→Japanese version

homeEnglish LINKS

CHURCH INFORMATION

WELCOME TO KAMAKURA YUKINOSHITA CHURCH

Anyone seeking answers to questions, or comfort in the face of the problems or burdens of life, and any person seeking "truth" is most welcome to visit our church.

The word "church" may mean only the physical structure where we worship together, but more than this it also signifies a group of Christians who together worship and praise God through prayer, reading the Bible, singing hymns and listening to sermons. Living in close fellowship, the group helps and prays for one another and those whom God sends to them. In obedience to God, this fellowship of believers strives through each person's vocation to respond to God's call to each of them.

Do become one of us! Know God's love for each one of us and how to love yourself and others.

DIRECTORY OF WORSHIP SERVICES AND OTHER GATHERINGS

All services and meetings are conducted in Japanese.

Sunday Worship Services

Open to everyone wishing to worship and praise God and hear the Word of God preached.

Thursday Eucharist Worship Service

For those unable to attend Sunday Service.

Church Prayer Meeting

A gathering specified for prayer.

Sunday School

Separate age-group Worship Services and Bible Study for children from infants through high school.

Catechumen's Class

Meeting for those seeking faith. Such a meeting is also available on the first, third and fifth Fridays of every month at 10:00am. A special time may also be requested of the Pastor.

Area Meetings

Monthly gatherings in different areas at members' homes. For time and place, please see the area listings and the weekly bulletin. These are meetings for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

Fellowship Groups

See the listing of such groups and the weekly bulletin.

Special Gatherings

See the church bulletin for time and place, etc. Lectures, concerts and other events.

THE CHURCH SERVICE

If you want to know what a church is like, the most important thing is to join an actual church service. On Sunday morning, the bell rings at 10 oclock, followed by organ music at 10:05 until the service begins at 10:15. During that time, people enter the sanctuary and take their seats, from the front.

When you visit the church for the first time, you will be requested to fill out the card for visitors at the Reception Desk. If you do not mind, the Pastor will then introduce you to the congregation after the service and invite you to the meeting for visitors afterwards. Thereafter, you have only to write your name down at the Reception Desk whenever you visit the church.

When attending a worship service, a copy of the Bible (the new co-translated version being used) and hymnal are necessary. Our church has copies to lend, but you are also able to purchase them at the book counter of the church. There is an offering taken during the Worship Service, but there is no set amount for offering. You are free to give what you wish to give.

The order of worship is printed on the weekly bulletin which is handed to you at the Reception Desk. The worship leader directs the order of worship orally. The Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, and the Apostle's Creed, which are repeated in unison by the congregation, are printed on separate cards provided at the Reception Desk.

When the organ prelude ends, please stand for the words of invitation. When the collectors of the offering move to the front, please stand for the prayer of thanksgiving.

Following the prayer of thanksgiving, the Lord's Prayer is prayed in unison by the congregation. After the last hymn has been sung, please remain standing for the benediction. To avoid confusion when leaving the sanctuary, please let those in the front rows leave first.

CHURCH ORGANIZATION AND MINISTRIES

Our church is a member of the United Church of Christ in Japan and follows its Creed and Rules. We have respected and maintained the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition, which dates back to the foundation of our church. People of all ages at our church engage in a variety of activities and share responsibilities in the church.

Ministries of the church are managed by the Board of Presbyters (Consistory), which consists of our 4 ministers (Pastors and Assistant Pastors) and 18 elders elected by an annual general church assembly, assisted by several committees formed by the Consistory. Administrative staff is also available at the church to help support the various church activities. The church office is open on Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4 pm. You are free to visit the church during these hours.

We have the following fellowship groups and organizations which may be attended throughout the week. You are encouraged to join any one of these groups to study the Bible, to grow spiritually together, or to get to know what church life is like in depth.

1. Organizations:

At present the following organizations have monthly meetings and other activities.

For Seniors:
"Zion" meets every 4th Sunday after the Worship Service.
For Adults:
"Yuhai-Kai" for working men and women meets every 4th Sunday after the Worship Service.
For Women:
  • "Fujin-Kai" meets every 2nd Thursday morning.
  • "Chuh-Fujin-Kai" for younger women meets every 3rd Thursday morning.
  • "Shoh-Fujin-Kai" for mothers with young children meets 1st Thursday morning. Nursery service is provided.
    • For Youth:
    "Yukinoshita JUVENTUS" for young people over senior-high-school age meets every 4th Sunday after the Worship Service.

    2. Area Groups:

    There are 10 area groups for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. They meet at the homes of members. Everyone is invited to join any one of these groups. Non-members are also welcome.

    3. Church School

    Church School is open to children and youth ranging from preschool through high school. Every Sunday morning from 8:30 to 9:30, currently more than 40 children are attending their own morning worship service followed by age-group classes assisted by the ministers and 20 volunteer teachers. There are also seasonal activities, such as the Sunrise Worship Service at Genjiyama at Easter, visiting senior members on Children's Day (our Flower Day), a 3-day summer camp near Mt.Fuji, and a Christmas celebration, all full of fun and joy.

    While preschool, elementary, and junior high school children have their own worship service, senior high school students join the earlier adult service, followed by their separate study groups.

    GUIDED TOWARD BAPTISM

    A catechumen is a person who comes to church for the first time in search for a way of faith. Pastors in charge and members of the Mission Committee will take care of such a person and give guidance. He will be encouraged to attend fellowship meetings, to study the Bible, to pray to God together, and to know Christian salvation. If he comes to believe in Christ, he may be baptized.

    Any person may consult with the pastors or members of the Mission Committee at any time. If you wish to be baptized, you are requested to declare your desire to them as soon as possible.

    THE HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH

    1917 (Taisho 6)
    On October 31st , the 400th anniversary of Martin Luther's Reformation, several pastors and believers held a special commemorative service at the home of a believer on Nagoe Street, Ohmachi, Kamakura. This was the first service of our church. Those who attended the service were people belonging to churches of Nihon Kirisuto Kyokai (The Christ Church of Japan), based on the Elders system and in the Christian stream descending from John Calvin.
    1918 (Taisho 7)
    In May our church was formally established as a mission church.
    1920 (Taisho 9)
    In August Rev. Tokutaro Takakura took office as the first full-time Pastor; he served for one year.
    1921 (Taisho 10)
    In September Rev. Mikizo Matsuo took office as the Chief Pastor of the church. Thereafter, he devoted himself to the church's mission and pastoral care for nearly 50 years-until 1969.
    1922 (Taisho 11)
    A church building was constructed at Ohmachi, Kamakura.
    1923 (Taisho 12)
    The church building was destroyed by the fire which followed the Kanto Grand Earthquake. The building was later rebuilt on the same site.
    1941 (Showa 16)
    Various denominations of the mainstream Protestant Churches were organized into the United Church of Christ in Japan. Our church joined this organization.
    1945 (Showa 20)
    After the end of World War II, our church was moved to its present location at Yukinoshita, Kamakura.
    1969 (Showa 44)
    In the fall Rev. Tsuneaki Kato took office as the Chief Pastor, while Rev. Sayuri Kato took office as Assistant Pastor. They served until March, 1997, when they retired.
    1997 (Heisei 9)
    Upon the Katos' retirement, Rev. Hisashi Higashino took office as the Chief Pastor, and Rev. Hikari Higashino became Assistant Pastor. Later, Rev. Hisashi Higashino and Rev.Hikari Higashino resigned in March 2009.
    2010 (Heisei 22)
    In April 2010, Rev. Kohei Kawasaki took office as the Chief Pastor, and Rev. Megumi Kawasaki took office as Pastor.

    In order for you to understand the faith of our church, the following books will be helpful. Both of them are published by Kyobunkwan, a Christian publisher in Japan.

    • Yukinoshita Catechism
    • Kyokai Seikatsu no Tebiki(The Guidance of Church Life)

    These books are available for sale at our book counter.

    United Church of Christ in Japan
    Kamakura Yukinoshita Church

    Chief Pastor: Rev. Kohei KAWASAKI
    Pastor: Rev. Megumi KAWASAKI
    Pastor: Rev. Kaori ARAKI
    Assistant Pastor: Rev. Kenji OCHIAI

    2-15-36 Komachi, Kamakura, Kanagawa-ken JAPAN 248-0006
    Tel 0467-23-0652
    Fax 0467-23-0697

    E-mail :church@yukinoshita.or.jp

    As of December 31, 2010

    →Japanese version

    homeEnglish LINKS