Denen Grace Chapel, Kawasaki ー Here's a Place to Belong ー A Church Focused on the Kawasaki/Yokohama Area

Welcome to Denen Grace Church

Here’s a place to belong. A caring family. The love of Christ. A friendly smile that says, “I’m glad you’re here!” We’re waiting to welcome you, too! Come visit us in 2023! ⇒ See Japanese Site

川崎、横浜、東京の皆さん、ここにあなたの居場所があります。お互いに心にかけ、祈り、支え合う神様の家族。キリストの愛。「あなたがいてくれて嬉しい！」と迎える笑顔。私たちは、あなたが来られるのを待っています。

This Sunday @ Denen Grace Church (3/26/2023)

Worship Service
11:00am~12:00pm

This Sunday 3/26 we will be doing an in person worship service with Zoom option for those who prefer. Please email us for a Zoom link or more information. We look forward to seeing you!

Sunday School
10:00am~10:45am

There will be no Sunday School this Sunday.

But I’m not Japanese. Can I really participate on Sundays?
Yes! Regardless of your country, you’ll feel at home at our church and will understand what’s going on. Click the globe at left to see why.

All activities are at the church location (Cozy Hall) unless otherwise noted. All are welcome! Kids and first time visitors welcome! ⇢ See Map

The Power to Change

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Cor 5:17

Once again spring is upon us and all around we can see a miracle taking place. Up until just a few months ago much appeared dead and lifeless: trees without leaves, browned plants and grass. But now in their place beautiful flowers and new green leaves have sprung up. The change is remarkable, awe-inspiring and mysterious all at once.

Desiring to change, but…
Looking at nature around us coming to life again, many of us probably think, "I wish I could change like that, too." And yet we find such fundamental change to be difficult, if not impossible. We might be able to strengthen some weaknesses and cover up some flaws, but deep down inside remains a problem we cannot fix. No matter how much we fix the superficial parts of our character, our heart can remain unchanged, like those dead, dried-up, leafless plants. By human power alone it's impossible ⇢ Continue

Got questions?

If you would like more information about church activities, give us a call or jot us an email. We look forward to welcoming you.

教会についてのＱ＆Ａ

どなたも大歓迎です。どうぞ
お気軽におでかけください。

教会やクリスチャンの信仰に興味がありますが、クリスチャンではありません。教会に行っていいのでしょうか？

教会は、神様や聖書について興味のある方々を歓迎します。聖書の中に、「信仰は聞くことから始まり、聞くことは、キリストについてのみことばによるのです」(ローマ10:17)というみことばがあります。ぜひ教会に来て、聖書のみことばを読み、聞いてください。それが、イエス様に出会う出発点です。教会は、同じ神様を信じるクリスチャンが共に集まって、神様を礼拝するところであると同時に、まだイエス様の十字架の福音(良い知らせ)を知らない方々へ、みことばからその福音をお伝えする場所でもあるのです。

教会ではどんなことをしていますか？

日曜日は「主の日」として、みんなで集まって礼拝をささげます。田園グレースチャペルでは、日曜の朝11時より礼拝が始まります。その前に、朝10時より、子供から大人までを対象とした「日曜学校」があります。子どもの年代にあわせたクラス、また大人は５人くらいの小グループに分れて、テキストやディスカッションを通して、聖書を学んでいます。礼拝でメッセージを聞くことはとても大事なことですが、どうしても受け身になりがち。そんなわけで、もっと積極的に神様とみことばを学ぶ為に、日曜学校はとても大切な時間です。また、週日には女性の為の家庭集会(シャロン会)、英語バイブルクラスなど、また月に１度、男性の為のプログラム(VIPミーティングへの参加など)や、社会人のための聖書の学び会(夜)などもあります。個人的に聖書の学びをしてみたい、牧師と話してみたいなど、ご希望があればお知らせください。

礼拝のプログラムの内容は？

「クリスチャンはお酒も飲まないのによく歌う」と言われた方がいるそうですが、クリスチャンは神様をほめたたえる賛美の歌を歌うのが大好きです。ですから、礼拝の時は必ず讃美歌を歌います。伝統的な讃美歌から、現代に生きるクリスチャンが作った新しい讃美歌などを歌って神様を賛美します。(どんな讃美歌を歌っているのか興味のある方は、こちらを＜クリック＞してください。)また、聖書のみことばを一緒に読んだり、教会の人が代表で祈る時間があります。そしてもちろん、牧師、宣教師、ゲスト・スピーカーによる聖書からのメッセージの時間があります。(お話を聴いてみたい方は、こちらを＜クリック＞してください。）田園グレースチャペルの礼拝の特徴は、アットホームで形式ばらず、リラックスした雰囲気で神様を礼拝できること、また、小さな子供達も一緒に、みんなが「主にある家族」として一緒に神様の前に出て、礼拝をささげることです。

その他の集会は？

年に２回、春学期(2-6月)と秋学期(9-12月)に分けて、ブラック・ゴスペルの講習会をしています。また年の3回(イースターの時期(3-4月)、夏休み、クリスマス)、「こどもお楽しみ会」を企画します。シャロン会では、イベントとしてお料理教室、お習字教室、たのしいクラフトやセミナーなどを企画します。教会としても講演会、Graceカフェという英語集会などを企画しています。若者の為の楽しい企画もあります。どなたも大歓迎です。どうぞお気軽にお問い合わせくださり、おでかけください。お待ちしています。

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5)

1 I love you, LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. 31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! (Psalm 18)

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty. (Psalm 90, 93)

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46)

2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103)

26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4)

25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (Matthew 6)

Link Library

These links are to Japanese organizations with which we partner or recommend. They are provided here for your convenience. Please understand that not all information may be available in English. ⇢ See Links

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The Power to Change

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor 5:17

Once again spring is upon us and all around we can see a miracle taking place. Up until just a few months ago much appeared dead and lifeless: trees without leaves, browned plants and grass. But now in their place beautiful flowers and new green leaves have sprung up. The change is remarkable, awe-inspiring and mysterious all at once.

Desiring to change, but…
Looking at nature around us coming to life again, many of us probably think, "I wish I could change like that, too." And yet we find such fundamental change to be difficult, if not impossible. We might be able to strengthen some weaknesses and cover up some flaws, but deep down inside remains a problem we cannot fix. No matter how much we fix the superficial parts of our character, our heart can remain unchanged, like those dead, dried-up, leafless plants. By human power alone it's impossible to bring that back to life. As much as we might try, we can still give in to selfishness, or be overly worried about the future, or be afraid of death. We get knocked down so easily when we try in our power alone to create change in our lives.

The source of a new heart…
Let's face it. It's impossible to change by ourselves. We don't just need an upgrade to our existing heart. We need a whole new heart if there is to be any hope for us. But who could possibly give us a new heart? Even if you had money where could you get one? Thankfully, a brand new heart is something that God promises to give to us. Absolutely free! When you approach Him and confess our inability and sin, believe in His Son, Jesus to rescue us from our condition, God will give you a new heart filled with new things. The old, dead things have gone, and whole new things have taken their place (2 Cor. 5:17). What are those new things?

How about new hope (God's grace replaces our fear of God's judgement), new life (after our bodies die, eternal life in heaven), new desires (living not for ourselves, but for God and for others), new power (even in the middle of hardship and sadness, the promise that God is with us and helping us by his Spirit's power.)?

This heart is for you…
When we receive a new heart like this, it is as if the joy of spring has entered our life and filled every crack and crevice. We are given something that no one can take away: real peace, real hope, real forgiveness, and real power to live. These things bubble up anew to the surface of our lives even when daily challenges remain unchanged.

Wouldn't you like to have your heart changed anew like this? There's many people who have prayed, trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and experienced the newness of spring in lives. I am one of those. How about you? Take a step forward, pray and receive this blessing of a new heart for your life today. ■

Heavenly Father, I admit that I cannot live life by my own power. I need your Son Jesus to give me a new heart. I confess my sins before you and receive your Son as my Savior. Now, please change my forever by His Spirit's power in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

written by Kaori Laverman

Most Important Things

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:9

What is the most important thing? Air, sun, water, clothing, shelter…there are many essential things we need in order to live. Some important things can be bought with money, some can’t. Many seemingly “important” things are not really “needs” at all, they are simply “wants.” And the things we deem most important can change according to our age, gender, experiences, and values. The more we think about it the more confused we can be as we realize an objective ordering of most important things is hard to come up with. And yet our heart whispers a different truth. There is a need that surpasses all age, gender, and social differences. It is the simple need to be loved.

Everyone is in need of being loved. But although we want to be loved, we don’t always want to love. Love between parent and child, love between man and woman, love between friends…there are many different forms that love takes. But if we truly think about it, most of these can take the form of a kind of self-love. This form of love is transient, changes easily, and if betrayed will easily turn into an angry “love” that won’t forgive. But the Bible says that true love is love that forgives.

What does this love look like? There is a passage from 1 Corinthians 13 that is often read at weddings here in Japan: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

What we are truly needing in life is this kind of love. Have you ever felt that your true self can sometimes be a kind of ugly thing? The Bible says that all people have sinned before God. But God still loves that ugly thing we often become. His love is a love that forgives, a love that accepts, and a love that sacrifices, displayed for all to see at the cross of His Son, Jesus. While taking upon himself the penalty for sin we deserved, Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

Just as Jesus prayed from that cross 2000 years ago, so He prays for us today. God made a way in his Son, Jesus, for your ugly sin to be forgiven, taken away, cleansed forever. If you believe this, simply open your heart to His love and ask for His forgiveness in the name of Jesus. God will cleanse you inside and fill you with His real love. He will help you have a love that forgives, changing you into a person that truly loves and truly knows what’s most important.

Got questions?

English Bible Class

教会についてのＱ＆Ａ

Link Library

Christmas Illumination

The Power to Change

Most Important Things