"Ang Regalo" LUMC's First Musical Play

For the first time, the Lagro United Methodist Church has presented a musical play last December 23, 2011 with the title "Ang Regalo”: (The Gift). It has been a product of a rigorous brain storming by the young people.

They wanted to come up with a story about message of Christmas and its relevance to the life of young people today amid the different circumstances surrounding them. Ideas flowed profusely. As one of the advisers of the young people, I helped out in putting together the story line and produce a script for a musical play, which I entitled “Ang Regalo”. 

It’s all about five teens and the different circumstances surrounding them: because of scarcity, one of them thinks that Christmas is a time to earn from Christmas caroling; another, because of hunger for love, thinks of Christmas services as an opportunity to search for young love; another, because of her rich family thinks that Christmas is the time for luxurious gifts; yet another, because of longing for her parents working abroad, thinks of Christmas as time for family reunion. Yet in the long run, even all those could not give them happiness anymore.

However, one them has lost her mom to cancer but has found true happiness in the Christ of Christmas. She has found meaning in life in Christ who knows all our brokenness and heals them with His love.

The story speaks of the true essence of Christmas and that we will not find true happiness unless Christ is born in our hearts, unless we receive Him as our Lord and personal Savior. Christ is the Father’s greatest gift to us and we only need to receive Him in our hearts for us to receive the free gift of everlasting life.

The main characters were Elijah Alivia, Andrew Agovida, Angel Vinluan, Vanessa Vinluan and Abby Ojenar under the direction of Ghenalee Alivia while I did the musical scoring. Ivy Velasco handled the tambourine dance choreography while Elijah Alivia and Cyrus Robles handled the dance choreo for “A King is Born”.

We had basically just one week of thorough practice but everything went well. Kudos for the young people for a job well done!

Tribute to the Elders 2011

Last year, our church through its Outreach Ministry, paid tribute to the elderly and handicapped members of our church. We went to the Manila Ocean Park and Mom liked the activity very much.

This year the Outreach Ministry, went to Laguna Hot Spring in Calamba, Laguna but unfortunately, Mom and I could not go with them this time. Mom's suffering from Diabetes Milletus and unstable blood pressure. She had been taking insulin shots once a day at bedtime. Her doctor advised her against long trips so we decided not to join this year's celebration.

Anyway, they had a real great time there! God willing, Mom and I would join the celebration next year.

Image Courtesy of:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calamba/4405496985/sizes/m/in/photostream/

LUMC Praise and Worship Seminar Workshop Group Photos

After Ate Roselle's Team Building Activity

After Pastor Allan Asuncion's Activity

After Gilbert Cedillo's Activity

After Ate Sally Solis' Activity

LUMC PaW Seminar Workshop Photos Part Two

The second part of the main activity "Experiencing God's Power through Music- Touching Spiritual Life" led by Pastor Gilbert Cedillo followed a few minutes after dinner.

We awarded to Pastor Cedillo a Certificate of Appreciation after the activity.

Praise and Worship led by the LUMC Praiseteam began at the start of the next activity.

The Group Prayer spiritual breakthrough activity was led by Ate Sally Solis. 

We awarded to Ate Sally a Certificate of Appreciation after the activity.

LUMC PaW Seminar Workshop Photos Part One

The Activity started with a devotion. The Spring of Life Praise and Worship Team led the Praise and Worship

Pastor Orly led the devotion

After the devotion, the Team Building Activity followed, led by Ate Roselle Garrino, CE Deaconness

We awarded to Ate Roselle a Certificate of Appreciation after the activity.

After lunch, we started the first part of our main activity, "Experiencing God's Power through Music- Enriching Talent". Our speaker for the Activity is Pastor Allan Asuncion of Ablaze, Admin Pastor of Taytay UMC

We awarded  to Pastor Allan a Certificate of Appreciation after the activity.

LUMC Praise and Worship Seminar and Workshop

The Lagro United Methodist Church Praise and worship teams conducted a seminar workshop and prayer retreat last October 25 at the Lagro UMC sanctuary. The participants were composed of praise teams from the main church and from the mission points; Spring of Life Fellowship and Pangarap Fellowship.

The speakers were Rev. Allan Asuncion, Administrative Pastor of Taytay UMC and one of the speakers of Ablaze (the Holy Spirit Conference); Rev. Gilbert Cedillo, Pastor of Masa Mission and Mrs. Sally Solis, Campus Ministry and Ms. Roselle Garrino, CE Deaconess.

The theme is “Experiencing God’s Power through Music”. The activity started with a devotion led by our Pastor, Rev Orly Veron with the praise and worship led by the Spring of Life Team. His message centered on 1 Samuel 16:23: “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” He emphasized the value of music as a ministry and the spiritual responsibility of the music ministers.

Team Building activity followed, facilitated by Ms Roselle Garino. She emphasized the value of working together as a united team and the importance of rising above technical inadequacies to reach the team’s goal.

After lunch, the main activity followed led by Rev Allan Asuncion tackling the topic of “Experiencing God’s Power through Music Part 1- Enriching Talent”. The session answered the following questions: How do we worship God through band instruments? How can we make good music as a group? How to deal with the common complain of being loud and noisy? How to form an Effective Line Up? How can we balance musical preference with the congregation. How do we choose the songs? Who should choose the songs? How to run effective rehearsals?

“Experiencing God’s Power through Music Part 2- Touching Spiritual Life” followed after dinner. The session was led by Rev Gilbert Cedillo and he touched the questions: How can we experience the power of God through Music and how can we share it with the congregation as music ministers? What are the things that we need to keep in mind? What are the possible hindrances?

The last activity was led by Mrs Sally Solis. She touched on the topic of understanding the sacredness of the ministry and the value of the right spiritual condition of praise team members.

We are looking forward to an empowered praise team as we continue fulfilling our calling as music ministers.

ABLAZE CONFERENCE 2011 (Follow-up Invitation)

 

The Puno United Methodist Church invites all Jesus lovers to attend the Ablaze Conference 2011!

“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken.” (Ezekiel 37:14)

ABLAZE CONFERENCE 2011

A Call for all JESUS LOVERS!!
Experience deliverance and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience healing and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience empowerment and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience transformation and LIVE AGAIN!

Experience for the third straight year a two-day soaking in the river of LIFE … of WORSHIP, of PRAYER and PRAISE!!

When: October 28 & 29, 2011
Where: Word of Hope Family Church
EDSA, Quezon City ( across SM North)
What time: Friday: Registration starts at 7 AM – 9 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Registration and Admission: FREE

Teachers’ Fellowship: Celebrating Christian Education

Last September 18, we have had a Teacher’s Fellowship in church to honor the Sunday School Teachers, Bible Study leaders and teacher volunteers in ministry who have been giving their time and talent in the service of the Lord. The church have given gifts as tokens of appreciation for their effort.

In the afternoon, we have had a fellowship gathering. We have had fun playing games and doing group dynamics. I don’t know actually how the group dynamics game we have played but it has been a learning experience. We have been able to connect the game with how we work as a group.

Actually, we have failed to reach the goal of the game. With our eyes closed, we need to count off from one to eighteen randomly (we were eighteen in the group) one by one without anyone repeating a number or two people reciting a number at the same time. Any error would put the game back to the start. After several tries, we have failed to complete the series. The farthest we have reached has been sixteen. However, through the activity, we have re-emphasized the value of unity, cooperation, and being sensitive to the needs of our students in the faith. It has been a very exciting activity for the group.

Later, the moderator has asked the teachers to draw on paper something that would describe them as teachers. One has drawn a butterfly, three have drawn light bulbs, one a heart and another a candle. We all are one in saying that we want to impart love, faith enlightenment and knowledge to our students as they grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.

God bless all the Bible teachers here and around the world.

Ablaze: Holy Spirit Conference

The Puno United Methodist Church invites all Jesus lovers to attend the Ablaze Conference 2011...

“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken.” (Ezekiel 37:14) 

ABLAZE CONFERENCE 2011

A Call for all JESUS LOVERS!!
Experience deliverance and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience healing and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience empowerment and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience transformation and LIVE AGAIN!
Experience for the third straight year a two-day soaking in the river of LIFE … of WORSHIP, of PRAYER and PRAISE!!

When: October 28 & 29, 2011
Where: Word of Hope Family Church EDSA, Quezon City ( across SM North)
What time: Friday: Registration starts at 7 AM – 9 PM

Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Registration and Admission: FREE

Come face to face with seasoned messengers of God’s Word:

• Pastor Eli Javier
• Pastor Allan Asuncion 
• Pastor Paul Kim
• Pastor Hiram Pangilinan 
• Bishop Jonel Milan
• Pastor Allen Gallegos
• Pastor Dave Sablan, Jr.

Learn and experience topics such as:

• Warming of the Heart 
• Heart of Worship 
• Prayer 
• Commitment to Service 
• Healing 
• Family and Relationship Deliverance Inner Healing

COME WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, SCHOOLMATES AND OFFICEMATES!
PREPARE FOR AN INTIMATE ENCOUNTER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!
YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME, THAT’S GOD’S PROMISE!

Celebrating Choir Sunday at the LUMC

Becky Almazar & Norma Andres

Last August 21, 2011, we celebrated in our church, Lagro United Methodist Church, Choir Sunday. The celebration centered on the Psalms and the Chancel Choir under the direction of Sis. Rebecca Almazar, sung two chorale anthems, Psalm 27 (“The Lord is my Light”) and Psalm 110 (“Make a Joyful Noise”). Sis. Rebecca Almazar and Sis. Norma Andres also rendered a duet, Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my Shepherd").

Rev Rolando Abesamis, Associate Pastor LUMC

Rev Rolando Abesamis, Associate Pastor LUMC

Rev. Rolando Abesamis delivered the sermon, which centered on the value of the Psalms and spiritual songs in the life of Christians.

Later in the afternoon, we had a choir fellowship where we played a few games. Like name that tune, name the title by acting it out, and a “group dynamics” activity where we emphasized the importance of working together as one group to achieve an important task.

It was a fun-filled occasion and we are looking forward to more enjoyable fellowshiping as a choir.

Choir Fellowship

Choir Fellowship-Name that Tune Game