2025-04-24 Good News

Pastor's Reflection 2025-04-24
April 24th, 2025
“Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) In mid-April we moved to a new temporary apartment. We will be in the apartment for 10 months while the Mineta house is being renovated. I wanted to stick to my usual routine so I went...
ウェスレー日語礼拝 Wesley Nichigo Service
April 24th, 2025
      山本先生とご家族が日本に帰国されてから、早くも3年になろうとしています。この間、私たち日語フェローシップは、前回ご紹介した聖書研究会や様々なミニストリなど、独自の活動を続けてきました。中でも最も大切な働きは、やはり毎月第4日曜にチャペルで守る日語礼拝でしょう。      ここで特筆したいことは、この日語礼拝の説教を担ってくださる多くの牧師先生です。近くサンフランシスコからはキリスト合同長老教会の鈴木央子先生とパイン合同メソジスト教会の大森照輝先生がこれまで何度も来て下さいました。そして日本からは日本基督教団伊丹教会の山本一先生、京都洛陽教会の松下道成先生、高槻日吉台教会の吉岡恵生先生、仙台北教会の近藤誠先生、明石教会の石田求先生、桐生東部教会の三浦契先生、そして桜美林大学助教授の佐原光児先生と、実にこの上なく豪華な顔ぶれです。      大変恵まれたことに、礼拝説教をお願いする...
New, old church sign in the Garden
April 24th, 2025
A new, old church sign graces our Garden parking lot on 6th St. The new cedar shingle roof protects a refurbished sign structure displaying a new United Methodist cross and flame sign face.Our church thanks Scout Donald Nguyen who completed the rebuilding and installation of this Garden sign as his Eagle Scout service project. He presented his sign construction plans to our church Board of Trustee...
PACT gathers Faith Leaders for a foot washing on Maundy Thursday near St. James Park
April 24th, 2025
Fr. Jon Pedigo, new Executive Director of PACT (People Acting in Community Together) gathered faith leaders from many faiths to participate in the ancient ritual of washing feet. "We celebrate the traditions of both Maundy Thursday and Passover as we offer the washing of feet to our immigrant neighbors, " Fr. Pedigo said. "We cannot 'other' people based on where they come from or what they believe...
Compassion Team Goes Shopping
April 24th, 2025
With the shortfall in Second Harvest Deliveries, a couple of members of the Compassion Team are frequenting the open times at Second Harvest to pick up extra food as seen here with from left: Byran Longmire, Bev Acuna and Mark Teagle.  The supplement was welcomed by all whom we serve on Tuesday morning Food Distribution Program.......
Second Harvest April Matching Gift Opportunity
April 24th, 2025
In honor of Earth Month this April, you can be a generous donor to Second Harvest!  The Beneficus Foundation has offered a matching gift opportunity. For every dollar you give by April 30 it will be matched, doubling your impact.Your support to Second Harvest has never been more important as federal funding has been critically reduced.Here at Wesley United Methodist Church Food Distribution for th...
Music highlights our Easter Celebration & more Easter pictures
April 24th, 2025
The songs of Easter rang out on Sunday, April 20 as more than 300 people gathered in worship. The Praise Band led the choruses of "Hallelujah! Your love makes me sing!". The Keiki (kids) from the Wesley Ukulele Band sang and played the song "It's a Happy Day". The Choir, accompanied by Shane Cantanho and Ted Hassegawa on trumpet, sang "Hallelujah, Give Thanks to the Risen Lord". Members of the Uku...
God's Garden: Easter Sunday
April 24th, 2025
After a few days of clouds and cool weather, I was anticipating a cooler Easter Sunday this year. But! We were blessed with sunny skies and beautiful warm weather. During Sunday School, teachers held an Easter party filled with crafts and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. CAF and MYF youth filled many, many Easter eggs and hid them in the backyard of the Issei Memorial Building for the God’s ...
Easter Sunrise Service at the Wesley Garden
April 24th, 2025
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Solemn Good Friday Service
April 24th, 2025
Quiet, reverent, reflective describes Wesley’s Good Friday service held on April 18, where the story and significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and sacrifice for our sins was recounted. We lit lights in a ritual of contrition which graced our cross bearing in mind Jesus’ weight and love for us.......
Palm Sunday
April 24th, 2025
The God's Garden Children greet us with waving pals and open hearts! The God's Garden Children  sang "Hosanna,(Praise Is Rising " with vigor and enthusiasm, all of which is music to God's ears as we rejoice Jesus', God's son,entering Jerusalem. Helen Lee is BaptizedWe witness the Baptism of Helen Lee and welcome her into membership at Wesley.......
Filling the Empty Page for God: Rev. Roberta Corson Leads Prayer-writing Workshop
April 24th, 2025
*Note: Barbara Hiura , former assistant editor for Hokubei Mainichi, held the final lent writing workshop on “Writing For God” which focused on the style of writing used among journalists in scripting stories for print.  Those attending were given a brief overview and as a class wrote the headline (the teaser) and first paragraph for the following article. Filling the Empty Page for God:Rev. Rober...
God’s Garden News
April 24th, 2025
Last month, God’s Garden teachers did a CPR and First Aid training. Some youth joined us as well. We arrived early Saturday morning and didn’t finish until after lunch. Everyone so graciously gave up their Saturday to get certified. It was great fellowship time, and we learned so much too. If there is a medical emergency on a Sunday, look for a Sunday School teacher!......
Open Mic Nite grows in April
April 24th, 2025
The second Saturday of the month marks the time for Japantown Open Mic Night at Wesley. April 12 had a Chapel with 24 people, great food, fun acts, and much more. Songs, stories, melodica, piano, karaoke, and a stand-up comedy duo were among the performers. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 pm in the Chapel for the next Open Mic Nite. You won't want to miss it! For more information o...
UWF 156 Birthday Celebration
April 24th, 2025
Psalm 118:24 NRSVThis is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. On Sunday Mar. 23 following the worship service, your Wesley UWF served as hosts for Tea Time and created a time of celebration in honor of United Women in Faith156 years.One definition of celebration is “praise and appreciation.”A special hand made and cheerful “United Women in Faith 156 years” banner was d...
Bake sale supports Youth Camp Scholarships!
Mark your calendars for our annual Compassion Sunday on May 18. There will be hands-on projects for all ages and a chance to get involved in the ministries of Compassion. Watch for more information coming soon.
We’re coming into spring 2025 and it’s time to make plans for the summer.  We at Wesley UMC want to remind you to save Monday, Aug. 4 for a fun-filled day of golf in one of your favorite tournaments of the year, the Wesley Fundraising Golf Tournament.  The particulars have not yet been decided, but we need you to mark your calendars and reserve that day for this fun-filled annual event.