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AS GOD’S CHOSEN people, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) are expected by the Almighty to always live in holiness, be fervent in their faith and dedicated to their services to Him for them to remain firm in their hope of receiving His promises. These were some of the points emphasized by the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, in the worship service he officiated in Tokyo, Japan. This was the first pastoral visit that the Executive Minister conducted outside the Philippines since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Church members from different parts of Japan flocked to the Hilton Tokyo Odaiba Hotel, the host venue. The worship service was also witnessed through livestreaming in all the local congregations in the two ecclesiastical districts in Japan—Tokyo and Nagoya—and in the local congregations in different parts of the world that were celebrating their respective milestone anniversaries.
After the hymn-singing, Brother Amante P. Rodriguez, the district supervising minister of the Ecclesiastical District of Tokyo, Japan, led the congregation in the opening prayer. Brother Romer D. Galang led the prayer after the Bible-based preaching of the Executive Minister. The prayer for the voluntary offerings was led by Brother Glicerio P. Santos IV and the benediction was said by Brother Angelo Eraño V. Manalo.
After the worship service, a “Welcome, My Brethren” event was held, which made the newly baptized brethren, doctrinal instructees, and prospective members all the more feel warmly welcomed in the Church. As the event concluded, a “Care for Humanity” activity was conducted wherein all the attendees were given care packages.
The pastoral visit of the Executive Minister to Japan all the more strengthened the faith of the Church members in the said country. They are thankful to the Almighty God for the unwavering love He bestows on the entire Church that is manifested through the genuine concern of the Church Administration for all the Church members around the world.
神様に献げる聖なる人生を生きる
神に選ばれた民として、Iglesia Ni Cristo （キリストの教会) のメンバーは、神の約束を受けるという希望を堅持するために、常に神聖(しんせい)に生き、信仰に熱心になり、神を礼拝することを私たちの全能の神に望まれています。これは、2023年2月26日に東京で行われた特別礼拝で、総合管理者であるエドワルド・マナロ兄弟が、兄弟姉妹たちにもう一度思い出させた言葉でもありました。
会場となったヒルトン東京お台場ホテルには、日本各地から兄弟姉妹たちが集まり、この日の特別礼拝は、東京と名古屋の2つの教会地区のすべての支部と、それぞれの記念日を迎える世界各地の支部にライブ配信されました。
賛美歌を歌い終わった後、日本東京地区の代表ミニスター、アマンテ・P・ロドリゲス兄弟による最初のお祈りが行われました。また、ロメル・D・ガーラン兄弟は、総合管理者による聖書の説教後、お祈りを行いました。また、ささげもののお祈りはグリセリオ・P・サントスⅣ兄弟が行い、ベネディクションはアンジェロ・エラーニョ・V・マナロ兄弟が行いました。
礼拝式後、「Welcome, My Brethren (ようこそ、わが兄弟姉妹)」というイベントが行われ、新しく洗礼を受けた兄弟姉妹、教義受講者、洗礼待機者が、教会に温かく迎え入れられたことを実感しました。イベントの最後には、「Care for Humanity」活動が行われ、出席者全員にケア・パッケージが配られました。
日本における、私たちの親愛なる総合管理者の訪問は、同国の兄弟姉妹の信仰をより強固(きょうこ)なものにしました。兄弟姉妹らは、全能の神が教会全体に与えてくださる揺るぎない愛が、世界中の兄弟姉妹に対する教会管理の真の関心を通して示されていることに感謝しています。
Tokyo, Japan
By Karin Sawada and Aimi Watanabe
As taught in the worship service by the Executive Minister, more distractions, such as temptations, will come along as Church Of Christ members journey through life, that might hinder them from dedicating themselves to their services to God. Nonetheless, they are constantly being admonished by the Church Administration to live in accordance with what the Almighty Father seeks from them.
“Brother Eduardo Manalo reminded us that, especially now that the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ is very near, we should not be influenced by the things of this world that are against God’s teachings. Instead, we must remain firm in obeying the will of the Father,” said Sister Yumiko Kanno, a congregation secretary and Children’s Worship Service (CWS) teacher in the Local Congregation of Kawasaki, Ecclesiastical District of Tokyo, Japan.
While many people in Japan, especially the youth, are mainly focused on their education, work, and career, true and faithful Church Of Christ members, on the other hand, give utmost priority to their services to God. “I promise to the Lord God that whatever happens in my life and no matter how much I need to sacrifice, I will continue fulfilling my duties to Him. I firmly believe that doing so glorifies Him and is the key to receiving His blessings and mercy,” Sister Yumiko said.
Such is also the conviction of Sister Christine Rose Augusto, a choir member, finance officer, and CWS teacher in the Local Congregation of Ichikawa. “When I was in third year college, I was a scholar then because I was a university theater actress. But evening rehearsals would have hindered me from performing my duties. So, I gave up my scholarship,” she recalled.
Nevertheless, Sister Christine did not consider it a loss. She said, “Even so, I was able to finish my studies. And later on, I passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. It was all because of God’s help. I have never thought that I would lose out because I have always chosen to dedicate myself to fulfilling my Church duties.”
Indeed, for the faithful, they will never be on the losing end if they choose to live in holiness and dedicate themselves to their services to God because He reserves blessings for them. Even if they encounter challenges and problems in life as they remain steadfast in their divine election, they are certain of receiving His promises not only in this life but, above all, in the Holy City where they will live in eternal joy.
総合管理者が礼拝で教えておられた通り、キリストの教会のメンバーは、神様に仕えることに専念することを妨げる様々な気晴らしや誘惑に直面します。しかし、それでも総合管理者は都度、神様の求めておられる生活や道を歩むように忠告してくださっています。
総合管理者エドワルド・マナロ兄弟は、今は特に主イエスの再来の日が近いために、神様の教えに逆らうこの世の中のものから影響を受けず、むしろ神様の求めておられる生活を送らなければならないとおしゃっています。
このような忠告を受け、神様の道を最優先に歩み続けようとしている人の例として二人紹介させていただきます。
1人目は、菅野有海子(かんのゆみこ)姉妹です。彼女は日本東京地区川崎ローカルで、子供の礼拝の先生や秘書の役員を務めています。そしてエドワルド・マナロ兄弟の忠告が印象に残り、人生で何が起ころうと、どんな苦労をしようと、教会の任務を果たし続けることを彼女は誓いました。 なぜなら、この任務を果たすことでは返せないくらいの恵みや祝福をいただいているからです。
2人目は、日本東京地区市川ローカルのクリスティン・ローズ・オウグストさんです。彼女は聖歌隊員、ファイナンス役員、子供の礼拝の先生という3つの教会任務を担っています。彼女は大学3年生の頃、大学の演劇女優であったため、スコーラーシップを受けることができました。しかし、毎晩の練習で教会任務や活動に参加できなくなったため、教会に専念することを第一に考え、スコーラーシップを彼女は諦め、大学の演劇女優もやめました。 しかし、神様は常に恵みや祝福を与えてくださるので、このように神聖に生き、神様に仕え続けることで最終的に彼女の損になることはありませんでした。スコーラーシップを諦めた後、彼女は教員免許や様々な試験に合格し、神様からの祝福をたくさんいただくことができたのです。
この2人の例のように、どんな試練や問題に遭遇しようと、神様の道を歩み続ければ、神様がいつも寄り添ってくださいます。そして何よりも神様の約束である聖なる都に辿り着くことができ、そこでは様々な問題や苦しみもなく、永遠の命、喜びを授かることができるのです。
Bayan-Bayanan, Marikina City
Sinulat ni Claidenn Villar
Sa paggunita ng Lokal ng Bayan-Bayanan, Distrito Eklesiastiko ng Metro Manila East sa ika-102 anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag nito, ang mga kaanib ng Iglesia rito ay nakabiyayang makadalo sa pamamagitan ng livestreaming. Si Kapatid na Levy Bautista, 81 taong gulang na pangulong diakono ng Bayan-Bayanan, ay dumalo sa pagsambang ito na taglay ang lubos na kasabikan.
Mula pa sa kaniyang kabataan ay marami nang karanasan bilang isang maytungkulin sa loob ng Iglesia Ni Cristo si Kapatid na Levy. “Nagsimula ako bilang mang-aawit sa Pagsamba ng Kabataan noong limang taong gulang pa lamang ako hanggang sa ako ay maging bahagi ng senior choir. Nakabiyaya rin ako na makasama sa mga mang-aawit na tumupad sa ilang mga pagsamba noon na pinangasiwaan ng Kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo, ang Sugo ng Diyos sa mga huling araw,” pag-alaala niya.
Bilang miyembro ng isa sa mga pioneer na pamilya sa lokal na ito, nasaksihan niya ang paglago ng lokal na nagbunga rin ng iba pang mga lokal sa mga kalapit na probinsya. “Noon ay naglalakad kami mula sa Montalban, Rizal hanggang sa Marikina sa tuwing tutupad kami ng tungkulin bilang mang-aawit kapag nagkakaroon ng suliranin sa transportasyon,” pagbabahagi ni Kapatid na Levy. Mula sa Montalban, nasa dalawampung kilometro ang lalakarin para makarating sa Marikina. “Gayunman, masaya kaming tumutupad ng tungkulin,” dagdag pa niya. Ang lubos na pagtatalaga sa pagtupad ng tungkuling tinanggap mula sa Diyos ay kitang-kita kay Kapatid na Levy mula pa man noon.
Nang siya ay ikinasal na, namalagi siya bilang isang masiglang maytungkulin at noon ay tinanggap niya ang tungkulin bilang diakono. Subalit batid niya na, “Hindi maiiwasan ng isang maytungkulin ang makasagupa ng mga suliranin sa buhay.” Ayon sa kaniya, taong 1988 nang ang kaniyang pamilya ay nakaranas ng suliraning pinansiyal sa gitna ng krisis sa ekonomiya. Ang kaniyang kinikita sa pagkukumpuni ng mga sirang sapatos at ang kinikita ng kaniyang asawa bilang isang guro sa mataas na paaralan ay hindi naging sapat upang tustusan ang pag-aaral ng kanilang limang anak. Kaya, nagpasiya siyang magtrabaho bilang Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) sa Tokyo, Japan. Sumunod ang kaniyang asawa makalipas ang dalawang taon upang magtrabaho rin doon. Naiwan ang mga anak nila sa pangangalaga ng ina ni Kapatid na Levy.
Muli, bilang isang mananampalataya at nakatalagang tumupad ng tungkulin, ipinagpatuloy ni Kapatid na Levy ang kaniyang pagtupad at, sa awa ng Diyos, siya ay nagsimulang tumupad bilang pangulong diakono sa Lokal ng Tokyo. “Sumasampalataya ako na kapag itinuring kong prayoridad ang aking tungkulin, ang Diyos ang magbibigay ng aking mga pangangailangan. Ang pagtatalaga ko ng aking buhay sa Kaniya ay magbibigay sa akin ng katiyakan upang matanggap ang Kaniyang mga pagpapala sa gitna ng mga pagsubok at suliranin,” pahayag niya. Paglipas ng ilang panahon, sila ay nakabawi sa kanilang pinansyal na kalagayan, at ang kanilang mga anak ay nakatapos sa pag-aaral.
Ang mga karanasan niyang ito ay muling nanariwa sa alaala niya nang siya ay dumalo sa pagsambang pinangasiwaan ng Kapatid na Eduardo Manalo. Ito ay hindi lamang dahil ang pagsambang kaniyang nasaksihan ay ginanap sa Japan, na isang lugar na hindi niya malilimutan, kundi dahil muli niyang nagunita kung paano niya pinagtalagahan ang kaniyang tungkulin mula pa noong kaniyang kabataan. Taglay ang inspirasyon mula sa leksiyong itinuro ng Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan, ang sabi ni Kapatid na Levy: “Ang pagtupad ng aking tungkulin, ang laging pagpapauna ng para sa Diyos, ang pagiging nakatalaga sa Kaniya, at ang pamumuhay sa kabanalan ay aking pinagsisikapang maisakatuparan sa kabila ng aking katandaan. Ang pangunahan ang aking pamilya sa pagiging dedikado sa pagtupad ng aming mga tungkulin at ang panghahawak nang matibay sa aming kahalalan ay aking ipamamana sa aking mga anak at mga apo.”
