CFC–SG Joint Prayer Assembly: Finding an Anchor for the Storms of Life

(Romans 5: 2-5)

 “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that our suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put to us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5)

CFC-SG Joint Prayer Assembly was held at St. Peter Auditorium in Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre (CAEC) on April 6, 2013. Despite the fuzzy weather on that day, around 200 people brazened out the rain to glorify and worship God. There were a lot of sharings or testimonies on how the Lord has always been faithful and generous to His people.

Gary Argulla, CFC-SG National Council member, was the servant who spearheaded the event. He led the Praise and Worship, and also was one of the speakers.  In his exhortation, he quoted the Book of Romans and highlighted the importance of HOPE in our lives. He has mentioned that in biblical terms, hope is closely allied with faith. Hebrews tells us that, faith is “the assurance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 11:1). Hope, therefore, is the object upon which we direct our focus and energies.

SINGLES FOR CHRIST ALL OVER WORLD

REUNITES in the 20^th ICON             

(by the SFC-SG Writers’ Pool. Photo by RBD )

The 20^th International Conference was held in World Trade Center, Manila from February 15-17, 2013. This year’s gathering is truly a reunion and celebration of how God has been faithful and blessing this ministry of Couples For Christ. Anchoring on this year’s theme from the book of John 2:5 “Do Whatever He tells you”, this 20^th ICON is entitled ‘WITNESS’. The event was participated by 8200+ strong Singles from all parts of the world wherein SFC-Singapore made up the 41% of the total 300 International delegates, making us the biggest international delegation.   

Before SFC-SG delegation headed to Manila, we had our day of recollection on February 3^rd to prepare our hearts and minds for the big things that were about to unfold during the ICON. This was given by Mike Ybiernas, SFC-SG fulltime pastoral worker.

International Conference or ICON is considered to be the annual retreat for Singles for Christ. There are some members of the community who have attended nth number of this event and there are some who just had their first. But it doesn’t matter whether it’s your 1^st or 14^th ICON because the Lord always welcomes His child to be ‘Home’ in His arms during this event.  Thus, it is not surprising to know that there are some who might be celebrating their 20^th year same with SFC’s age for you would always want to go back.

FEATURE: SINGLES FOR CHRIST SINGAPORE NATIONAL TEACHING
(By the SFC-SG Writers’ Pool. Photos by Jonathan Coronel)

JAN 25 CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESAN EDUCATION CENTRE (CAEC) – As the year kicks off, familiar faces glowed with joy while hugs and kisses abounded inside the room. Everyone was excited, like the first day of school, to welcome and experience the first SFC National Teaching Night in the year of the snake. As the Music Ministry (MM) band began to play, attendees greeted each other with big smiles. Coincidentally, several people were wearing blue, thus blue became that evening’s unofficial color. A particularly beautiful sister jokingly mentioned, blue is for “BLOOming”. I could not hide my smile then, because I too was wearing blue.

“God definitely has bountiful blessings in store for us this year”, I claimed while looking at all the 87 joyful people in the room who were waiting to get the drums rolling.

SFC-SG Couple Coordinator Allaine Gaite and the Music Ministry led us in a soulful Praise and Worship.

Obey and Witness: SFC-SG National Prayer Assembly (ICON Echo)

By the SFC-SG Writers’ Pool. Photos by Nicholas Tiu

“Make me your servant, teach me your ways, you are my master and I will follow you every day”

MARCH 2, CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESAN EDUCATION CENTER (CAEC) – More than 300 believers sang this hymn of praise that perfectly encapsulates this year’s theme, Obey and Witness, at the Singles for Christ (SFC) Singapore National Prayer Assembly (PA). The said PA echoes the recently concluded SFC International Conference (ICON) held in Manila last February 15-18.

The event started by giving away SFC ICON 2013 shirts by the hosts, Andy Co and Jen Mosqueda, to enliven the audience. The sessions followed thereafter, which were based on the four main topics featured in ICON: Invited, Empty, Transformation and Witness.

The opening worship and first session lead by Rommel Sagum from East 2 chapter talked about the invitation given to us by God. He recalled the time he joined the community five years ago and how it has changed his perspective in life. According to him, God will always be with us whenever we call His name. We just have to put our full trust in Him and be obedient. Once we accept the calling, just like marriage, we have to commit ourselves and be firm with our decision in allowing God to enter our lives. “The community makes me feel good. Being here gives me hope that there’s still goodness inside me,” he said.

Zaida Marie Mariano of West 1 chapter shared on the second session how God was able to fill her emptiness. She was a victim of physical and verbal abuse by her ex-boyfriend that left a deep wound in her psyche. “I was never good enough!” she said, as the audience attentively listens to her heart breaking story. She lost confidence in herself and started to despise the opposite sex. “I’ve become a man hater and thought all guys are the same,” she added.  Zaida succumbed to fear and bitterness which made her struggle for years. Thanks to SFC, and especially her household group, she was able to turn her life around. She surrendered herself to God and now she has become an instrument in spreading God’s love. Sometimes God has to break us to make us.