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Milo Umlas Ordained as Elder and Senior Pastor
Pastor Milo Umlas ordained as an elder and senior pastor for GCI Pampanga last January 22. (Click to zoom).
The local congregation of Grace Communion International in Pampanga rejoiced last January 22, 2012 as national director Eugene Guzon ordained Pastor Milo Umlas as an elder and at the same time as their new senior pastor for the local church.
Pastor Miles, along with his wife Nona and their three children joined on stage during the ordination ceremony. His parents also joined on stage along with the rest of the pastoral team.
Pastor Miles has been very active in the local church since he was a young boy. He is the son of one of our elders and long-time member in Pampanga, Ptr. Pio Umlas who has been very active in the local church, in prison ministry and in evangelism even in his senior years up to now.
Everyone enjoyed their time together fellowshipping and the lunch prepared for this special worship service and celebration. National director Eugene Guzon was accompanied by his wife Lulu during this church visit.
The ordination and the celebration was held at the local congregation's newly-built, church-owned building located at Bacolor, Pampanga.
GCI Bicol Celebrates Family Festival 2011
The Grace Communion International (GCI) Bicol,celebrated the Family Festival last December 26-29 at Mullner Resort Sogod,Bacacay,Albay with the theme "Growing Together In His Love."
At least a gathering of more or less 180 delegates representing the churches of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Cotmon, Daet, Baao, Donsol, Legaspi, Tabaco plus brethren who travelled all the way from San Pablo City, Laguna, Masbate, Manila, San Fernando, Pampanga and Canada attended the festival.
A comprehension, inspiring, encouraging and soul searching messages were delivered by the equally knowledgeable and spiritually guided speakers namely: Ptr.Audie Santibanez of Crossway, Ptr. Gil Llanesa of Manila, Ptr.Dan de Guia of Samar and the Area Superintendent for Bicol, Dr. Rey Taniajura.
Emphasis was given on the theme on growing in Gods' Love, by being together in the love of God, participation in a trinitarian way of growing in His Love, reconciliation and celebration in being united as part of the body of Christ progressively explained as to how each of the speakers encountered and experienced the presence of God as revealed in following scriptures Gen.3:16, John 3:16, Matthew 22:37,John 13:35.
The festival included worship services, communion Services, leaders fellowshipping, film showing, showcase of talents, swimming and games involving the children, youth, singles, couples and the Senior Citizens, prizes of which some were donated by generous brethren particularly the Mandap family of Pampanga.
Dr. Rey Taniajura concluded the festival by way of a prayer for the community and a reminder on the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration of the GCI, Philippines.
The Activity was spearheaded by the Festival Director and Asst. Area Superintendent for GCI Bicol, Ptr.Jose V.Manzano and Ptr.Reuel "Boy" Pamor as Asst.Festival Director. --Ptr. Ernesto Aycardo/Eleanor Bongat
Thank You Note from Typhoon Sendong GCI Coordinator
GCI brethren in Cagayan de Oro who were victims themselves give food to their fellow flash flood victims. (Click to zoom).
To All Our Donors & Partners,
Warm greetings! We hope you and your families are doing well.
Thank you for your love and concern to the families who were affected by typhoon "Sendong" in Cagayan de Oro City & Iligan City. The latest count as of this writing stood at 1,260 people dead and still rising and hundreds missing. It is likewise said that the numbers of families affected by Sendong is 65,608 or 502,599 persons. This is not just figures but individuals with their own stories to share.
We have been overwhelmed by your support to the victims as expressed by your prayers & donations - whether it be in cash or in kind. Your commitment to help the displaced families in our community weather the crises in their lives is very much appreciated most especially by the beneficiaries. Your donations were used to provide relief assistance in forms of free meals & relief packages containing; rice, cereals, canned goods, noodles, mineral water, kitchen utensils, and used clothing. We allocated also some funds for the rehabilitation of houses of affected church members.
Your acts of kindness matter a lot to these people specially in time of their distress.
The staff/volunteers had express also their thanks for allowing us to become conduits of God's love with you. The tasked was great but it was made easier because of your generosity. In our own little way, together we have made a difference to the lives of these hurting people.
Again thank you very much. --Ptr. Jerome Manriquez, GCI area superintendent for Mindanao
GCI Cabanatuan Celebrates Church Anniversary and Christmas
Grace Communion International Cabanatuan City congregation celebrated its 26th church anniversary and Christmas party on Sunday, December 18, 2011. The event which was an awesome success had 66 attendees present. The church which was founded on December 16, 1985 started with only 20 members attending the services. During the fellowship prior to services, there were a lot of embraces and tears of joy as friends who hadn't seen each other for years fellowshipped and exchanged stories.
Pastor Eli Toledo opened the morning service with introductions of special guests that included pioneer members and acquaintances from similar fellowships. Guests came from Laur and Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija as well as other places in the area. Pastor Arlan Aquino, area superintendent for Northern Luzon, gave the celebration message (Psalm 14) during the morning service. Pastor Len Joson with his wife Jojie and daughter Jinjie were also present. Mr. Joson pastored Cabanatuan City congregation from 1997 to 1998.
The morning was highlighted by the commissioning of the pastoral team members by Pastor Arlan Aquino and Pastor Len Joson. The newly-commissioned pastoral team members are as follows: Pastor Antonio Gaspar, Mrs. Aida Gaspar, Mrs. Erlinda Toledo, Mrs. Lucila Samson, Pastor Danilo Ebreo and with Pastor Eligio Toledo, as the pastoral team chairman.
Founding members, those present who attended the first meeting of Cabanatuan City congregation 26 years ago were recognized and honored. The morning service was followed by a delicious potluck lunch.
Fun and games ensued during the afternoon session. Mrs. Aida Gaspar, wife of Senior Pastoral Team member Tony Gaspar, shared memories and stories during the "down memory lane" part of the program. There was a slide show of pictures of members and church activities through the years. Members showed their love and appreciation for the sacrifice and dedication of the pastors by presenting them humble gifts. Reflecting back on our christian odyssey and seeing God's grace at work in our lives is a boundless blessing. Indeed, Psalm 14 (verse 5) captured the spirit of our event: "God is present in the company of the righteous". Praise belongs to God! --Eyrie Samson
| "Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you." (NLT, 2 Thessalonians 3:1) |
