On Sunday 27th July, Rakusai church held a special Sunday morning guest-event, which they called ‘Open Chapel’. Fifty people came, including many for the first time.
As well as hymns and some read-liturgy about Jesus' death and resurrection, the hour-long event included a number of presentations: the English classes did a funny sketch (in English!), taken from a British TV program; the church’s gospel choir performed two modern worship songs (‘We worship you, hallelujah’, and ‘Above All Power’); a local music student performed a classical solo song accompanied by her friend on the piano; and as well as a few games, the pastor did a culturally-relevant presentation of the parable of the prodigal son.
Please pray that those who came would become further integrated into this church in the west of Kyoto.
Including children, the church currently numbers around 30 people. As well as the Sunday services, there are a number of ‘ ways in’ for new people, including Rakusai Gospel Choir on Thursday nights, and Kids Friends once a month on Saturday mornings. From September the church will also hold a Sunday-afternoon contemporary worship service with songs in both Japanese and English.
