MCGI Celebrates 3rd Quarter Thanksgiving for 2013

It's that time of the year again!

September is the start of the "ber" months which for many Filipinos signifies the start of the holiday season. But for the brethren from the Members Church of God International (MCGI), the month of September signals the 3rd quarter International Thanksgiving of the Church.

Eleven weeks have passed since the last Thanksgiving of the Body. It was a short wait since the last time the brethren from the Church congregated and celebrated a festival to thank God for every blessing that He gave.

Brethren from the MCGI offering songs and dances of praises to God.
(Photo embedded from mcgi.org)

Though many of the brethren have work or are attending school, they always find time to dedicate three days of thanksgiving for the Lord. Songs and dances of praises to God are expected from the brethren.

The highlight of the three-day thanksgiving has always been the Biblical discussions which is delivered by leaders Bro. Eliseo Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon. 

For every good gift and blessings from the Lord, for all His deliverance from evil, and for everything that He has given us which we are not even aware of, Thanks to God for everything!

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MCGI's Three-Day International Thanksgiving: Time Too Short, Time Too Long

Time is really relative.

The three-day celebration of the International Thanksgiving to God of the Members Church of God International (MCGI) for the second quarter of the year happened so fast.

The three days wasn't enough to contain the songs of praises, pronouncements of God's greatness, and bible learning taught by the leaders Bro. Eliseo Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon.

It was a magnificent experience to be in the midst of tens of thousands congregants from all walks of life, from different places of the globe, and from all ages, everyone sharing joy, and great pleasure to thank God.

Brethren at MCGI offering songs of praises at a thanksgiving celebration.
(Photo embedded form mcgi.org)

Time too short

In a span of three days, brethren from the MCGI together with guests offered songs and dance of praises to God. There were songs in Filipino, some in English, even a few were in Spanish and Portuguese languages.

The main part of the thanksgiving were the bible studies in which Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel taught the brethren God's wisdom based on the Holy Scriptures.

Four biblical topics were delivered by Church leaders that inspired and at times awed the brethren. It always is a reminder of hope, encouragement, and motivation for the brethren to continue to do good, stay humble, and be steadfast in faith to God.

Bro. Daniel Razon with his daughter during a thanksgiving celebration to God.
(Photo embedded form mcgi.org)

Three days sure flies by when you are enjoying yourself with joy not of the flesh but of spiritual and divine reasons.


Time too long

After the program, it was announced that the next quarter thanksgiving will be on the last week of September. It will only be eleven weeks from now though it seems to be a long wait for another International Thanksgiving of the Church.

Eleven weeks of waiting for another chance to be in the thick of people all gathered to praise and express their gratitude to the Lord.

But the interval is a chance to apply all things that congregants have learned from the thanksgiving service. Applying what we learn is also an important part of learning biblical teaching as oftentimes pointed out by Bro. Eli.

If God permits, the Thanksgiving of the Body will be offered once again for another three months of God's grace and care.

Until then, may God bless us all!

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MCGI Holds International Thanksgiving to God

Bro. Jason Consigo readied himself for a six-hour trip from Baguio City, where he works as a Metallurgical Engineer, to participate on the three-day International Thanksgiving service of MCGI (Members Church of God International). He talked to his boss for a leave of absence which the latter generously approved.

On Thursday night, he was already at Apalit Pampanga, all set for the three-day service to God from July 5 to 7.

"I went to work Saturday last week so that I'll have a two day leave this week. I'm just happy to be here." he said.

Jason is just one of the thousands of congregants gathered at ADD Convention Center, Apalit Pampanga to attend the  three-day thanksgiving service to God.

MCGI brethren flocking at the ADD Convention Center during the 2nd Quarter
International Thanksgiving to God.
(Photo courtesy of Abel Suing entitled 'People in the House')

According to him, attending the Thanksgiving of the Body (Pasalamat ng Katawan) is such a wonderful experience.

"It is really remarkable when all brethren are standing up, the whole congregation singing, and seeing our leaders singing with us."

When asked about the importance of this event to him, he said that it is the chance to express his gratitude to God. 

"I'm just thankful that I was called to the Church. While I sing praises, so many things that happened in my life flashes back in my mind, all the good things I receive from God. I owe Him everything. "

The first of the three-day celebration was already concluded. God wiling, more songs of praises to God and a lot of biblical wisdom is expected from Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel for the remaining two days of the International Thanksgiving.

A brief look on the first day

The first of the three-day celebration was filled with a festive atmosphere yet the day passed with peace and calm. 

International Thanksgiving of MCGI during the 1st quarter 2013.
(Photo embedded from mcgi.org)

Solemn songs of praises to God constitutes the early part of the program. The hymns were sang in languages such as Portuguese, Spanish, English, and in Filipino.

After the singing, the opening prayer was led by Bro. Daniel Razon followed by the welcoming remarks of Bro. Eliseo Soriano. He explained the biblical bases of the activities for the thanksgiving service.

"We have undertakings to do as part of our thanksgiving to God, brethren. We have songs of praises, prayers, pronouncement of God's greatness, and each one of this will require time."

(Mayroong mga gampanin sa haing pagpapasalamat mga kapatid. Mayroong pag-awit , mayroong pananalangin, mayroong pagpapahayag ng kadakilaan ng Dios, kaya ang lahat ng gampaning ito ay mangangailangan ng oras. )

Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel finished two biblical topics for the first day.

Even during breaks, Bro. Eli gave the time for brethren to consult him regarding their questions about faith and verses of the Bible.

As the day ended, Jason meet with his friends who are also brethren in the Church. Some of them he only see during quarterly thanksgiving such as this one.

They chat for a while but they sleep early, all of them just like Jason, anticipating what the remaining two days of the thanksgiving will bring.

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