The December Monthly Service was performed at Church Headquarters on the 26th with the Shinbashira presiding.
In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira first expressed his gratitude for God the Parent’s blessings constantly given to all humankind and the world. Looking back on the steps we took during 2004, he said, “Through such activities as the Oyasama 120th Anniversary Path Leaders Rallies conducted between last February and May as well as the meeting for all head ministers of directly supervised churches held last October, we were able to heighten our awareness of our respective roles as well as the mission that Oyasama has entrusted to us, and we have put our utmost effort into the pre-anniversary activities while uniting our minds and strength.” He then referred to deteriorating social conditions and the natural disasters that occurred during the year and said, “Each of us will ponder over the Parent’s intention in urging us to replace our minds.” He continued, “By reconfirming the importance of the season and devoting our sincerity, we are resolved to exert our utmost during the upcoming final year of our pre-anniversary activities.” His prayer was followed by the performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements, for which the followers attending the Service joined in singing the songs for the Service. Honbu-in Kunihiko Kajimoto then took the podium to deliver the sermon. Referring to Instruction Two, he explained the nature of salvation work, saying: “Salvation work, which is the mission of Yoboku, cannot be achieved through a one-time effort. It requires patient, painstaking efforts to nurture and provide care for others, which may take many years.” He continued, “Salvation work can be accomplished only when it becomes an integral part of our lives, and that can be achieved only through daily implementation.” He thus pointed out that it is important for us to live each day while focusing on salvation work. Rev. Kajimoto went on to say, “Each of us must receive blessings so that our pre-anniversary activities may bear fruit in the upcoming new year.” He then said, “We must follow the path that brings joy to the Parent so that we may receive the truth of ‘God the Parent, Oyasama, and the Jiba.'” To conclude the sermon, Rev. Kajimoto said, “Although our individual strength may be small, let us work hard to ensure that all of us Yoboku and followers combine our strengths and make repeated efforts so that we may be able to offer Oyasama results that will bring satisfaction to Her on the occasion of the 120th Anniversary.”