Word Circular 2017 - December

VOL.8 ISSUE NO.4

2 0 17

WORDCOMM Word Community Church HOW IT WORKS:

QR CODES

BOARD of TRUSTEES ∙ CHAIRMAN Jun Uy ∙ Ptr. Dave Darwin

Ptr. Woolim Ma

Eric Perdigon

Mike Velasco

Ellen Perlado

Aikee Enciso

Liz Padolina

Albert Salazar

Some pages feature QR Codes.

Each code is unique and leads to a specific URL. Scan them using your phone's Facebook app, and your browser will open the link (to the sermon).

STAFF Martin Sarmenta

Kyleen Sayas

Go to the SETTINGS page on your phone's Facebook app,

∙ ADVISER Shiloah Matic-Ma ∙

CONTRIBUTORS Leadership Team

Ruben Ramos

Ara Dionela

Nikki Yambao

Raqui Magtibay

Special Thanks Joanne Gebaña Velprint Corp.

DISCALIMER: You'll need to download the Podbean App to listen to the podcasts

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES & STAFF

2017 SERMONS

the

be

should

AND JUST LIKE THAT, 2017 IS OVER. HOPEFULLY, THOUGH, AS WE HE AD INTO 2018, WE BRING SOME LESSONS WITH US .

Many, if not all of us, followed different series this year: Koreanovelas, Netflix originals, or even some of the classics. We hope you followed the different sermon series in church as well! We also hope you grew in wisdom and were able to apply some of the things you learned.

Log on to wordcommunitychurch.podbean.com to find and listen once again to sermons that touched you, to catch up, or even to share some of them.

You can also check out the Sermon Spotlights in the Notes section of our Facebook page where the preachers dive deeper into their sermons.

Enjoy as you look (and listen) back to the different sermon series we had in 2017!

Sermon Map

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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

PROVERBS 9:10

START

1

j anu a ry 4

Intimacy

>

feb ru a ry 39

“Come and see,” he said. ... Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

41

2

JOHN 1:39 -41

Sermon Map

5

>

a p r il 3

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow."

LUKE 9:23

6

Intimacy

june 4

"Start where you are.

Use what you have.

Do what you can."

Arthur Ashe

Sermon Map

> 7

j uly 2 PETER 3:1-12

FAITH +

Virtue Knowledge Self-control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly Affection Love Effective & Fruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

FAITH

+

AR E YOU R E ADY T O U PGR ADE ?

> 8

5

Intimacy

6

es ptember >

Sermon Map

9

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. JOHN 15:4

7

>

r e b m e v o n 10

Intimacy

8

END

d ec looking

BY WOOLIM MA

As you look back in 2017, what stands out most to you? Which of them moved you? Were there moments that inspired you to follow Jesus more deeply, more fervently?

39Looking

back, I'm personally

“Come and see,” he said. amazed at41what we covered. From ... Andrew went to find his Come and See, to Faith Plus, from brother, Simon, and told him, Wisdom to the Holy Spirit we hope “We have found the Messiah” that you were fed so that you could (which means “Christ”). become more like Jesus. We hope that JOHN 1:39 -41

Pastor's Message

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there were moments during the year, when you heard the voice of God calling you deeper, calling you to risk more, or calling you back to love.

Transformation however, is a slow process and doesn't happen overnight. I was reminded of this as I recently watched a documentary of an ocean that literally disappeared. It didn't happen overnight but gradually YOU'RE shrunk over 50 years. Our faith is not so different: it grows slowly, over time.

A LIT TLE You look back and you realized that FURTHER you're a little further along than you ALONG were last year. I pray that some of THAN you took a step towards becoming wiser because of our discussion on YOU wisdom. Maybe some of you took WERE risks of faith because you were L AST convicted during our Faith Plus series. Maybe some of you simply YEAR reconnected with the Holy Spirit and discovered the power that is available to you. My prayer is that in 2017 you moved a little closer towards becoming more like Jesus through our preaching. My prayer is that in 2017 you moved forward.

What do you recall? What's one thing God said to you through the word? Let's be grateful for 2017 but let's anticipate 2018.

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Intimacy

GUEST SPEAKERS

GLOBAL

2017 WAS THE YE AR WE' VE REGUL ARLY BEEN GR ACED WITH INTERNATIONAL SPE AKERS AND SE ASONED MINISTERS OF GOD'S WORD. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THEM, HERE'S A QUICK RUNDOWN OF RELEVANT LINKS TO THEIR MINISTRIES AND SERMONS .

Guest Speakers

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MINISTRY LINKS:

gregsimas.org nancyhickslive.com alc.org.nz ( Abundant Life Church ) e-wings.net ( Dennis Sempebwa's Ministry ) ijm.org ( International Justice Ministry ) SERMON LINKS:

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Guest Speakers

LEADERSHIP TEAM

moving

IN APRIL , WE ENTERED INTO A NEW SE ASON OF LE ADERSHIP FOR OUR CHURCH.

Throughout the rest of 2017, the different pieces of the leadership team came together.

They committed, bonded, listened to the Lord, planned with the Board, and are ready to head into 2018 fully charged. We asked them three things to help us celebrate them, cheer for them, and help them out next year.

Leadership Team

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WOOLIM MA

Lead Pastor

PROUDEST 2017 ACHIEVEMENT

DONGDONG DEL CORRO

MARTIN SARMENTA

Kids’ Church

Communications

Faithful teaching

Volunteers :

volunteers

writers, artists, printers, interview-

Formation of the

ees

leadership team

LIKE TO SEE GROW IN 2018 To see our disci-

Children and

More ways to con-

teachers walk

sistently support

with Jesus

church comms,

pleship track take

and growth of

shape

volunteers’ skills & hearts

PRAYER 2018 Trust and obey

That we inspire

God faithfully

involvement

To stay close to the Lord and to obey his leading 16

Community

ZALDY L ANUZA

JIREH DE OCA

Missions

Congregational Care

Young Adults &

KENN PUR ACAN

Youth

Team Benguet,

Consistent life

Youth camp,

our first short-

group meetings,

where the youth

term cross cultural

assimilation of

decided to be

team

new comers, and

more obedient to

members visited

the Holy Spirit

More short-term

More committed

New youth leaders

missions, and the

and passionate

upcoming oppor-

Life Group leaders

tunity to partner

and Welcoming/

with CCC

Ushering team to be established

To be more con-

Passion for God

To be more in love

sistent in my walk

and the ministry

with Him, walk

with God

closely and follow hard after Him.

Leadership Team

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MISSIONS

in

GOD

BY RUBEN R AMOS

2017 WAS THE YE AR WHEN WORDCOMM SENT A TE AM OF MISSIONARIES TO BENGUET FOR A SHORT-TERM MISSION E XPERIENCE .

The effects though, are going to be felt in the long-term.

Ruben Ramos, already a “veteran in the faith,” still made the bold decision to go to the mountains, and found God there. This is his story.

The Beginning They say that where God put you is your mission field and I do believe it. So, why will I go to a very far place called Benguet, knowing that at my age and my physical capacity might be a liability to join a team of mostly young people who are on fire and ready to go?

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Community

My faith was challenged. I asked myself, “Does God look at one's age?”

I remembered Moses who was 80 years old when God called him to leave his comfort zone of tending sheep. So, I said, “Lord, I will go if you want me to go.”

The Climb As we climbed the steep, slippery and narrow walkway going up to the Karao Tribe in Bokod, Benguet, I felt how my spirit was so willing to climb. I really felt how my spirit wanted to reach those people up on top of that mountain where God wanted us to go. However, I also felt my legs telling me otherwise!

I ASKED MYSELF, “DOES GOD LOOK AT ONE'S AGE?”

I just prayed, “Lord, help me here now, give me extra strength into my whole body especially my legs which I know have actually been retired from this kind of walking!”

Lo and behold, I made it, thanks to God's helping hands which showed themselves through the team, and grace.

Special thanks, too, to Jet Reyes who is behind me always and never left me in case I slipped! God's mighty hands continued holding us all together as we encouraged all the tribes we met.

MISSIONS

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Coming Home, but Wanting to Go Again There is still a lot of work to be done. Through the shortterm mission, we merely began to encourage them to continue in their faith. However, to be able to truly make an impact in the lives of

TO TRULY MAKE AN

these people, we need to follow up and do something tangible.

One need I see, specifically, is

IMPACT IN

helping the Bible School Library

THE LIVES

managed by Pastor James. This

OF THESE PEOPLE,

is where Pastors of those tribes are being given scholarships to have formal study in theology.

WE NEED

I am praying also that I may be

TO FOLLOW

able to personally aid in those

UP AND DO SOMETHING TANGIBLE

scholarships that they are giving.

I would like to honor and thank The Lord for our church, Wordcomm, for all the prayers

and full support. I thank our Mission team led by our very own, humble and soft-spoken Pastor Zaldy. He guided us through thick and thin, all the way! Thank you to his

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Community

beloved wife, Sister Eve, founder of the Selfie club (of which I am a member!). She always reminded us to smile for the pictures, which in turn reminded us of how exciting the mission really was! Through it all, I believe more than ever, that God is so good all the time, wherever He may place us. To Him be all the glory, honor, worship and praise!

" MISSIONARIES MUST INTENTIONALLY PURSUE INTIMACY WITH CHRIST AND LEARN TO ABIDE IN HIM LONG BEFORE THEY EVER CROSS GEOGRAPHICAL , CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC BARRIERS.

- Mack Stiles -

MISSIONS

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WORSHIP WEDNESDAYS

finding & community

ONE WEDNESDAY OF FEBRUARY, 2017, IN D’CUP COFFEE REPUBLIC IN PIONEER STREET MARKET, WE BEGAN A MID -WEEK SERVICE .

It became a catch-up for those who weren’t able to attend church the Sunday before, as well as a more neutral place to invite friends to meet Jesus in a different way, and in a less threatening environment. With free coffee flowing, who could resist? Almost every Wednesday since then became an opportunity for more people to get to know Jesus. Two newcomers share their stories with us.

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Influence

AR A DECHAVEZ DIONEL A

I am a person who does not fear challenges in life. I might say, at my age, I’ve face ups and downs, and I’ve never found a reason to give up.

I remember my younger years. I was so stubborn, easily angered when things turn out differently from the way I wanted them to be. I thought that if I wanted something to happen, it just will! I have learned that I can’t do it without enough faith in myself, and more importantly, without communication with God. Today, I live alone here in Manila. My

I HAVE LEARNED THAT I CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT ENOUGH FAITH [... AND] COMMUNICATION

family lives far away. That’s really no problem since I’ve learned to be independent ever since college anyway. However, I’m very thankful to Worship Wednesdays because every Wednesday, I find people to whom I can freely express who I am. They are willing to share their thoughts and opinions to everyone, and are willing to listen to mine. I found a family that is very open to those in need of spiritual knowledge.

< 16 December 2017 | Worship Wednesday's Christmas Party at Children's Garden

W O R S H I P W E D N E S D AYS

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Knowing how God works in every one of us makes life more fulfilling. It motivates me to wake up every morning, and to remember God’s purposes for me when I get out of bed. It reminds me that God loves me no matter what.

NIKKI YAMBAO

I remember this moment more than decade ago. I was sitting in a dimly lit chapel, listening to a speaker share her life story. The audience was spellbound, their heartstrings tugged, tears running down their cheeks. At the end of the speaker’s talk, she asked us, “When did God become real to you?”

WHAT KEEPS

I felt inspired and encouraged, but

ME GOING ,

I also felt frustrated. How could

GIVING ME

God seem to work on her life more powerfully than in mine?

JOY AND PEACE

It was only until I was fresh out of

DESPITE ALL

5th grade when the unexpected

THAT HAS

happened, when my supposedly

PASSED,

“easy life” got jolted. God decided to end my Dad’s battle against his heart condition. I was the “unica

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[HIS] LOVE IS

Influence

ALL THAT IS PASSING

KNOWING HOW GOD WORKS IN EVERY ONE OF US MAKES LIFE MORE FULFILLING .

hija,” “daddy’s girl,” and it

independent. My faith was

was such a life-altering

made stronger. It has been

moment which brought

years since his passing, and

pain that made it hard to

sometimes, I still could not

breathe. Regardless of how

shake off the feelings of

heart-rending it was, I had

guilt and regret, but Jesus

to embrace the cold, harsh

reminds me of His love – a

truth at such a young age.

love that is unfailing and everlasting. This same love

I thought I always had a

is what keeps me going,

strong faith in God, but

giving me joy and peace

when my Dad passed away,

despite all that has passed,

I doubted Him in one way

all that is passing.

or another. I felt he took my dad too soon. However,

I am reminded of this love

it was in losing someone

when I go to Worship

I loved so dearly that a

Wednesdays. While coming

new chapter in my life was

to my first session was

birthed. It was through this

merely by accident, staying,

loss that I became stronger

and regularly attending

and learned to be more

was a choice. It was in this

W O R S H I P W E D N E S D AYS

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welcoming group that I found support and spiritual encouragement for my personal walk and journey with the Lord. Through every person I encountered, and every session I attended, I am reminded of God’s purpose for us, and to reflect on the love of God. This small community is another proof of God’s love and grace – the same grace that we are undeserving of, yet continues to give. He rescued and changes us in the same way that the people I met every Wednesday rescued and changed me.

As we are continuously buffeted by forces and influences, it is comforting and reassuring that I am not alone in this journey. They make God real to me.

HE RESCUED AND CHANGES US IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE PEOPLE I MET EVERY WEDNESDAY RESCUED AND CHANGED ME.

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Influence

AVERAGE MONTHLY RECEIPTS FROM JAN TO OCT 2017:

PHP 1,093,000 AVERAGE MONTHLY OPERATIONS:

PHP 1, 163,000

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.

2 CORINTHIANS: 8 (MSG)

Financials

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Follow us on social media @wordcommunity @wordcommchurch @wordcommunitychurch

JOIN OUR SUNDAY GATHERINGS UNILAB Bayanihan Center Open Life Groups 09:00 - 10:20 Coffee Fellowship 10:15-10:30

am

am

Worship Service & Kids Church 10:30-12:00 Youth Service 10:30-12:00

pm

pm (every 2nd & 4th Sunday)

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WORDCOMM OLONGAPO 5:00-7:00 pm 1395 Rizal Avenue Corner 14th St. West Tapinac, Olongapo City