This is a revised edition. Please disregard the previous update sent. Our apologies. --Len Joson

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Manila Church Celebrates 43rd Anniversary, Four Ordained as Elders

From left: Area Supt. Rex Dela Pena, Senior Pastor Gil Llaneza, Joe Liao, Frank Esguerra, Vergil Bargola, Amado Aguino and National Director Eugene Guzon.

The Manila Church celebrated its 43rd anniversary last September 14, 2008. It was attended by 102 brethren with National Director Eugene Guzon and Metro Manila Area Superintendent Rex dela Peña as guest speakers.

The first message was given by Pastor Rex dela Peña followed by National Director Eugene Guzon. Their messages focused on stewardship.

During the worship service, Amado Aquino (a member of the National Advisory Council), Vergil Bargola, Frank Esguerra and Jose Liao were ordained as elders. Led by ND Eugene, the whole congregation prayed for them.

After the worship service, the women served lunch for everyone after which. ND Eugene and AS Rex had a meeting the leadership of the Manila Church.

Congratulations Manila Church! --Noemi Aileen Del Rosario

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Toledo Church Celebrates 26th Anniversary, Flaviano Calope Ordained as Elder

Ptr. Flaviano Calope ordained as elder by Area Supt. George Escara and Ptr. Jess Bahinting

The Disciples of Christ Fellowship in Toledo City, Cebu celebrated its 26th founding anniversary last September 14, 2008 at the Pahaganas Beach Resort in Barangay Ibo, Toledo City, about five kilometers away from the city proper.

The commemoration was attended by 63 people composed of the young people from the fellowship's Youth Ministry, the invited parents of these youngsters, some guests, and the church members themselves. 

Visayas area superintendent, Pastor George Escara and his wife, Pamela graced the occasion. The other guests in attendance were Pastor Jessup Bahinting and his wife, Margie of the Divine Grace Fellowship (Lapulapu City cluster), and Pastor Bursing Rota and his wife, Myrna of the Talisay City cluster. 

Pastor Jessup gave the first message (Devotional) while Pastor George gave the main message both highlighting God's great love for His creation. Among the highlights of the occasion was the ordination of Toledo Pastoral Team Chairman, Pastor Flaviano Calope as an elder with all the pastors in attendance laying hands on him for God's blessings. 

Everybody spent the rest of the day swimming, eating the sumptuous foods, and enjoying the sceneries in that very beautiful beach. Indeed, it was a day of fun, fellowship, and blessings as God continues to pour out his great love for the Toledo Church and its members. --Joy Rebecca Tan

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ND Eugene Conducts ASDECS Classes at Manila South Church

ND Eugene started facilitating ASDECS classes at the Manila South Church last September 06, 2008. There were 8 who were officially enrolled in the class. The participants are required to attend the 40-hour session, which will be conducted every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Manila South worship service hall. Worship service was arranged in the morning followed by short discussions from ND Eugene before lunch break.

During the first day of the meeting, it was attended by 22 participants including some brethren of Sta. Rosa, Laguna Church. ND Eugene introduced their main topic on “Church Growth.” They shared different expectations and the things that students wished their teachers knew. They got acquainted with the activities for the whole session and were able to explore insights on how to have more effective lectures for the remaining periods.

ND Eugene was able to finish the first part of the module on the first day. He discussed the different church growth definitions. He gave a brief history on it and focused on the Biblical Basis of Church Growth with its principles. The participants had their small group discussions.

On the second meeting last September 13, 2008, it was attended by 17. ND Eugene talked on the Six Strategies of the Church Growth. He finished on the first strategy regarding the “The Law of Receptivity.” The participants were divided into 4groups and given a part to explore from the 13 Indicators of receptivity. They were given an allotted time to finish their assigned task and able to discussed what they had talked about..

The next meeting has been move on the month of October because of the preparation to the upcoming Festival Celebration to be held on September 24-28, 2008 at Baguio City. --Noemi Aileen Del Rosario

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2008 Festival Sites

Baguio City - September 24 - 28 at Teachers Camp. Morning worship services are from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Various activities are slated in the afternoon. For housing accommodations, contact Pastor Jerry Ortiguero at +63920-903-8377. 

Kiara, Bukidnon - October 23 - 26 at the WCG Kiara Church Building, Kiara, Don Carlos, Bukidnon. Contact person: Ruben Carmelotes at +63921-404-3487.

Bicol Region - October 24-26 at Viento Del Mar Beach Resort, Sogod, Bacacay, Albay. Contact person: Dr. Jose Manzano at +63918-518-8835.

Cebu City - October 24-26 at Club Ultima, Jones Avenue, Cebu City. Contact Person: Ptr. James Boone at +63927-433-8491.

Dumaguete City - October 24 -26. Le Toundra Peak, Bacong, Negros Oriental. Contact person: Ptr. Angelo Ouano at +63915-804-4740.

Ipil - October 24 -26 at Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Contact person: Ptr. Bert Colona at +63919-209-5540 or (062) 333-2539 (during office hours only).

Tacloban City - October 18-20. Pawing Christian Center, Pawing, Palo, Leyte. Contact person: Ptr. Arturo M. Reyes at (053) 321-2989 or (053) 524-9228.

Tagbilaran City - October 26. FAD Beach Resort, Baclayon, Bohol. Contact person: Ptr. Romy Pusta at +63917-241-3980.

Motiong, Western Samar - October 30 - November 2 at Ygrubay Family Compound, Motiong, Western Samar. Contact person: Ptr. Danny de Guia at +63919-539-5397.

Cagayan de Oro City - October 31 - November 2. Contact person: Ptr. Rollen Olango at +63927-345-5522.

Davao City - November 1-2. Contact person: Dr. Boy Garcia at +63916-267-3168.

Singles Conference in Cebu this December 26-29

What: Singles' Conference. Theme: Back2Basics. When: December 26-29, 2008. Where: Somewhere in Cebu. Registration Fee: P2,500. Contact Person: Momee Vee at 0906-295-9974 and/or at 0919-625-6438. You may deposit your payments to: Missions Move Inc., BPI #9051-0005-84. --Andy Calope

Speaking of Life 106: Where is God in Disaster?

Hurricanes – floods – earthquakes – tornadoes – fires. The very words can be terrifying.

We know that God is powerful enough to stop such disasters. Sometimes he does act, and we hear stories of miraculous intervention—but more often, we do not.

Why does God let disasters happen? We simply don’t know the full answer to that question.

The Bible does tell us that when sin entered the world, God said that nature itself would work against people.

"Cursed is the ground because of you…. It will produce thorns and thistles…until you return to the ground" (Genesis 3:17-19).

When Adam and Eve sinned, nature itself somehow went awry—and nature ultimately overwhelms every one of us. We all eventually return to the dust from which we came, as verse 19 says.

Old age will strike us all -- unless something else does first.

Paul wrote in Roman 8:20 that creation itself "was subjected to frustration," and it waits for the day when it "will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom" (v. 21).

We pray for the day we’re told about in Acts 3:21 when "the time comes for God to restore everything" but we still have to live in a world gone awry.

Jesus once saved his disciples from a natural disaster—a severe storm on the sea of Galilee. He saved Paul and his companions from a storm-caused shipwreck near Malta. But nature still had its way with every one of them, for they all eventually died.

Bad things happen to good people as well as to the bad. During his severe trial, Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15).

We live by that kind of trust—knowing that the God who did not spare his own Son will never cut us off, even though we walk into the valley of the shadow of death, even though we fall prey to death itself.

The God who spared not his own Son also rescued his Son after he went through that valley of death, and he promises to rescue us, too.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that when one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it. That includes the head of the body, Jesus Christ.

In other words, God is right there in the midst of the disaster, in his people, suffering along with them. And God is also in the midst of the disaster working through his people who stand with him, moved to compassion, not putting their energy into casting blame, but into helping out, to making a positive difference.

I’m Joseph Tkach, Speaking of LIFE.

Copyright 2008 Worldwide Church of God