what happened -...
TRANSCRIPT
VACATION
Page 8 Milestones
SATURDAY THANKSGIVING
SUNDAY THANKSGIVING LEADERS’ BOWLING
ECC Filipino Fellowship Ministry Center
1st Floor, Southorn Mansion, 1 Luard Road, Wan Chai
This quarter highlights,
“What we did”
and
“ what
happened”
Milestones A quarterly publication of the ECC Filipino Ministry
October—December 2011
At age nine, I, some of my siblings,
and parents started to join an
evangelical church, where in such a
young age I learned a powerful
lesson on serving God from a
children’s song: “Jesus went about
doing good. The Bible tells me so.”
Jesus worked real hard—woke up
hours before daylight to pray, teach
and preach in many places in a day.
Along side with my growing up in
the flesh was spiritual growth, which
include knowing and doing more of
God’s will, lead me to a Bible
College. There I learned of
“consecration”, which means—set
apart for God’s service. This hit me
hard and was getting stronger and
stronger while with my wife we serve
in the pastorate, church planting and
overseeing church leaders through
the years. So, we worked hard
towards improving members’ lives,
towards making as many unbelievers
of different walks of life believers.
Then, at another point of my life I
came to feel that I’m not doing as
much as before because I had the
comfort of having responsible church
leaders and members surrounding
me, preparations were done at home
in stead of office, and without eyes
closely watching my activities. With
that conviction, and for some other
reasons I joined a church where I will
have immediate superior, who would
check on me. As weeks passed by,
then months, I noted that I was
working on my own. I was treated so
professionally, and as mature servant
of God, that no one was checking on
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Care for both body and spirit Mark Venezuela
me on my program and activities,
other than submitting a monthly
report.
Since ministry is a battle against
evil spiritual forces, it has to be
fought well and has to be won. The
process of the battle is long, constant
and tedious to both body and spirit.
Aware that both body and spirit have
limitations that needs special
consideration, attention and care has
to be in place. This is where ‘retreat’
is necessary to give adequate time for
the body and mind to be freed from
workplace and usual activity.
On December 12 I had slight fever
which I carry along to work. On
Friday that week a pimple like thing
showed up over my left eyebrow.
Fearful it might get worse, I see a
doctor, and I was diagnosed having
herpes zoster infection. It was a
recurrence of a chickenpox virus I
had 40 years ago, due to weakening
of body resistance.
I was granted leave from
December 26 - January 13. Though I
still have to do regular medication
five times daily, I enjoyed each day
very much, going places and visiting
my siblings and
of my wife.
It was great
time unwinding
mind, heart and
soul. It was
refreshing and,
relaxing;
bringing healing
to my total
person.
Majority of the Filipino Fellowship
members join the first of the three
international worship services, a few
on the second, and even lesser on the
third. There are Filipinos too who
have been faithfully joining worship,
but not part of the of the Filipino
fellowship.
On the first service, by the door are
Filipino ladies as greeters/usherettes.
On the dot as scheduled the service is
started by warm greetings by one
among the praise team. The praise
team leading the congregation in the
singing of well chosen and well
rehearsed songs increases the
temperature of worship, preparing
the congregation for the proclamation
of the word of God. The word
preached every Sunday creates
positive changes in many lives.
The Lord’s Table is also observed
every last Sundays of the month.
Once or twice a month the Filipino
fellowship also have worship service,
not in competition or duplication of
the international service, but to
address specific needs to build up
everyone to better serve each other
and God.
Praise God that several were so
concern of bringing someone to
church. A few failed, but many were
able to bring at least one. Their
success motivates them even more,
not only for the joy, but knowledge
that they have done God’s will and
participated in the fulfillment of the
Great Commission.
Worship
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Evangelism and Discipleship
“Therefore go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28:19, 20a
Thanks and praises to God that
through constant reminders, encour-
agement and evangelism trainings,
several ladies joined Gladdie in evan-
gelism. Among them reaching out,
some had opportunities to share the
gospel right where they meet people;
while others succeeded in inviting
them to the service or to our Filipino
Fellowship at Wan Chai MC, where
they were shared the gospel by either
Mark, Gladdie or the ladies.
In discipleship we have variety of ac-
tivities such as:
1) Bible Classes or Sunday School
which we have twice a month, using
ECC materials when were available.
Luz, Gladdie and me are the teachers.
2) Heart-To-Heart. This is facilitat-
ed by the care-group leaders or their
trainees so that as they know more
God’s word, they also learn how to
conduct a bible study.
3) Trainings. We train present lead-
ers and prospect leaders. that we start-
ed using it.
4) Inter-church fellowship. The
quarterly gathering is usually partici-
pated in by three or four churches; the
one during the Lunar New Year six
Filipino groups join together.
In these activities, God and his word
is central focus.
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1
We don’t fail to thank God every day, yet the two fellowships did separate annual Thanksgiving Celebration on the theme: “With a Thankful Heart”. The Saturday group had on November 19, joined in by Saturday groups of the Filipino Christian Center and Union Church. We collected offering for the Radio Bible Class according to our respective age, at least. Through one bible games we found out several don’t know much of the Bible. We had bible drill, Bible Quiz, and Bible book mastery. Everyone was happy joining with other groups in worship and other activities, and looks forward to the next quarterly fellowship. All work, no play makes one dull, right?
The Sunday group had theirs on the 20th. It was full of joy, celebrating who He is and what He’s done to us, through the church, through non Filipino individuals, through our fellow Filipinos, visitors he brought to our gathering, and those who are now among us.
For economic reason we celebrate birthday every month but often a multi-affair. It is joined by wedding anniversary, shower or farewell. In November it was celebrated with Shower and Farewell for Flora Aliguyon. Flora, one of Filipino fellowship members who is a bible school student partially supported by ECC. She’s going home for good after years or employment in Hong Kong, to be wed to a pastor, and that they would serve God together.
Christmas was celebrated as early as 17th of December. This was done by the Saturday Fellowship especially for Celine who is going home to join the husband, and hope to raise children. So it was a triple occasion—birthday for December celebrants, Christmas and farewell.
On the 18th, seventeen among the Sunday fellowship cheered the elderly patients, staff, other workers and visitors of Evangel Hospital by singing Christmas carols in English and Mandarin.
December 25 was real fun too for everyone present on the Christmas celebration of the Sunday Fellowship.
Celebrations done at Wan Chai ministry center often open opportunities to share God’s love to visitors invited by members.
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Thanksgiving
Milestones
Monthly Birthday Celebration
Christmas Celebration
Saturday
Sunday
On the very first day of October the
leaders of the Filipino Fellowship have their
first bowling together. That very day, the
early morning hours seem not in favor for
our planned activity; some are being pulled
to some other meetings and activities, others
can’t find the venue by themselves, but bits
of encouragement and directions, we found
ourselves in one place, and waited a while
for some who bought some things.
With everybody around, we wasted no
time, paid at the counter, each with their
shoes on, the first bowler had the first apple
(bowling ball) about to roll down the lane.
All eyes are on the only male in the group.
Maybe they’re expecting a STRIKE! Good
that where the apple went was not shown.
The one in blue shirt is Lotlot, closely
watching her apple rolling. This must be a
SPARE! Oh, no! No! No! While the green
apple is rolling down you can imagine the
many Body English displayed, hoping to
move the apple to the direction the bowler
wanted, but too bad …
Hey Bessie,
bend your body a
little more for a
strike! But do you
certainly know
where should the
apple hit?
The pins were
staring at the red apple in surprise why
the red apple seems afraid of them.
Leaders’ Bowling
Page 3 Milestones
Page 4
Liza, Liza, Liza; cheers the group as she stands on the
approach. The apple heading to wrong direction, you
can imagine what she’s thinking and what she feels.
Wow, Bea! You look like a pro. Who would expect that
approach? Wala nang tatalo!
The lady in white shirt is Luz. She looks more serious
than the rest. She really pours out her heart on the game. I
like that attitude.
Lorna and everyone else were closely watching what
would happen. As the apple hits there were loud laughter
and cheerful comments.
COMMENTS It was relaxing to “get away”, have fun, and do things
out of the ordinary … a time for bonding together. Bea
Tomilas
It’s a good experience to play bowling sometimes, to
stretch our body and ease our mind from the pressure we
face everyday. It was enjoyable and fun! I like it. Sana
maulit muli. Luz Lab-ingon
Thanks to God for giving the opportunity to spend time
for one another as one body in Christ. We enjoyed that
memorable time we shared together. Amen! Bessie
Pagaduan
Milestones
Leaders’ Bowl (continued)
Page 5 Milestones
Prayer
“Then Jesus told his disciples to
show them that they should always
pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1
______________________
The Filipino Fellowship’s prayer
activities are done several ways:
1) every 1st Sunday of every month
In October, the devotional part
was conducted by Bea. With some
stuff she prepared, she gave the in-
struction that each take an item, and
share a thought about it in relation to
prayer. With around 30 individuals
participating, there were as much
beautiful ideas learned.
In November it was a “Prayer
Walk”. After some instruction and
prayer, each group went to their
street assignment and prayed walking
as led by the Holy Spirit. When eve-
ryone’s back to the ministry center,
praises and testimonies were shared
joyfully.
During traditional prayer meet-
ings we pray for the strengthening
and growth of Christians, spiritual
empowering of Christian and politi-
cal leaders, conversion of people to
Christ, churches and their needs, and
personal prayer concerns.
2) every Sunday at 8:30 a. m.
Here, before praying we
share from assigned bible passage or
topic. Prayers are focused on wor-
ship services and other church activi-
ties for the day and urgent concerns.
3) week-day prayer
Everyone is encouraged to
pray for one another, specially those
in their care group and their families.
The Saturday Fellowship have
prayer time every Saturday.
Worship
“As worshippers begin with holy
expectancy, it ends in holy obedience.
Holy obedience saves worship from
becoming an opiate, an escape from
the pressing need of modern life.”
Richard Foster
_______________________________
The Filipinos in ECC are among the
multi-nationals in corporate worship
in the first service. Some serve as
ushers.
Once or twice a month we do similar
activity on our own, but are not du-
plication nor competition to the inter-
national service, rather, to address
existing or arising need among us.
With the fact that our services have
several parts, we educate our fellow-
ship members how to maintain wor-
ship in each part, because each part
manifests God’s amazing character-
istics. In singing, the words and the
music are powerful reminders of who
God is, of what he’s done, and what
he’ll do. Listening to sermon, is the
Spirit’s way of revealing our unbe-
coming characteristics and bring in
godliness. The recognition and wel-
coming of new comers, is not only
giving importance to these people
and their coming, but also expressing
acceptance into the service but into
belongingness. The announcements
are to declare what God has been
doing, and making known some ways
we can serve God. Prayers as other
means of worship by humbling our-
selves and exulting God, it is an ave-
nues for God to come to us for provi-
sion of needs and bonuses.