On November 24, it was very warm like springtime though rain was forecasted. The 17th New Jerusalem New Song Festival was held at the auditorium in Okcheon Training Institute to praise God for His love and sacrifice. From early morning, 13 choir groups arrived at the Institute one by one and practised new songs with all their heart. Each group consisted of 80 members.

The event place was crowed not only with choir groups but also with their supporters who were determined to make known the glory of God to the world by supporting the choirs singing the new songs. They prepared various placards and pickets with supporting sentences written on them; some of them wore the same shirts and passionately supported the choirs.

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About 1 p.m., Mother prayed to God, Please, let the Holy Spirit, which is seven times stronger than that poured in the time of Your first coming, be delivered to the nations all over the world, through this event. She told the participants, "Be joyful always and give thanks in all circumstances for you are the children who have received the promise of salvation. Remember the word of God, 'Do not treat prophecies with contempt,' so that you can interpret the signs of the times and prepare everything according to the prophecies. Teach the truths to all people, not neglecting the blessing of salvation, and enter the kingdom of Heaven with your fruits."

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Next, General Pastor Joo Cheol Kim introduced all the overseas members who came to Korea and were studying the Bible and learning the culture of Korea. And then, he said, "We should try to do our best for the last gospel, realizing what age this is through the overseas brothers and sisters who have flown into Mother's arms like doves according to the prophecy. A mere child doesn't know the season or time, but grown-ups know it. We should become the mature and lead many to righteousness by blowing the trumpet of the gospel loudly at this last age."

The Festival started with ''Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 by Messiah Orchestra. Following the gracious song of the Incheon Association Choir 'Hephzibah who prepared Give Thanks to God, other choirs presented their songs one by one. The names of choir groups who stood on the gracious stage to praise God were 'World Mission,' 'Ehad,' 'Charis,' 'Linen,' 'One Mind', 'David,' 'The Light of Jerusalem,' 'Elohim,' 'Harps and Lutes,' 'The Sound of Heaven,' 'Very Shiny,' 'Aha' including 'Hephzibah.' They had a competition in good faith.

The choirs said, "We are very nervous, but we will do our best and be the harps and lutes that sing the glory of God to the whole world." The supporters feverishly cheered their choir group, waving the placards and pickets. They showed a wonderful support, clapping and applauding the other groups as well as their own group. They were truly the people of Zion who are full of love.

There were special performances during the Festival. 4 or 5-year-old children showed 'Puppet Dance.' All the participants laughed, watching the cute and tiny children twitch their small hips, ignoring the rhythm. The overseas members, too, were unable to contain their joy by the cute motions of the children. Besides, the exciting Korean traditional musical performance, the dance of 'New Life Children's Choir' who sang in various countries' traditional clothes, and the conte by the youths were all great works of impression.

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Every 13 group received a prize; Incentive prizes for 5 groups, bronze prizes for 3 groups, silver prizes for 2 groups, gold prize for 1 group, honor prize for 1 group and grand prize for 1 group. When the prize winners went onto the stage, Mother awarded the trophies and bunches of flower to them each. Jerusalem Choir who sang the new songs beautifully and magnificently at the beginning and at the end of the event was awarded a special prize.

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Pastor Gyeong-ryeol Hwang from Mapo in Seoul and Pastor Yeong-do Son from Ilsan in Goyang of the 'Harps and Lutes' choir group, who received the grand prize, said, We attribute the glory of the grand prize to God who's allowed such a big prize even though we are not good enough. We think this prize has been rewarded because we tried to be one while practising the new song. We will accomplish the gospel work in Korea with one mind, so that we may support the overseas mission. Thank You Father and Mother!"

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The participants were being born again as suitable prophets in the age of the Holy Spirit, giving thanks to Heavenly Father and Mother who allowed the privileges to give glory to the true God through the new song that only the ones, who have been redeemed, can sing. This reporter hope that the new song for praising Elohim God may be spread grandly to the whole world soon.