Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members from two local congregations in the Ecclesiastical District of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, commemorated their milestone anniversaries through a joint special worship service on April 21, 2024.
The Bambang Congregation celebrated its 85th year while the Barat Congregation its 40th.
Brother Arnel Tumanan, assistant dean of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers, was sent by the Church Administration to officiate at the said occasion at the house of worship in Barat, which served as the host site. The whole proceedings was streamed live to the house of worship in Bambang.
Brother Tumanan delivered the homily exhorting the congregants to believe in, trust in, and rely on what God can do for them as His servants. Through the Lord’s help, he reassured them, they could make it through trials in life, having their faith purified and thus worthy of His promised blessings, especially salvation and eternal life on Judgment Day.
“This is a memorable day for our congregation as we’re celebrating our anniversary. Furthermore, we’ve received spiritual blessings,” said Diosdado Fronda, head deacon in Barat.
“It’s heartening to know that the Church Administration remembered us through this worship service,” said Joel Lara, deacon from the same congregation. His wife Arlene, a finance officer, added, “I’m edified in the faith.”
“The preaching of our Lord God’s words during worship services … is significant to the Church members’ lives,” said Brother Fermin Paquiao, district supervising minister, “Just like today, we’re blessed to receive God’s words. We’re further strengthened as we continue serving Him through this world filled with troubles.”
Established on April 21, 1939, Bambang is one of the pioneering congregations in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. Barat Congregation, on the other hand, is formerly an extension of Bambang prior to becoming a separate local congregation on April 24, 1984. — With reports from Leona Hidalgo of INC News Section