小針福音ルーテル教会

If you're looking for a strong, liturgical, Lutheran congregation, this is it. (English speakers are welcome!) It's somewhat difficult today to find a Lutheran church that teaches closely to the Bible in America, and much more, of course, in Japan. But it was encouraging to come here and find how dedicated the pastor is to the Bible. His wife plays the electric organ very well, and both of them have put in *a lot* of effort to make sure the congregation gets an accurate and faithful divine service.

Kobari Lutheran Church is unique to all of Japan, being a confessional, liturgical, traditional church. Service is at 10:30 am in Japanese, but both the Pastor and his wife are fluent in English having studied in America at Concordia Fort Wayne Seminary (CTSFW). A recognized sister congregation to the Office of International Mission in the LCMS. Very welcoming and friendly. People will assist you if you look lost on what hymn or Psalm to sing. English materials provided.

The unique beauty of their services are all through the colossal effort Pastor and Mrs. Wakabayashi have undertaken, literally building and constructing the church building with their own hands, such as the Pastor installing his own electrical wiring, woodworking for the shelves and pews, even painting the parking lot outside.

Additionally, the liturgy of using the three year introits, the Common Lutheran Service (Divine Service Setting 3 in the Lutheran Service Book), and multiple hymns, were translated by the Pastor and his wife.

All this was done and paid from the Pastor’s own pockets to pursue giving the historical, Lutheran divine service that has been passed down and formed in the Western rite since the 10th century. A ministry of word and sacrament, where Christ crucified is the center of worship, not ourselves.

Traditional Lutheran church in Niigata. Warm and friendly people. Although the service is in Japanese, the pastor is fluent in English as he studied theology in the United States.