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

Positive Choice Program HOPEWW

As part of our community service the ICOC-Lucena ran a workshop called Positive Choice.Some of its objectives are:
- Increased positive attitudes towards practicing abstinence until marriage.
- Enhanced refusal and negotiation skills necessary to resist sexual urges, advances, and offers to participate in high-risk activities such as drug use and alcohol consumption, which may make them more vulnerable to sexual advances and urges

It has four modules which can be used individually, but it is recommended that they be used as a series in order to fully benefit from the program.Because the facilitators wanted to not break the continuity,all four modules were compressed in a whole day of workshop.

Postive Choice Program audience -13 and Up

The audience were teenagers,parents, and church members and their families.There were group rules that were reviewed at the start of every module,one of which is active participation.

Positive Choice-4 Modules

The overview of the 4 modules were discussed,and each module was indeed very engaging because of the activities consisting of worksheets,group discussions and role plays on the scenarios about sexually transmitted infections and negotiation strategy.

Positive Choice Facilitators

The facilitators attended the training held in Manila early this year.They also shared about their own life experiences and were very much able to transfer what they have learned to the participants in the day long program.

Workshop activities

Participants showed enthusiasm during group discussions, and paid attention to the role plays. It was really awesome to hear the teens and parents respond to questions during the discussions.

A very alarming reality about the prevalence of HIV in the country:

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

Bicolandia!

Our first missionary journey as a church this year started in Bicolandia!

Our group is composed of 11 adventurous and curious people.We went there with the goal to encourage and help set up a young church yet to be inaugurated and join in with the celebration of the 2d Anniversary of Naga Church who themselves visited us last year.

As for me, I tried to pack light and I just brought 1 extra set of clothes for the 2 day trip.I was reluctant at first because of the thought of a horrific ordeal of sitting in a car for endless hours.But , at last I jumped in and I can say it was a great experience.

Day 1

3:30 AM ETD Lucena 7-11 near Stargarden Hotel
took Bitukang Manok zigzag road
9:30 AM ETA Daet
10:00AM Breakfast/fellowship/rest
11:45AM ETD Daet
01:45PM ETA Panganiban, Cam. Norte
02:00OM Lunch/spend time
03:00PM ETD Herico Residence,Panganiban
04:00PM ETA Daet Elevated Plaza
04:10PM Pasalubong Shopping at Jannah's Pasalubong and around Centro
05:00PM ETD for Bagasbas Beach
05:10PM ETA Bagasbas Beach
07:00PM ETA Elnar's Home church dinner and fellowhip
09:00PM Songleaders mini workshop
11:00PM lights out weee

Daet Church Family breakfast together

I was so sleepy after this heavy breakfast zzzzzzzz

Daet church building

Dada the doggie

Rox's Mom talked about another beloved dog who had died and how she talked to it and urged it to go ahead and rest in peace as it is very old,and so it did and never woke up the next day.awwww

Panganiban, Camarines Norte Spend time with Rox's parents

Rox's parents prepared 2 kilos of Pancit Bato! We bought some Uling Roasters Chicken along the road which is a little bit spicy and very appetizing ---so yummy

with Roxan's Mother @ Panganiban,Camarines Norte

Rox's Mom cooking yummy local food for us!

Visitors are welcomed with this signage

This is the signage in the elevated plaze at Centro where everyone can take their pictures proving they are indeed in Daet LOL. Just near it is the pasalubong lane.We went to Jannah's and wow the prizes are amazing compared to Lucena : ) I bought sweets for just Php10 each

Bagasbas beach Prayer time together

We spent some time at the beach, walking, letting the water touch our feet! The sand is powdery I could even feel the powder in my face and between my teeth.

Bagasbas beach

Daet Church family dinner get together

After taking a lot of pictures and praying for people and friends, we had to eat dinner!!! So off we went to our hosts home and we had the chance to meet the Daet church family. There were mouth watering sea foods to my surprise!Also the Pancit Bato,and many other food the Christians brought for the pot luck dinner and another delicacy Rox's Mom made for us which is made from Cassava leaves simmered for hours to remove any poisonous stuff in it.She said that if it isn't cooked well people could feel dizzy if they ate such.

songleaders workshop with Hanna and Kent 

Now, one of the goals of this visit is helping them with their music ministry so here Jesse teaches them some Kingdom Songs.But time flew so fast and it was time to go to sleep but before that I took this picture : 0

Day 2 2d Anniversary of Naga Church

04:30AM Wake up time
06:00AM ETD Daet
9:00AM   ETA Naga City
10:00AM Worship Service
12:00NN  Lunch Together at Anselmo's Buffet
02:00PM  Strolling in the City Center
03:30PM  Meeting Place Naga Chrisitian Church Building
04:00PM  ETD Naga bound to Lucena
11:00PM  ETA Lucena City

serene lanai

We just have to have this picture taken at the beautiful Zen inspired garden full of Bonsai plants!

Metro Naga Christian Church 2d Anniversary

Many people attended, classmates,schoolmates, Christians from neighboring towns I even saw Jebeth and her family!Boom was also there because he has some business there.I was surprised to see him so I had to ask him if it was really him hahahahaha

Daet Church Family in Naga Christian Church

Our hosts! great people.I pray that God will bless our dreams together!To God be the Glory!

Anselmo's Restuarant
Everlasting St, Naga, 4400 Camarines Sur 10AM–12AM
Php 165 for buffet lovelovelove

I'm not really into buffet and All-You-Can eat restaurants because I think I have such little stomach.I just got a taste of everything and that is it!The Laing was very delicious indeed!My mouth didn't explode with so much flavorings or seasonings.It was just perfect.

Anselmo's Restaurant because it is Kuya Bong's birthday the next day-cheers!!!

The awesome couple brought us to this awesome place!Awesome!!!

Plaza Quince Martires

This is the group who went around jaywalking hahahahha but after realizing that there are so many stop lights, pedestrian lanes and the city was very orderly, we conducted ourselves properly : 0

Naga City Public Market pasalubong shopping

We took this picture in front of Kuya Bong's Mom's Palabok Store.

at 1st Colonial trying out the Sili ice cream level 1,2 and 3 

We had to try this 1st Colonial restaurant with their famous Sili Ice cream.I was afraid I couldn't take it so I just ordered the Banana Split but I couldn't resist it so I still tried a bit and so I wished I should have just ordered it : ( it was yummy yummy

Dinner at Stop Over

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.