Tenrikyo Pearl Church Serving the community in spirited Hinokishin.

Monthly Service Prayer – April 2011

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 human beings live the Joyous Life. Also, coinciding with the arrival of the Promised Time, you accepted 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 March monthly service. 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, ten persons from Pearl Church helped in the Tenri Cultural Center Hinokishin Day on February 21st in which the Japanese Garden, the Hawaii Tenri Bunko Library, the Judo Hall, the rain gutters and the cultural center grounds were mowed and cleaned. Every Friday, Sakura Academy conducts Japanese language class here at Pearl Church with six students and on some Tuesdays, 4 persons did yard work, tree trimming and maintain neglected sidewalks for the elderly and disabled. In addition we were able to hold a successful garage sale on March 6 as a fundraiser in support of the Hawaii Convention. We give thanks that many people came to make purchases and many members contributing hinokishin time and material. We give thanks for these many opportunities to contribute and walk the path of spiritual growth and the joyous life.

Just three days ago, we experienced a major earthquake and tsunami in the Miyagi area in Japan in which hundreds have passed away for rebirth and many people suffering from the devastation. We pray for the victims and survivors that they may have hope and inner strength that will overcome their despair and suffering.

We pray that Your continued 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 all people help one another. With our minds in unity towards the Truth of the Jiba, we would like to spiritedly perform the March Monthly Service today, in this 174th Year of Tenrikyo.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

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.  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 have completed another month of spreading the teachings and engaging in salvation work bringing the joy of faith to the people in the community. We give thanks that we were able to contribute and assist at the recent Boy’s and Girl’s Association Leadership Camp and the New Year BBQ Picnic held last month with twelve persons attending from Pearl Church. We give thanks for the HARP Seminar held at Mission Headquarters in which two persons attended from Pearl Church.  We give thanks that an average of four persons are helping with tree trimming and yard work for the elderly in our community. We also give thanks to be blessed two home stay students from Tenri Kyoko Gakuen who came not only to learn English, but also plant seeds of sincerity by engaging nioigake and hinokishin.  We continue with resolve to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

The Mission Headquarters will be conducting a cleanup Hinokishin Day at Tenri Cultural Center on February 21st to beautify the Center so that we may spread the fragrance of the teachings to the community.  The Cultural Center serves the public through the Tenri Bunko (Library), the Judo club, the Bazaar, Saturday Japanese School and other functions.  May we be resolved to participate with as many people as possible with joy and sincerity.

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 174th Year of Tenrikyo.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

January Grand Service

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

God the Parent, because of Your love for all Your children, You exhaust Your mind in every kind of way (Ofudesaki IV: 63).  Out of Your parental love, You laid down the path of world salvation, teaching us the truth of human creation.  We are truly grateful for Your protection, for saving us, drawing us to the Path, and allowing us to walk toward the Joyous Life.

The twenty-sixth of this month commemorates the 125th Anniversary since the day when Oyasama shortened Her physical life by twenty-five years because of Her deep parental love that wished for the spiritual growth of Her children.  

As we look forward to this New Year, we remember and give thanks for your deep parental love through the blessings of miraculous healings, people returning to Jiba and the many people who have attended the various church activities.  Last year, Twenty-two persons returned to Jiba of which fourteen returned during the Women’s Association 100th Anniversary in April, an average of twenty-four persons attended the Pearl Church monthly service, six persons participated and helped at the Boy’s & Girl’s Association Leadership camp, twenty persons attended and helped at the BGA New Year Park Cleanup and BBQ Picnic, six persons helped at the all Tenri Cultural  Center  Cleanup  Hinokishin,  eight persons  from  Pearl Church  attended  the  Boy’s  and Girl’s Association

Oyasama Birthday Activity, forty-nine persons from Pearl Church attended the All Tenrikyo Hinokishin Day at Honolulu Zoo, twelve persons attended the Young Men’s Association-Women’s Association-Young Women’s Club Joint General Meeting, nineteen people attended or helped at the Boy’s and Girl’s Association Spring Camp, twenty-five persons attended the annual Tenrikyo Picnic, the Pastor of this church led the Children’s Pilgrimage as the BGA chairman, twenty persons helped at the Annual Tenrikyo Bazaar, eighteen persons participated in the All Tenrikyo Nioigake Day, seven persons participated in the Boy’s and Girl’s Association Trick or Treat for Unicef activity and adult leaders participated in the Boy’s & Girl’s Association Leaders Fun Camp. An average of four persons helped with the weekly yard work on neglected sidewalks and yards of the elderly and physically challenged throughout the year, as well at the Tenri Cultural Center and tree trimming at the mission headquarters.  The Sazuke was administered a total of 418 times in 2010.  We were able to begin monthly musical instrument practice with an average of six persons attending and the exterior repainting of the Pearl Church building was completed with all Hinokishin hands. We give thanks for this past year’s participation and in gratitude and resolve we look forward toward ever greater joy in this New Year.

The service performers, bearing in mind this precious day the portals were opened will express their appreciation and perform the January Grand Service at this church.  We children of the Path have gathered to remember the hardships Oyasama faced and sing the Mikagura-uta.  Please accept our sincere prayers.

In looking forward to this new 174th Year of Tenrikyo we church members and yoboku will devote ourselves to mastering the Service as Oyasama taught us, administer the Sazuke, engage in nioigake and salvation work, return to Jiba with as many people as possible and work towards the success of the Hawaii Convention.  May You, God the Parent, continue to guide us with Your warm parental heart to allow us to convey the path of the Joyous Life to the people around us.

Together with everyone present, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

God the Parent, we are grateful for Your constant protection and gradual instruction that guides us on the path to spiritual growth. In this last month of this 173rd year of Tenrikyo we are all striving for the sake of single-hearted salvation while leaning on the ever-living Oyasama and we give thanks for the many and
continuous blessings we have received throughout the year.

Today, for this December monthly service at Pearl Church, the service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyfully 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.

Through your blessing the repainting of Pearl Church was finally completed on November 24, nineteen persons attended the thanksgiving dinner held on November 25 and also, two junior leaders and three adult leaders from Pearl Church participated in the Boy’s and Girl’s Association Leaders Fun camp held at the mission HQ on November 26 through 27. In addition, an average of four persons helped with the weekly yard work on neglected sidewalks and various private yards as well as the Tenri Cultural Center throughout the year. The Sazuke was administered a total of 23 times for the month of November and a blessing service was
conducted for a place of business on December 2. We thank you deeply for these blessings.

In the remaining days of this year we vow to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and continue to encourage as many people as possible to return to Jiba.

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 all people help one another as brothers and sisters. With our minds in unity toward the Truth of the Jiba, we would like to spiritedly perform the last monthly service of the 173rd Year of Tenrikyo.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

    God the Parent, in this month of Thanksgiving, we are very grateful for Your constant protection and gradual instruction that guides us on the path to spiritual growth.  In gratitude, we are all striving for the sake of single-hearted salvation while leaning on the ever-living Oyasama.

    Today, for this November monthly service at Pearl Church, we give thanks for being kept alive by your divine grace and being blessed by your love and protection.  The service performers will now 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.

    Through your blessing and guidance seven persons from Pearl Church attended the Mission Headquarters October Grand Service. Also, four persons from Pearl Church attended the Tengen October Grand Service on October 23rd and four persons attended the church headquarters October Grand Service.  A total of three persons returned Jiba for the month of October.  Seven persons from Pearl Church, “trick or treated” for UNICEF in Waikiki.

     Also due to Your blessing we are most happy to report that we are near completion of The Pearl Church exterior painting project with numerous people contributing to see its completion.  We give thanks that an average of four persons are helping with tree trimming and yard work for the elderly in our community. We thank you deeply to these wonderful blessings.

    In this eleventh month of the 173rd year of Tenrikyo, we vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as many people as possible to return to Jiba.  We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.

    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 November Monthly Service today.

    In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:
    God the Parent, as we receive Your overflowing grace and blessings, which grants us the free use our bodies, we advance toward the realization of the joyous life world as you guide us in our spiritual development.  We are forever grateful for these blessings and we express our gratitude day and night as we apply our effort in sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and salvation work.
    
    Today is the day we are granted to conduct the September monthly service at Pearl Church.  The service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyously and in high spirits.  As you observe the brothers and sisters of the path who have looked forward to this day singing the songs of the service in unison with hearts filled with gratitude for Your parental love, we hope that You can be spirited as well.
    
    Through your blessing twenty persons from Pearl Church helped at the annual Tenrikyo Bazaar held on August 29th making ohagi, helping with the parking and shuttle van service, and the after cleanup and with the pastor of this church serving as chair for the 4th year.  Moses, Chieko and Sadie Nakao completed one year of service at Pearl Church and have moved out on their own.
    
The all Tenrikyo Nioigake Day was held on Labor Day, September 6 with 18 persons attending from Pearl Church.  An average of four persons served the community by doing yard work for the elderly, clearing neglected sidewalks and tree trimming at Rainbow Hale.  We thank you deeply for these blessings as we strive to convey the teachings to as many people as possible and experience the joy and hope of many people attending the various activities.

    In this 9th month of the 173rd Year of Tenrikyo we vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as much people as possible to return to Jiba.  We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.
    
With the Shinbashira as the core we vow to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

    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 September Monthly Service.
    
    In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

God the Parent, as we receive Your overflowing grace and blessings, which grants us the free use our our bodies, we advance toward the realization of the joyous life world as you guide us in our spiritual development.  We are forever grateful for these blessings and we express our gratitude day and night as we apply our effort in sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and salvation work.

Today is the day we are granted to conduct the August monthly service at Pearl Church.  The service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyously and in high spirits.  As you observe the brothers and sisters of the path who have looked forward to this day singing the songs of the service in unison with hearts filled with gratitude for Your parental love, we hope that You can be spirited as well.

Through your blessing, fives persons from Pearl Church, returned to Jiba in July with two persons attending the Besseki Lecture, one for the first time.  Also two persons served as the Overseas

Boy’s and Girl’s Association Hinokishin Corps counselors. This month the annual Tenrikyo Bazaar will be held on August 24 with the pastor of this church again serving as chair and members of this church helping in the ohagi production, bubble drink booth, parking, shuttle bus, cleanup and other various capacities.  In addition later this month, two persons will return to Jiba, one of whom will be attending his first Besseki Lecture and who will be our fourth person to take the Besseki pledge this year which is the most since the time of our first head minister. We thank you deeply for these blessings as we strive to convey the teachings to as many people as possible and experience the joy and hope of seeing increasing numbers of people attending the various activities.

In this 8th month of the 171st Year of Tenrikyo we vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as much people as possible to return to Jiba.  We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.
With the Shinbashira as the core we vow to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

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 August Monthly Service.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of

Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

God the Parent, as we receive Your overflowing grace and blessings, which grants us the free use of our bodies, we advance toward the realization of the joyous life world as you guide us in our spiritual development. We are forever grateful for these blessings and we express our gratitude day and night as we apply our effort in sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and salvation work.

Today is the day we are granted to conduct the July monthly service at Pearl Church. The service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyously and in high spirits. As you observe the brothers and sisters of the path who have looked forward to this day singing the songs of the service in unison with hearts filled with gratitude for Your parental love, we hope that You can be spirited as well.

Through your blessing, twenty-five persons from Pearl Church, attended the Annual Tenrikyo Picnic on July 5th. The pastor of this church served as the Doctrine Class English Instructor and Mrs. Taeko Nakao served as the women’s instruments instructor for the first half of the one-month Hawaii Spiritual Development Course held at Mission Headquarters. We continue with the community yard service helping the elderly maintain their yards and neglected sidewalks.

Later this month, the pastor of this church will be accompanying a group of ten persons participating in this year’s Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba.

We give thanks that in this time of the economic recovery, most in our congregation are not severely affected. We thank you deeply for these blessings as we strive to convey the teachings to as many people as possible.

In this 7th month of the 173rd Year of Tenrikyo we vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as much people as possible to return to Jiba. We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.

With the Shinbashira as the core we vow to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

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 July Monthly Service.

In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

    God the Parent, as we receive Your overflowing grace and blessings, which grants us the free use our bodies, we advance toward the realization of the joyous life world as you guide us in our spiritual development.  We are forever grateful for these blessings and we express our gratitude day and night as we apply our effort in sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and salvation work.

    Today is the day we are granted to conduct the June monthly service at Pearl Church.  The service performers will now unite their hearts to perform the seated service and Teodori joyously and in high spirits.  As you observe the brothers and sisters of the path who have looked forward to this day singing the songs of the service in unison with hearts filled with gratitude for Your parental love, we hope that You can be spirited as well.

    Through your blessing, twelve persons from Pearl Church, including four service performers attended the Hawaii Young Men’s Association, Women’s Association and Young Women’s Club Joint General Meeting on May 15th. In addition nineteen people including 11 children, participated and volunteered at the annual Boy’s and Girl’s Association Spring Camp and General Meeting held from May 29-31 in which nearly 100 persons were involved.  We thank you deeply for these blessings as we strive to convey the teachings to as many people as possible. Also, an average of four persons helped with the weekly yard work at tree trimming at the eleven locations including the Tenri Cultural Center.

    In this 6th month of the 173rd Year of Tenrikyo we vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as much people as possible to return to Jiba.  We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.

With the Shinbashira as the core we vow to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

    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 June Monthly Service.

    In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.

Monthly Service Prayer

Before God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Owen Osamu Nakao, Pastor of Tenrikyo Pearl Church, pray with reverence:

    God the Parent, we are grateful for Your constant protection and gradual instruction that guides us on the path to spiritual growth.  We are all striving for the sake of single-hearted salvation while leaning on the ever-living Oyasama.

    Today, for this May monthly service at Pearl Church, we celebrate Mother’s Day and we give thanks to our mothers and Oyasama who has the soul of the first mother of all human beings.  We thank them for their love and nurturing.  The service performers will now 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.

    Through your blessing, fourteen persons from Pearl Church returned to Jiba during the Women’s Association 100th Anniversary this past April.  Also eight persons from Pearl Church attended the Boy’s and Girl’s Association Oyasama Birthday Activity at mission headquarters on April 18th.   Also due to the members sincere efforts forty-nine persons from Pearl Church attended the All Tenrikyo Hinokishin Day at Honolulu Zoo on May 1. We thank you deeply for these blessings as we strive to convey the teachings to as many people as possible and experience the joy of increasing numbers of people attending the various activities.  

    Also this month marks three years since we purchased the 15-passenger van which has proven to be a valuable asset in our salvation work.  On a weekly basis the van is being used for yard work in the community and for transporting people to the Mission Headquarters and other locations for church activities.
 
    We vow to continue to work together engaging in hinokishin and salvation work with a unity of mind and encourage as much people as possible to return to Jiba.  We pray for the victims and survivors of conflicts and disasters in the world; that they may have faith and resolve to overcome their grief and suffering.

With the Shinbashira as the core we vow to make sincere efforts in our daily lives to truly follow the Divine Model of Oyasama.

    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 May Monthly Service today, held in this 172nd Year of Tenrikyo.

    In union with the congregation, I pray for these blessings.