SPIRIT. Gardena Valley Baptist Church A HEARTH. by Chris Koga, Assistant Pastor College

Transcription

1 Gardena Valley Baptist Church Issue 15 August 10, 2009 GVBC MISSI ON STATEMEN T Helping people discover Jesus and beco me His fully devoted followers. GVBC PURPOSE STATEMEN T At GVB C, we se ek to glorify God by: ~ reaching the world for C hrist ~uniting as His family ~worshiping Him with our lives ~growing in C hrist-like character ~and serving others in love. Inside this issue: GVBC s Basketball Ministry By Tak Shimazaki Bingo Did Our Church Body Good Profile of Larry Sanders by Kathy Aiso Family News Mission Field FYI: Events Calendar Seminarian Golf Tournament Membership Review Process SPIRIT A HEARTH FOR THE GOSPEL by Chris Koga, Assistant Pastor College went on my first overseas missions trip as a freshmen in college I because of a girl named Tanya (and no it wasn t because I liked her). She sat across the table from me in the Biola University cafeteria as she was telling me about her first short-term missions experience. I was a freshman in college and she was a sophomore and she had just spent the summer with street kids and orphans in Romania. I was hooked by her words as she recounted every little detail about her short-term mission trip. A while into our conversation she said, I love them. What else am I going to do? Just sit here and do nothing for them? I gotta go back. I gotta do something. The problem for her at the time was there were many well-intentioned people in her life (including her parents) who said to her, You re just young. You re just a girl. Just wait till you grow up and settle down and then you can figure out what you want to do. Thinking back on that experience, I understand what other people were saying, but I also understand at that moment, she possessed something many people in the church need more of a genuine heart to spend her life for the Gospel. Now in thinking about all of this, I m not implying those well-intentioned people did anything wrong. I know it s hard being a parent and I don t yet fully know the difficulties of what it s like to have a son or daughter at that stage of life. I just think about this and I wonder if we don t do enough to encourage young people with the same sense of urgency for the Gospel today. I share this because there is an opportunity coming up on the horizon to encourage young people in this regard which is the Urbana 09 Missions Conference hosted by InterVarsity on December 27 31, During the five days of Urbana, participants will hear about cutting-edge issues and be encouraged to explore shortterm and vocational opportunities in God s global mission. Our church has always been so supportive in sending a team of people to attend the conference and we hope this year will be no different as you will likely hear about our upcoming fundraiser in the coming month. Thanks and God bless you all for your continued support of our young people and for your partnership in the Gospel. His servant, Pastor chris Koga

2 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My words and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life... John 5:24. Wow, did you see that slam dunk? Another nolook, behind-the-back pass for a reverse jam. Amazing! He made a half court shot at the buzzer! This is the above-the-rim game we saw in the NBA finals. While our guys and gals are definitely playing below-the-rim, this does not stop us from experiencing fellowship and exercise and just thanking our Lord for the availability of our community hall/gym. Our basketball ministry seeks to reach out to non-christian ballers, introducing them to Christian guys and gals who enjoy recreation and friendly competition. On any given Wednesday evening, thirty-five to forty players break sweat, race back and forth with our tongues hanging out and convincing ourselves this beats staying home, watching TV. Unanimously we all agree, It absolutely does! All successful ministries have one common trait, deeply rooted spiritual leadership. Our Basketball Ministry is no exception with Yosh Amano, chairperson, Aki Ogura, vice-chair, Kent Komae, evangelism, Nikola Lakin, statistician, and myself (Tak Shimazaki), correspondence. These GVBC members have committed numerous hours in putting this recreational program together focusing on outreach. Testimonies by our players are a meaningful avenue to bring seekers to Jesus. Yosh Amano gave a heartfelt testimony last year on controlling anger while playing basketball. Kent Komae related how fitness may have saved his older brother, Pastor Stan Komae, from a tragic and unexpected heart attack. Rodney Tanaka eloquently walked us through his early carnal life and how he found purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ. Rod is currently serving the homeless in downtown Los Angeles. Gerald Mayewaki, recently baptized at GVBC, shared how God continues to bless him by showing him why Christian fellowship is so important for spiritual growth. If anyone wishes to run, sweat and meet members of our congregation through basketball, please join us any Wednesday night this summer. Men and women over 35 years play from 6:00 8:00 PM. All younger men play from 8:00 10:00 PM. For more information contact any of the above ministry leaders via the church office. Page 2 SPIRIT

3 On Saturday, July 18, approximately 130 children and adults attended GVBC s Bingo Does A (Church) Body Good. A great time was had by young and old alike as they spent the evening playing bingo and feasting on burritos and brownie sundaes. Special thanks goes to the Hospitality Team and all those individuals who donated prizes and helped setup and cleanup for our first Bingo night in our new Community Hall. Looking forward to seeing you next time! Stephanie Nagami Issue 15 Page 3

4 Beloved Profile of Larry Sanders By Kathy Aiso, Contributing Editor In Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 losing his beloved wife, Mieko, Larry Sanders pondered, Why does such a wonderful person have to die? Larry and his sons, Terry, Gary, and Larry Dean along with their families have wonderful memories of Mieko as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Dealing with loss One day while walking past a children s cemetery, it dawned on Larry that perfectly innocent children pass away. It brought Mieko to mind and made it bearable, knowing she was a Christian and saved. I feel deeply sad for people who lose loved ones who aren t saved, Larry shared. Devastating news Two years prior to her passing (February 16, 1991), Mieko received the devastating news that she had uterine cancer. Following surgery, the doctor gave Larry and his sons the grim news. The cancer was incurable. Mieko later peacefully passed away in the family home, which held a lot of cherished memories for her. In the same sanctuary where Mieko had been baptized, a beautiful memorial service was held for her at our church. God s plan for Larry s life Though oceans apart, God had His plan for bringing Mieko and Larry together. As a young adult, Larry finished basic training and was sent to Japan instead of Germany due to a prolonged illness. Had I not gotten sick, Larry acknowledged, I would have gone to Germany and never met Mieko. Because I got to go to Japan, I can see how God directs our lives. Mieko s circumstances led to meeting Larry On the other hand, Mieko would have never met Larry if she hadn t been orphaned and accepted into the home of an American Christian family. While attending church services with this family, she became a Christian. Later, upon hearing the family was being transferred to Washington Heights in Tokyo, Mieko consented to accompany them. She said, Yes! The army said, No! At the Tokyo Quartermasters Depot (TQMD), which was holding a dance, Larry and Mieko met. After meeting, they were inseparable. In 1957 Larry asked Mieko to be his wife. She said, Yes! The U.S. Army, however, said, No! All the forms Larry filled out either got lost or were returned with numerous other forms to fill out. In the end, it seemed as if his commanding officer cut orders to have him expediently transferred out of Japan, minus a wife. Minus a wife Upon arriving home, Larry enrolled at Pacific University and also worked, saving money for his return to Japan. In February 1959, he returned to Tokyo where he and Mieko were married at the American Embassy. They left Japan and settled in Oregon where their three sons were born. In 1968 the Sanders moved to Gardena where they attended GVBC regularly. Mieko was active in the Nichigo church, participating in the choir. During the week, Larry taught history at Bell High School. Baptized in the river A native of Chaves County, New Mexico, Larry grew up in a Christian home. The family eventually moved to Oregon where Larry accepted Christ at age 15. Living in the backwoods of Oregon, he was baptized in a river. While growing up, Larry s family was transient, picking crops from Madera, CA. to Portland, OR. They lived in farm labor camps along the way. Thankful for a good life with Mieko In retrospect Larry is thankful for a good life, which included the love of his life, Mieko. Today, Larry s family has grown to include three sons, three grandsons, five granddaughters, and one great-grandson. With God s promise of eternal life for those who accept Him as Savior, Larry looks forward to being reunited with Mieko in heaven one day. Page 4

5 FAMILY NEWS Our condolences and prayers go out to: Past GVBC member Paul Shinoda passed away on Tuesday, July 21 in Santa Barbara. Paul began his lifelong career in the flower industry, establishing the San Lorenzo Nursery Company in Torrance. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Alice Shinoda, children Paul, Jr, Carol (John) Tateishi, Michael (Charlene Ajifu); Irene (Robert) Thornton, Roxanne (Wade) Nomura, 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son David and grandson Patrick. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 15 at Bethany Congregational Church in Santa Barbara on Saturday, August 15. Stan & Nancy Terasaki, Jesse, Megan, and Mariko and family in the passing of Nancy s mother, Miyuki Hayashi, who passed away on Monday August 3. A memorial service will be held at GVBC on Tuesday, September 1. Pastor Bunso Otani will be officiating. Janice Kishiyama, Bethany & Brenton and family in the sudden passing of Janice s husband, Craig, who passed away on Monday, August 3. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 AM at GVBC. Pastors Steve Langley and Ron Matsuda are co-officiating. Wedding announcement Congratulations to Jodie (Yoshida) & Voltaire Rivera who were married at GVBC on Saturday, August 1. Jodie s parents are Merrick and the late Judy Yoshida. Pastor Daniel Matsuda officiated. Baby announcement Congratulations to Gary & Yumiko Sanders on the birth of their third child. Baby boy Hawk Tai was born on Thursday, July 23. He weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. and he was 20 ½ inches long. Mom, dad, older brother Duke and sister Jade are all doing fine. Congratulations to proud grandparents Don & Grace Taba whose daughter, Coreen, gave birth to twins on Thursday, July 23. Baby boy Troy Michael weighed 2 lbs. 9 oz. Baby girl Megan Grace weighed 2 lbs. 2 oz. Letters to our GVBC family Dear Friends, On behalf of the City of Gardena we would like to thank you for your greathearted donation of $500 [from our LOVE fund], 61 bags and 3 cases of food to our year-round Emergency Food Pantry Program. Your generosity enables us to continue assisting the needy in Gardena. Thank you for your participation. Sincerely, Kelly Fujio, Director of Recreation & Human Services, by Lydia James, Community Services Counselor In the July 30, 2009, Gardena Valley News there was a photo featuring Bob Yahiro, Harvey Ujimori, Tak Shimazaki, and Frank Nakamura in their golf attire, getting ready to "tee off" for the annual Seminary Golf Tournament. The tourney takes place on Monday, August 17 at the Rio Hondo Golf Club in Downey. Rodney Tanaka is the tournament director. MISSION FIELD Mexico Outreach Missions by Teresa Matsushima Saturday, Oct 3 the Mexico Outreach Missions (M.O.M.) is going on a one day, short-term missions project to the October 3rd Church in Tijuana (not San Telmo). We will leave by bus at 5:00 a.m. from the Bread of Life Church in Torrance and return the same evening by 11:00 p.m. There will be a dedication service to the Lord for the October 3rd Church. A U.S. passport IS required now. Spanish is helpful, but not required. No special skills required except for a willing heart. If you are interested in serving on this upcoming mission trip, please see Teresa Matsushima or call (310) for more information. Issue 15 Page 5

6 Contact: To signup or for information on any of these events, call the church office at (310) or us at [put your event in the subject line]. You can also call or the event leaders directly. NOTE: Events with all the information is also on our website at Click on Calendar then Launch Calendar. Just go to the month & day and click on one of the tiny blue squares. The event with all its information and contact person will pop up. EPIC (College-age) Ministry Sundays, 5:00 PM, room 201. We re going over our Relevant Issues series. Mondays, 7:00 8:00 PM, Weekly Prayer Meeting led by Paul Matsushima & Kyle York, Sanctuary stage platform. Contact Chris Koga, ext. 685, Children s Ministry KidZone, Fridays, 7:00 8:30 PM, Community Hall. Contact Brandon Tsukamoto via the church office. American Red Cross CPR & First Aid for Adults & Infants/Children Saturday, August 22, 9:00 AM 5:00 PM at GVBC. Hosted by Bridge to Healthy Living (an Evangelis m Ministry). A certificate of completion will be given. Cost: $65 adult CPR; $5 infant CPR; $70 adult & infant CPR. Make checks payable to American Red Cross (infant/children/adult CPR on the memo line). Signup deadline: Saturday, August 15. Sign up at the Guest Center in the Courtyard or call Cindy Matsuda, hopecindymatsuda@gmail.com. 101 Class Sunday, August 23, 12:30 PM. For those seeking information about GVBC and who would like to become a member and/or be baptized. Taught by Pastor Steve Langley and Layne Wakuta. 201 Class Sunday, August 23, 12:30 PM. Designed to help you develop spiritual maturity. Taught by Pastors Ron Matsuda and Chris Koga. 301 Class Sundays of August 23 & 30, 12:30 PM. Learn about your unique spiritual gifts, your S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience) and take the next step in the ministry exploration process. Taught by Pastor Annette Kakimoto and Brian Lo. 401 Class Sunday, August 23, 12:30 PM. Teaches you how to redefine your life s mission and how you can live as a witness to Christ. Taught by Pastors Daniel Matsuda and James Chang. Sign up: A ll classes begin with a FREE lunch. Register by checking off the appropriate box on the back of your Connection slip or contact Jan Magnani at the church office (310) , ext. 0 or her at: jan@gvbc.net [Class in the subject line]. Page 6 Beachcombers Friendship Night Thursday, August 27, 5:00 8:30 PM, Community Hall, FREE. The GVBC Evangelism Ministry invites you to an awesome summer event for all ages. Invite your unsaved friends and those you ve been praying for. This year we will focus on GVBCers building relationships with non-believers and/or non-church goers and relating God s love to them through conversation and example. Come enjoy some beachcomber fun with hula, ukulele music, special entertainment, raffle prizes, novelty ice cream, hot dogs, chili rice. Take in some of our local talent, adult hobby exhibits, crafts & games for children and youth. To sign up to attend or volunteer visit the Guest Center after the worship services or contact Cindy Matsuda, hopecindymatsuda@gmail.com. Bridge to Healthy Living Fall Precautions Seminar Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falling, September 14 to November 2, eight week sessions, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, room 113, FREE. This is an evidenced-based program used and adapted by Boston University designed for ages 60 and above. Bring a friend. Trained coaches are: Linda Hayashi and Cindy Matsuda. Class size limited to 12 participants. Attendance at all 8 sessions is a must. Sign up ASAP. For more info: contact Cindy Matsuda, hopecindymatsuda@gmail.com or visit the Guest Center after the worship services. Fall Quarter Community Groups Fall Quarter begins Sunday, September 27 and ends on Sunday, November 15. Registration week is Sunday, September For more information or to sign up for a group contact the church office. Outreach Missions Schedule October 3rd Church in Tijuana (not San Telmo), Mexico, Saturday, October 3 [see article on page 5] San Telmo, Mexico, Friday, December 18 to Sunday, December 20. Contact Teresa Matsushima (310) for more information. Urbana College Missions Conference Sunday, December 27 Thursday, December 31 St. Louis, MO. Contact Chris Koga, ext. 685, chris@gvbc.net. Issue #16 will be printed on Wednesday, August 19. All articles should be submitted by Sunday, August 16. SPIRIT

7 Gardena Valley Baptist Church Seminarian Golf Tournament is established to give financial assistance to our pastoral interns attending accredited seminaries. These interns go on to serve our communities as licensed pastors, educators in religious studies, career missionaries, and Christian counselors. This year we are honoring Robert Kato [pictured] who passed away last year. Bob was an integral part in originating this seminarian tournament many years ago. We all will miss Bob Kato s spirit, humor, and classic smile. The tournament will be individual medal play with registration beginning at 10:00 AM and a shotgun start at noon. Hole-in-one prize of a Nissan automobile, cash prizes and gifts on additional par 3s donated by George Hirano of AHTKY Insurance Company will add to the excitement of the round. Prizes will also be awarded for an accurate drive and putting contests. The entry fee of $150 includes green fee with cart, box lunch, golf favors including a GVBC golf shirt, and a delicious evening banquet. Skins, mulligan and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. For information, applications, and sponsorship opportunities, contact Rodney Tanaka, tournament chair at (310) or Tak Shimazaki at (310) We hope to see you August 17 for a day of Fun in the Sun! by Paul S. Hirano, O.D. (Moderator) and Annette Kakimoto (Membership Care Ministries Chairperson) Our building project is finally completed and we are excited about the fresh opportunities of outreach and ministry God has for GVBC. We are therefore identifying our active members, attempting to reconnect with inactive members, and updating our membership roster. Having an updated record of our GVBC membership: Enables us to know who we are ministering to in fulfilling our vision of helping people discover Jesus and become His fully devoted followers. Aids us in our leadership selection and development process. Determines our quorum for voting at church business meetings. Informs our budget process and stewardship of resources. Prepares us for an upcoming congregational survey in September. We are trying to reconnect with members whom we haven t seen at GVBC in quite a while. We have sent them a letter and response sheet to encourage them to let us know how they are doing and to share with us what they wish to do about their GVBC membership. On some members, we are also calling them. We hope to hear their personal decision as to whether to retain their membership, be an inactive member, terminate or if they plan to transfer their membership to another church. Our desire is for them to choose what they feel is best in terms of their church and membership commitment as it relates to GVBC. If there are any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. The Spirit is copyrighted 2009 and a publication of Gardena Valley Baptist Church, 1630 W. 158th Street, Gardena, CA., 90247, (310) , FAX: (310) , gvbc@gvbc.net, Website: Senior Pastor: Steve Langley (310) , Editor: Susan J. Shelley, susie@gvbc.net. Office hours: 9:00am 5:00pm, Nichigo Website: The Spirit is published twice a month to keep members and friends informed of programs of the church and to report news about GVBC and its people. Announcements, praise, prayer requests, and letters are welcomed. Articles are subject to editing and/or postponement. Issue 15 Page 7

8 Gardena Valley Baptist Church 1630 W. 158th Street Gardena, CA (310) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #85 Gardena, Calif. Return service requested Morning 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM Nichigo Japanese-speaking 10:45 AM, Room 201 Sunday, August 16, 2009 Pastor Steve Langley ~ Damage Control Series Sunday, August 23, 2009 Pastor Steve Langley ~ Damage Control Series Sunday, August 30, 2009 Youth Service English-speaking children s Sunday school runs concurrent with the Worship Services. Nich igo children s Sunday school 9:30am, Room 206 S teve L angle y, S enior P astor, ext. 0 B unso Otani, Nic higo P astor, ext R on M atsud a, Ass ociate P astor T ea ching, e xt. 679 An nette K aki moto, Assistant P astor Le ad ership D ev elop m ent, ext Jam es C ha ng Assistant P astor of Y oun g Ad ults, ext C hris Kog a, Assistant P astor C olleg e, ext (pt) D aniel M atsuda, Assistant P astor Yo uth, ext La yn e W a kuta, P astor al Inter n Junior Hig h, ext 68 4 (pt) Lind a M atsuda Dir ector E arly C hildhoo d, ext (pt) Jenn y Ka ya, El em ent ary C hildre n s Assist, ext 69 3 (pt) J.J. F re y, W ors hip C o ordin ator ( pt) Junko A ne ga w a, Nichigo S e cr etary, e xt. 677 (pt) P egg y Kus hige ma chi, F in an cial Assistant, ext Jan M ag na ni, S e cret ary, ext. 671 W e nd y Na ka no, O ffic e M an ag er, ext D a wn R obins on, C hristian Edu c. S ec reta ry, ext ( pt) S usie S h elley, N e wsletter Editor e xt. 673 (pt) K evin H atashita, M ainten an c e Asst. ( pt) S oco rro K ag a w a, M ainten an ce Asst. (pt) K evin M a ed a, M ainten an ce Asst. ( pt) Kyl e Yor k, M ainten an ce Asst. (pt)