2020 New Year’s Day Service Performed

On January 1, the New Year’s Day Service for the 183rd year of the Teaching (2020) was duly performed from 5:00 a.m. in the Main Sanctuary with Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama as chief officiant. Many followers who had gathered at the Home of the Parent before daybreak attended the first Service of the year with a fresh resolve to make further efforts to promote the path of single-hearted salvation.

At the appointed time, Rev. Nakayama and other Service performers left the Staff Quarters and paid their respects at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary.

In the Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama first expressed his gratitude for the new year. He then said: “Looking back on the past year, You have guided us in the embrace of Your warm heart even at times when our efforts might not have been sufficient. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for Your parental love.”

He went on to say: “Having welcomed in the new year with fresh minds, all of us Service performers as well as the church head ministers and other Yoboku are determined to exert our utmost sincerity in promoting the path of single-hearted salvation by walking forward on the path of spiritual growth as befits the instruments of Oyasama. I ask that You will continue to guide us with the same parental love that You showed us in the previous year so as to allow us to come closer to the world where everyone helps one another in bright spirits.”

After the prayer, the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were performed joyously, with the followers joining in singing the songs for the Service in unity of mind.

Following the performance of the Dance with Hand Movements, Rev. Nakayama proceeded to the Foundress’ Sanctuary to read his prayer before Oyasama. He offered his greetings of the new year, saying, “Happy New Year, Oyasama. Having welcomed in the new year, we are resolved to raise our awareness as the instruments of Oyasama with a greater sense of joy while exerting our utmost sincerity in bringing our minds closer to the parental heart that hastens world salvation.”

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