YOUTH RAPIDS @16TH

By: Esther

Youth Rapids Ministry holds its Christmas party together with the celebration of its 16th founding anniversary, December 30 at River of Life Cainta Church. 

The said event was spearheaded by the Youth leaders, Joshua Alarcon & Michelle Salanguste together with the cores, Grace Elicano and Bill Roland Balleras. They prepared games and foods that was really enjoyed and appreciated by the young people who attended the party. 

Three new members of the gang were warmly welcomed by the group. They were Ariane Jane Segovia, Romeo Joward Mangay-ayam and Aicelle Ann Oquino. They were all products of sunday school ministry and as they turned 13, a new ministry was waiting for them, the Youth Rapids. 

Initiation was also done at the end of the party. Youth leader and the cores passed the light of the candles to the youths as a sign of passing of responsibilities. 

"Alam niyo yung Rapids? Yun yung malakas na pagbagsak o current ng tubig, na lahat ng madadaanan nito ay aanurin o madadala.  And being part of our youth group, this also our vision. Dapat madadala natin ang mga kabataan patungo kay Kristo." Alarcon said. 

      [“Do you know what Rapids mean? That’s the fast-flowing and turbulent part of the course of a river and everything that comes across with it will be swept away. Being part of our youth group, that’s also our vision - we will lead every youth to Christ.”]

"2017 is really a great year for us. But we expect more from you this 2018. You are the most talented generation of Young people in this church. Lahat kayo may kanya-kanyang talent na kapag pinagsama sama siya, PASABOG! Sobrang proud kami sa inyo.” He added. 

      ["2017 is really a great year for us. But we expect more from you this 2018. You are the most talented generation of Young people in this church. Each and   every one of you have different sets of talents and if joined together, an EXPLOSION!”]

It was a great opportunity and experience to be part of the most talented generation of youth, indeed.

CHRISTmas

By: Esther

“From my heart to the heavens

Jesus be the center

It’s all about You

Yes, it’s all about You, Jesus”

Back when I was a child, I used to be too excited when it comes to Christmas. I used to count how many gifts and money I have then brag about it to my friends. I used to be paranoid on what will I wear in my Christmas party. I used to tell my Mama to cook a lot of dishes because that’s what makes my Christmas eve perfect for me. But now, I realized I’m missing something. I’m missing some point. I missed the true meaning of Christmas. I missed the significance of celebrating this season. 

So what’s the meaning of Christmas? Well, you can find its meaning just by looking in that word. Yes, Christ, He’s the true meaning of it. Jesus is the reason for this season. Why? This is the day when our Lord Jesus was born. The day when our salvation came to earth. 

Take joy, the Lord has come! On this day, do something that will make you confess Jesus. Then, instead of giving material gifts, why don’t you give them the gift of salvation? Or maybe, pray for someone. That would be a great gift. Maybe gifts, money, clothes and foods won’t matter that much this season because it’s Him who’ll matter for us. 

Hey, you, yes you! Always remember that Christmas is not about you. Well, it’s all about Him, our Savior, our Lord Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone!

WOMEN & APRAS JOINT FEEDING PROGRAM

By: Haggai

River of Life Cainta Church, Philippines – Women & APRAS Team held their Joint Christmas Party last December 23, 2017 as a wrap-up activity for a year of successful feeding program projects.

The event was started with Marilou Chaneco, Sunday School Head, led the kids in opening prayer and praise and worship. Kids enjoyed dancing, clapping and jumping while singing their favorite song “Mahal na Mahal kita Panginoon”.

After praise and worship, a simple message about true meaning of Christmas was given by Pastor Jeffrey Datangel.

Program continued with some kind of thrills as the games were unrolled by the game masters Marilou Chaneco & Eleonor Datangel. Ball relay, basketball, & reciting of memory verses became more effective as it gave excitement and joy to children.

Then, the program proceeded in its highlight activity – the Awarding. Joy Anne Semilla & Charmaine Cabuhat won the best in attendance award for APRAS Feeding Program while Ana Mae Buenviaje & Gian Mariñas won the best in attendance for Flamingo Feeding Program. Bea Lynne Javier and JV Tocante won the Best in memory verse award.

The last part of the activity is the distribution of food, candies and toys prepared by Women and APRAS team.

ROL CAINTA: SEASON OF JOY

By: Ruth

River of Life Cainta shares the love and joy of Christmas blessings as they celebrate their yearly Christmas Party last December 17, 2017 at ROL Cainta Church.

ROL Cainta had been traditionally experienced a lot of struggles, miracles, and breakthroughs within a year, and to celebrate God's faithfulness and everlasting love, together, they share blessings through their efforts and talents God has given them.

The said event was started with a prayer and a praise and worship led by Dra. Joanne Datangel-Gallardo together with the worship team. As it goes by, Pastor Jeffrey Datangel shares a story about a boy who had missed the actual show on a circus, as it relates to God's word and the season itself that they celebrated.

Directly after it, there was a granting of an Eco bags of groceries for a family that was worthy for it. This serves as a thanksgiving of ROL Cainta and an appreciation and payback for a bountiful harvest they had been raised.

Moreover, to provide amusement, an interpretative dance was performed by Jabez Gallardo in the music of "Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko". At one point, the musical play entitled "A heart for Jesus" highlights the celebration as Youth Rapids showcase the wonders of their gifts and talents.

The celebration was filled with games, raffles, gifts giving and the joy of the people of the church felt as it ended up with a hope for another year of blessings.

It was hosted by Arpee Pariscal and Migs Vargas.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

By: Isaiah    

Matthew 19:14- Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

Children's Ministry held their annual Christmas party at River of Life Cainta Church last December 10. 

The program started with an opening prayer led by Marilou Chaneco, followed by Praise & Worship led by Joshua Alarcon and Joshua Castillo .

Afterwards, Marilou Chaneco, head of the Children's Ministry discussed among the students the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of our Saviour, Jesus. 

Moreover, the most awaited part of the event took place. Every student actively participated in the parlor games prepared by the teachers. As they were playing, Pastor Jeffrey Datangel and his wife Eleonor Datangel arrived. Ptr. Datangel reminded the children regarding the true essence of celebrating the Christmas. Pastor Jeffrey emphasized that Christmas is all about Jesus and not about Santa Claus. 

The program ended with the distribution of food, prepared by Mr. Ricky Chaneco, toys & other give-aways and cookies, baked by Mrs. Antonietta Macalma.

WORSHIP

By: Esther

WORSHIP ¹ MUSIC

“I'll bring you more than a song
for a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart”

The song lines say it all. Hindi tumitingin si Lord sa ganda ng kanta na inaalay sa Kanya. Tumitingin Siya sa puso mo. Worship the Lord with all of your heart. Take note, all of your heart. Ayaw Niya ng half-half na commitment sa Kanya. If you’ll commit to the Lord, make sure that you’ll commit with all of your heart, soul, mind and your strength. Ayaw rin Niya na i-worship mo Siya dahil naubliga o napilitan  ka lang. Ayaw Niya rin na magworship ka sa Kanya dahil gusto mo lang ipakita ng Christian ka.  God hates hypocrisy. Ayaw N’ya ng mapagpanggap sa pagsamba. So you better be honest and sincere in worshipping Him. Isa pa, okay lang na sintunado ka basta buong puso ang inaalay mo while singing to Him. Sabi nga ni Rick Warren sa libro niya, “we can worship God imperfectly, but we cannot worship Him insincerely.”

WORSHIP ¹ EXPERIENCE              

Dumating ka na rin ba sa punto na kaya ka nagwoworship sa Lord ay para para magkaroon ka ng “experience” o let’s say, karanasan na mapuspos ng Holy Spirit? Ako kasi OO! Pero I realized lately na mali pala ang mindset ko, na that’s a big no! no! Pahayag 4:11 – Nilikha tayo para magbigay ng kaluguran sa Diyos. Take note of this: Kaluguran sa Diyos hindi kaluguran sa sarili mo.

Kapag tayo ay nagpupuri, mali na isipin na kaya natin ito ginagawa ay para mabless ng Panginoon. Nagpupuri tayo sa Panginoon dahil deserve N’ya ito at nilikha tayo para para gawin ito. Kaya naman ang worship ay hindi patungkol sa kung ano ang gusto mo, o sa mga nararamdaman mo, o kung sino ka. Ang Worship ay patungkol lahat  kay Hesus at sa di masukat na pag-ibig, kabutihan, biyaya, at mga pagpapala Niya.