#HUGOTPARASAKANYA: A Spoken Poetry + Music Event

Do I Really Have to Read the Bible?

BFGFC Sunday Service | January 22, 2017 

If your answer is YES:   Do you read regularly read your Bible? Do you give importance to your daily time for Bible reading? 

If your answer is NO: Why not?

If your answer is I’M NOT SURE or YES, BUT… :

Here are four biblical reasons that tells us Yes, you really have to read the Bible!

#1: 

In Matthew 4:1-11, we read how Jesus used the Scripture to fend off the attacks/lies/temptations brought about by Satan.

Jesus knew the Scriptures by heart. His storeroom of Scripture is so well-stocked that he was able to draw out the appropriate Scripture to fight off the temptation at just the right moment.

Like Jesus, we need to be strong in the Word so we can fight against the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-17 tells us that we are in a spiritual battle (v.12) and so we are commanded to put on the full armor of God (v.11,13).  Part of that armor is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v.17). It is our offensive weapon, and we would do well to always have it with us – not physically, but stored carefully in our hearts and minds (Psalm 119:11). You can’t go in a battle just wearing defensive armor; you’ve got to bring something to fight the enemy with!

Satan also knows and can quote Scripture. He knows it enough to use it to make the temptation seem like it’s coming from God. If we are not strong in the Word, we will be deceived! You should know how to handle your weapon. And make sure you know your weapon well enough to know when it is being used the wrong way (out of context).

Notice how Jesus fought temptation: He did not enter into an argument or a discussion with the devil regarding Scripture and doctrine. He just spoke them out, with authority.

“Every servant of God must be doubly careful. By the same craftiness [Satan] tries to get men to put on a big show and get Scriptural support to back it up… There is no good thing that can result from a religious argument.”[3]

Our attitude and motive for reading the Bible is important. When we read the Bible, read it for yourself first, with an open heart and mind to see what needs to be changed in you. Beware of reading it for the wrong reasons (i.e. pride, superiority, false sense of righteousness). Don’t misinterpret the terms “rebuke” and “correct” in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking (conviction), correcting (restoration to an upright or right state, character improvement[4]), and training in righteousness.”

God’s Word is a weapon to be used to fight the enemy – Satan and his cohorts. It is not to be used to attack people, nor should it be used to put a person [his dignity and personality] down - unless it is to bring him down on his knees in true repentance so that he may be uplifted and transformed through it. God’s Word is to bring healing and transformation, not to inflict more injury to an already injured person. God’s Word is to bring life to the spirit, not kill it.

#2:

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63

God’s Word is a life-giving spirit that brings life (vitality) to our spirit. In short, God’s Word is life!

This is the zoe life, the most absolute, highest and best kind of life there is. The same kind of life Jesus was referring to in John 10:10. The zoe life is the life we receive from God when we first started to believe in Jesus (John 3:15 “that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”). It is different from the bios life. Zoe is life intensive, whereas bios is life extensive.[5]  The bios life pertains to a) the period/duration of life (1 Pet. 4:3); b) the manner of life in regard to its moral conduct (1 Tim. 2:2, 1 John 2:16); and c) the means of life: livelihood, maintenance, living (Mark 12:44, Lk 8:43, 15:12, 30, 21:4, 1 Jn 3:17)[6].

People tend to have more regard for the bios life than of the zoe life. But in John 6:27, Jesus tells us to do vice versa: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life (zoe), which the Son of Man will give you.”

What is this food that endures to eternal life? It is God’s Word! Jesus is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13). He is also the Bread of God which has come down from heaven (6:32-33, 38), the Living Bread (6:51) and the Bread of Life (6:35, 48). If we want to live the zoe life, we have to regularly feed on the Living Bread because “he who feeds on me will live because of me… he who feeds on this bread will live forever ” (John 6:57-58).

“The life that he gives, he maintains.”[7]

What happens when we stop eating? We will get sick, become malnourished, and eventually die. The same goes with our spirit. We need to make sure that our spirit-man is getting daily and proper nutrition from the Word of God.

And just as we will die without oxygen, we will die if we don’t continually expose ourselves to God’s Word and breathe in his life-giving Spirit as we partake of His Word.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” John 6:53

“It is fatal to withdraw fellowship with Christ or to depart from his word.”[8]

As we feast on God’s Word, the Spirit breathes life into the dead areas in our life that needs to be revived.  So if you want a revival, start reading the Bible! (#revivaliscoming, #revivalthroughtheWord)

#3:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”            Matthew 11:28-30

Three invitations Jesus offered in this verse:

• ·       Come to me
• ·       Take my yoke
• ·       Learn from [KJV: of] me

Our souls constantly grow weary from the never-ending toil and labor needed in this world in order to survive. If we don’t take time to give our souls proper care (i.e. nutrition, rest), we will be most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.

Satan will try to take advantage of our psychological, mental, and emotional state. The attack may come during a good season in our life, usually after a victory, when everything is at a high and we think, “Nothing can bring me down” (“Satan’s style is to tempt & bait first then bring the whole empire down.”[9]) Or he can attack during a low point in our life, sticking the knife of despair further and taking advantage of the doubts and questions we have (“The attack has a much better chance of success when the man’s whole inner world is drab and cold and empty.”[10]) 

Remember Jesus? He was also attacked in this area. He was tempted by Satan to jump off a cliff (suicide! Matt.4:5-6). Satan wanted Jesus gone, without having accomplished His mission. But Jesus was strong in the Word so He was able to fight off the temptation.

We must find strength in the Word of God daily.

Jesus offers us much-needed rest that only He can give[11]. We will find rest for our weary souls if we take Him up on His invitations. When we come to Him regularly for prayer and reading and study of His Word, we will get what He promised us: a much needed rest for our souls.

“If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed.” John 8:31

God speaks to us through His Word. As His disciples, we need to regularly commune and partake of His Word in order for us to know His will, His marching orders for us: what He wants us to do and how He wants us to do it.

According to verse 25, here are four things we must do when reading the Bible:

• Look intently              :            Read and study the Word
• Continue                    :            Regularly
• Not forgetting            :            Memorize, meditate, record (devotional journal)
• Doing it                     :            Apply the Word 

THE BFGFC TOLLE LEGE CHALLENGE:

Tolle Lege comes from the conversion scene in St. Augustine’s Confessions, written around 397. The phrase is Latin for “take up and read” where Augustine took up Paul’s letter to the Romans and read a passage which changed his life.

So do I really have to read my Bible? Yes, definitely! Tolle Lege! Take up and read, because a well-trained, well-nourished, and well-rested disciple of Christ is what our God deserves to have in His army, working and fighting alongside Him in the task of building His Kingdom.

Are you up for the challenge?

• ·      Commit to daily Bible Reading.
• ·       Finish reading the OT / NT / entire Bible this year.
• ·       Commit to weekly Scripture memorization.
• ·       Commit to writing regularly on my devotional journal.
• ·       Commit to take notes in all services.
• ·       Commit to share & witness Jesus and what you have learned from His Word (so that others may also hear the Word, be blessed and encouraged by it, and be drawn into a flourishing relationship with Jesus themselves).

#bfgfctollelegechallenge2017

#tollelege

#strongintheWord

#challengeaccepted

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[1] Ness, Alex W. Th.D. Kingdom Principles, p.5

[2] Ibid. p.11

[3] Ibid. p.5

[4] Strong-Lite Dictionary

[5] Vine’s Expository: Life

[6] Ibid.

[7] Vine’s Expository: Life: Zoe (John 6:35,63)

[8] Full Life Study Bible Notes: John 6:54

[9] Ness, Alex W. Th.D. Kingdom Principles, p.12

[10] C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, p.43

[11] “My soul finds rest in God alone…” Psalm 62:1

Pass the Salt, Please!

BFGFC Midweek Service, | August 26, 2015[i]

“Kaya nga, mga kapatid, alang-alang sa masaganang habag ng Diyos sa atin, ako’y namamanhik sa inyo: ialay ninyo ang inyong sarili bilang handog na buhay, banal at kalugud-lugod sa kanya.  Ito ang karapat-dapat na pagsamba ninyo sa Diyos.  Huwag kayong umayon sa takbo ng mundong ito.  Mag-iba na kayo at magbago ng isip upang mabatid ninyo ang kalooban ng Diyos – kung ano ang mabuti, nakalulugod sa kanya, at talagang ganap.”            Romans 12:1-2

“Add salt to all your offerings.” Leviticus 2:13

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Mahilig ako sa maalat.

One time, I got plain congee thinking it was congee without meat.  I didn’t know it meant flavorless congee. When I found out, nagulat ako, pero hindi ako nagpahalata.  I tried to eat it anyway, kaya lang hindi ko talaga ma-take.  I had to add salt and pepper in it.  After that, it tasted fine. J

Did you know that God required salt to be in all the offerings offered to Him? (Leviticus 2:13)  Salt is required in all offerings intimating that their sacrifices, in themselves, were unsavoury.[ii] 

In Romans 12, Paul urges us in view of God’s mercy to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.  He didn’t say anything about adding salt in our offering, but then he didn’t have to because Jesus did (“have salt in yourselves” Mark 9:50).  Then in another teaching, He went even further and said that we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13).  Both times He mentioned the importance of the salt maintaining its saltiness, otherwise it is useless.

So, in order to be acceptable offerings to God, we need to always remember the S.A.L.T.

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1. Remember that you are a living Sacrifice to God. (v.1b)

“Ialay ninyo ang inyong sarili bilang handog na buhay…”

Every morning, think how you can be a blessing to someone that day.

Ask: “Lord, what would you have me do today?” “Who needs a touch from You today?”

Ask again: “Lord, how would you have me do it?”

Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these brethren, we are doing it for Him (Mt.25:40).   

Ministering to people who are in need, without any hidden motives or personal agenda involved, but purely done out of love for God, is acceptable worship unto God. 

As a salt, you are adding flavor to that person’s life, and yours as well!

Use your Grace gifts (Rom.12:6-8)!

Prophecy / Service / Teaching / Encouraging or Exhortation / Sharing or Giving / Leadership / Mercy

The purpose of grace gifts is to serve others.  You discover your grace gifts when you start serving God.  [iii]

2. Keep yourself Acceptable to God (v.1c)

“…banal at kalugud-lugod sa Kanya.  Ito ang karapat-dapat na pagsamba ninyo sa Diyos.”

God deserves the best offering we can give because He is God!

God requires the best and holiest from us:

“You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of [everything given to] you.”  Numbers 18:29

“Bilang mga anak, sundin ninyo ang Diyos at huwag ang masasamang hilig tulad ng ginagawa ninyo noong kayo’y wala pang tunay na pagkaunawa.  Yamang ang Diyos na humirang sa inyo ay banal, dapat kayong magpakabanal anuman ang inyong ginagawa, ayo sa nasusulat: Magpakabanal kayo, sapagkat Ako’y banal.” 1 Pet.1:14-16

“Magpakabanal kayo at sikaping makasundo ang inyong kapwa, sapagkat hindi ninyo makikita ang Panginoon kung hindi kayo mamumuhay nang ganito.” Heb.12:14

Our Dilemma:

“Ito ang natuklasan ko: kapag ibig kong gumawa ng mabuti, ang masama ay malapit sa akin.  Sa kaibuturan ng aking puso, ako’y nalulugod sa kautusan ng Diyos. Subalit nararamdaman kong may ibang tuntunin sa mga bahagi ng aking katawan at ito’y salungat sa tuntunin ng aking isip.  Dahil ditto, ako’y naaalipin ng kasalanang nananahan sa mga bahagi ng aking katawan.  Kahabag-habag ang kalagayan ko! Sino ang magliligtas sa akin sa katawang ito na nagdudulot sa akin ng kamatayan?” Rom.7:21-24

God’s Solution:

“Ang Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Cristo na ating Panginoon! Salamat sa Kanya!” (Rom.7:25)

And He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live the way He wants us to live in this world.  We must allow ourselves to be led by Him.

“Mga kapatid, hindi na tayo alipin ng likas na hilig ng laman, kaya hindi na tayo dapat mamuhay ayon sa laman.  Sapagkat mamamatay kayo kung namumuhay kayo sa laman ngunit kung pinapatay ninyo sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo ang mga gawa ng laman, mabubuhay kayo.  Ang lahat ng pinapatnubayan ng Espiritu ng Diyos ay mga anak ng Diyos.” Rom.8:12-14

Galatians 5:16-26

“Ang Espiritu ang gawin ninyong patnubay sa inyong buhay at huwag ninyong susundin ang pita ng laman… Pinatay na ng nakipag-isa kay Cristo Jesus ang likas nilang pagkatao, kasama ang masasamang pita nito.  Ang Espiritu ang nagbibigay buhay sa atin kaya ito rin ang dapat maghari sa ating mga buhay.” (v.16, 24-25)

Ex. Salt Lamps – purifies the air by releasing negative ions

As we let ourselves be led by the Spirit and live holy and pleasing lives unto God, we help bring purified air into this sin-polluted world. 

3. Live Loved (v.1a)

“In view of God’s mercy…”

Romans 3:22-23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

Romans 3:25 – Jesus, the Sacrificial Lamb

Romans 5:8-11 – While we were sinners, Christ died for us.  We were made right (at peace) with God through Christ’s sacrifice.  God’s wrath is no longer upon us.  We are no longer enemies but friends of God.

Keep yourself always in a spirit of fellowship with God.

As you keep yourself aligned with God, His desires and will become yours, and you find yourself saying, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Ps40:8).”  Your prayer becomes “not my will, but Yours” and “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  You begin to feel the “heartbeat” of God and you willingly serve as His hands and feet and mouthpiece on earth. 

“Endeavor to run on parallel lines with God…” - Spurgeon[vii]

Salt preserves.  Preserve yourself from destruction (depression, etc) by living safely secured in God’s love.  Then go and help preserve others by spreading God’s love to them as well.

4. Get Treatment and be Transformed. (v.2)

“Huwag kayong umayon sa takbo ng mundong ito. Mag-iba na kayo at magbago ng isip upang mabatid ninyo ang kalooban ng Diyos – kung ano ang mabuti, nakalulugod sa kanya, at talagang ganap.”

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of the world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.”

What happens when you put salt in your wounds?

It stings!  But it also brings healing.

The same thing goes when we are being treated by God.   Wrong mindsets, habits, lifestyles, even relationships have to go.  There will be painful decisions and choices to be made, but if we really want to offer ourselves as acceptable offerings to God, we have to undergo God’s treatment and let Him transform us into the person He has always known us to be. Choose to obey God, knowing that with pain comes healing. 

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow…The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:7, 17 

“Kayo’y asin sa sanlibutan.” Matt.5:13

Ikaw ay isang handog sa Diyos at bilang handog, kailangang mapanatili ang iyong alat J Saan ka man pumunta, sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa, magbigay alat sa iyong paligid. 

• ·      Sa isip: Let your renewed mind promote righteous and godly thoughts around you.
• ·      Sa salita: Let your conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt (Col.4:6). No sugar coating of words (when honey comes to the fire, it turns sour[x]). Speak the truth in love.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you at the right moment with the right way of saying the right words to the right person.
• ·      Sa gawa: Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.  Love… (Rom.12:9 & ff.)

Maging handa.  Maraming masasaktan.  Maraming “aaray.” When we start going against the world, persecution will come.  Will you continue to offer yourselves as an offering to God? When you start to stand up for what is right, people may start to avoid you, insult you, break off relationships with you.  Will you still continue to stand up for the Truth?

Remember God’s mercy and love.  When Jesus started irking the religious leaders because of His “radical” teachings, they conspired against Him and murdered Him.  But Jesus never gave up out of His love for you and me.  He gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice, because that was the only way for you and me to be saved and be reconciled to the Father.  Strive to please God rather than men.  Let us offer ourselves unto God, holy and pleasing to Him. 

Bring healing and transformation into the world by being the salt of the earth.

Let me be a sacrifice 

holy and acceptable

Let me be a sacrifice 

consumed in Your praise

Let me be a sacrifice

holy and acceptable

Let me be a sacrifice 

worshipping Your name.

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[i] Acceptable Worship, Part 2 (Part 1 preached at previous Midweek Service by Pastor Zaldy Lim

[ii] Matthew Henry Commentary on Lev.2:13

[iii] EPHOD Ministry Seminar

GROWING IN L.O.V.E. FOR GOD

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) 

Recent news: Blood Moon (Joel 2:31; April, September 2014 & 2015), Tornado in Mambaling, Cebu (April 8, 2014)

These are just a few of the signs that tell us Jesus is coming very, very soon.  Jesus said in Mark 13:29, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it [the end of the age / the coming of the Christ, the Son of Man] is near, right at the door.” 

We need to be extra vigilant (watchful, alert, on your guard) because we do not know when He will come.  We have to be mindful of these signs given to us to remind us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Let us not turn a blind eye to these warning signs because if we are caught unaware and off guard, if we are not ready, we will be left behind.  Our eternal destination is at stake.  Jesus warned us, “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (Mark 13:23)” We are left without an excuse. 

More signs of Christ’s return may hit closer to home for some of us. Matthew 24:10-13 “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

How’s your love life?  

Our love for God should always be kept ablaze.  We cannot afford to let our love for God to grow cold.  This is of utmost importance.  Our memory verse tells us: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)  Jesus tells us that this is the most important commandment of God.  If we are to choose just one command to obey, this is the one command you should choose. 

THE COMMAND TO LOVE GOD

Love is best received when it is freely given. God knows that well enough because He freely gave His all so that we can receive His best.  But why did God have to command us to love Him with all that we are?  He is not insecure – He is our security. He is not selfish – He gave His very best for us. He is not a tyrant – He is Love. Could it be that in “commanding” love from us, He is still the one giving to us?  He will not benefit from our love – God is God, whether you choose to love Him or not.  He doesn’t need anyone or anything to improve or disprove Him.  If we are commanded to love Him with all of our person, we are the ones who will benefit.  He calls it the “greatest” commandment because aside from it being the most important, it is also the most wonderful of all commands given to us.  Out of all created beings, we (human beings) have the privilege and capacity to fellowship, enter into a relationship, and be intimate with our Maker.  And the more you love Him, the more you find satisfaction in Him.  That’s how good a God He is.  In commanding us to love Him, He is thinking of our own good (Deut. 10:12-13).

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

This means the total package, not just a part of you.  No half-measures, only full measure!  Most of us are familiar with the Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman.  We can use that to explore different ways on how we can show our love for God.  His command to love Him requires all of you, so don’t limit yourself to loving Him with the way you are used to. 

L-isten | O-bey | V-oice Out | E-ncounter

#1. LISTEN

Bible Example: MARY

Luke 10:38-42 “She had a sister called MARY, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said… Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (vv.39, 42)

In the Five Love Languages, this will fall under Quality Time[1].   Are you spending time with the Lord? Are you setting aside a portion of your time each day to commune with Him? Are you listening for His voice? The more you spend time with Him listening to Him, the more you will get to know Him and the more you will love Him.

*This is loving God with your             MIND (intellectual powers consisting of will, intelligence and conscience)[2] 

#2. OBEY

Bible Example: MARTHA (Luke 10:38-40); ZACCHEUS (Luke 19:8)

Perform acts of service for God.  As you listen to Him, what is He telling you to do? He may be telling you to do something for Him (i.e. ministry, missions).  He may also be asking you to give up something or someone.  Act on His Word and obey. 

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

John 14:21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.”

John 14:23 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.”

Obedience to God and His Word not only proves our love for God, it also makes us grow in love for God.

1 John 2:5 (TLB) “Those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more.”

*This is loving God with your             STRENGTH (bodily faculties)           

#3. VOICE OUT YOUR LOVE FOR GOD (PRAISE)

Bible Example: DAVID (Psalms; 2 Samuel 6:14, 22; 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 16:7-36)

Say “I love you” to God.  Praise Him verbally.  Tell Him how much you love Him. Admire His beauty and magnificence verbally.  Sing songs of praise to Him.  These are the ways you can express your love for God using words of affirmation.  As you open your mouth to worship God, you’ll find that words are not enough to express your love for Him.  Don’t worry.  The Holy Spirit can and will help you in that department.  As you continue to praise Jesus the Baptizer, He will fill you to the overflowing and find yourself praising Him in a new language.

*This is loving God with your             SOUL            (feelings, emotions, passions, and desires)           

#4. ENCOUNTER

Bible Example: DAVID (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14) | JOHN (Rev. 1:10)

As we worship God in spirit and in truth, we touch the heart of God.   We connect with Him, spirit to Spirit. 

To grow in love, our capacity for God must increase.[3] Nothing short of desperation will bring us to a burning desire and love for God.  If we really want to grow in our love for God, we must come to a point where we say, “He must become greater, I must become less (John 3:30).”  There must be an emptying of one’s self so that we can be filled with God who is love. We cannot love Him and others if we are too full of ourselves. 

EPHOD 10 PT. PLAN, Point #6 Pray and Fast One Meal Each Week

Aside from meals, try also to fast from technology (social media, TV, communication, books) and use that time to pray and seek God.  Mark 8:34 says “Deny yourself…” or in Tagalog “Tanggihan ang inyong sarili …”

(Side note to the Youth: Encounter this week (Youth Retreat) – Get ready. Prepare yourselves this week. Come hungry & thirsty for more of God.)

*This is loving God with your             HEART (innermost being)           

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As we live in the last days, God is graciously calling us back to Him. 

Will you respond to His call?

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[1] http://www.discoveringhim.org/messages/Devotionals/Five%20love%20lang.htm

[2] Dake Annotated Reference Bible

[3] Mike Bickle, The Rewards of Fasting

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Note: I preached this message at BFGFC Sunday Service on April 27, 2014.

Christmas at BFGFC

December 10, 2011
Firebrands Youth Caroling



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December 17, 2011
Operation Blessing

Since November 2011, we collected donations and contributions from the congregation
for our annual Operation Blessing.  This year's recipients were the elderly residents of the
Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association, Inc.

More pictures here

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December 22, 2011
Christmas Party

Fun games, entertaining presentations by the different cellgroups, overflowing food,
and warm fellowship graced this year's Christmas party.

More pictures here

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December 25, 2011
Christmas Service

The Firebrands Kids reminded the congregation of the Christmas story through a wonderful re-enactment of the Nativity
followed by a heart-warming rendition of Silent Night to cap the program.

More pictures here