CFFC-San Isidro Turns 5! 4th Harvest Festival Celebrated!

BREAKTHROUGH! Is the theme of the 5^th CFFC-San Isidro Anniversary Celebration and 4^th Harvest Festival which was inspired by ISAIAH 10:27 “It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil” last April 24, 2011, Easter Sunday at the CFFC-San Isidro Church Building.

The congregation were all excited waiting in front of the church and its premises for the first activity – the motorcade around the poblacion. Private and service vehicles lined-up in participation to the motorcade with a loud sound system playing victory songs. The five flags representing the Philippines, UK, Singapore, Scotland and Israel were waved by the flag bearers leading the entire motorcade.

After the very exciting motorcade, a dance for the Lord was rendered by the tambourine and ribbon dancers. After the dance, the dancers and the flag bearers led the congregation in entering the church building which signalled the start of the thanksgiving service. The stage was outstanding with matching fruits and vegetables representing the good harvest!

The opening prayer was led by Ptr. Freddie C. Jose and immediately followed by the praise and worship. The congregation was warmly welcomed by the couple – Ptr. Alexander Ritua and his wife Mitrel. Special numbers from the children, youth, men and women were presented in songs and dances.

Ptr. Jose Adonis Manango gave his anniversary message and encouraged the congregation to thank the Lord for a very fruitful and successful 5^th Anniversary Celebration and 4^th Harvest Festival. He declared breakthroughs will surely happen this year provided that all will become obedient and faithful to God.

The pastors and wives led by Ptr. Adonis and wife Mariebel sang the “Dakilang Katapatan” as the members offered their tithes and offerings to the Lord. The pastors lifted up the offering box and blessed the offerings that will be used for the expansion of God’s kingdom.

The bondage breaking, declaration of faith, prosperity and God’s anointing were proclaimed and received in faith was done. The dedication of the two children immediately followed.

In closing, the congregation sang the song “Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat”. All the members formed a big circle while holding each other prayed together in unity. Ptr. Rony Buena-Agua led the closing prayer and prayer for the food. Ptr. Reynaldo Sermonia and Sis. Elena A. De Mayo hosted the celebration.

To all of you, who shared your most precious times, talents and treasures for the success of our anniversary celebration and harvest festival, we are so thankful.

The celebration was indeed a day of praise, worship and breakthrough - an expression of our endless thanksgiving to God’s love and faithfulness. To God be the glory, honor and praise ad infinitum!

Posted by:

Pastor Alexander F. Ritua

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES: House-to-house Evangelism and Jesus Film Showing

The CFFC leaders and members went on missions! ‘Twas really a very fulfilling and unforgettable holy week for all of us as we conduct our house-to-house evangelism and Jesus Film Showing last April 21 and 22, 2011 (Holy Thursday and Good Friday) at barangays Doña Paulina and Cebu here in our town San Isidro, Isabela.

Drawn by the passion to serve the Lord, the leaders in one accord, made all the preparations –transporting of the musical equipments and chairs from the church to the barangays. The team prayed before the house-to-house evangelisms that were started around 3pm in the two barangays. The leaders and members were grouped into three groups represented by the men, women and youth groups. The groups were able to share the love of God and His offer of salvation. 25 people were reached-out and prayed to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. What a great opportunity bringing and ushering people to God!

The film showings were done in the evenings of April 21 and 22. The first film showing was done at the Community Center of Doña Paulina, San Isidro, Isabela. Barangay Captain Velasco, who gave his welcome remarks, with his wife and members of his council were able to watched “The Public Life of Jesus” dubbed in the Filipino (Tagalog) language from start to finish! Many were blessed watching the film entirely taken form the Gospel of Luke. Ptr. James Bastian gave the message.

During the second evening, the pavement beside the concrete road in Purok 4, Cebu, San Isidro, Isabela were flocked by the barangay people who were able to come as early as 6:30pm. They were able to participate in singing, clapping and dancing led by the praise and worship team. After a short introduction on the film by Ptr. Alexander Ritua, the film showing started.


For almost two hours, the people were really focused and attentively watched the film. Ptr. Jose Adonis Manango blessed the people and led them to Christ in a prayer of acceptance. In closing, he prayed for all of them that God will bless them and they will continue to know the Lord more as they have started a personal relationship with Him.

The team gathered together, praised and thanked God after the two-day activities knowing that our labours in the Lord are not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58). The host families served refreshments afterwards.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Posted by:
Pastor Alexander F. Ritua

Ablaze for God Leadership Training-Workshop Conducted

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.” - ACTS 1:8

Acts 1:8, the theme of the very first “Ablaze for God Leadership Training-Workshop” held on April 2, 2011 at CFFC-San Isidro, Gomez, San Isidro, Isabela. The aim of this training-workshop is to let the leaders a) know who the Holy Spirit is, His names, attributes and His works in the lives of every believer; b) experience the intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit; c) know and become aware of the roles and responsibilities as church leaders, and d) how to be an active witness in areas of influences they are involved in.

The whole-day activity started with an opening prayer led by Bro. Clever Sermonia, the youth chairman followed by the praise and worship by the Psalmists of God Band. Bro. Novito Lacuesta, vice-chair of the men’s ministry welcomed the participants. The training proper followed immediately with Ptra. Mariebel M. Manango who lectured on the topic: “Make Me a Servant: Knowing Your Roles and Responsibilities”. She discussed the importance of servanthood and gave examples from the early church experiences in the bible. A workshop followed titled “Where Do I Belong?” where the leaders chose what ministry/department they wanted to be involved in by writing their names on the spaces provided for.

The Holy Spirit and You, the second topic was discussed by Ptr. Jose Adonis V. Manango, the Head Pastor. He taught about the Holy Spirit as the Third Person of the Godhead – not a force or power but God himself. He introduced the Holy Spirit in His different names attributed to Him. After the lecture, a salo-salo together for lunch was done.

The third topic on “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit” was handled by Ptr. Reynaldo O. Sermonia, Pastor of CFFC-Sta, Monica, Echague. He discussed one-by-one the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit that are available to every believer which can be used in any situation and give glory to God. He shared some experiences on the operation of such gifts.

The last topic titled “Reaching-out Strategies and Areas of Influences: was tackled by Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua. He stressed that each leader should consider himself as a co-worker in God’s vineyard. All should respond to God’s calling the each one should participate in the fulfilment of God’s Great Commission stated in Matthew 28:19-20.

In the evening, the Commitment Night and Anointing Service were held. It was so awe-inspiring to see that all the leaders came in their best dresses ever! The night was so special from the very start. We felt God’s presence as we worship Him singing the songs “Light My Life and The Potter’s Hand”. Special songs like “Paghirang”, “Gawing Handog Ako”, and “Pagtawag ng Diyos” were presented by the CFFC Singers really encouraged everyone. The video clip “People Need the Lord” was shown and left all the participants speechless.

Ptr. Jose Adonis Manango delivered his message centered on the Holy Spirit. He challenged all the leaders to make a stand and respond to the call that we must become His witnesses to the world (fishers of men), a co-worker in God’s vineyard and fulfilling God’s will in our lives. The anointing service was a heart-warming experience, as we worship and sang the song “King of kings, Majesty”, almost everyone were left sobbing. The leaders were anointed with oil as a part of commissioning and impartation of church leadership and gifts.

The distribution of certificates of participation to the 30 leaders was done after the anointing service which was awarded by the pastors and chairs of the youth, women and men’s ministries. An intimate prayer time with God was done after the awarding. With the closing song “More Power to You”, each one embraced the other leaders while telling them “more power to you in your service to the Lord”. All felt God’s presence and were teary-eyed after the service.

Truly, we were all once again refreshed, revived and became “ablazed for God”. To God be the glory!

Posted by:
Pastor Alexander F. Ritua

Vision Sunday: CFFC-San Isidro Nudging Up to a Higher Level

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, March 6, 2011, the CFFC leaders and members were so excited as if they are expecting and waiting for something. The Youth Ministry led the praise and worship. The song “Consuming Fire“ touched everyone – we know, it’s a special touch from the Holy Spirit.
After the testimonies and rendition of special songs, the CFFC vision, mission, goals, objectives and work and financial plans for the year 2011-2012 (output during the leaders' planning-workshop in January 23, 2011) were presented by Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua in a powerpoint presentation. The congregation was informed on the activities and new initiatives of the church leaderships that gearing towards the attainment of the church vision.

During his message, Ptr. Adonis Manango, encouraged everyone to participate as one body in Christ since each one is playing a very vital role in the attainment of the vision which states that CFFC is …” A missions-driven church, praying, working together for a greater harvest and expansion of God’s kingdom and faithfully preparing for the coming of the Lord.” He further emphasized that each member should become a leader and the importance of being a co-laborer in God’s vineyard. That all should work hand and hand and be always available in serving the Lord until He comes. As the congregation sang the song “Oh the Glory of Your presence”, everyone felt the presence of the Lord. We stand in awe realizing that our theme for the month of March is “Ablaze for God.” Wow! Amazing! To God be the glory!

Posted by:
Pastor Alexander F. Ritua

Think About His Love: A Celebration of God’s Love

"Think about His love, think about his goodness, think about his grace that brought us through…for as high as the heavens above, so great is the measure of our Father’s love…" these were the familiar lines of the song “Think About His Love” by Walt Harrah popularized by Don Moen.

All over the world, February is called the love-month. The CFFC conducted the “Think About His Love: A Celebration of God’s Love” last February 23, 2011. The aim of this special event is to gather the people from every age group to celebrate God’s love instead of the usual valentine’s day activity. This will also be a venue to reach out our families and friends and help them realize that our God loves them so much no matter how sinful they are.

The activity showcased different God-given talents presented in comedy skits, dances (sayaw ng lahi and tambourine dances), songs (solo and choir), drama and the Jesus loves you skits. These were actively participated in by the children, youth, women and men ministries’ leaders and members. The variety show was our offering to our God as an expression of our thanksgiving for his steadfast, unconditional and endless love. The attendees enjoyed the presentations centered on God’s love.

Ptr. James Aquino, our guest speaker during the evening shared about the love of God – which He gave his only Son Jesus Christ – the ultimate expression of His love to all mankind that whoever believes and accepts Him as their personal Savior and Lord will be saved. He led the attendees in a sinner’s prayer where many, especially the new comers accepted the Lord.

After the message, Ptr. Adonis Manango led the united prayer time – a declaration of blessings and victorious Christian living for all the families, personal relationship and service to our God. The giving of simple mementos and reading of encouraging love notes were done by Sis. Lina De Mayo and Sis. Mitrel Ritua. The leaders, members and everyone present were really uplifted knowing that somehow, anybody has touched other’s lives in their service to our God.

Indeed the night ignited the faith of everyone to be put into a higher level – that is, loving the Lord more than anything else in this world.

Posted by: Pastor Alexander F. Ritua