Sunrise Service 2012

This is the first time that I have attended a Sunrise Service and I think, this is also the first time that Lagro UMC has hosted a Sunrise Service ever. The church has held the early morning worship at the Barangay Greater Lagro covered court behind the barangay hall.

The worship service has started at around 5:30 AM. Pastor Allan Asuncion, administrative Pastor of Taytay UMC has addressed the congregation with a very powerful and moving message. Worship has ended at around 7:30 AM. Then, the church has served a yummy breakfast for everyone who has attended.

The LUMC Chancel Choir

The worshiping congegation

Our Pastors: (From left: Rev Rolando Abesamis, Rev Orlino Veron, DS Rev Miranda, Rev Allan Asuncion and Pastor Andrea Agovida)

The Praise and Worship Band: (Michael Ojenar on drums, Makki Alivia on bass, JR Bamba on guitar and Arnel Oroceo on keyboards)

The Liturgical Dancers

Rev Allan Asuncion (left), Annie Cabantac, our Choir President (middle) and Rebecca Almazar, our Choir Director (right)

“Sa Sangandaan” Musical Play Part Two

The “Sa Sangandaan” was my first ambitious musical stage play. It is the most elaborate so far. We used a video plug, a video credit, sound effects, costume, make-up and all original songs with a full band accompaniment. Whew!

This musical was my first attempt to use original music in a stage play. However, it was not an all original music sound track, around 50% of it perhaps but it was an all original lyrics. I finished the entire script in two weeks at least after staging the play “Ang Regalo” (The Gift) just in time for the 30th founding anniversary of LUMC.

I was a bit nervous at first because we had little time to prepare for it. There was a point when I thought we would not make it but God is good and gracious. He had blessed us with grace to practice enthusiastically. Can you imagine? The band was only able to perfect the songs two days before staging the play!

The scariest part of it was that I was sick at that time. I had cough and fever the week before the presentation particularly the day before and on the day itself. I just could not excuse myself because I was the one in charge of the band. Miraculously, the cough subsided during the entire presentation. I thought it had gone.

After staging the play, the cough began to surge again until I could hardly breathe. Our pastor and church elders rushed me to the hospital and the doctors said that I had pneumonia. It was shocking for me. After two days of confinement, my attending physician had allowed me to go home. The Lord is good all the time.

It has been a great experience doing a musical stage play for the Lord and I know that there will be more to come in the future.

“Sa Sangandaan” Musical Play

As part of our church’s anniversary celebration this year, we presented another musical play, “Sa Sangandaan” last Februaury 19, 2012. The play featured the talents of the Lagro United Methodist Church. This time, not only the UMYF and UMYAF participated but also talents from the UMM, WSCS and our Admin Pastor no less.

The story was about two Christian friends- Sam a devoted Christian while Tony was not. They both underwent a time of deep trial and they showed different responses. The former was one with trust and reverent submission, while the latter was one with questioning and rebellion.

Tony met a terrible car crash that almost caused her life. While in coma, she had a vision. She met two spiritual beings, Legion and Rafael. Legion represented the devil and was enticing her to give up her life. Rafael represented an archangel and came to her aid and tried to bring her back to the side of light.

Tony met a crossroad in her spiritual life. She had to make a decision as to which way to choose: the way toward God or the road that led to death and destruction. In the end, she made a decision. As she arose from coma, she rededicated her life to the Lord with absolute faith and submission. 

LUMC’s 30th Founding Anniversary

This year marks the thirtieth founding anniversary of the Lagro United Methodist Church and we have celebrated the festive event yesterday. The day have started with a motorcade with a superb brass band. This is the first time we have had a brass band leading the church motorcade. They have also accompanied the congregational singing and the choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus toward the end of the service.

After the service, we have had a grand fellowship with the brass band accompanying the celebration. It has been a great and festive day! All glory to God for His goodness and blessing to His Church- the Lagro United Methodist Church.

Healing and Deliverance Service 2012

On January 29, 2012, the Lagro United Methodist Church in celebration of its 30th Founding Anniversary, conducted a Healing and Deliverance Service with Rev David Sablan Jr. as our speaker.

As early as November 14, 2011, I have informed Pastor Dave (through social media messaging) of our intention to invite him as speaker (as per instruction from the Church Council) for our church anniversary healing and deliverance service on February 2012. Unfortunately, his schedule for that month could no longer accommodate our invitation because he already has a prior commitment and Puno United Methodist Church, where he serves as Pastor allows him only one Sunday in each month to accept outside engagement, so he has suggested one Sunday in January 2012.

I have informed Pastor Orly regarding the matter; he has accepted the suggestion and has asked me to confirm to Pastor Sablan the invitation on the last Sunday of January of 2012. The following day November 15, I have informed Pastor Sablan about the new date and he says he is reserving the date for Lagro UMC.

So, it is confirmed that the Church Anniversary Healing and Deliverance Service will be on January 29, 2012.

I have prepared the line-up of songs for the Praise and Worship Team with close coordination with our Pastor. The team has prepared well for this event. The songs are "All We Like Sheep", "Heal Me O Lord", "You'll Come" by Hillsong Chapel and "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)".

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen and unexpected circumstances on the day itself, I have arrived late for the Sunday service but not too late for the important message from the Lord. Indeed, Pastor Dave is a gifted preacher and servant of the Lord. The message of God hits across my heart and soul and I believe everyone present has felt the same way. Toward the end, he has prayed over the church, the ministers and the members as well. He anointed with oil all those who have been sick and have prayed for their complete healing and deliverance.

I have been the last to approach Pastor Dave at the middle of the sanctuary and he has prayed over me. He has tried to lift me up from my wheel chair but perhaps it is not yet the time for me. I know the Lord has a great plan for me and through Him I will overcome all barriers by His grace in each day.

"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/