral Investigations – A weekly study that will take place on Zoom every Wednesday at 12:00 pm with Pastor Hector. The study will wrestle with classic and modern texts from the Christian tradition. Everyone is invited to eat lunch and join the study during lunch break.
4. Reading & Praying The Psalms – Having completed a six-month process of reading the Gospel of John in the style of St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises, we have returned to reading the psalms in the same style.
5. TUC Friends Bible Study – A weekly study that meets every Wednesday at 9pm with a facilitator, Lorene Clemens. They used Pastor David Jeremiah’s sermon series on Spiritual Warfare, listening to the Word preached and discussing what they learned. After completing that series, they started using a new one called “A Life Beyond Amazing” which challenges them to make nine important decisions that will transform their hearts, lives and the world. Besides studying, they enjoy events like hiking, meals and a Christmas party. Their friendship and faith continue to grow!
Spiritual Life
1. The Prayer & Healing Ministry - Each Sunday, two members of the Prayer and Healing Ministry Team pray with those who request prayer after the 11:00 a.m. service. We also have a Prayer & Healing Worship Service twice a year, in the spring and fall. This service focuses on prayer and healing, having time for everyone to pray together. In addition, last May, we organized a Counseling First Aid Workshop and invited Dr. Joe Ozawa, who is a pastor and psychologist, to lead it. There were a large number of participants and we all learned, through his lectures and practice sessions, that in counseling it is important to listen and pray with love.
2. The Prayer Chain - The prayer requests are now posted on the prayer chain as soon as they are received, which makes the whole process easier to manage and timely. Sometimes when someone sends a prayer request through our website, saying they are interested in coming to the church, I contact the pastors about it and then they can contact the person. Also, through the prayer chain, we are able to keep in touch with current as well as past members.
3. Wednesday Prayer Group - This prayer group prayed using email on alternate Wednesdays (two or three times a month), bringing before God prayers and requests relating to TUC’s Pastors, ministries, and members, as well as the society and the world at large.