Sunday, January 26th – Rev Jim Sack will bring the sermon, “A Great Light in the Depth of Darkness” from Isaiah 9:1-4 and Matthew 4:12-23.  We will enjoy fellowship after the service.
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West Tokyo Union Church women have been a integral part of the 57 year history of the Women’s Conference.  The 2014 conference will be held January 31st – February 2nd at Amagi Sanso – one week later than usual.  Give yourself the wonderful gift of this special fellowship!  The theme is Through the Valley and the keynote speaker is renowned author and educator Sharon M. Draper.  For more information, please see the website at http://wocon.net
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CORNER (we value your prayers & involvement in this vital ministry)  Contact Carrie Bennett for ES, Julie Rogers for MS, Amy Harbaugh for HS or Pastor Teresa at wtucrev@gmail.com with any questions.

Little Kids (1-5) Sunday School: January 26th during church
Topic: Special Teachings from Jesus, Jesus First Miracle  Teacher: Sammie

NEXT ES Youth Grades 2-5: Wednesday, Feb. 5th, at the Bennett`s home from 5-6:30 p.m.
Topic: The Parable of the Mustard Seed   Teacher: Carrie   Dinner Responsibility:  Loveman

NEXT MS Youth: February date to be announced, at the Rogers` home, Bible study, service project and pizza.

NEXT HS Youth: Sunday, February 9th at the Harbaugh/Norris home from 6 p.m.

NEXT ADULT Sunday School: Sunday, February 9th at the Sacks from 9:30-10:30 a.m
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Interested in becoming a member at WTUC? – please talk to Pastor Teresa about the upcoming membership class.
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Upcoming Preaching Ministry
January 26        Rev. Jim Sack
February 2        Rev. Tim McKenzie, Communion
February 9        Pastor Teresa
February 16      Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang, Communion
February 23      Pastor Teresa
March 2            Pastor Teresa
March 5            Ash Wednesday service at Tang/Lee home
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Sea Glass necklaces made from broken glass found on the Tohoku seashore after the tsunami are being sold to benefit “2 Criminals” -  a movie produced by Paul Nethercott -  https://vimeo.com/channels/paulnethercott
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SNACK SIGNUP Sign up for snacks for fellowship time with Ann or on the list on the white board.  We greatly appreciate your contributions to our community life!
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WTUC  Announcements
*Any questions or concerns?  Feel free to email wtucrev@gmail.com anytime.
*Please enjoy and refer our website and FB page (West Tokyo Union Church) to others.  Please make any suggestions for additions to the Pastor Teresa and/or Steering Committee.  https://wtuc.net/
*If you’d like to be added to the WTUC church email list, please contact Gene Witt ewitt@asij.ac.jp
*If interested in joining the WTUC Prayer Chain, let Pastor Teresa or Prayer Chain Coordinator, Kayo Ozawa, know of your interest. Please submit prayers to wtucrev@gmail.com or Kayo Ozawa.
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The Ground

Put prayers on the ground,
so many prayers that not
a drop of blood can find its way
to the earth, not a drop
can leach into the soil or soul.
Put your prayers on the ground.
Make a place for God to walk
among the horrors and hopes.
There you will find us standing
in the Spirit’s wake, knee deep
in invocations and possibilities.

-Belle Fox-Matin
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Isaiah 9:1-4
The Righteous Reign of the Coming King
1  But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought     into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will     make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
    on them light has shined.
3  You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with     joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
4  For the yoke of their burden,
    and the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Matthew 4
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16
the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
    light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.