Celebrations

One of the things we always do in Izumi Church is celebrate birthdays.  Recently there seem to have been quite a few.  It's always a great reason to enjoy cake together!  And we take time to pray for the person who is moving one one digit in age.  Being a small church meeting in a home, it is not difficult to mark these occasions.  After our service (which usually finishes around 5.15) we always have a time of meeting and chatting together before we move into small groups to share about the message and pray for one another.  Someone is allocated to bring snacks each week, which can vary from simple cookies, to the most amazing home made cakes and desserts.  As a church it is good to celebrate together.  We were just thinking today in a training course which we are holding for OMF missionaries (more on that later in the week) how we as churches have much to celebrate - but do we do so?  Celebrating a birthday is a small thing in some ways - but it is a great way to thank God for the person he has made and to express our love and care for one another as the community of God's people here in Hiragishi.  There should be joy as we meet for fellowship together and always these times after the service here are relaxed and fun.  It is a blessing to be part of such a community.