The April Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant.
Representing the congregation, the Shinbashira read the Service prayer, in which he first expressed gratitude to God the Parent for the unchanging workings and the profound parental love with which God has been nurturing us and guiding us along the path of spiritual growth. He then touched on Hinokishin Day, saying: “All of us who have been drawn to the path will respond to Your deep love by participating in this annual event and expressing in our actions the joy and gratitude we feel for Your workings that keep us alive. Please continue to guide us so that we can promote hinokishin activities in wider and wider circles and make progress toward the realization of the Joyous Life in which all people help one another.”
The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were joyously performed with worshipers singing the Mikagura-uta in unison.
Honbu-in Nobuyuki Tanaka then took the podium to deliver the sermon, in which he spoke about the importance of daily efforts of contribution and dedication as a means to make repayment for the blessings.