Unlike many in Metro Manila who set out for a fun getaway in the sun, DCBC took advantage of the days off to run through a Holy Week calendar of very special church activities. As in past years, we spent Holy Week in the year of our Lord Jesus 2007 lifting Him up as he draws men to his feet.

On April 5, Holy Thursday, we started off with a tract distribution in Village B, Barangay UP Campus. DCBC members from all three services started as early as 8:30AM stamping literature specially produced by our very own Pastor Bel Magalit for the Holy Week. At 9AM, ignoring the heat, the volunteers got their summer tans handing out copies of “How Can One Be Put Right with God?” translated into Tagalog by Deacon Butch Pang as “Paano ba Maging Karapatdapat sa Harapan ng Diyos?” With the literature being handed out were invites to the film showing to take place in the Village B basketball court later in the day.

At 5:30PM, DCBC volunteers promptly came back to Village B and set up the needed equipment for the film showing. At 6PM the film “Bilanggo” played on the makeshift textile screen beneath the dim moonlight. The story was about “Dario” who worked as a lawyer to free those in prison, though he himself was a prisoner to anger and to an unforgiving spirit.

As the story neared its ending, Pastor Jong Limlingan (who preaches every third Sunday at the Tagalog service, and fourth Sunday at the Sunset service) relayed the Gospel to the audience. He spoke of our struggle with anger and the inability to forgive. He told of how Jesus Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins so that we too can be free. A number of men and women came to Christ that night and as a result, we have two new follow-up Bible study groups that will be handled by Ate Edy Yuson and Pastor Chris Canuto (both of the Tagalog service).

On April 6, the Good Friday worship service, usually at 4PM, started at 3:15 led by Kuya Mon Rocha in the beautiful Bonsai Garden. Pastor Bel briefly expounded on each of the seven last words of our Lord Jesus. The audience of about 80 was more than the usual 50 attendees at our yearly Good Friday Service.

The Holy Week was capped with the joint Easter Sunrise Service kicking off at 5:30AM, again in the Bonsai Garden. Former deacon Kuya Rex Recio led us in worship starting with the singing of “All Hail the Power.” The choir helped establish an atmosphere of worship and celebration as they presented a mini-cantata composed of a few songs interspersed with short narrations on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The choir members this year were Ate Rose Edillon who also served as choir directress, Ate Frances Ibañez, Ate Grace Rocha, Ate Belen Ortega, Shiilah Arcilla, Sharon Piza, Malyn Regalla, Joy Jarilla, Ai-Ai Rocha, Ate Anj Latonio and Kuya Louie Indolos (the latter two making their choir debuts), Kuya Edwin Ortega, Kuya Glen Ibañez, Kuya Dan Edillon, and Kuya Gio Amantillo.

Basing his message on I Corinthians 15, Pastor Bel emphasized that because Christ is risen, our labor is not in vain. The morning ended with a potluck breakfast in fellowship and celebration of Christ’s resurrection. About two hundred worshipers lined up for the pandesal, hard-cooked eggs, pork and beans — even chicken asado and crabstick salad, among other tasty items — fresh fruits, a lot of brewed coffee, and for the little children, cold chocolate.

Praise Jesus for the Cross. Praise Jesus for the Victory. Praise Jesus for the Celebration with Worship and Fellowship and Bread-breaking. Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus indeed that all this is not in vain. All glory to God Triune!