Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, is just around the corner — January 29th, 2025. Families are preparing to celebrate with delectable meals and traditional customs. But did you know this festive season often leads to a big increase in food waste?

To address this, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Seo-Incheon Branch organised a "Food Waste Reduction Campaign" targeting citizens near Gajeong Jungang Market on the 16th. They shared practical tips, including writing a shopping list to avoid overbuying, using leftovers creatively, and draining moisture from food before disposing.

The campaign included fun activities like yutnori (Korean traditional game) and a market cleanup, making the event both educational and enjoyable!

One citizen who participated in the campaign expressed his will to reduce food waste, saying, “Instead of making food that is just tasty enough to eat and leaving it behind, we should reduce food waste and use the remaining money to help our neighbours in need.”

Source: https://vo.la/gQidbE

In the mountainous Seokseongsan area in ​​Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, an activity to protect endangered wild animals suffering from food shortages in winter was held by the Yongin branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group on the 11th. 

Organised by the non-profit organisation Environmental 21 Solidarity, a total of 50 volunteers distributed about 2 tonnes of animal feed.

An official from the Yongin branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group said, “We hope to create an environment where people and nature can coexist in harmony, beyond simply feeding animals.”

The Annual Passover and General Assembly Service opened with a moving time of praise and performance prepared by the Shincheonji United Choir and Orchestra, and was followed by an introduction, given by the leader of the John Tribe, to the value of the Passover Service and the importance of evangelism.

Then, Chairman Lee took to the pulpit and delivered a thorough lecture that exceeded an hour on the meaning of the Passover and the importance of understanding the Word correctly to go on the right path to heaven.

Chairman Lee stressed the importance of receiving the testimony from the witness of the fulfilled realities of the prophecies recorded in the Book of Revelation. Citing Revelation 22:8, 16, the Chairman said, “The person who saw and heard this is the messenger of Jesus who testifies to the churches, so that those who hear the testimony, understand it, and believe it can be saved.”

Citing Rev. 22:18-19, Chairman Lee emphasised the importance of not adding to or subtracting from the Book of Revelation, saying, “If you add to or subtract from the Book of Revelation, you will not be able to go to heaven and will receive plagues,” and “If you master the Book of Revelation today, you will pass over the plagues.” He added, “Those who are sealed by the words of testimony that make known that the Book of Revelation, which is likened to the blood of Jesus, has been fulfilled are the ones who will be saved.”

The true meaning and reality of today's 'Passover' was also explained. The Passover is a feast that commemorates the Exodus when the Israelites escaped from 400 years of slavery in Egypt during the time of Moses, and carries the meaning of 'passing over disaster.' This is in line with the meaning of 'crossing over from death to life' mentioned in John 5:24-29.

Just as at the first coming, those who received the Word of Life (John 6) and the flesh and blood of Jesus passed from death to life, today, too, there is a place where those who have overcome spiritual Babylon with the blood of the Lamb and the Word of Testimony have gathered. That place is the 'place of salvation' and the 'passover place' where they have passed from death to life.

Chairman Lee continued, “Only Shincheonji can know and testify to the truth of the Book of Revelation. Now is the time for God’s work to be completed.” He encouraged, “All Shincheonji believers must fulfil their mission of spreading the word of truth and opening the door to salvation. As Shincheonji believers who are the light of the world, let us fulfil God’s will.”

The sermon was followed by an evangelism awards ceremony. A female congregant of the Shincheonji Gwangju Church, who evangelised a staggering 138 people last year, said, “There were times when I was persecuted while spreading the gospel, and there were times when I wanted to give up on the work of evangelism, but thanks to the help of fellow co-workers, I was able to get back up and work again.” She also expressed her determination, saying, “I will work even harder in 2025.”

Meanwhile, Shincheonji celebrates its founding anniversary (March 14th) every year, as well as the three major feasts recorded in the Bible: Passover (January 14th), the Feast of Tabernacles (July 15th), and the Feast of Ingathering (September 24th). In the words of a Shincheonji official, “These feasts are services held to inform that the prophecies promised in the New Testament have been fulfilled in reality today and to pass this on to future generations as the eternal gospel.”

The 'Life Journey 90:10' Cultural Festival was held at the Gwangju Church of the Peter Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereinafter referred to as Shincheonji Gwangju Church) on the 11th, and Mr. Gyu-yong Kim (70s, Gwangju City), who visited this year after last year, said this and expressed his gratitude.

A total of 1800 people attended the event that day, and it was filled with people enjoying the health booths, various experience booths, and cultural performances. People made brooms with the meaning of 'sweeping away evil and sweeping in the good' and picked out Bible verses that comfort and encourage life as they raised their expectations for the new year.

Shincheonji Gwangju Church will continue to communicate with local residents through friendly and diverse heavenly cultures.

Meanwhile, the Love Flower Festival is a representative cultural event of the Shincheonji Gwangju Church that invites citizens every month to enjoy various performances and experience booths for free.

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Chairman Lee took to the pulpit and emphasised in his sermon that day why the words of the Book of Revelation are important to us who live during the Second Coming of Jesus, when all of God's promises will be fulfilled in 6000 years, and emphasised true faith based on the Bible.

Chairman Lee urged the attendees to check whether they are keeping the words Jesus said in the Four Gospels and the Book of Revelation well.

While doing so, he explained, “The Book of Revelation is a prophecy about what will happen in the future, and when it happens, the reality of the recorded prophecy will be revealed. So, we must be able to present that reality as evidence of its fulfilment.”

The Chairman also emphasised the importance of having faith and belief in the words of Revelation, so as not to add or take away from it and avoid receiving the curses recorded in Rev 22:18-19.

He continued, “Regardless of who you are, when this Book of Revelation is fulfilled, you must be created according to it,” and, “I must look back and ask myself who the Book of Revelation says I am, and whether I have been created according to the Book of Revelation.”

He also urged pastors, “If you are someone who lives for God’s work, you must believe according to the Bible,” and, “You must lower your thoughts, know this word, and follow it as your teacher.”

In addition to receiving a National Assembly Member Award as a group, the Tongyeong branch also received three individual awards (one from a National Assembly Member and two from the Tongyeong City Council Speaker), receiving recognition for their consistent and faithful service.

A Tongyeong branch official said, “We will continue to focus on volunteer work in 2025 to contribute even more to society.”

A senior citizen who benefitted from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gyeyang Branch's 'Beautiful Seniors' activity held at the Gyeyang Community Center on the 20th of last month, said this.

The Gyeyang branch assessed the blood circulation and health conditions of the beneficiaries using a quantum measuring device, and volunteers with over 20 years of experience in beauty provided hair and beauty care. They also shared warmth by delivering Christmas gifts.

On the 5th, the Daejeon Church of the Matthias Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter referred to as Shincheonji Daejeon Church) held its first Revelation Bible Seminar of the New Year, and the leader of the Matthias tribe shouted this.

This Bible Seminar, held on the first Sunday of the new year in 2025 with the theme of “The Blind Who Open Their Eyes to Find Heaven,” was attended by 30 pastors and 2500 citizens - including about 10,000 people in attendance online - who filled the main sanctuary of the Temple despite the freezing outdoor temperature.

Above all, the tribe leader emphasised, “Revelation 22:18-19 says that if you add to or subtract from the Book of Revelation, you will not be able to enter heaven and will receive plagues. So, let us study the words of Revelation well to avoid the fiery lake of hell and enjoy the blessing of eternal life in the kingdom of God.”

In particular, he emphasised the reality of the fulfilment of the prophecies in the New Testament Book of Revelation. He emphasised, “Today, when the Book of Revelation is fulfilled, when the promised pastor of the New Testament, the messenger of Jesus who delivers the revealed word to the churches in sin (Revelation 22:16), opens the eyes of the blind, let us listen carefully to his word, understand it, and go to heaven together.”

He added, “I hope that the new year will be filled with love and peace.” When he finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the temple, blessings were exchanged such as, “The new year of 2025 (the 42nd year of the New Heaven and New Earth era) is the ‘Year of Love and Blessings,’ so since you have come to the first Bible Seminar of the New Year, you will truly receive love and blessings!”

This is what Rosemary Kaoma (35, female), who participated in the outdoor sports competition held by the Zambia Church of the Bartholomew Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter referred to as Shincheonji Zambia Church) said on the 28th of last month.

This sports competition was planned with the aim of promoting unity and faith among believers, and a total of 171 people, including believers from the Shincheonji Zambia Church and local residents, participated and enjoyed various activities.

The event programme consisted of various sports activities such as tug-of-war, relay races, football and netball. 

The sports day began with an opening prayer and welcoming remarks by Lecturer Stanley. Lecturer Stanley said, “This is a precious time for all of us to come together and strengthen our health and bond in faith.”

The Shincheonji Zambia Church plans to continuously organise events that can promote both faith and health.

Source: vo.la/rjvOCG

Director Maeng-ho Min of the Gulpocheon Environmental Management Citizens' Coalition said this upon presenting an award to the Bucheon Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group, in recognition of their consistent volunteer work over 2024, at the '8th Anniversary Gulpocheon National River Promotion Ceremony' held at the Bucheon City Council on the 27th of last month.

In addition to the environmental management activities for Gulpocheon Stream, the main activities of the Bucheon Branch include the 'Green Nature' wetland preservation and environmental purification campaign, the 'More the Better' service for the sharing of companion plants to promote emotional wellbeing, and the 'Pinky Promise' service to promote harmony between people with disability and people without.

Meanwhile, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group was founded in the Republic of Korea by Shincheonji Church of Jesus to break down the barriers of conflict found within class, gender, religion, and politics, and to unite hearts and minds by putting the teachings received from heaven into practice for the growth and development of local communities. Shincheonji Volunteer Group has 350,000 members and 77 branches in 12 regions domestically.

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Shincheonji Church of Jesus regularly opens its doors to the public to lecture on a range of Bible-based topics, especially on the Book of Revelation, to foster deeper ties with communities throughout South Korea and address misunderstandings and prejudices towards Shincheonji.

On the 6th, the Seoul James Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereafter referred to as Shincheonji Seoul James Tribe) held its first New Year's seminar of 2025 at the Shincheonji Seoul James Tribe Church with the theme, "Welcome to Your First Taste of Heaven."

On that day, the leader of the Seoul James tribe emphasised in his lecture, “Ultimately, we have faith in order to go to heaven.”

He continued, “Matthew 7:21 says that not everyone who simply believes in Jesus and goes to church can go to heaven,” and “Only those who do the will of the Father can enter heaven.”

He explained, “In order to do the will of the Father in heaven, we must know God's will.” He emphasised the importance of understanding the words of the Bible and engraving it on one's heart and mind.

In addition to the lecture that day, a play titled “Express Train to Heaven” was also put on to provide time to think about heaven and hell based on the Bible.

Meanwhile, the Shincheonji Seoul James Tribe is scheduled to hold various lectures in the coming week on the themes of heaven and identity.