STANDING FIRM TOGETHER

The annual church conference called the "GCI Worship Festival" was always been one of my highlights yearly. I get to be excited every year because I get to meet my churchmates from our local church here in Luzon. This year we had three international guests, Jayjay and Jeff (Australians) Ptr. Johnny Logrono (USA).The attendance this years was about 800+ members from different GCI churches. I am blessed to be living here in Baguio because the feast site has always been in Teachers' Camp,Baguio City. Since we're from Baguio, our local church has always been willing to serve as the host. This year, the festival is dated September 25-28,2014 with the theme - "Standing Firm Together: One Faith,One Hope, One Love"

This year has been a lot different for me because I had the chance to be one of the lead worshipper during the opening service last thursday. We sung songs and hymns that reflected the theme this year like the hymns - "At One With God" "We Are God's People" "One Faith, One Love" and others. As the lead worshipper, it's nice to see and hear God's people worshipping in spirit and in truth, it just give me  'Jesus' bums' all the time. It is great to be one as a church in worship.

We had a variety of activities for children,youth,singles and seniors. This year is my last festival to be in the youth activity because this December, I'll be turning 20 years old already. The coordinator of the youth activity this year is the Crossway Church led by Kuya Joel Calmateo. The activity started with a couple of singing where we can just be youth and express our praise and worship to God. After that, we proceeded with the games that reflected the theme of the youth activity: "Do It Together". We ended the activity by saying a pledge to build the christian community together. The  activity was such a powerful time!

As usual the dance night was enjoyed by everybody, especially that we were all dressed in our formal attires. There was a live band and food at the corner! Everything was perfect, perfect for the theme "Titanic Ball". Dances always remind me of the "perichoresis" - the great dance of the Trinity in which we are all included and called to participate. Thanks to GCI Sta. Rosa for organizing the dazzling night.

There is something new this year! GCI Manila sponsored the daily early morning free coffee and pandesal available for everyone. This was an additional opportunity for fellowshipping and making new friends. 

We had the festival communion service on a Saturday along with the ordination ceremony as an elder of Ptr. Aramis Parane and wife Eden. The ceremony was an affirmation of his passion and service for God and the church. In the evening, we all enjoyed the "You Are..." Gospel Concert. I got to invite 16 of my blockmates and their friends. That night was a night of revisiting the beauty of God's grace and deep love for all humanity. On Sunday, we had the closing sevice at 8:00 a.m. to give enough time for our church members to travel going back to their homes. We had our selfies and groupfies and said our "see you soons". I am excited for the Festival 2015! Whoot!!

And in closing I say...

STANDING FIRM TOGETHER:

One Faith,

One Hope,

One Love!

CHURCH IS FUN!!!