Sa Yahweh ang Sayaw ng Sienna

Happy Mother's Day!

Letter from Pastor Brent- April 28, 2009

Dear FECPI Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in Jesus name!

Praise the Lord for a wonderful FECPI General Conference last Saturday! We approved our new mission, vision and core values! Do you have it memorized yet? If not, here they are:

Mission: “Bring Christ to all people and build communities of Faith for God’s glory”.

Vision: “Strong, multiplying churches that impact the nations”.

These are such powerful and challenging statements. Let’s work together in faith and through prayer to make them a reality!

The FECPI Board of Trustees also elected new officers for the upcoming year:

President – Rev. Brent Burdick
Vice President – Rev. Willy Galzote
Chairman – Rev. Eniong Hilario
Vice Chairman – Pastor Eddie Santiago
Treasurer – Rev. Jun Pinili
Secretary – Dra. Jomi Alcon

Please pray for each officer and member of the Board of Trustees.

The next event for FECPI is the youth leaders training held on May 12-14, followed on May 24 by the FECPI 25th anniversary celebration at 2 p.m. at Faith Aurora. We hope to have our newly approved manual printed by then, and maybe even some t-shirts with our new mission and vision on them! Watch for details.

Don’t forget to recruit for FBC!

It is a joy to minister together with you.

All for Jesus!

Pastor Brent

Wisdom Comes from God

We have to say "YES" to every good opportunity: Yes to the right things at the right time. Otherwise, we lose something that would have rewarded us with a gift of a lifetime. But how do we judge that which is good from bad? right from wrong? godly from ungodly?
We are powerless, helpless and weak, but we are made strong and wise in the Lord. So if anyone needs wisdom, let him ask from God (James 1:5).



MAY 2009 CALENDAR

A New Milestone... A New Calling

Click image for a closer view of the Ordination Banquet Programme


The Lord has been doing marvelous things in the lives of our FECPI pastors and church planters. Just recently, we have witnessed how the spirit of these servants were ignited during the FECPI retreat at Pranjetto Hills, so much so that their faces were glowing with joy and excitement as the new vision, mission and core values were formulated and established for the common interest of all members of the FECPI family. Glory to God! It's such a wonderful experience to see how God's people with different personalities, backgrounds and experiences could just come together and unite in spirit and in mind for the purpose of pleasing, serving and glorifying the one true God!

And now, another milestone, another challenge, a new calling: Four of our church planters, along with 3 other FECPI pastors, made it through the screening, interview and "heart" examination to become ordained pastors. It's not just a title, so we say. It is a calling.

What does it take to be ordained? What does it involve? What lies ahead? We wonder. But whatever lies ahead, we are but sure it is all under God's masterplan, and goodness follows according to His perfect will and purpose. Hallelujah!

Congratulations to our newly ordained FECP Church Planters and pastors:


(From left)Jun Pinili (FFA), Jerry Cruz (Bataan), Jonathan Trino (RegII), Noel Penaranda (Reg II), Alice Penaranda (FFA), Aileen Dabandan (FFR) and Let Malaluan (RegIV). Also in this picture are FBC President Ermalee Hidalgo, NSC for churchplanters Mar Ocampo, and FECPI President Brent Burdick.

May you look forward to what lies ahead, press on to reach the end of your race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling you.

Shalom!

April Calendar and Activities

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAHLIA (12) AND P. GINGER (18)!!!

April 12 - Easter Sunday Special Presentation by Celebrate Recovery
April 18 - Women's Conference, "Hugs from Heaven" with Sandra Bell as speaker

Sparkle, Pahabol pics

March Calendar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KUYA OGOT!!!

Video Clips During Drew&Jordyn's Engagement

Marikina I Couples Fellowship

On February 13, more than 30 couples from Marikina I District gathered for fellowship. There were games, good food, encouragement from guest speakers Tony & Candy Datu, special number from Sienna group and a time to dance for spouses. It was an awesome time spent by Christian couples coming from Marikina, under the leadership of Pastor Ed Santiago. Below are some pics taken during the affair. Standby for more.

Click images for a closer view:


The night's theme: Bonded in Love, Through the Years

Pics during Drew & Jordyn's Reception

Drew and Jordyn sure make a wonderful pair. We were delighted to join them in a wonderful celebration of their engagement!

February 2009 Calendar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEL, MONTY, BETH and MILA
Click image for a closer view.

January Calendar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PASTOR JUN & ELMER!
Click Image for a closer view.

Tagaytay Retreat

We were truly blessed when we went to Tagaytay for evaluation and planning. It wasn't all work, but we had plenty of time for bonding with each other and the kids.
Caleb Monty shared with us the District-wide plans, projects and activities for 2009. We are excited about the upcoming couples "hearts day" celebration in February where we will have the privilege to fellowship with couples from other cell groups within Marikina I District. It is our desire to share with them our wonderful experiences as a couples group and let them know the benefits of husbands and wives growing together in Christ. We thank God for this opportunity.
Elmer shared about "Highway of Holiness," the need for us to clothe ourselves with Christ-likeness in our journey as believers, Jesus being our guide. We do not take the journey only by ourselves. We take it together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are accountable of each other's Christian walk. We should then uplift, encourage and edify each other, while we rebuke in love. Questions were thrown and got the group thinking about own weaknesses and strengths and that of each others'. The wonderful thing about this is we are open to accept rebuke and correction. Every one always has a space for spiritual growth and should welcome such an opportunity. What a blessing to be in a group where members are willing to "mend and blend."

The stay in Tagaytay also gave the Dads a chance to play with their kids at the basketball court. It was an awesome experience to be laughing, running and playing ball, and a realization at the same time that the dads are not getting any younger. In no time daddies were gasping for breath while the kids were just warming up! It was a fun moment, though, that we believe the kids themselves enjoyed.

We thank God for the lovely opportunity of fellowship in a beautiful place, (thanks to Kuya Monty's friend, Steve) and we look forward to a closer and warmer relationship with each other, knowing this is what God desires of us.

Things to Consider in 2009

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4 Stand Up!!... For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

God answers PRAYERS…..

A BLESSED NEW YEAR 2009………………

Message forwarded by Ate Dydze

Sienna's Year-ender

Click images for a closer view.


























Parties are not the same for Sienna without LJ and LA's presence, so we say, but God has been good... it went well and yes, nakaraos naman!
Theme was scarves. Everyone wore jeans with white tops, accentuated with colorful scarves to feel the cool spirit of the yuletide season. Simple, but cool!
We had with us Pastor Brent and Sis Kim, Pastor Ed and Sis Esther, and Pastors Jun and Ginger.

We also welcomed the new addition to our family: (from left) Mike and Arlene, Cathy and Archie, Maricar and Gene.
The party started with about 5 opening remarks, since it was not at all planned (haha). And what do you know... with or without plans, the party began and flowed unexpectedly very well!
As usual, Joel and Chris (our official emcees)saw to it that there was enough moment of fun, laughter, games and "appropriate" music! Ever tried doing the trip to Bethlehem with "Close to You" as controlling song? "Why do birds..." di ba naman hirap hanapan ng steps? But it was fun... really... after about 3 times of "Close to You"s, we tried "Celebration" and there, the beat was finally caught! Everyone danced with Woohoos and Yahoos! Saya!




Who could forget the kissing game (O ha!)? This game is fun and sweet for partners... Husband holds the lipstick using his mouth and applies it to wife's lips. Wife now kisses the husband and leaves as many kiss marks as possible... anywhere... no rules... hanggang kaya ng konsensiya haha! and the winners (janjararaaan)... Pastors Jun and Ginger!!! Yehey! MMMMhmmmm... kissable and irresistible ba o gigil lang yan?


One of the highlights of the gathering (as always) was the "kodakan" moments. Siempre feeling giniginaw... thanks to the scarves we were wearing... it really seemed like it was soooo cold!
Ayun! ok naman, not so bad! We had fun... We had big smiles, loud laughters and kabag as bonus!
It's amazing to see how time flies so fast. 2008 is over and another year has begun. What is in store for Sienna? Whatever God has for us, we are but sure it's always for the good of everyone!

And so, all the best to the group... and may the Good Lord be our Guide through the year 2009 and onwards!!!

Hope in the Lord

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV).

Everyone has times when they feel tired and overwhelmed by the pressures of life. But notice, this scripture gives us a clear remedy: Hope in the Lord. It’s easy to put your hope in other things; maybe you had hope in a relationship, hope in a job, hope in the stock market. It’s time to redirect your hope to the One who will never let you down; the One who never changes, the Rock of Ages.

When you’re tempted to give up on your dreams, when you’re tempted to just settle where you are, listen to that still, small voice of hope on the inside that says, “No way. This is not who I am. I was created to live in victory. I was created to overcome this sickness. I was created to rise above these problems.” Put your hope and trust in the Lord because He is faithful! As you do, He will renew your strength. He’ll cause you to soar on wings like the eagle, and you’ll be empowered to move forward confidently into the victory He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, today I choose to put my hope in You. I know You have good plans for me. Thank You for renewing my strength and keeping me close to You. Fill me with Your peace and joy today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Devotion shared by LJ

Marikina I Family Day

Sparkle, Ladies' Mini Concert

Taco Belles ang dating!!!


Imeldific beauty ni Ate Mila... Laban ka???




TRIVIA: 5 out of the 10 ladies in the choir are Sienna members, and 3 out of the 6 male guest singers are from Sienna.... Aba! exactong kalahati ng choir Sienna ah!

LJ, LA & Family say "SALAMAT"

elow mga kapatid,

We just want to extend our heartful thanks to all of you guys. My
family is trully blessed to have a cell group like you. A cell
group that is always thinking and praying for us while we are
away from your presence. We look up to you and admire you for doing such wonderful
things to glorify our Father in heaven. Thank you for keeping us
in your prayers. We always need these.

We were all very excited here in San Diego, when LA called
from Guam, that Zhen had already delivered her baby boy safely through normal delivery. We are so very thankful to God for the
answered prayers and also to all of you who were part of the prayer
request since Zhen and Brent got married until she was rewarded by our
Father in Heaven with a gift of life in her womb that she got pregnant
and now she gave birth to her baby "Brayden".

Para talagang hinintay lang si LA na dumating doon sa Guam at lumabas
na si Baby Brayden. Ang expected na schedule talaga ay 2nd week ng dec.
pa mangangak si Zhen,siguro excited na rin syang maalagaan ng kanyang
grandma. sabi nga namin kay Shomai ay Kuya na sya. Excited na din ang
LJ na makita ang 2nd apo at gusto na pumunta ng Guam, di nga lang
pwede at may alaga pa ako dito sa isa kong employer.

Tunay na buhay at dakila ang ating Panginoon sa patuloy na pagsagot
nya sa mga prayer request na ating mga kahilingan. at pinupuri at
labis namin syang pinasasalamatan sa lahat lahat na mga blessings
na ibinibigay nya sa amin. sabi nga sa Matthew 7:8 (For everyone
who ask receives, he who seek finds,and to him who knocks, the door
will be opened). and Mark 11:24 (Therefore I tell you, whatever you
ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,and it will be yours).

Our Lord said,"The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God" (Luke 18:27), Also Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all
things are possible to Him that believeth" (Maark 9:23).

In Christ's Grip,
LJ