Thank you for your support and prayers for Japanese Ministry this past year. I would like to look back on the blessings and blessings of the past year while thanking the Lord. This year as well, we were able to meet once every two weeks as part of the Japanese Fellowship on Sunday afternoons to continue our fellowship of worship, study, and prayer. Those who live in the Lord's Prayer as the salt of the earth and the light of the world through the baptism of the Lord Jesus, the temptation in the wilderness, the calling of the disciples, the proclamation of the coming of the kingdom, and the Sermon on the Mount while opening the Gospel of Matthew. We learned about the invitation and blessings of being changed as a person. In 2025, We hope that as individuals and as a community, we will continue to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus starting from Matthew chapter 8, and pray that we will be transformed into the image of Christ.
Through this fellowship, God invites new people one by one, and through His Word and sharing. I am so grateful that I am always given new insights and encouragement.
After three years, the weekday online Bible study has finally completed the study of the Book of Romans. People living in other states who have been sent from the Village to move, and people living in Japan are also connecting online and starting to learn about Genesis anew. It is wonderful to live in the unchanging kingdom of God and its plan entrusted to us, keeping our eyes on the mystery of how he loved us, chose us, and made us the basis of his blessings, and the depth of his plan.
At All Church Lunch in September, which kicked off the new season, we were in charge of handmade sweets and sweets again this year. We are grateful that this event will likely become an annual event in the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters in the diverse body of the church.
This year has also been a year in which some people have had to grieve as they send their beloved family members off to heaven. Even during these difficult seasons, encouragement and support are provided through the Village community and fellowship. Being able to pray and support each other was a rich gift from God.
Through the Christmas Eve service, we also had the opportunity to welcome some of our ministry partners who have supported us this year, as well as guests who came to the service for the first time through ESOL and friendships, with tea and cake.
We are also praying that next year we will be able to hold our first retreat and some kind of event where we can invite people from the local community.
As we look forward to seeing how God will work and guide our community in this new year, we hope that we will grow together as one, rooted in the body of Christ.