❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) A Kernel of Wheat Dies and Produces Many Seeds (John 12:20-26) Mari Ikeda Today we return to our series on the Gospel of John, 12:20-26. This passage contains one of the most famous sayings of Jesus. That is what I have titled today’s message, “A kernel of wheat dies and produces many seeds.” It appears in the second half of the verse, but let’s read the first half first: verses 20-23. A. Jesus’ love spreading around the world (20-23) 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Proverbs 3:1-12) Andy Nagahara Today we begin chapter 3 of our Proverbs series. Today I will cover up to verse 12.It contains six things in the context of a father’s instruction to his son. And each one also includes a description of the blessings from God that will come if we follow its instructions. Let’s look at each instruction one by one and see what blessing it brings. 1. Obey the teachings and commandments that are in accordance with God’s will (1,2) 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Living with Chronic Illnesses Series “Theology of Interdependence and Disability” Part 8 (Mark 5:25-34) Mari Ikeda Today is the eighth in our series on Kathy Black’s book. Today we will focus on chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are the kinds of illnesses that are difficult to cure completely and must be lived with for the rest of one’s life, even if the manifestation of symptoms is gradual. They include arthritis, cancer, dementia, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, respiratory disease, and a variety of other rare and incurable illnesses. Although the degree to which illnesses affect our daily lives varies, there are members of this church who suffer…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Living Everyday with Jesus (Matthew 28:8-10, John 21:20-23) Andy Nagahara It’s Easter morning. People say “Happy Easter” to each other, but what’s so auspicious/festive  about it? That is because the events of Easter are the evidence that Jesus, who was crucified, has been resurrected and is now your companion for life. Do you realize that Jesus is walking with you through your life? This morning I would like to share two things with you to help you realize that you are walking with Jesus. Let’s start by reading Matthew 28:8-10. 1. Jesus said, “I will see you in Galilee.” (Matthew 28:8-10) 8 So the women…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Who is Your King? Palm Sunday (John12:12-19,19:14-18) Mari Ikeda Today is Palm Sunday, the Sunday one week before Easter. The reason why it is called Palm Sunday can be found in today’s passage. Let’s read it. It is from the Gospel of John 12:12-19. 12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) To protect yourself from temptation (Proverbs 2:10-22) Andy Nagahara Let’s read Proverbs again today. Today’s text teaches us about the temptations that can derail our path to a good life. Even if we give in to temptation, in most cases we can change our mind and start over. But recovery can require great sacrifices. There are many people who meet Jesus when they are young and begin to walk with him, but eventually turn their backs on him and spend most of their lives without following him. Some have been able to return to Jesus in later years. However, they still regret that they spent…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) How Much Do We Love Jesus? John 12:1-8 (Fourth Sunday of Lent ) Mari Ikeda Today, if reading in order, would be the time for the “Theology of Disability and Interdependence” series, but with Easter coming up, I decided to continue with the series on the Gospel of John. I did so because if we read the passages in order, we would read the Palm Sunday passage just in time for Palm Sunday. For those of you who have been looking forward to the disability series, please wait for next month. The title of today’s message is the question, “How much do we love Jesus?”…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Vintage Wine and Pots of Meat (Luke 5:37-39, 9:57-62, Exodus 16:1-3) Andy Nagahara A month ago I talked about what kind of church Your Church is, and today I’m going to continue with that. I’m sorry to anyone who saw today’s title and photo and expected an interesting story. I apologize in advance, but what I talk to you today is going to be an unpleasant, like astringent wine or tough meat. 1. New Wineskins (Luke 5:37-39) Now, let’s read the Gospel of Luke 5:37-39. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Righteousness・Justice・Fairness (Proverbs 2:1-9) Andy Nagahara Today we begin chapter 2 of our series on reading Proverbs. Here again the exhortation comes in the form of a father speaking to his son. What will God teach us today? Let’s listen with anticipation. Let’s read up to verse 5. 1. Seeking God’s will as if seeking hidden treasure (1-5) 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Why Jesus Had to Die (First Sunday of Lent) Mari Ikeda Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period leading up to Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. This year, Lent runs from March 5 to April 17, with Easter on April 20. During this time, as is the tradition of the Church, we are especially encouraged to spend time reflecting on the suffering of Jesus. Today we will continue to read the Gospel of John, and I think it is an appropriate passage to begin Lent. I hope that through today’s passage we can reflect on what Jesus suffered for…