Update from WCG Philippines

A weekly e-mail newsletter from the Worldwide Church of God - Philippines

January 5, 2007

Ordinations Held in San Pablo City Church

In the last worship service for 2006 of the Christ the Rock Fellowship (CRF) in San Pablo City, two ordinations took place. Apolonio Makahiya (left photo) and Ric Sayo (right photo beside Dr. Taniajura) were ordained as deacon and elder respectively on December 30 by Southern Luzon area superintendent Dr. Rey Taniajura. Claro Ting, senior pastor of CRF assisted in the ordinations together with Mrs. Rinia Sotalbo who represented her husband elder Tom Sotalbo who is currently in New Zealand. Pol Makahiya is presently serving as senior pastor of the local church in San Nicolas, Laguna while Ric Sayo is the senior pastor of the local church in Agdangan, Quezon.

New Manil OBS Opens with First Worship Service

Last December 31,2006 we did our first ever "full" worship service in Ed & Glor Villamil's place in Manil,LB Postigo, our newly opened OBS, it was a year end thanksgiving of Kuya Ed on his 65th birthday last Dec 30. About 80 people attended, 35 of whom are members from Ipil and Bogabongan, while the rest are farm workers of the Villamils, neighbors and relatives. We brought with us from Ipil some of our instruments and two of our worship team (guitarist and song leader). We used as our back ups of our worship team six of the young people whom we have formed as a youth Bible study group two weeks ago.

These young people were very enthusiastic in their singing although they have just their rehearsal that very morning about two hours before the worship service! Tehane and Pompey lead them in the practice in that very morning and then sang with them in the worship service. I delivered a Gospel message based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son and at the end invited those who want to "go back to the Father for a reunion" received Christ as Savior & Lord to raised their hands and join with us in prayers. Quite a number did!

At the testimony portion, Kuya Ed gave his testimony about his earlier life and upbringing and how he came to know Christ as his Savior and Lord. He also shared his vision to his farm workers of making their place a place where God will be worshiped and where people will bear the fruit of the Spirit and he read the portion of the Scriptures in Galatians 5. I myself and our team from Ipil were very happy about his sharing of his vision to these people so that they will know that all that we & kuya Ed meant for them is for their own good! 

Because of this testimony we expect more people to attend our Bible Study this coming Sunday. Ate Glor also gave her testimony which brought tears to her and many eyes of the audience. She told them how she thanked God for giving her and her family the opportunity to serve others!

After the worship service we feasted on the food prepared and served by the Villamils which consisted of "litson" as the main dish. We then have our second Bible Study lesson for the young people and we have been able to befriend one of them which allow us to use their living room as our BS area. More new faces attended our second lesson for the young people. We then scheduled a one hour BS every Sunday just before the Sunday worship with the adults and it will start this coming Sunday. I, Pompey and Kuya Ed will take turns in leading the BS and worship every Sunday.

Our team went home at about 3:00 in the afternoon of the same day very happy and motivated for what has had transpired during the day! We are planning to hold a 5 day Vacation Bible School in the place this coming summer vacation in order also to reach the young children. In this way we hope not only to sustain our momentum but to heighten it in the coming months! Please include us in your prayers! --Bert Colona, Senior Pastor for Barandilla Community Fellowship & Zamboanga City Church

Forestry Church VBS Batch 3 Kids’ Graduation

Another twenty five new kids from Forestry’s neighborhood were Batch 3 graduates of Vacation Bible School. Their graduation coincided with WCG-Forestry’s Christmas and Year-End Party on December 30, 2006 at the Barangay Hall Chapel with an attendance of 103. The party started with worship services at 1:30 pm. Ptr. Pete Melendez was guest speaker who gave a Tagalog sermon on the birth and redemption of Jesus Christ entitled, “Born to Redeem”. VBS graduation immediately followed after the worship service, which featured an interpretative dance called “Firm Foundation” by the graduating kids. The 25 kids each received a certificate of attendance from Bible League/WCG, a Tagalog Bible Komiks and a bar of chocolate.  After merienda, there were gift-giving, talent contest, and games to complete the party. --Jing Saynes

Dumaguete Brethren Holds Worship Service in Prison

Dumaguete, Philippines- A combined Worship service was held at the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center last December 31, 2006 with an attendance of 70. Members from the Dumaguete Church together with the inmates sang songs of praises to the Lord, the only source of true freedom. Ptr. Boy Ouano gave the message "The Best Gift" to encourage the brethren in prison that the best gift we can have for Christmas is Jesus Christ Himself. We also distributed clothing, soap (laundry&bath), noodles to about 40 inmates. We had a joyful time fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters at the jail. --Debbie Ouano

WCG San Carlos City Celebrates 24th Church Anniversary

San Carlos City, Negros Occidental -- The WCG, JESUS LIVING WORD celebrated its 24th church anniversary last December 17, 2006 one day ahead of  the original date to coincide with the regular weekly day of worship. The celebration  was highlighted with a luncheon enjoyed by the brethren together with 21 new people who accepted JESUS CHRIST to compose the total attendance of 70  people. Pastor Flaviano "NONONG"  Calope, our invited speaker  from Toledo Church, delivered the message on the subject: "What are you preparing for the coming of our Savior?" The message was filled with new insight of how the brethren should focus their minds to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom Building Work on this Christmas season and encourage the local congregation how they could invest their giving to support Christ's Work before He comes. The celebration was successful and all were inspired to  enjoy fellowship with one another. --Laurencio Sabanal Jr.

For comments, suggestions, to submit and share an article,  to subscribe or unsubscribe, write to Len.Joson@wcg.org. These updates can also be accessed and viewed at www.wcg.org/ph.  WCG - Philippines: National Office Address: #60 Matahimik St., Teachers Village, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines. Telephone No. (632) 426-22-94. When sending articles, please send preferably in  text format only and photos as attached files in jpg format.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thessalonians 3:1)