Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in the Local Congregation of Punturin, Ecclesiastical District of Caloocan North, gathered at their house of worship to attend the worship service officiated by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister. In his Bible-based sermon, he emphasized how vital it is for God’s servants to live a true Christian way of life, especially in these treacherous times. He urged the brethren to value their Church membership and follow faithfully the teachings of God taught to them by the Church Administration.

Just like how the apostles taught the first-century Church Of Christ members to check themselves if they pass the test of being true Christians, Brother Eduardo Manalo also exhorts Iglesia Ni Cristo members today to do the same. The Bible teaches that those who pass the said test and remain faithful until the end are the ones who truly belong to the Lord and will receive the crown of life on Christ’s return.

The opening prayer was led by Brother Ariel B. Barzaga, supervising minister of the said district. Brother Romer D. Galang led the prayer after the Executive Minister’s sermon. The prayer for the voluntary offerings was led by Brother Glicerio P. Santos IV, and Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago said the benediction.

“Despite the problems in our life, my household and I will continue to serve and obey His commands until the end,” promised Sister Luzviminda Magbag, fondly called Sister Vem. She is a finance officer and Christian Society for the Deaf (CSD) monitor. After the worship service led by Brother Eduardo Manalo, Sister Vem expressed how important her Church membership is and said that she will never exchange it for anything.

Sister Vem’s second child, Sister Jewel, was born deaf, and it has been difficult for her and her family. They initially found it hard to accept their daughter’s condition, but they remained faithful and trusted God’s power to change their lives. She recalled, “Through prayer, we were able to accept it and are able to handle it well since then. God gave us this test for a reason, so we will fully trust in His good plans for us.”

Although Sister Jewel has undergone surgery, and despite the use of a hearing aid, it has not been easy for her, especially during the worship services. “She had to remove her hearing aid every time she attended the worship services because it did not go well with the sounds coming from the microphone and the organ,” said Sister Vem. Her daughter’s condition inspired her to learn sign language, so that Sister Jewel could learn it also, for her to understand the worship service lessons.

Sister Vem and Sister Jewel enrolled and studied sign language together in New Era University’s Certification Program for Sign Language Interpreters. But coinciding with their studies, Sister Vem was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel syndrome, making it challenging for her to continue her studies. She narrated, “Despite this, I did not let my condition hinder me. I was able to continue with the help of God, through my devotional prayers. I am also thankful to the Church Administration because CSD has really helped us a lot.”

Currently, Sister Vem is also one of the lay sign language interpreters in the worship service schedules with sign language in their local congregation. Sister Vem sees that life’s trials are helpful to God’s servants for them to all the more trust in what God can do.

For Sister Vem, it is such a great blessing to be able to attend a worship service led by Brother Eduardo Manalo. The words of God from the Bible preached by the Executive Minister serve as a reminder to Church Of Christ members, that as true Christians, they will always worship God and obey His commands no matter what situation they are in. She said, “I strive to be a true Christian by always praying to God to receive guidance in my life. Prayer has become my shield to the hardships that come rushing at me. Even if there are difficulties, I will not cease worshiping Him and fulfilling my Church duty. I entrust everything to Him.”

Another Church officer, Brother Roman Faustino, 56-year-old deacon, has a similar promise to God. He affirmed, “As long as I am given life, I will continue to spend it fulfilling my divine duties. As long as God gives me strength, I will bring myself and my family to worship and serve Him.”

Despite the joyous fulfillment of His Church duty, Brother Roman’s household experienced a difficult ordeal when his wife, Sister Vilma, a deaconess, tested positive for Covid-19 during the pandemic. Their entire household eventually fell ill, which affected their daily lives. He narrated, “During those first few months of the pandemic, fear and uncertainty were always present. A crisis was looming and people were afraid to even go near our house, knowing that all of us were infected. But as true Christians, we endured the sufferings and held on to God’s help and guidance.”

The pandemic all the more showed their steadfast dedication to the Lord God. During the days that they stayed at home, Brother Roman led his family in conducting the household worship services. “As a group overseer, I led my household and the other brethren under my care in worshiping God through video streaming,” he said. Even though the world was aggrieved with the pandemic, Brother Roman felt happiness and peace while reminiscing how God helped them get through those tough times.

The homily of the Executive Minister strengthened the hope of Church members in the Local Congregation of Punturin, including Brother Roman, to remain in their divine election and continue to fulfill their sworn duties. That is why he vows to God in his prayers that “as long as I live, I will greatly value and hold on firmly to my membership in the Church. With all that I am, I will continue to devote myself to God.”

By Jonalyn Balignasay