Sta. Cruz Church Ministries

20/01/2025

11/12/2024

"Be Sunshiny Christians"

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4.

Do not talk of the faults of others. Take care of your own garden. See that your own heart is cleansed by the power of God. When trouble comes, instead of getting out of patience, instead of fretting and worrying, go to the Lord, and tell Him all about it.... Do not go to human friends, for they have all the burdens they can bear....

Do not think that by placing your burdens on others, you can find relief. Come right to the Burden-bearer, and tell Him about them. Believe that He is able and willing to meet the circumstances of your case. When in contrition you come to the foot of the cross, when you have faith in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, you will receive power through Him. As you cast your helpless soul upon Him, He gives you peace and joy and strength and courage. Then you are able to tell someone else how precious Christ is to you. You can say, “I sought Him, and found Him precious to my soul.”

“Ye shall find rest.” How? By living experience—because Christ's yoke is a yoke of patience and gentleness and long-suffering. Those who learn His meekness and lowliness learn also how to love one another as He has loved them. They reach the place where they refuse to criticize and condemn others. They learn that there is committed to them a work that no one else can do for them—the work of learning of Christ. When we place ourselves in His hands, He shows us the possibilities and probabilities before us, and bids us go for help to One infinitely higher than erring human beings.

Christ is our efficiency. How do I know this? I know it by experience. For a while, many many years ago, I was in despair. Then I cast myself on the mercy and love of the Saviour, and His power came upon me. At one time those who were working [in the publishing office] thought me dead. But all at once I raised my voice in prayer. The power of God was upon me all night long, and henceforth I understood that I must trust in Christ. I had been praying and praying for help, and all the time my Saviour was standing close by my side, waiting for me to recognize Him as my sufficiency, my strength, my grace. I learned the lesson, and after that, when I kneeled down to pray, I believed that I would receive an answer, whether I felt as if I would or not....

Oh, how I wish that we would honor Christ by realizing what He wants to do for us, and taking Him at His word. If we would do this, we should be sunshiny Christians. By beholding Christ, we would be changed into His likeness.—Manuscript 118, December 11, 1904, “Union With Christ.”

From The Upward Look - Page 359

21/08/2024

Survival Camp in Agasan Equips Masterguide Aspirants.

Over 20 masterguide aspirants and four masterguides participated in a three-day survival camp held in Agasan, a few miles from Gacub, Carmen Surigao del Sur, last August 2-4. The camp featured various activities designed to test the aspirants' skills and prepare them for their upcoming investiture.

The first activity, a challenging hike through the rocky and uneven mountain terrain, immediately put the aspirants to the test. Despite the difficulties, they persevered with courage and determination, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to becoming masterguides.

The camp also included a unique regatta activity, where participants cooked while hiking and walking. This activity challenged their multitasking abilities and emphasized the importance of resourcefulness and efficiency in survival situations.

In addition to the physical challenges, the survival camp highlighted the spiritual aspect of the masterguide journey. Participants engaged in Sabbath worship in nature, strengthening their spiritual connection and deepening their meditation practices.

The camp equipped the aspirants with valuable knowledge and skills, including sign language, rescue techniques, hiking and caving expertise, identification of wild plants and flowers, trail sign recognition, and bandaging. This comprehensive training will undoubtedly benefit them as they continue their journey towards becoming masterguides.

The survival camp in Agasan was a resounding success, providing the masterguide aspirants with an unforgettable experience and preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that lies ahead of them. For the cause of Christ, and by the help of Christ, they will get Invested.

21/08/2024

With brave hearts and courage. We survived💪 Cruz Youth standing strong!

29/07/2024

Young Notes of Christ choir was never gone.
Ynoc's is now blooming🤗

06/07/2024

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON SUMMARY

📌THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL
Lesson 1

A. The author of the gospel:

◾️Failed missionary.

Like the rest of the evangelists, Mark does not mention himself by name. He was a boy when the events he relates occurred, which he probably learned about through his intimate relationship with the apostle Peter (1 Pet. 5:13).

John Mark's mother was the owner of the place in Jerusalem where the church gathered to pray on the occasion of Peter's imprisonment (Acts 12:12).

Shortly thereafter, Barnabas and Saul (who had gone to Jerusalem to bring an offering) took John Mark to Antioch (Acts 12:25).

In Antioch, when the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to be missionaries among the Gentiles, they took John Mark with them as a collaborator (Acts 13:2-5).

But missionary life proved to be very hard for young Mark, who decided to return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).

◾️Useful for the ministry.

When Paul proposed the second missionary journey, he refused to accept Mark as a collaborator (Acts 15:36-38). Paul needed strong helpers, who would be a support, not a burden. Mark did not fit this profile.

However, Barnabas was sure that his nephew Mark had enough potential to be a good missionary. So he took Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul and Silas headed to Asia (Acts 15:39-41).

We don't know what happened next, but we know that Barnabas was right. Through the three references he makes to him in his letters, Paul came to consider Mark "useful for the ministry," an effective collaborator (Col. 4:10; Phm. 24; 2Tim. 4:11).

Thanks to this second opportunity, today we can enjoy the exciting story of Mark's gospel.

B. The beginning of the gospel:

◾️The preparation. Mark 1:1-8.

Mark begins by introducing us to God preparing the journey of his Son (Mk. 1:1-2; Mal. 3:1). A journey that begins in the heavenly courts, and that will take Jesus Christ to the cross, to be received again in Heaven (Mark 16:19).

To prepare this way, God chooses John the Baptist, the "voice that cries in the wilderness" (Mk. 1:3; Is. 40:3).

Before Jesus began his journey to give his life for us, John prepared people's hearts by directing them to repentance and inviting them to be baptized (Mark 1:4-6).

He prepared them to receive the son of God: more powerful than John himself; more worthy; and that he will baptize with a more effective baptism (Mark 1:7-8).

◾️The baptism. Mark 1:9-13.

Jesus begins his journey in a spectacular way: God the Father presents him as his Son, and the Holy Spirit manifests his presence in bodily form (Mark 1:10-11). From the very beginning, Jesus is presented as a divine person, the Son of God. But he is also presented as a human person:

(1) He is baptized by John, and not the other way around (Mark 1:9)

(2) It is directed by the Spirit (Mark 1:12)

3) He need to be alone with God (Mark 1:13a)

(4) He is tempted by the devil (Mark 1:13b)

5) Face physical dangers (Mark 1:13c)

(6) Angels serve him (Mark 1:13d)

◾️The message. Mark 1:14-15.

Jesus' initial message covered three aspects (Mark 1:15):

(1) "The time is fulfilled": A reference to the 70-week prophecy (Dan. 9:24).

(2) "The kingdom of God has come near": A promise that the covenant of salvation was beginning to be fulfilled.

(3) "Repent and believe in the gospel": A call to take an active part in the covenant, by accepting forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

Our current message also includes these three aspects: The time has been fulfilled; Jesus is coming; and we must repent and believe so we can go with Him.

ctto.

10/06/2024

Actually manguli na gyud tana mi at 9am. Nagpray nami for safety ma makaabot mi sa sur.

And here comes naay unexpected plan na mangaligo dy at Magallanes with the brethren. Even though gamay ra kami naka adto we are very lucky and happy to have spent the Sunday with you.

We really enjoy everything. Thank you so much. Sa uulitin🥳

10/06/2024

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8.

It is an honor to have offered a sermon last saturday. My heartfelt felicitations to the brethren of Claver church for wholeheartedly welcome and accepting us. We are very glad to have spent the Sabbath with all of you.

Thank you for the lunch, of course and parts of the program. We will surely find a way to come back again.🥰

10/06/2024

📍Sabbath well spent in Claver SDA Church🤍

A quick church visit to Tayaga, Claver Surigao del Norte.

22/04/2024