Standing ready to do God’s will, the congregation of Novaliches Christian Fellowship celebrates its 31st Anniversary starting this August 2023.
With the theme “Lord, What Do You Want Me To Do?” straight from the Apostle Paul’s conversion experience in Acts 9:6, NCF goes back to its foundations in the Bible as it seeks to follow the work of the Lord Jesus Christ through its various ministries.
But the theme does not remain open-ended with a question – the answer is “I’ll Say Yes” which is also the chosen theme song for the anniversary composed by Don Moen. The song represents the church’s eagerness and submission to whatever the Lord has in store for us.
And the congregation was eager indeed – from the Music Ministry’s call for prompt and early start of the Sunday Worship service to the almost complete return of full attendance, helped by the formal lifting of pandemic restrictions across the country, the sanctuary is being filled in more ways than one. .
NCF’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Mark Dantes exhorted the congregation during the first Sunday celebration of the need for God’s guidance and seeking His calling as the church moves towards another milestone year in service to the Word.
After the service, NCF held its traditional love feast with members contributing to a variety of sumptuous meals and eating together in celebration. This was followed by fun games and competitions among the Ladies, Men of Truth, and the Clayhouse youth.
Speaking of the youth, the second Sunday hosted another Purity Ceremony spearheaded by NCF’s Clayhouse Youth Ministry for the next generation leaders, ministers and believers, an event long anticipated for the current youth as the last ceremony was held several years ago. Complete with their purity rings and certificates, the youth alongside their parents made a commitment to keep themselves pure in preparation for future marriage.
Not to be outdone, the Children’s Ministry held their preliminary and later the final stage of the NCF Sunday School Quiz Bee, showcasing the kid’s knowledge of Bible lessons and facts as they learn from their teachers every Sunday.
Also demonstrating their post-pandemic revival is the MCF Movers Dance Ministry, whose members performed a dance and mini-skit production entitled, “Ang Buhay ni Jonah” where the prophet finally says yes to God’s command to preach.
The anniversary also saw the return of the face to face Care Group classes every 9 AM, divided into the Adults and Youth groups, designed to allow Christians young and old for a closer and deeper study of the Bible in addition to the regular preaching during the Message proper.
Physical gathering for Care Group sessions have not resumed since the pandemic but were held online until recently. Members who are unable to attend physically will still be able to access the online Care Group lessons online.
On the last Sunday of August, NCF’s very own Bro. Justy Guzman had the opportunity to launch a brand new album featuring ten worship instrumentals and songs in a combination of electronic and acoustic guitar music. He then performed with Bro. Bob Fortaleza their last year’s single “Tayo Pa Rin” dedicated to the couples of NCF Solemates. The duo were henceforth dubbed by the congregation as “Bob & Bob” as they performed before the service’s end. After the service, NCF also hosted a free medical checkup in the afternoon, sponsored by the Generika Drugstore North Olympus branch.
NCF was founded in August 1992 starting with a small number of attendees meeting together at the pastor’s home in Novaliches, Quezon City. The church has since then grown with a larger membership and several daughter churches and affiliates, as well as in cooperation with other local churches and congregations, ever steadfast in carrying out The Great Commission of bringing more people to Jesus Christ.
More activities will be featured in the following months as NCF continues to celebrate three decades of God’s goodness towards the church. Hallelujah! !
