Weekly Update Archive

Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of May 19, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Brian Tekawa for the message from Romans 15: 1-6, “Selfless Living.” This passage teaches selfless living is pleasing to God. It addresses two questions, “What is selfless living?  How do I live selflessly?”  Romans 14, was a contrast between those who are strong in the faith with those who are weak in the faith.  The main point was that if you regard yourself as spiritually mature then you need to consider how your actions may affect a weaker member, based on their level of faith, in the family of God. These next six verses show how the spiritually strong live selflessly by strengthening and supporting others in the name of God.  During Paul’s day being transformed in Christ meant living for Him and His Kingdom for His glory rather than for themselves. This is true for today as well.  Selfless living is how God wants us to live to understand His power and might, and to bring glory to His name.

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for May 12, 2013…

Thank you to Dr. Vernon Kam, for the message from Romans 14, “Diversity and Unity.” There are areas in scripture that are very direct.  They are not debatable. Such as, it is always wrong to steal, it is always wrong to commit adultery. In this chapter, we are dealing with issues that scripture does not speak directly about.  At the time of Paul, the issue had to do with eating certain foods and keeping certain days holy.

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of May 5, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Rod Yee for the message from Romans 13:8-14, “What Do I Owe You?” We all seem to have a pretty good idea of what is owed to us or what we owe to others, but often times we lose sight of this. We may act as though our faith is simply added to our normal routine of life. We define our faith rather than our faith defining us. We compartmentalize God into a specific portion our lives. In light of what Jesus Christ has done for us, What do we owe one another?

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Dear SanLo Community, an update for the week of April 28, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Brian Tekawa, for the message from Romans 12:1-8.  Beginning with chapter 12, the book of Romans focuses on Christian conduct. Chapters 1-11 spoke about God’s mercies shown by His love, forgiveness, and grace. Here we learn to respond to God’s mercies and live a life that is pleasing to Him through, “Changing Me and Changing You.”

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Dear Church Family, an update for the week of April 21, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Scott Shimada for the message from Romans 11:1-12, “What Is So Amazing About Grace?” Grace is a word we hear all the time. Grace is a beautiful word.  It carries a fragrance of peace and harmony.  It brings images of forgiveness, love and acceptance. The dictionary defines it as a virtue coming from God or unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. You can say it is something awesome you receive that you do not deserve. We may know what the dictionary says grace is but can we grasp how amazing grace really is? So this morning we will try to answer the question – “what is so amazing about grace?”

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of April 14, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Eric Yata for the message from Romans 10:5-17, “Take 2.”  The gospel is the centerpiece of Romans,     it is the centerpiece of Scripture, and certainly, it is the centerpiece of this passage. So, what about the gospel? What about the good news of Jesus? We’ll explore several questions: How do we add to the gospel? How might we incorrectly respond to the gospel? How do we at times discriminate the gospel? And how do we hinder the gospel? These are all important questions to answer because there are times as a believer that we might falter in our understanding of the gospel. It is important for us to get a firm grasp on the gospel and imperative we have a clear picture of the gospel and what it entails.

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Dear SanLo Community, an update for the week of Easter, March 31, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Brian Tekawa for the Easter message from Matthew 26 – 28, “From Tragedy to Triumph.” The Greatest Story Ever Told is too often ignored.  It is the story of Jesus in six words; He lived. He died. He rose.  This is the most amazing and wonderful story of Jesus, God in the flesh who became the God/Man.  Last week pastor Eric’s message was “From Triumph to Tragedy.”  We heard how Jesus was welcomed into Bethphage and Bethany in a glorious and triumphant way. The people shouted “Peace in heaven, glory in the highest!”  A few days later this crowd would be yelling “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”  Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to a close and He would soon be enduring a tragic death.  We continue with Jesus’ final days, “From Tragedy to Triumph,” and ask, “What makes the story of Jesus so triumphant?”

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of March 24, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Eric Yata for the message from Luke 19:28-44, “From Triumph to Tragedy.” The Carnival cruise ship, the Triumph, began a relaxing vacation and a fun filled trip at sea for its passengers. An engine room fire caused the ship to lose most of its power. It was no longer a dream vacation but a worst nightmare. The Carnival Triumph was no longer triumphant but tragic. On Palm Sunday, we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem but do we miss that there is tragedy amidst the triumph? Who is this King riding on a donkey? Who is this King of the Bible that this passage portrays?

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of March 17, 2013…

Thank you Pastor Rod Yee for the message from Romans 8:28-39, “A Vision of Provision.” There is a massive stockpile of supplies that were sent to Afghanistan to support the troops, but it is nothing by comparison to God’s provision for us. ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Despite the physical, mental and spiritual suffering Paul endured for Christ, his focus was on God’s glory. He says we, and all of creation, waits eagerly with inward sorrow for not being in His presence. Not just, “I hope,” but, “I know,” the completion of our adoption will actually happen. Creation groans (v.22) for the restoration and glory for sons of God. We ourselves groan (v.23) with the hope of salvation (v.25) As we wait eagerly with expectation, the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (v.26) The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers – not as in speaking in tongues, but for the content of our prayers. How does God show His care for us?

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Dear San Lo Community, an update for the week of March 10, 2013…

Thank you, Pastor Scott Shimada, for the message from Romans 8:1-17, “Life Through the Spirit.”  Sales people offer a variety of services to us, but what benefit could they give? We weigh our choices every day.  Is what we are paying for worth what we are getting in return? We have to consider the cost. At one point we also had to consider the cost of what it means to have Christ in our life.  What are the costs and the benefits? As we examine Romans 8, we will see that the benefits outweigh any costs. The question this morning is: “What does it mean to have Life Through the Spirit?”

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