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Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Warm greetings from the cool City of Pines! It is my fervent prayer that you and your family are all in the best of health and situations.
I am writting to tell you how much our Pastors and Vicars who attended the Pastors? Christmas Fellowship(PCF) appreciated your act of kindness and generosity. Thank you very much for your help which made it possible for us to have a fruitful and happy PCF.
PCF started as a monthly activity among Pastors who are close to each other geographically and who became better brothers and friends. Almost every month a few years back, Pastors Rolly, Jimmy, Joseph, Billy, Joel and myself gathered regularly at favorite venues like Candon, Pangasinan and Baguio. It was a big blessing for other pastors that Pastors Jimmy and Joseph have cars and so all of us just hopped in their cars and we go to these venues at different times. Then one Christmas we thought of inviting others and so we had our first PCF at the seminary. We always have two days PCF, first day is for study, presentation of an essay/paper and two lectures and also Matins and Vespers. Then other pastors heard about it and expressed interest in joining. Thus for the last three years now, South Luzon District Pastors were part of PCF.
The PCF is a good venue for Pastors to share their joys and pains in the ministry. It is a good venue for casuistry and also for giving admonitions to younger pastors by those who have serve the Lord longer in the ministry. The second day of PCF is always reserve for fellowship and fun.
PCF 2008 was held at the Aradanas residence in Moreno, Binalonan, Pangasinan last December 16-19. 15 Clergy and 4 vicars benefited in many ways on this PCF. Only two Pastors were not able to attend due to family commitment and ministry related reasons. Rev. Wilando Roa presented an essay, Rev. Seth Florentino presented a paper and I did a lecture on this theme: ?The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship. We had good discussions and i even gave a quiz after my lecture. Well am happy, they all passed the exam.
The second day we went to Goldland resort in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. Everyone enjoyed the cool water in the pool and got relieved from the warm sunshine. While others were in the pool, i started singing using the Videoke machine. Soon others formed a line with everyone wanting to get the microphone to sing. It was a good opportunity for everyone to unwind. The challenge and goal for everyone was to get a 100 score. Some Pastors like Joel, Hope and Harry easily got the perfect score after two or three songs. After spending more than 20 pesos, I hardly got the perfect score too. Of the 19 pastors and vicars only 5 got 100 scores. I am so sorry to the other pastor who got 100 for i miss his name.
Then it is time for the BIBLE Drill. I introduced this game, The pastors were group into two. I listed Bible passages and the Pastors were asked to locate for the Book, chapter and verse and this is the thrill of the game; I selected a word from the verse(maybe the first,2nd 3rd 10th 21st etc.. and the participants are either to bring,or do what the word says. Everyone really liked the game and contest. Contest because the prize is 1000.00pesos.
Then we had our lunch. After lunch others went back to the pool while others busied themselves with the videoke machine trying to get a pefect score. At past 2;00pm we left the resort and went back to Moreno in Binalonan. Others, after receiving their galoons and bottles of vinegar made from sugar cane and sack of rice as gifts from the Aradanas family, left earlier but Pastor Rolly and myself had to wait until Pastor Joel and Vicar Tony finished their report on how the funds for this PCF was spent. Pastor Joel Noche was designated Treasurer for this year?s PCF. At past 5pm, Pastor Rolly, myself and Vicar Tony started our way back to Baguio.
I heard good comments and observations from pastors. ?The PCF has really improved a lot, many said. The age and positions of pastors did not serve as barriers for interactions. The discussions were frank and younger workers in the ministry did participate a lot. Then we discussed the possibility of having our Mindanao brothers join us in the next PCF. But everyone in Luzon wants the next PCF to be in Mindanao. One pastor said; ?f only i could go to Mindanao and experience boarding an airplane- that is a big fulfillment for me.?So i challenged them, we will try to raise funds for our airfare but you shall provide for your fare from your home to the airport and they chorused responding with a big YES!?
To all of you my dear Brothers and Sisters here and overseas, ?Thank You very much for all your help. You financially and in many ways supported us in this significant event. To the Aradanas family(Inlcuding Brother POLDO- we only hear of his name) who provided us good accomodations in their homes, pitched tents and shades for our lectures, Agyaman kami unay(Thank you very much). Also to the members of Christ Lutheran Church who prepared and cooked all the sumptouos food and terated us like kings during our stay, thank you very much! And finally, to our heavenly Father, to Him belong all the glory and honor.
In His Awesome Love,
Rev. James D. Cerdenola
December 21, 2008
Warm fraternal greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, whose birth we celebrate during the season. It is my fervent prayer that by the grace of God all of us be prepared and preserved from those perils that would distract us from the one thing needful as we celebrate the birthday of our King!
I may never forget a story I?ve read years ago. It is about. It is about a little boy who was conceived before, but born after his father shipped out to serve in the second World War. For almost three years, the boy knew only a picture of his father. At bedtime, he and his mother would kneel beside the bed for prayer. When the prayers were concluded, he would kiss the picture of his father that stood on his nightstand and then jump into bed.
On the first wonderful night when his father returned from the war, mother, child and father knelt beside the boy?s bed for prayer. After the Amen?, mother said: Okay, now kiss your father good night. It is time to sleep.?The youngster got up, kissed the picture and jumped into bed, leaving the father on his knees with open, but empty arms.
Something like this happens every Christmas. We keep the tradition-kiss the picture, if you will- but never received Christ as a living presence in our lives. We celebrate Christmas in many ways. But all these celebrations are given more emphasis than the real reason to celebrate. Let the reality of Christmas be the power and purpose of living the rest of the year.
?CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN!?This is what we celebrate this season. God and man are united, the glorious gift of God?s Son is given. All broken relationships are healed in Jesus who came to give Himself for us that we might be in right relationship with God the Father. This is what Christmas is all about. Peace reigns between God and His people. This is what happened when God came into the world.
From my family and in behalf of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!
In His Awesome Love,
(Sgd.)Rev. James D. Cerdenola, President
Lutheran Church in the Philippines |
