Bells were ringing and candles were lighted as the Holy Cross entered and honored; this is how the Praise and Worship Concert started at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (DSPNSDA) last Monday night, September 3.
The Praise and Worship Concert with a theme, “Maria, Daluyan ng Paggaling sa Ngalan ni Kristo” was organized by Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) in partnership with CFC-SFL and CFC-YFL Chapter 6.
Kuya Paul, a missionary and CFC-SYL member, inspired the parishioners with his talk. He said, “You will meet Jesus tonight” and indeed, everyone felt God’s love for it is His plan to be experienced how powerful and great He is. The following are the key points of his talk:
Don’t be skeptic about yourself and capabilities. Always say “Yes” to God because he will never give you a task that you can’t do. There might be struggles and problems as you face the responsibility but Mary, our mother is always here and prays for us; just ask our dear mother to pray for us and she will whisper all our prayers to God for she is our guide and intercessor.
If you said yes to the lord like what Mary did, He will change you. He will grant all you dreams. And if your dream is vague, the time will come and He will make it clear because God sees everything perfectly. Include God in everything and surely, you will succeed.
If ourselves is our weakness, it will be our strength if we offer ourselves to God. If you cannot give yourself to the Lord wholeheartedly, He will still give himself for you to show you how much He loves you.
For a couple of minutes, a music was played to let the people reflect, meditate, and talk to God for a while. After that, the worship started and everyone raised their hand and sang cheerfully. “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” – St. Augustine. The night was about the parishioners and God as they offer themselves to God. Here are the five songs performed by the CFC members:
- One desire – Hillsong United
“All that I am is devoted to you … This is my cry, my one desire, is to be where you are, Lord now and forever.”
- Strength of my life – Planetshakers
“You set my heart ablaze with your holy fire and now stand amazed by your love and favour … I don’t know where I would be. I don’t know what I would do now if your love hadn’t save me. You are the strength of my Life.”
- Our God – Chris Tomlin
“Our God is greater; our God is stronger. God you are higher than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power. And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?”
- One Way – Hillsong United
“You are the way, the truth, and the life. We walk by faith and not by sight for you. We’re living all for you. One way Jesus, you’re the only one that I could live for.”
- Friend of God – Israel Houghton
“Who I am that you are mindful of me?? That you hear me when I call? Is it true that you are thinking of me? How you love me? It’s amazing! I am a friend of God; He calls me friend.”
The Praise and Worship Concert was ended by a prayer. Afterwards, Bro. Mark Anthony Pelobello together with Bro. Patrick Jay Tolop awarded the certificates of appreciation to the CFC-YFL and CFC-SYL for devoting their time and effort to the said event.
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
