C OSM OPOLITA N C HURC H

(UNITED CHURCH OF CHRI ST IN THE PHIL IPPINES) A Transforming,

1368 Taft Avenue Corner Apacible Street, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Tel. # 5254495, 5231309 Cellphone #: 0916-244-3437
Email Address: uccpcosmopolitanchurch@gmail.com;
Empowering, Caring
website: uccpcosmopolitanchurch.org
and Exemplary Church
of Servant Leaders.
(Church Vision Statement)

Volume 23, Issue 01

January 6, 2019

Today we celebrate
Communion Sunday
Epiphany Sunday

T
he word Jesus comes to the world for all
Epiphany people. Wrapped up in the idea of ta
comes from theophania (The Theophany), as
the Greek Gregory of Nazianzus* noted, is the
epiphania, which understanding that “God is With Us.”
means We are not alone.
8:00AM Tagalog Worship Service ‘manifestation’ or
Sermon: “Ang Tunay na Paghahari” (*G REGORY OF NAZIANZUS, ALSO KNOWN AS
‘revelation’ and
Pastor: Rev. Grace Fe I. Magan GREGORY THE T HEOLOGIAN OR G REGORY
suggests a
Leader: Ms. Norma Navarro NAZIANZEN, WAS A 4TH-CENTURY ARCHBISHOP OF
shining light. On this day, the church CONSTANTINOPLE, AND THEOLOGIAN. HE IS WIDELY
10:00AM English Worship Service recalls God’s manifest presence in this
CONSIDERED THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED RHETORICAL
Sermon: “Light Drives Darkness Away” and the many other episodes of Jesus’ STYLIST OF THE PATRISTIC AGE.
FROM MCGUCKIN,
Pastor: Rev. Callum R. Tabada life. JOHN (2001) SAINT GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: AN
Leader: ??? Celebrating God coming to earth in INTELLECTUAL BIOGRAPHY, CRESTWOOD, NY.)
human form, Epiphany reminds us that
3:00PM Visayan Worship Service
Sermon: “Kahayag sa Katawhan” MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION
COMMUNICANTS CLASS SIGN-UP
Pastor: Rev. Fritz Jordan S. Mata SIGN-UP
Leader: Ms. Gigie Gementiza
5:30PM Vesper Worship Service??”
As we begin
the new year
Sermon: “New Roads for 2019” 2019, we also
Pastor: Rev. Veronica T. Estayo extend the
Leaders: ??? invitation for
parents to send
their children
(around 12

I
years old) to our n our celebration of February as
MISSION Confirmation Class. Church Membership Month, we are
To build up the community now receiv ing sign-ups f or our
Scheduled to start this coming Membership Class scheduled every
of faith into the likeness of Christ, Saturday, January 12, we request that Sunday in February. This will be from
and work together in parents enroll your children by signing 8:30AM to 9:30AM at the Senior Pastor's
transforming society them up today. The sign-up sheet is office.
located on the table at the church Please find the sign-up sheet on the
for the glory of God. lobby. table located along the church foyer/
For more information contact our lobby.
To establish excellence in CEN Pastor, Rev. Grace Fe I. Magan If you are not yet an official member of
Worship & Fellowship, (0921-227-1881). the church but desire to become a full
Education & Nurture, and regular member, please sign-up and

Manigong
attend any of the scheduled membership
and Witness & Service. class in February. The membership class
also welcomes those who are already
CORE VALUES
Excellence
Faithful Stewardship
Bagong Taon! members of the church but want to go
through a membership re-orientation.
The reception of new church members
Teamwork is scheduled on the last Sunday,
February 24, during the 10AM worship
Servant Leadership service.
PAGE 2 JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER COSMOPOLITAN CHURCH JANUARY 6, 2019

HY MN "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart"

FE ATU R E George Croly, 1780-1860

A
lthough it is always thrilling at
Christmas to recall the events of
our Savior’s birth, or at Easter to
celebrate His triumph over death, we
must not forget Ascension or Pentecost.
If Christ had never ascended to make
intercession for us or had never sent
the Holy Spirit to indwell and guide us,
our relationship with the heavenly Father
would be most incomplete.
One of the finest of all hymns for the
Pentecost season is “Spirit of God,
Descend Upon My Heart.” It was written
by Anglican minister George Croly, who
was known among his associates as a
“fundamentalist in theology, a fierce
conservative in politics, and intensely
opposed to all forms of liberalism.” The
hymn first appeared in 1854 in Croly’s
own hymnal, Psalms and Hymns for
Public Worship. It was originally titled
“Holiness Desired.”
Each stanza contributes an important
truth for our spiritual benefit:
Stanza One – A desire to change the
focus of one’s life from things temporal to
things spiritual.
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart:
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses
move. Stoop to my wekness, mighty as
Thou art, and make me love Thee as I
ought to love.
Stanza Two – The total dedication of
one’s self to God.
Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God
and King? All, all Thine own—soul, heart
and strength and mind. I see Thy cross—
there teach my heart to cling: O let me
seek Thee, and O let me find.
Stanza Three – A prayerful concern
for knowing fully the Spirit’s abiding
presence.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always
nigh; teach me the struggles of the soul
to bear—to check the rising doubt, the
rebel sigh; teach me the patience of
unanswered prayer.
“Not by might nor by
power, but by My Spirit,
says the Lord Almighty.”
—ZECHARIAH 4:6
Stanza Four – A most beautif ul
metaphor of a Spirit-filled life: “my heart
an altar, and Thy love the flame.”
Teach me to love Thee as Thine
angels love, one holy passion filling all
my frame: The baptism of the heav’n
descended Dove—my heart an altar and
Thy love the flame.
For today, pray even now that the Holy
Spirit will give you a greater love and
devotion for Christ and will teach and
personalize more fully the truths of this
hymn. Carry this musical prayer as you
go—”Spirit of God, descend upon my
heart: and make me love Thee as I ought
to love.”(FROM AMAZING G RACE, 366 INSPIRING
HYMN S TORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTIONS BY K ENNETH
W. OSBECK)

CHURCH CALENDAR
JANUARY: New Year & Epiphany Feb. 6 (Wed) The Wednesday Forum with Ambassador
Chitor Sta. Romana
Jan. 6 (Sun) Epiphany Sunday; Communion Sunday
Feb. 10 (Sun) 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Meeting: Visayan Service Overseers
Vinculum-Led Forum on Couples'
Jan 12 (Sat) Communicants Class Begins (Saturdays,
Enrichment
9AM-12NN, Conf. Rm.)
Meetings: Church Boards
WAMCG Meeting (2PM)
Feb. 17 (Sun) 6th Sunday after Epiphany
Jan. 13 (Sun) Baptism of the Lord (1st Sunday after the
Epiphany) BEM-Led Seminar on Cardio-vascular
Awareness
Meetings: Church Boards
Meeting: Personnel/Pastoral Call Committee
Jan. 20 (Sun) Prayer for Christian Unity (2nd Sunday
after the Epiphany) Feb. 20 (Wed) The Wednesday Forum with Ibon
Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa
Meeting: Personnel/Pastoral Call Committee
Feb. 24 (Sun) 7th Sunday after Epiphany
Jan. 21-26 Pastors' Retreat (LCSMC-wide)
Reception of New Members
Jan. 27 (Sun) National Bible Sunday (3rd Sunday after the
Epiphany) Meeting: Church Council
Meeting: Church Council Feb. 26 (Tue) Church Staff Spiritual Retreat (whole day)
Jan. 27-Feb. 2 Bible Reading Marathon (1 week)
MARCH: UCCP Cosmopolitan Church Anniversary
Month / Lent
FEBRUARY: Membership Renewal Month
APRIL: Lent & Easter Season / Church Elections
Feb. 3 (Sun) Communion Sunday (4th Sunday after
/ 2019-2020 Church Budget Approval
Epiphany)
MAY: UCCP Anniversary Month
Meeting: Visayan Service Overseers
 JANUARY 6, 2019 JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER COSMOPOLITAN CHURCH PAGE 3

PRAYER LIST HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Let us keep in our prayers those of us who are in challenging
6 Melchor S. Morales, Grace D. Roque, Pastora Soriño
circumstances these days. We also encourage you to let any
of our pastors know of your special needs for pastoral care. 7 Jerson W. Galo, Wilson W. Galo,
Let us pray for: Rebecca Mina Palomo Navarro, Yvonne G. Pedradoja,
Alpha LizaD. Regueta
Eliza Joy Aceña Donita Mendoza 8 Agustin Rapista, Warto Atanacio M. Torrevillas,
Josefino Acuavera Diane Morales John De Vera,
Virgie Almarez Melchor Morales 9 Jose B. Casugbo Jr., Armando Jesus G. Melad,
Daniel Aloña Corazon Natividad Angel Love Tolentino, Evelyn M. Urriza
Ur Ason Shirley Nerecina 10 Alice Bessie M. Cruz
Adory Desiree Dames Lina Pagala 11 Ma. Liza Justine V. Araos, Bryan P. Eladro,
Darlene Elmira Digan Delailah Palisoc William W. Galo, Charity Grace B. Poculan,
Snook Divinagracia Gerry Pinder Felster Sagarino
Daniel Edward Pedro Tolentino 12 Efecy Campos, James Castañeda
Elizabeth How Naomi Vecino
Rene Mitherand Mabou Rosauro Vergara HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
8 Alexis & Alma Magsino, Danilo & Malou Omega,
Rene Gabriel & Marivic Vergara
JOIN US IN OUR
9 Oscar & Mildred Mahilum
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES & BIBLE STUDIES!
NOTE: Our list of birthday and wedding anniversary celebrators is far from
perfect and so if your name or some other church member’s name is not in
SUNDAYS the list, kindly call our attention. Better yet, ask for a membership update
form from the office and submit this to the office as soon as possible.
8:30AM Adult Sunday School - Conference Room Thank you for your help in updating our membership records!
9:30AM Adult Sunday School, Toddlers’ Room
10:00AM Children & Youth Sunday School, 3rd Floor MEETINGS
Rigos Hall and Conference Room
Jan 6 (Sun) Visayan Overseers Meeting
11:00AM Sanhimig Choir [8AM] Sunday School, AVR
Jan 12 (Sat) WAMCG Meeting
11:30AM CWA-Sponsored Sunday School, Toddlers’ Room
Jan 13 (Sun) Church Board Meeting
12:15PM Chancel Choir Bible Study, Choir Room
Jan 20 (Sun) Personnel/Pastoral Call Committee
2:00PM Visayan Adult Sunday School, Church Sanctuary
Meeting
3:00PM Children’s Sunday School [Visayan], 3rd Floor
Jan 27 (Sun) Church Council Meeting
Rigos Hall
5:30PM Young Adults [Visayan] Sunday School &
Fellowship, 2nd Floor Rigos Hall
7:00PM Vesper Choir Bible Study, AVR Chapel

TUESDAYS
2:00PM Church Staff Devotion, Social Hall
6:00PM Delgenta Group Bible Study - Quezon City
7:00PM Dormitory Bible Study, Conference Room
7:00PM Dormitory Convocation, Sanctuary
[every last Tuesday of the month]

WEDNESDAYS
7:00PM Midweek Worship Service, Main Sanctuary

THURSDAYS PASTORAL TEAM DIRECTORY

7:00PM Dormitory Bible Study, Conference Room For prayers and other concerns,inquiries on baptism, and weddings, contact:
REV. FRITZ JORDAN MATA (C.W.S.) REV. VERONICA ESTAYO
SATURDAYS 0933-877-2638 0927-838-1614
REV. GRACE FE MAGAN (C.E.) REV. CALLUM TABADA (Admin)
5:00PM Pilgrims Choir Bible Study, Choir Room 0921-227-1881 0919-724-1697
 PAGE 4 JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OVER COSMOPOLITAN CHURCH JANUARY 6, 2019

THANK YOU NEXT SUNDAY’S COMMUNION SERVERS

• to Mr. Honesto and Ms. Norma Privado and family for 8:00AM Service
the choir’s sumptous lunch today in thanksgiving for their Col. Roger de la Cruz Arch. Tindalo Amistoso
33 years of blissful marriage and for the 18th birthday of Ms. Edith de la Cruz Ms. Rebecca Amistoso
Ms. Jennalyn Dioman.
10:00AM Service
• to Ms. Angela Valdez Timtiman for the floral arrangements
at the altar and 10am snack in memory of the birthdates of Engr. Gem dela Calzada Mr. Franklin Panahon
her mother Geneva Valdez Timtiman on January 1, and her Prof. Ophelia Laurente Ms. Evelyn Urriza
Aunt Angela Valdez Ramos today, January 6. Mr. Daniel Digan Mr. Florante Antonio Jr.
Ms. Leah Raquel Ms. Marlene Suarez
PHOTO STORY! Arch. Dominador Ato Atty. James Raterta
CYF Christmas Camp 2018 Ms. Ellen Gran Ms. Bethel Ann Batallones
3:00PM Service
Mr. Leonardo Saluberes Mr. Carlito Jabonillo
Ms. Gloria Saluberes Ms. Sefamar Espina

Mr. Rey Morales Ms. Malou Ason

Ms. Babes Morales Ms. Gigie Gementiza
Mr. Elsam Mumar Mr. Dionisio Sibonga
Ms. Ely de Jesus Ms. Rosenda Sibonga

5:30PM Service
Ms. Darlene Elmira S. Digan Atty. Coralie Rebolledo
Mr. Daniel V. Digan Mr. Daniel Rebolledo

REMINDER
Eleven (11) of our very own youths attended the LCSMC- Church Board Meeting will be on Sunday, January 13, at
CYF Annual Christmas Camp held at Agape Camp in Amadeo, the Rigos Hall. The following are the lunch hosts, please take
Cavite last December 26-29, 2018. With the theme "Inside Out" note:
our campers experienced how it is to commit their lives to the BOT - Ms. Angela Timtiman BOD - Ms. Norma Navaro
Lord "inside-out" or with their whole lives. BOE - Atty. Wimston Hipe BCEN - Ms. Lizel Antipuesto
As our youth come to the time of their lives where they already BEM - Ms. Rowena Soria
start to venture out of their comfort zones and make decisions
on their own, we indeed hope and pray that their lives will be
committed to serving God in whatever ways they can. NEW YEARS EVE
We would like to thank the parents who agreed to send their A t te n d a n c e A c t u al
youths to the camp as well as to those who sponsored our
campers. To God be the glory! 92 8,760.00
STEWARDSHIP SECTION
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” [1 PETER 4:10]
Pledges, December 23, 2018 December 30, 2018
Tithes, and Variance Variance
Actual Budgeted Attendance Actual Budgeted
Offerings Favorable (Un) % Favorable (Un) %
Tagalog Service(8AM ) 5,830.00 8,137.73 (2,307.73) 72% 33 3,300.00 8,137.73 (4,837.73) 41%
English Service(10AM ) 16,139.00 29,591.76 (13,452.76) 55% 102 20,376.00 29,591.76 (9,215.76) 69%
Visayan Service(3PM ) 24,941.00 25,892.79 (951.79) 96% 115 32,435.00 25,892.79 6,542.21 125%
Vesper Service(5:30PM ) 1,940.00 7,397.94 (5,457.94) 26% 28 2,737.50 7,397.94 (4,660.44) 37%
Sunday School - 2,690.16 (2,690.16) 0% 0 - 2,690.16 (2,690.16) 0%
UCM /CWA/Adult 576.92 (576.92) 0% 576.92 (576.92) 0%
M idweek (Dec 12) - 672.54 (672.54) 0% 0 - 672.54 (672.54) 0%
TOTALS 48,850.00 74,959.85 (26,109.85) 65% 278 58,848.50 74,959.85 (16,111.35) 79%

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [2 CORINTHIAN. 9:7]