Lucena, Quezon:A Gift from the heart. Himig ko Handog ko 2019

It's the most wonderful time of the year!This year generous donors - friends, officemates and good hearted people whose hearts overflow with gratitude for their blessings - made this gift giving possible.

Acts 10:1-4 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

I believe that these gifts have come up as memorial offering before God. May God bless us all as we remember his love for all mankind.

0800 Dalahican residents assemble at the basketball court
09:30 Worship Service

Matthew 2:1-12

The magi visits the messiah

• What do you seek? 

Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

• Where do you look? 

Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

• What do you give? 

Gold a sign of acceptance that Jesus is their king

Incense used in the temple, recognizing that he is a high priest

Myrh- for the dead, because Jesus will die on the cross

Sya ang Hari, taga gabay, taga pagligtas

10:00 Christmas Songs
Opening Prayer
Opening Remarks
1015Games

Balloon pop relay (kids)

Grab the cup (adults)

1030 Intermission Number B4G
1100 Games
Pass the message (adults)

The boat is sinking
1130 Lunch
1145 Gift Giving
12NN candies and some more games for the kids while waiting for the jeepney
1215 rented jeepney arrives to transport them back to Dalahican

Grab the cup game 

Beneficiaries 

Met there:
Nezel
Nanay Imelda
Steph
Feebie
Nova
Arlene
May
Gina
Jiovanni
Maricel
Criselda
Princess
Shane sister of Princess

As disciples of Christ in the 21st century, we continue what disciples in the book of Acts have done, except healing and driving out demons of course.
(notes from the NTS APLA class 2019)
Acts 3:1-10
v8-10 Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

When people feel loved and cared for, it open doors to their hearts like what the man in the story in Acts expressed.

Do we show good deeds to get something in return?
-to feel good about ourselves?
-to have good reputation?

We glorify God by the good things we show. We can be channels of the love of God by showing we care.

ICOC-Lucena 7th Anniversary at HOPE Center Laguna

This year's anniversary was celebrated at the HOPE Center in Laguna. Many of the new converts in Lucena have never been to this site, a place whose walls were built with the help of volunteers from the Metro Manila area and from all over the Philippines. HOPE is also the benevolent arm of the church, to help Christians live out the ministry of Jesus in helping the needy.

The delegates were composed of disciples from ICOC-Lucena and ICOC-Daet. The first party arrived on Saturday afternoon followed by the second party that arrived Sunday morning at 7am.

DAY 1 August 25th
9:30AM ETD Arias Bust Terminal
3:00PM  ETA Center of HOPE
7:00PM  Dinner at the Accomodation
8:30PM  Cooking of Adobo and Giniling
10:00PM Socials
11:00PM Lights out

Day 2 August 26th
4:30AM Rise and shine from the blasting speaker of K. Rolly
6:30AM ET  Assemble time to meet the second party
7:30AM ET Orientation
8:30AM ET Communion with HOPE Community,Lucena,Daet and Laguna disciples
9:30AM ET HOPE background with JV
10:00AM ET Orientation/House Rules with Bryan
10:30AM ET Q & A
11:00AM Opening Remarks /Game proper
12:00NN Lunch Time
1:00PM Games
2:00PM Afternoon Snacks
3:00PM Loot Bags and Closing remarks
4:00PM ETD

Sermon:The Facts of Light
John 9:1-34 Jesus heals a man born blind
-we all have darkness in our lives
-we tend to question God
-bakit may mahirap, nagkakasakit...
-ano ba ang ginagawa mo?
-Jesus focuses on meeting needs not asking questions or putting blame on someone
"John 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."
Benevolence by Jesse
Deuteronomy 15:10-11 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
HOPE ORIENTATION
Isaiah 58:6-10
Matthew 9:35
Mt 25:35-40
Mindset:developmental not just one-time activity

Center of HOPE Laguna

Orientation with ICOC-Daet Delegates and ICOC-Lucena Delegates

pre-worship 

Kuya Bryan S.

Kuya J.V.

kadang-kadang game

lunch time

intermission number from kids at Center of HOPE

intermission number from ICOC-Lucena

the Hoola Hoop Game

the 4 corners game

afternoon snacks preparation

Quezon Delicacies

hab-hab eating contest

loot bags for Center of HOPE Kids

community visit

Himig Ko Handog Ko 2016: Season 5

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

-There will always be poor among us, but God, who sustains our physical and spiritual needs, will enable us to flourish and in turn serve others.I don't view this as a duty but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I believe that we can be compelled to help others without expecting anything in return.

This year's Himig Ko Handog Ko is similar to the first season because volunteers sang Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and gave them food packages right after-this is actually where the project's name came from. Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,Noche Buena and We Wish You a Merry Chritmas were the line up of songs this year.

Jeric Melarpis and Gladys Masilungan spearheaded this year's outreach program.We had 25 beneficiaries 23 of which is chosen by DSWD whom we have tied up with to be able to reach the poorest of the poor in our city.The other two are our members from Mauban and Padre Burgos respectively. Our more than 50 sponsors gave donations of cash and food items.Volunteers of about 12 people with the help of Barangay Parent Leaders, went to some of the cities depressed areas in the neighborhood near the vicinity of waterways Dumacaa River and Iyam River in the following Barangays;Dalahican, Mayao Crossing, Market View and Ilayang Talim.

heart heart

Season Five

groupie

More Pictures by Jay and Carlo

First Caroling Night
Second Caroling Night
Last Caroling Night

Christmas Caroling on a rainy week 2015

What better way to celebrate and spread the Christmas spirit than through caroling!When we hear Christmas songs, happiness permeates our hearts for reasons we don't understand.I get the fuzzy feeling and my heart becomes light.So I like to play Christmas songs on the laptop while I work around the house.It is also a privilege for me to join our caroling group for this year's fund raising for the gift-giving project dubbed Himig ko handog ko.I don't have a singing voice though just guts lol.

It was rainy because of the typhoon Nona and Onyok. It was raining the whole week.I only get to join twice during the 5 day run but it was a lot of fun!In spite of the rain and the inconvenience of walking in the puddles it is indeed fulfilling because we are doing it for a purpose,it is not for ourselves.We are doing it to help families have something to share in this season of giving.We also talked with some of the sponsors who felt blessed in the idea of helping someone.

Photos: CTOO Hannie

the park this year is lighted up

having fun

bring your flash lights, umbrella and the Santa hat 

we even sang inside the house!

because it is rainy ,let's eat goto!!!

GEP Seminar and Survey

This was taken after our Admin meeting with other Church Leaders and their core groups.This was in Greenfield District.

it's Christmas time in the city

with my new niece Angel

So my visit to my family every month has continued because I have been constantly going to and from Manila this year!After a few weeks my infant niece has become bigger and heavier to carry!very cute!Me and Jesse stayed at my mom's home and watched Kalye Serye.

Answering survey 

Come Sunday morning we rushed to QC to attend their Sunday Service and we just made it on time!I'm not used to the Manila traffic and long hours of travel just to get to one place.We saw married couples from our batch- Jen&Arnel,Jing&Andy,Tess & Benjie ,even Ruchelle and Alvin.I met Ate Meanne and her sister Ate Lalin and kids.I also met Hilde and her bf Patrick.I even had a short chat with Minky.I'm glad to see people still serving in the ushering ministry after all these years!Right after the Worship service, we ate lunch with Lorna,M-Beth and Mary Ann at GateWay Mall.I haven't been there for years.

fellowship

MLCC with John Luis

After lunch, we headed straight to the venue -AFP Theater Camp Aguinaldo- of the Good Enough Parenting seminar sponsored by HOPE Worldwide Philippines.We answered a survey with about 400 items!And we were advised to use the first thing that comes to mind so we don't have to spend too much time on it.So ,I'm glad I finished it.It was just distracting because the place was hot ,maybe because it was really full of people.

Me and Jesse will be back soon for the Holidays!I hope I can talk to my good friends and even former classmates again.

Himig ko Handog ko 2014

Christmas is around the corner and to spread good cheer, Himig ko Handog ko 2015 organizers will be singing Christmas carols again.We will sing popular Christmas songs to this year's generous sponsors.Proceeds from the caroling will be spent on buying food packages for the less fortunate people in our neighborhood.A Party and gift giving for the beneficiaries will be held on December 20th at the SB Building.

This activity started year 2012 dubbed Himig ko Handog ko 2012.The idea was to sing Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and instead of giving the carolers money, carolers give food packages.The group have guitars, tambourines and maracas for that fun filled caroling vibe.

Last year's Himig ko Handog ko 2014 was able to give Noche Buena Packages to 10 beneficiaries.This year we plan to give to about 20 families.

Himig Ko Handog Ko 2013

This year's program started with singing Christmas carols to our sponsors.

With one of the sponsors Mrs. Eya next to Fred

Eating and fellowship with Nanay Conching and Ate Mariz with their neighbors

afternoon snack time

fun and games facilitated by Hope Worldwide Lucena Coordinators Dianne and Jeric

toys care of Siongco Family and Japanese Students of Elaine

2013 beneficiaries

Community Service- Jesus' Model

I have seen different approaches in reaching out to people to share the Good News about Jesus. It can be through cold contacts-people in the street, in mass transportation,fast food restaurants, parks, malls and other public places.It can also be through spending time with a group of friends or setting up a group activity to build a relationship with the people your trying to reach out to,may it be going to the movies or just hanging out.Another is through community service,much like Jesu's ministry.

When I moved to the province the cold contact method did not pan out.Most of the people I approached were scared or disinterested. Some would run away at the sight of the Bible,just recently I studied with someone in the mall who kept on pushing it away when I was showing a scripture,anyhow she let me do it.But it is not all in vain because when brothers and sisters from the missionary journey campaign came to invite people to attend the Sunday Service, someone responded in the person of Raymond Mora!

Our missionary team then decided to create more activities that will cater to the community and thus an avenue for proclaiming God's words.

Our first attempt was the feeding program held twice a week with the indigent and undernourished Kinder, Grade 1 and SPED students of the Lucena West I Elementary School. The program ran for the entire school year 2011 until March 2012. We saw close to 50 kids hurry to the HE (Home Economics) room with their moms to assist the volunteers in the first few weeks of the program.Attendance fluctuated and the moms did not reappear but we went on.

From that effort, the church have developed good dynamics with the school and it resulted with more programs.While volunteers are serving, God was making the seed grow in the heart of a teacher! Teacher Jercel , who would become one of the missionary's colleagues (Dianne who is now a DepEd teacher too). She was baptized in Christ today after about 2 years since the feeding program,October 6, 2013,which is also my birthday. Indeed it became a double celebration!

Another program that was sponsored by the church was the Health Through Awareness Seminar. It was conceived through the idea that people nowadays are more conscious about their health as more and more people are contracting dreadful diseases.We were joined by Dra. Milpa Fernandez (Anesthesiologist at Pangasinan Provincial Hospital) and Ms. Irene (Nutritionist-Dietitian at Lucena United Doctors Hospital and Medical Center). Renda's friend Elaine, who is a nurse was one of the volunteer nurses who helped obtain vitals of the attendees.She responded to God's call and became a disciple after a few months.Another volunteer nurse was her best friend Jennifer who followed suit soon after she got baptized.

Celebrating special events like Valentine's and church anniversaries were also geared towards having a great time with friends and families. In one of the Valentine's day themes, we had an acoustic performance,snacks and games. Friends of friends came and we were able to invite them again to other fun time activities until they became at ease with the group and a lot of them eventually studied the Bible.Unlike the others who didn't continue on, Erma and Rhona persisted. Renda had already invited Erma way way back to study the Bible but she didn't respond back then. However this second time around,she continued to take part in some of the activities in the church and invited her friends too, one of whom in turn invited Rhona who eventually became a disciple. Both just wanna have fun but in the process found the Lord, what a blessing!.

We still have a lot of activities and may God use them powerfully to reach out to people, not only meeting their needs on the outside but eventually find out that, God first and foremost want to draw them close to Himself.

If you want to join our community service or worship service,drop us a line at Metro Lucena Christian Church