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GOD IS THE ONE Who gives extraordinary success to His people. He gives the Church Of Christ victories in all its activities in every aspect. He provides its members the strength they need as they remain active in serving Him. Although life in this world is not easy, Church members are still blessed because they are guided by the words of God.
This is the reason Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ, always reminds the Church members to regularly attend the worship services. It is during these holy gatherings when they are taught to remain faithful to God and always trust in what He can do for them. They are reminded that whatever happens, they should never lose hope because God listens to and answers the prayers of His servants who always strive to be righteous. These are some of the key points that Brother Eduardo Manalo emphasized in his homily during the worship service he officiated at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Paco, Ecclesiastical District of Maynila. During this gathering, the Executive Minister also ordained 14 head deacons to become bishops in their respective local congregations.
The opening prayer was led by Brother Wilson R. Cayago. The closing prayer was led by Brother Romer D. Galang. The oath-taking of the ordinands was led by Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago. Then, Brother Arnel R. Canicosa led the prayer after the laying on of hands by the Executive Minister. Brother Ernesto V. Suratos led the prayer for the voluntary offerings and Brother Santiago said the benediction.
Paco, Manila
By Ady Faye Abunto
This year, the Local Congregation of Paco will be commemorating its 97th anniversary after being established on December 24, 1926. Thirty-one years after its establishment, on December 24, 1957, the construction of the house of worship along San Marcelino Street in Paco was completed. It was dedicated to God during a worship service officiated by Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the Messenger of God in these last days.
“Despite the trials the brethren in this local congregation encounter, they remain fully dedicated to participating in all the activities launched by the Church Administration. We face problems and struggles, but we continue to pray to God, obey His teachings, and trust in Him completely,” said Brother Rodelrick Sintanco, one of the 14 bishops ordained by the Executive Minister.
Although life has been difficult for Brother Rodelrick and his family, they remain steadfast in serving God. One of the trials that tested their faith was when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. Brother Rodelrick gave much of his time to care for her. But he is grateful to God, for he was able to manage in such a way that he did not forsake his Church duties. And because of their unwavering faith, they were able to overcome this seemingly overwhelming trial. He narrated, “With God’s help and mercy, my wife is now cancer-free. We pleaded with God in our prayers and put our trust in Him, especially during the anointing of oil for my wife’s sickness. He answered our plea. We are thankful to Him for my wife’s successful operation.”
For Brother Rodelrick, being a bishop is not just a title, but a great responsibility. He said, “We are here to be of help to the ministers and ministerial workers whom the Church Administration assigned to lead our local congregations.”
At the start of his homily, Brother Eduardo Manalo mentioned the importance of Church officers, especially that the Church Of Christ has been rapidly growing in membership. As a Church officer, Brother Rodelrick shared how he advises the brethren who are going through tough situations in life—keeping in mind the Executive Minister’s efforts in edifying the brethren. “The Executive Minister is very prompt in addressing this matter because even before the pandemic, he has already prepared the Church on how to face difficulties and trials. He reminded us how important it is to trust and hope in what God can do. In turn, I remind the brethren about this so that they can hold on to their divine election and avoid falling into depression and hopelessness. Most importantly, I pray for them and counsel them with God’s words,” he said.
Being the head deacon of the Local Congregation of Paco for 15 years already, Brother Rodelrick said that his regard for his duty has greatly increased when he received the ordination. He also expressed how he feels towards the Church duty bestowed upon him: “Being ordained as a bishop is an extraordinary gift I received from God. I, together with my family, am overjoyed because of this great blessing.”
Antioch, California
By Leidilyn Broas
In 1987, brethren in the Local Congregation of Vallejo in California began efforts to establish the Antioch extension. When it was approved to become a local congregation in January 1993, Antioch all the more received victories from God. A permanent house of worship was dedicated to God for the brethren in January 2002. And because of God’s love and the brethren’s efforts in propagation, the Local Congregation of Concord was established, which sprang forth from Antioch.
Looking back at God’s 30 years of blessings to the congregation, Brother Arnel Agodon, a head deacon and pioneer member, cannot help but recall the difficulties he himself overcame because of God’s help. “When I lost someone so dear to me, I thought I would never be able to get out of the sadness I felt,” he said, as he recalled the time his wife died because of a severe illness.
But with God’s incomparable love, he was able to hold on and triumph over that heavy trial. “With His care and mercy, our Almighty God helped me get through that very difficult test of my faith. I’m so thankful that He did not allow me to give up.” Despite the grief and loneliness over his wife’s death, Brother Arnel never ceased to perform his Church duties. He found comfort in prayers.
Similarly, Brother David Corona, the congregation’s third head deacon, also trusts and relies on God for strength. At a time of uncertainty during the 2008 economic downturn, Brother David and his family faced the challenges that many had also experienced. But rather than becoming desperate, he found hope in God through prayers. He said, “Losing my job was painful for us because we were living paycheck-to-paycheck and our son was just a few months old. I felt like the whole world was crumbling on us. But it was during those difficult times when I really felt God’s help and guidance. He gave me the clarity of mind to continue moving forward and never give up.”
For God’s righteous servants who trust in and rely on Him, He never fails to provide. This is what Brother David experienced when God blessed him with a new and better source of income. He said, “Ultimately, we got out of that dire situation, not because of what we did, but because of what God blessed us with. We continued performing our duties even during that time; we never ceased. I came to understand that there will always be sacrifices and hardships. But that doesn’t mean you blame God or stop worshiping Him; you just have to dedicate yourself all the more to serving Him.”
St. George, Australia
By Rona Mae Afenir
On January 27, 2023, the brethren in the Local Congregation of St. George eagerly gathered at their house of worship to attend the worship service officiated by Brother Eduardo Manalo through livestreaming. This marked a significant event for the brethren as it was in commemoration of the 30th founding anniversary of their local congregation, after being established in 1993.
The brethren in St. George were thankful for the spiritual blessings they received in the special gathering. Some reflected on the obstacles they had overcome in the earlier years. One of them is Brother Gem Marc Afenir, a head deacon and a pioneering member. He said, “Back then, we did not have a permanent place of worship. There was a constant change of venues from time to time. We didn’t have smart phones then, so communicating the changes in schedule to the brethren wasn’t easy.”
But because of the hard work and diligence of the Church officers, the brethren were kept updated through committee prayer groups. “We were still able to gather for worship despite the sudden venue changes. It helped that the brethren upheld the unity and they were so eager to be in the worship services that even if there were challenges, the Local Congregation of St. George continued to grow,” Brother Gem continued. Being able to worship the Lord in a house of worship brings peace to the members of the Church Of Christ. It is where the brethren can all the more lean and rely on the Lord God through prayer.
Through the biblical preaching of Brother Eduardo Manalo, the brethren were reminded that Church Of Christ members are not exempt from facing hardships and trials. However, what they can hold on to is the true faith and the hope of God’s guidance. Sister Liza Nario, who has been a secretariat officer in St. George for 30 years now, was inspired all the more to always trust in what the Lord God can do. She said, “I believe I was able to hold on to my duties until now only because of God’s help and mercy. I have also encountered many challenges in my personal life, but the only solution that I know, which is most effective, is to pray to God, trust in His plans, and always believe that He will not forsake me.”
Over the years, the Local Congregation of St. George has reaped many successes and blessings from the Lord God. Many more Church officers have been added and the number of brethren continues to grow. This is a testament to the loving-kindness that God has shown. In the days leading up to the special worship service, many activities were conducted to celebrate the local congregation’s anniversary, such as a photo exhibit, an evangelical mission, a family picnic and get-together, and the anniversary formal program.
Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Sinulat ni Azaniel Legaspi
Ang Lungsod ng Muñoz, Nueva Ecija ay may opisyal na pangalang Science City of Muñoz dahil sa mga naglalakihang imprastraktura na may kinalaman sa agham at teknolohiya, maging sa pang-agrikultura. Ito ay tahanan ng mahigit sa 80,000 katao at siyang kauna-unahang lungsod-agham sa Pilipinas. Ngunit hindi lamang karunungan ukol sa siyensiya ang lumalago sa dakong ito kundi lalo’t higit ang karunungan na magdadala sa tao sa kaligtasan. Ang mga aral ng Diyos na sinasampalatayanan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ay patuloy na lumalaganap dito mula pa noong 1938, nang maitatag ang Lokal ng Muñoz.
Itinuturing ng mga kapatid sa Muñoz na isang napakalaking biyaya na mapangasiwaan sila ng Kapatid na Eduardo Manalo sa isang pagsamba sa pamamagitan ng livestreaming bilang paggunita sa ika-85 anibersaryo ng kanilang lokal. Ang pananatiling matuwid sa kabila ng mga pagsubok ang isa sa mga binigyang-diin ng Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan sa kaniyang pangangasiwa. Ang mga kapatid ay nagalak at tumibay sa pananampalataya dahil sa aral na kanilang napakinggan. Isa sa kanila ay si Kapatid na Leonardo Lazaro Sr., isang diakono.
“Totoong-totoo ang aking narinig sa pagsambang pinangasiwaan ng Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan. Ang kahirapan sa buhay ay isang napakabigat na pagsubok, batay na rin sa aking karanasan. Naaalala ko na bumibiyahe ako noon nang napakalayo sa mapanganib na lakbayin upang makapag-angkat ng aking ititinda para maitaguyod ko ang aking sambahayan,” pagbabahagi ni Kapatid na Leonardo.
Sa kabila ng kaniyang naranasang hirap nang mahabang panahon, hindi siya nawalan ng pag-asa. Sinabi niya, “Sa tuwing ako ay naglalakbay ay magkahalong takot at pagod ang aking nadarama, kaya ako ay laging nananalangin sa Ama upang ako ay ingatan sa daan ng paglalakbay ko. Sa awa at tulong Niya, hindi ako napahamak at lagi akong nakatatanggap ng Kaniyang mga biyaya.”
Ang proteksiyon at pagpapala ng Diyos ay nakalaan sa Kaniyang mga lingkod na namumuhay nang matuwid sa Kaniyang harapan. Ito ang napatunayan ni Kapatid na Zenaida Legaspi, isang mang-aawit. “Natutuhan ko na ang pagsagupa sa mga pagsubok ay hindi dapat ikabalisa,” sinabi niya nang kaniyang ikinuwento ang panahon na siya ay dinapuan ng malubhang karamdaman.
Hindi nagpatalo si Kapatid na Zenaida sa takot at pagkabahala. Sa halip, idinulog niya sa Diyos ang kaniyang kalagayan. “Dahil sa sakit ko, may mga pagkakataon na nawawalan ako ng malay kapag napapagod. Pinayuhan ako ng manggagamot na huwag masyadong magpuyat at tumigil na sa pagtupad ng tungkulin ko sa Diyos. Ngunit hindi ako pumayag na itigil ang aking paglilingkod sa Diyos. Ipinagpatuloy ko ang aking pagtupad sapagkat ito ang kaligayahan ko sa buhay. Sumasampalataya ako na kapag nasisiyahan ang Ama sa akin, lagi Niya akong aalalayan at hindi Niya pababayaan.” Hindi siya tumigil sa pananalangin, pagpapapahid ng langis, at pagtupad ng kaniyang tungkulin. Sa awa ng Diyos, may buhay at lakas pa rin siya hanggang ngayon upang ipaglingkod sa Panginoon.
