Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:
God the Parent, You have nurtured and guided us over many long years since You created humankind out of Your desire to see us live the Joyous Life. Also, with the arrival of the Promised Time, you received Oyasama as your living shrine and revealed the truth of the creation in detail, taught the service, showed us free and unlimited blessings, and guided us toward the path of the Joyous Life. We are forever grateful for these blessings and we express our gratitude day and night as we spiritedly apply our efforts toward the path of single-heartedness with God.
Today is the day we are granted to conduct the February monthly service and we also have the honor of Bishop Yamanaka and his family in attendance. In the presence of Bishop Yamanaka and his family, the service performers will unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyously and in high spirits. Please accept our prayers as we brothers and sisters of this Path have looked forward to this day and have gathered before You to sing the Mikagura-uta.
Due to your blessing we were able to contribute and assist at the recent Boys and Girls Association
Leadership Camp with three adult volunteers and one attendees and the New Year Park Cleanup & Barbecue Picnic held last month with thirteen persons attending the park cleanup from Pearl Church. We give thanks that an average of three persons are helping with tree trimming and yard work for the elderly in our community. We also give thanks to be blessed with one home stay student from Tenri University and two students from the Institute of Intensive English. We continue with resolve to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.
Last month, we have just started second year the three years, one thousand days leading up to Oyasama’s 130th Anniversary and the Mission Headquarters will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary in May in the presence of the Shinbashira. Also later this year, Pearl Church will be celebrating its 80th Anniversary in September. We resolve to walk the Path of single-hearted salvation such that we may be blessed with successful commemorations.
With the Shinbashira as the core, we pray that Your guidance will strengthen us into worthy Yoboku, striving with a single heart for the salvation of others. We hope that our efforts will bring joy to You and peace in this world where we all help one another as brothers and sisters. With our minds in unity towards the Truth of the Jiba, we would like to spiritedly perform the February Monthly Service today, in this 177th Year of Tenrikyo.
In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.