Author: Tim Warden

San Fernando Christian Community is saturated with God’s love and grace which cannot be contained. God’s love, indeed, is so overflowing that one cannot help but pass it on. Thus, this holiday season, volunteers extended God’s love to the inmates of the La Union Provincial Jail. It was a simple Christmas Party with games, fellowship, and food.  But more importantly, there was worship time celebrating Jesus’ designated earthly birthday. R-jay dela Cruz, the team leader of the Jail Mission Team, shared the Word that Jesus is the real reason for the season.  

A certain inmate shared that he is happy about the Truth that he has just learned.  “Masaya ang Christmas ko.  Sa pagpunta niyo, marami akong natutunan (“I am happy this Christmas. Everytime you come to visit I learn and realize a lot of things.”),  he intimates. 

A certain John shares that he used to avoid this kind of event.  “Pero masaya ako ngayon. Lahat ng itinuturo niyo sa akin, pumapasok sa puso ko.” (“But  this time, I am overjoyed. Every message that you share with us goes straight to my heart.”) 

Kyle Diaz, an SFCC volunteer, is happy to note that he has seen the change in the mindset of the inmates who have been constantly reminded of God’s awesome love. “They are no longer sin-conscious. They are now grace-conscious. They know that there is forgiveness in Christ Jesus.” 

R-jay shares that sadness is not confined behind bars. The outside world is also full of sadness during Christmas.  “Pwede rin palang maging masaya kahit nakakulong.  Sa pisikal lang sila nakakakulong, pero malaya na ang kanilang mga puso dahil sa love ni Jesus.” (“There is still happiness even behind bars.  Physically, they are incarcerated, but in the spirit, they are set free because of Jesus’ love.”) 

After all, it is written that, “ nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) 

Feeling His presence and basking in it. One cannot help but worship His goodness.

Shouts of celebration for the Real Reason for the Season

“Pwede rin palang maging masaya kahit nakakulong.  Sa pisikal lang sila nakakakulong, pero malaya na ang kanilang mga puso dahil sa love ni Jesus.”

Being creative in sending the message of God’s love. Whatever it takes, let us tell the world how much Jesus loves them!

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

The Rotary Club of San Fernando City (La Union) together with the Kids’ Ministry team of San Fernando Christian Community  put big smiles on children from all over San Fernando.  There was a big celebration  filled with games, worship, gift-giving, and feasting.  More than that, the kids felt Jesus’ love for them. 

Jerry, the newest Rotary Member, is very proud to be a part of this event.  He has only been in the Philippines for 7 months and has been with the Rotary for a month and a half.  He exclaims, “It is obviously wonderful to work with children.” 

Dec. 16, 2014 (Tue.)

SFCC celebrated the onset of this year’s Holiday Season with its very first  Simbang Gabi. It was a night filled with merriment, upbeat traditional songs, encouraging testimonies, and inspirational messages. Add to that was the unique presentation of the Christmas Nativity Story. It was a musical, comedic and dramatic story all rolled into one. Remembering how Christ came to earth for the salvation from our sins is always a moving, awakening moment.  Everyone was in tears after being reminded of what a great, selfless act it was to give up One’s life so we can be set free.

After the service and the show, everyone had a taste of the usual holiday fare of pancakes, barbecue, and puto bumbong. 

There are still 8 nights left. Let’s celebrate God’s goodness together. Come to San Fernando Christian Community at Santiago Norte along Ortega Highway, San Fernando City, La Union. Simbang Gabi is from Dec. 16-24. It starts at 6 pm. 

Here are some scenes from the Christmas play: 


 

 Soaking is simply spending time in God’s presence.  Soaking is not a conscious effort. It is a time of rest, of experiencing Him, and choosing to be intimate with Him.  

God made it possible for each of us to have a relationship with Him through His Son’s finished work on the cross. When we soak, we focus on Him.  It is magnifying Him so that everything else becomes insignificant. There is only you and Him. His voice becomes clearer and more distinct.  It is also a moment where we pour our hearts to Him and receive His love.  

As we soak in Him, our hearts experience profound changes. Revelations and visions become clear, fears are dispelled, fear and anxiety are conquered, burdens are lifted, and faith and hope are rejuvenated and refreshed. 

The last Soaking of this year ended impactfully.  In fact, all Soaking events this year have created such a powerful effect that the attendance has been steadily increasing.  Yes, the songs were great, the lights and effects were mesmerizing, but above all that, it was God’s presence that made a lasting impression. And that is why we keep coming back for more. 

Packed to the brim. The people could not get enough of God’s presence. 

Worship is a lifestyle.

Big finish: The SFCC Champion Dancers opened and closed the event.

soak
to become thoroughly wet, or saturated by immersion, to 

“So encourage each other and build each other up.”  (1 Thess. 5:11) 

SFCC’s vision is to be an excellent church of influence producing champions in life. Champions produce other champions.  With that conviction, SFCC, in partnership with New Love Ministries, recently sent a group of volunteers to mentor the Shekinah Jireh Community & Youth Ministries in San Antonio, Zambales.  

The team tackled on subjects like leadership, love languages, lifestyle of worship, “True Love Waits”, prayer, evangelism strategies, and financial literacy. 

“So encourage each other and build each other up.”  (1 Thess. 5:11)

SFCC’s resident soundman, Christopher Cornelio,   lends a few pointers on sound mixing.

Rizze Panit shared creative ways of sharing the Gospel.  This passionate young evangelist has many sharing tricks up her sleeve.

Josh Bartolome taught the Shekinah Jireh church how to do devotions using S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)

Kiko Bartolome shared the importance of worship as a lifestyle.

Rich, practical tips: Che Bartolome teaches financial literacy

After the Zambales trip, 3 of the church’s youth leaders traveled back with the team to visit SFCC. 

Jeffrey Navarro, the church’s young worship team leader was especially inspired by the culture of worship that SFCC has.  He also intends to apply the concept of equipping his disciples to make disciples themselves.  Anton Navarro, the resident bassist admits that inviting is quite difficult. However, he got inspired that SFCC’s culture is by design, not by default and that inviting is also a culture that has spread throughout the members.  Carmela Callo, being a part of the kids’ ministry,  enjoyed observing the Champion Kids’ Fun Sunday at SFCC.  She picked up a lot of pointers on how to lead and teach the young ones int
o a lifestyle of following Jesus. 
During their last day at Praise & Prayer, the guests expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome. They say they feel like they are part of the family. Truly, SFCC is building bridges between churches. Romans 12: 5 says that we are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

“Everytime I come here, there’s always something new!”, exclaims Ingrid, a senior college student on her semestral break from Ateneo. 
And that is true about San Fernando Christian Community Center.   The priority is people. SFCC makes sure that everyone is accommodated.  Not only that, SFCC ensures that everyone, whether a child or an adult,  feels safe and secure. After the Champion Kids’ Hall expansion, the Building & Facilities Team are moving on to yet another project—the courtyard expansion. More space is being created to contain the throngs of people coming in all week, especially during the weekends.  It is the heart of SFCC to give quality experience for everyone who comes to visit.  The love of Jesus is communicated not only through the sharing of the Good News but through warm greetings, friendly smiles, firm handshakes, and sincere acceptance. 

At SFCC, there is always room for everyone.   

Clearing out to create more space and accommodate everyone.

Added surprise. No wonder people come early and stay late.

Every Tuesday night at 7:15 in the evening, people go to the SFCC Worship Hall and there, they spend an hour and a half praying and praising God. As soon as we could talk in syllables, our parents teach us how to say our prayers, and rightly so. Even in our limited human understanding, we know that we need a Higher Being to help us get through life. 

We pray for a variety of reasons. We come to God with our specific requests, believing His promise that He hears our prayers. Our prayers are not in vain, even if we do not receive specifically what we asked for ( Rom. 8:26-27 ). He has promised that when we ask for things that are in accordance with His will, He will give us what we ask for. 

At Praise & Prayer, the congregation basically prays in unison and in agreement with one another. There are specific prayer points flashed on the screen for every area ( church services, ministry teams, programs, projects, mission teams, etc.). Anyone can submit a prayer request either verbally, via mail, or text message.  

After Praise & Prayer, there is free dinner at the courtyard for everyone. Here, people get to have fellowship and create bonds with one another.  

SFCC has a lot to be thankful for, having hundreds of ready prayer warriors each week joining together in earnest prayer. 

God desires to communicate with us. He loves hearing from us. He also loves to tell us things—wonderful things beyond our imagination. So let’s keep on praying and enjoy the direct access we have with our Heavenly Father.

Ex. 15:21 “Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!”

James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…