On January 1, the New Year\u2019s Day Service for the 185th year of the Teaching (2022) 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 continue making steady efforts to move forward on the path of the Joyous Life.<\/p>\n
At the appointed time, Rev. Nakayama and other Service performers left the Staff Quarters and paid their respects at the Foundress\u2019 Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary.<\/p>\n
In the Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama first expressed his gratitude for the new year. He then said: \u201cDuring the past year, we faced various restrictions on our activities due to the spread of COVID-19. Despite these circumstances, we were able to engage in the work of single-hearted salvation in our respective roles and positions. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for all Your guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Continuing, he said: \u201cHaving welcomed in the new year, all of us followers are determined to once again raise our awareness of the mission as Yoboku and strive to exert our utmost sincerity in engaging in the work of world salvation while straightforwardly following Oyasama\u2019s model path in the spirit of single-heartedness with God. I ask that You will provide us with Your guidance whenever we fall short so as to help us continue walking on the path of the Joyous Life this year, the path that is to continue for all generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Following the performance of the Dance with Hand Movements, Rev. Nakayama proceeded to the Foundress\u2019 Sanctuary to read his prayer before Oyasama. He offered his New Year\u2019s greetings, saying: \u201cHappy 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. We will exert our utmost sincerity in performing our duties in unity of mind by using the teachings as the guiding principle for our thoughts and actions.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On January 1, the New Year\u2019s Day Service for the 185th year of the Teaching (2022) 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\u2026<\/p>\n