Monday, February 08, 2010

CORNERSTONE CHURCH UNITED SERVICE



The first United Service for this year 2010 of Cornerstone Group of Churches in the Philippines was held last February 7, 2010 at the Sefton Fire Center, Sefton Village, Divisoria, Santiago City. It was also the launching of the Cornerstone Outreach Ministry for the Elderly or COME.

The service was graced by the Senior Citizens and indigenous people of Santiago City headed by Dr. Henry M. Lobo, President of the Federation of Senior Citizens of Santiago city, and Mr. Virgilio Languban, President of the Indigenous People of Santiago City. The Senior Citizens rendered three songs, “Faithful One” and two native (Ybanag and Gaddang) songs entitled “O Anjel” and “Ay Quero”. The song “O Anjel” is about the hardships and sacrifices of parents in taking care and nurturing their children and yet they turn away from parents. It is a reminder of how our God the Father loves us so much and yet we turn away from Him because of our wicked ways. The song “Ay Quero” is about the journey of men here on earth. Men enjoy worldly things and never thought that life is short and will soon end. They should prepare for life eternal. From dust we came and to dust we shall return.
After the Senior Citizen’s song number, they were given certificates of appreciation and tokens by Ptr. Mark Ritchie and his mum, Mary Ritchie. You can see in the faces of these senior citizens the unfathomable joy and happiness as they were given recognition and honour for their great role in the city.
A short video presentation was shown about the Cornerstone Outreach Ministry for the Elderly (COME). It’s vision, mission, objectives and proposed activities;

VISION: A legacy of givers and generous servants to the younger generationMISSION: To help the Senior Citizensand underprivileged indigenous peoples and their families to cope with the challenge of old age; and against social and tribal discrimination and exploitation.

OBJECTIVE: To organize community-based programs that promotes holistic and preventive social healthcare with emphasis on moral and cultural values

The United Service was indeed great as the Santiago Kids Club danced to the tune of “My Redeemer Lives” with Lydia and Joshia Ritchie as lead dancers to the delight of everybody. It’s a joy seeing the children worship and praise the Lord through dancing.

Ptr. Mark Ritchie’s preaching was about DRAWING THE LINE. He illustrated the story of David and Goliath. The main point from this story – we should not be afraid because God is always at our side in facing the Goliaths (trials, problems, fears, inadequacies, doubts, weaknesses, things that you cannot easily overcome like living in your own comfort zone, and more) in our lives. Our battle in life is not physical but spiritual. Like David, we should be warriors. If David was able to kill a lion and bear with his bare hands, how cannot he kill a man like Goliath?

After the united service, water baptism immediately followed at the Sefton mini swimming pool. There were twenty five (25) who were baptized in water.

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