VACATION

Page 8 Milestones

SATURDAY THANKSGIVING

SUNDAY THANKSGIVING LEADERS’ BOWLING

ECC Filipino Fellowship Ministry Center

1st Floor, Southorn Mansion, 1 Luard Road, Wan Chai

This quarter highlights,

“What we did”

and

“ what

happened”

Milestones A quarterly publication of the ECC Filipino Ministry

October—December 2011

At age nine, I, some of my siblings,

and parents started to join an

evangelical church, where in such a

young age I learned a powerful

lesson on serving God from a

children’s song: “Jesus went about

doing good. The Bible tells me so.”

Jesus worked real hard—woke up

hours before daylight to pray, teach

and preach in many places in a day.

Along side with my growing up in

the flesh was spiritual growth, which

include knowing and doing more of

God’s will, lead me to a Bible

College. There I learned of

“consecration”, which means—set

apart for God’s service. This hit me

hard and was getting stronger and

stronger while with my wife we serve

in the pastorate, church planting and

overseeing church leaders through

the years. So, we worked hard

towards improving members’ lives,

towards making as many unbelievers

of different walks of life believers.

Then, at another point of my life I

came to feel that I’m not doing as

much as before because I had the

comfort of having responsible church

leaders and members surrounding

me, preparations were done at home

in stead of office, and without eyes

closely watching my activities. With

that conviction, and for some other

reasons I joined a church where I will

have immediate superior, who would

check on me. As weeks passed by,

then months, I noted that I was

working on my own. I was treated so

professionally, and as mature servant

of God, that no one was checking on

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Care for both body and spirit Mark Venezuela

me on my program and activities,

other than submitting a monthly

report.

Since ministry is a battle against

evil spiritual forces, it has to be

fought well and has to be won. The

process of the battle is long, constant

and tedious to both body and spirit.

Aware that both body and spirit have

limitations that needs special

consideration, attention and care has

to be in place. This is where ‘retreat’

is necessary to give adequate time for

the body and mind to be freed from

workplace and usual activity.

On December 12 I had slight fever

which I carry along to work. On

Friday that week a pimple like thing

showed up over my left eyebrow.

Fearful it might get worse, I see a

doctor, and I was diagnosed having

herpes zoster infection. It was a

recurrence of a chickenpox virus I

had 40 years ago, due to weakening

of body resistance.

I was granted leave from

December 26 - January 13. Though I

still have to do regular medication

five times daily, I enjoyed each day

very much, going places and visiting

my siblings and

of my wife.

It was great

time unwinding

mind, heart and

soul. It was

refreshing and,

relaxing;

bringing healing

to my total

person.

Majority of the Filipino Fellowship

members join the first of the three

international worship services, a few

on the second, and even lesser on the

third. There are Filipinos too who

have been faithfully joining worship,

but not part of the of the Filipino

fellowship.

On the first service, by the door are

Filipino ladies as greeters/usherettes.

On the dot as scheduled the service is

started by warm greetings by one

among the praise team. The praise

team leading the congregation in the

singing of well chosen and well

rehearsed songs increases the

temperature of worship, preparing

the congregation for the proclamation

of the word of God. The word

preached every Sunday creates

positive changes in many lives.

The Lord’s Table is also observed

every last Sundays of the month.

Once or twice a month the Filipino

fellowship also have worship service,

not in competition or duplication of

the international service, but to

address specific needs to build up

everyone to better serve each other

and God.

Praise God that several were so

concern of bringing someone to

church. A few failed, but many were

able to bring at least one. Their

success motivates them even more,

not only for the joy, but knowledge

that they have done God’s will and

participated in the fulfillment of the

Great Commission.

Worship

Page 7 Milestones

Evangelism and Discipleship

“Therefore go and make disciples of

all nations, baptizing them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded you.”

Matthew 28:19, 20a

Thanks and praises to God that

through constant reminders, encour-

agement and evangelism trainings,

several ladies joined Gladdie in evan-

gelism. Among them reaching out,

some had opportunities to share the

gospel right where they meet people;

while others succeeded in inviting

them to the service or to our Filipino

Fellowship at Wan Chai MC, where

they were shared the gospel by either

Mark, Gladdie or the ladies.

In discipleship we have variety of ac-

tivities such as:

1) Bible Classes or Sunday School

which we have twice a month, using

ECC materials when were available.

Luz, Gladdie and me are the teachers.

2) Heart-To-Heart. This is facilitat-

ed by the care-group leaders or their

trainees so that as they know more

God’s word, they also learn how to

conduct a bible study.

3) Trainings. We train present lead-

ers and prospect leaders. that we start-

ed using it.

4) Inter-church fellowship. The

quarterly gathering is usually partici-

pated in by three or four churches; the

one during the Lunar New Year six

Filipino groups join together.

In these activities, God and his word

is central focus.

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps. 107:1

We don’t fail to thank God every day, yet the two fellowships did separate annual Thanksgiving Celebration on the theme: “With a Thankful Heart”. The Saturday group had on November 19, joined in by Saturday groups of the Filipino Christian Center and Union Church. We collected offering for the Radio Bible Class according to our respective age, at least. Through one bible games we found out several don’t know much of the Bible. We had bible drill, Bible Quiz, and Bible book mastery. Everyone was happy joining with other groups in worship and other activities, and looks forward to the next quarterly fellowship. All work, no play makes one dull, right?

The Sunday group had theirs on the 20th. It was full of joy, celebrating who He is and what He’s done to us, through the church, through non Filipino individuals, through our fellow Filipinos, visitors he brought to our gathering, and those who are now among us.

For economic reason we celebrate birthday every month but often a multi-affair. It is joined by wedding anniversary, shower or farewell. In November it was celebrated with Shower and Farewell for Flora Aliguyon. Flora, one of Filipino fellowship members who is a bible school student partially supported by ECC. She’s going home for good after years or employment in Hong Kong, to be wed to a pastor, and that they would serve God together.

Christmas was celebrated as early as 17th of December. This was done by the Saturday Fellowship especially for Celine who is going home to join the husband, and hope to raise children. So it was a triple occasion—birthday for December celebrants, Christmas and farewell.

On the 18th, seventeen among the Sunday fellowship cheered the elderly patients, staff, other workers and visitors of Evangel Hospital by singing Christmas carols in English and Mandarin.

December 25 was real fun too for everyone present on the Christmas celebration of the Sunday Fellowship.

Celebrations done at Wan Chai ministry center often open opportunities to share God’s love to visitors invited by members.

Page 6

Thanksgiving

Milestones

Monthly Birthday Celebration

Christmas Celebration

Saturday

Sunday

On the very first day of October the

leaders of the Filipino Fellowship have their

first bowling together. That very day, the

early morning hours seem not in favor for

our planned activity; some are being pulled

to some other meetings and activities, others

can’t find the venue by themselves, but bits

of encouragement and directions, we found

ourselves in one place, and waited a while

for some who bought some things.

With everybody around, we wasted no

time, paid at the counter, each with their

shoes on, the first bowler had the first apple

(bowling ball) about to roll down the lane.

All eyes are on the only male in the group.

Maybe they’re expecting a STRIKE! Good

that where the apple went was not shown.

The one in blue shirt is Lotlot, closely

watching her apple rolling. This must be a

SPARE! Oh, no! No! No! While the green

apple is rolling down you can imagine the

many Body English displayed, hoping to

move the apple to the direction the bowler

wanted, but too bad …

Hey Bessie,

bend your body a

little more for a

strike! But do you

certainly know

where should the

apple hit?

The pins were

staring at the red apple in surprise why

the red apple seems afraid of them.

Leaders’ Bowling

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Page 4

Liza, Liza, Liza; cheers the group as she stands on the

approach. The apple heading to wrong direction, you

can imagine what she’s thinking and what she feels.

Wow, Bea! You look like a pro. Who would expect that

approach? Wala nang tatalo!

The lady in white shirt is Luz. She looks more serious

than the rest. She really pours out her heart on the game. I

like that attitude.

Lorna and everyone else were closely watching what

would happen. As the apple hits there were loud laughter

and cheerful comments.

COMMENTS It was relaxing to “get away”, have fun, and do things

out of the ordinary … a time for bonding together. Bea

Tomilas

It’s a good experience to play bowling sometimes, to

stretch our body and ease our mind from the pressure we

face everyday. It was enjoyable and fun! I like it. Sana

maulit muli. Luz Lab-ingon

Thanks to God for giving the opportunity to spend time

for one another as one body in Christ. We enjoyed that

memorable time we shared together. Amen! Bessie

Pagaduan

Milestones

Leaders’ Bowl (continued)

Page 5 Milestones

Prayer

“Then Jesus told his disciples to

show them that they should always

pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

______________________

The Filipino Fellowship’s prayer

activities are done several ways:

1) every 1st Sunday of every month

In October, the devotional part

was conducted by Bea. With some

stuff she prepared, she gave the in-

struction that each take an item, and

share a thought about it in relation to

prayer. With around 30 individuals

participating, there were as much

beautiful ideas learned.

In November it was a “Prayer

Walk”. After some instruction and

prayer, each group went to their

street assignment and prayed walking

as led by the Holy Spirit. When eve-

ryone’s back to the ministry center,

praises and testimonies were shared

joyfully.

During traditional prayer meet-

ings we pray for the strengthening

and growth of Christians, spiritual

empowering of Christian and politi-

cal leaders, conversion of people to

Christ, churches and their needs, and

personal prayer concerns.

2) every Sunday at 8:30 a. m.

Here, before praying we

share from assigned bible passage or

topic. Prayers are focused on wor-

ship services and other church activi-

ties for the day and urgent concerns.

3) week-day prayer

Everyone is encouraged to

pray for one another, specially those

in their care group and their families.

The Saturday Fellowship have

prayer time every Saturday.

Worship

“As worshippers begin with holy

expectancy, it ends in holy obedience.

Holy obedience saves worship from

becoming an opiate, an escape from

the pressing need of modern life.”

Richard Foster

_______________________________

The Filipinos in ECC are among the

multi-nationals in corporate worship

in the first service. Some serve as

ushers.

Once or twice a month we do similar

activity on our own, but are not du-

plication nor competition to the inter-

national service, rather, to address

existing or arising need among us.

With the fact that our services have

several parts, we educate our fellow-

ship members how to maintain wor-

ship in each part, because each part

manifests God’s amazing character-

istics. In singing, the words and the

music are powerful reminders of who

God is, of what he’s done, and what

he’ll do. Listening to sermon, is the

Spirit’s way of revealing our unbe-

coming characteristics and bring in

godliness. The recognition and wel-

coming of new comers, is not only

giving importance to these people

and their coming, but also expressing

acceptance into the service but into

belongingness. The announcements

are to declare what God has been

doing, and making known some ways

we can serve God. Prayers as other

means of worship by humbling our-

selves and exulting God, it is an ave-

nues for God to come to us for provi-

sion of needs and bonuses.