Our humble chapel renovation was completed last November 13, 2010, we were all happy at the outcome of our service for the Lord. We are going to dedicate this altar on December 4, 2010 Saturday. Our chapel is now open for Holy Unions and other social and spiritual activities.
COG-CUC Simple Altar
OUR SIMPLE BULLETIN BOARD
GALLERY OF BIBLE VERSES
COG-CUC FLAG, Our Bishop's Photo & our Pastor's Photo and VMG
The COG-CUC Chapel renovation started last October 25 and still undergoing renovation until the second week of November. Ptr. Regen and his family decided to tare down and sacrifice his room to make a big space for the Chapel so that we could accommodate more people. Like Noah and his family, they built the ark together. And also Joshua said that “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. My father, mother, brother and the new members most of them are young people helped in the renovation. Everyone was happy and was making a lot of design suggestions on the chapel including the altar. I will upload the final design of the altar when the renovation is finished. Thank you God for your continued blessing in this work. And also we would like to thank all of the couples who choose our church for their Holy Unions. Their offerings was a big help in the renovation. More photos will be posted on the next website update.
CHAPEL PAINTING
AFTER THE RE-PAINTING, THE ALTAR DESIGN
This is the homily that I delivered last night at the memorial service of my dear friend Jesus Bagaipo. My apologies for our international friends it is written in Filipino.
Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat, ako po si Ptr. Regen R. Luna, pastor at parish priest ng Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd Church of God – CUC, sa Dasmariñas Cavite at dating Kaklase ni Jojo sa De La Salle University at isa sa kaniyang mga matalik na kaibigan. Marahil magtataka kayo kung bakit ako nakagreen at red ngayon, dahil pareho kaming lasalista at bakit pula? dahil ganoon ko kamahal ang aking kaibigan. Tsaka kasi kung violet hindi po ito bagay sa green, may fashion sense din naman ang mga pastor kahit papaano.
Noong nakaraang llinggo habang ako ay nagkakasal sa Kartini Hotel sa Kawit Cavite, ay biglang may nagtext, at ang sabi PATAY NA SI JOJO BAGIPO – Toby, Hindi ko alam kung magagalit ako kasi ayokong maniwala baka nagbibiro lang siya, ang ganda naman ng timing kung kelan nagkakasal ako, mejo tumigil ako ng mga 10 seconds para huminga ng malalim at isipin kung totoo nga o hindi, kasi mga dalawang buwan bago ang event na ito ay nagusap pa kami ni Jojo dahil gusto niyang mag apply sa pinapasukan kong call center sa Alabang ang sabi ko sa kaniya sige sasamahan kita doon at ituturo ko sayo lahat ng sagot sa exam ang sabi ko sa kaniya.
Matagal ang aming pinagsamahan ni Jojo sa College. Halos araw-araw kaming magkasama. Pati sa aming buhay pag-ibig parang magkarugtong ang aming mga bituka, kasi kung sino ang naging girl friend ko ay naging girl friend din niya, hindi ko na papangalanan at baka may magaway, promise!!! Naalala ko kung gaano kabait si Jojo sa akin noon at lalo na noong nagkahiwa-hiwalay na kami ng landas, dumating ang panahon na kinailangan ko ng tulong at walang atubili na tinulungan niya ako. Hinding-hindi ko ito makakalimutan habang ako ay nabubuhay.
Kaya noong matanggap ko ang text galing kay Toby, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko, malulungkot ba ako, magagalit ba ako, sisisihin ko ang sarili ko sa aking mga pagkukulang sa kaniya bilang isang kaibigan, o matutuwa ako sapagka’t kapiling na niya ngayon ang ating Panginoon kung saan wala ng luha, wala ng problema, wala ng pasakit, kundi kapayapaan na lamang sa piling ng Dios.
Nakakalungkot na namatay na ang para sa akin ay isa sa mga malapit kong kaibigan, para sa iba isang taong nagmamahal, para sa iba isang mabuting kapatid, para sa kaniyang ina isang mabuting anak, para sa iba isang dating kaklase, at para sa iba dating kasamahan sa trabaho. Malungkot dahil wala na isya, nguni’t masaya dahil payapa na siya ngayon at wala ng paghihirap samantalang tayong lahat ay marami pang problema, marami pang pagsubok, marami pang luha ang ating titiisin sa buhay na ito.
Sa ating ebanghelio ngayon sa ating pagharap sa ating Panginoon, hindi niya itatanong kung tayo at lalake o babae, hindi niya itatanong kung tayo ay bakla o tomboy, hindi niya itatanong kung tayo ay may sakit o wala, hindi niya itatanong kung paano tayo namatay, ang itatanong niya ay kung paano tayo nabuhay noong tayo ay nasa lupa pa. Ni hindi niya itatanong kung tayo’y katoliko, born again, protestante, Iglesia ni Cristo, Rizalista, Maganda o pangit, flawess ka ba o hindi, mayaman kaba o mahirap, ang itatanong niya pinakain mo ba ako noong nagutom ako? Dinamitan mo ba ako noong ako ay nakahubad? Dinalaw mo ba ako noong ako ay nakakulong? Inalagaan mo ba ako noong ako ay may sakit?
Sa mga kapatid at kapamilya ni Jojo noong siya ay masakit kayo ang nagalaga sa kaniya, hindi niyo po ito ginawa para kay Jojo kundi ginawa niyo po ito para sa ating Panginoong Jesus at dahil jan may gantimpala na kayo hindi lamang sa buhay na ito kundi sa buhay na susunod.
HINDI NAMATAY SI JOJO, NG WALANG KABULUHAN, Bakit? Sapagka’t maraming aral ang iniwan niya para sa ating lahat.
1. Kahalagahan ng pamilya – sa panahong wala na ang lahat pamilya mo pa rin ang iyong sandigan.
2. Kahalagahan ng mga kaibigan – hindi natin kayang mabuhay ng mag-isa sa mundo, no man is an island kailangan natin ng mga kaibigan na makakasama natin sa ating pakikipaglaban sa mundong ito, hindi natin kayang mag-isa.
3. Kahalagahan ng pangungumusta – maraming nagsasabi na ang mga tao ay nagkikita-kita lamang kapag may namatay at mukhang ito ay totoo, kung hindi pa namatay si Jojo hindi ko pa makikita ang mga dati kong kaklase, kung hindi pa siya namatay hindi ko makikilala ang kaniyang mga kapatid at pamilya, kung hindi pa siya namatay hindi ko makikilala ang kaniyang mga kaibigan.
4. Kahalagahan ng buhay – habang buhay pa tayo kailangan nating mabuhay na para bang mamaya o bukas tayo rin ay mamatay, hindi tayo mabubuhay magpakailanman dito sa lupa, hubad tayong ipinanganak at wala tayong madadala sa hukay, marami sa atin na kung mabuhay ay parang hindi na mamatay, ang kamatayan ni Jojo ay nagpapaalala sa ating lahat na isang araw tayo rin ay nasa kabaong at pinaglalamayan, ang tanong tayo ba ay nakahanda sa ganoong sitwasyon?
5. Kahalagahan ng pagpaparangal – Ang sabi sa Biblia sa Roma 13:7 “give honor to those honor is due”, ang pagsasama-sama natin ngayon gabi ay isang luksang-parangal para sa ating kapatid na si Jojo, hindi siya isang buhay na nasayang kundi isang buhay na halimbawa para sa ating lahat na kahit na sa kabusihan ng ating mga schedules matuto tayong lahat na mangamusta sa ating mga kaibigan,
6. Kahalagahan ng paghahanda – Ang sabi sa Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to a home where there is mourning than to one where there is a party, because the living should always remind themselves that death is waiting for us all…” Mas mabuti pa raw ang pumunta sa bahay na kung saan may mga nagluluksa kaysa pumunta sa bahay na may party, sapagaka’t dapat nating alalahaning mga buhay na ang kamatayan ay nagaantay lamang sa bawa’t isa sa atin.
PAGWAWAKAS:
Ito na siguro ang huli kong magagawa para sa aking kaibigan, ang magbigay sa kaniya ng isang luksan-parangal alam kong nanonood siya ngayon doon sa kabilang buhay at alam kong natutuwa siyang makita tayong lahat na nagsama-sama para sa kaniya. Sa kaniyang pamilya, maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ninyo ng buhay at pagaalaga ninyo kay Jojo, kundi dahil sa inyo wala kaming magiging kaibigan at kaklase na katulad niya mataray nguni’t ubod ng bait, kami po ay lubos-lubos ang pakikiramay sa inyong pagdadalamhati asahan po ninyo ang aming mga panalangin at tulong para sa inyo. Sa aming mga kaklase, kumusta na kayong lahat? Nakikiramay ako sa inyo dahil alam kong mahal din ninyo si Jojo tulad ng pagmamahal ko sa kaniya bilang kaibigan, mas matagal ang pinagsamahan ninyo kaysa sa akin kasi nagkahiwa-hiwalay na tayo ng landas pero heto tayo ngayon magkakasama ulit, asahan ninyo na mula ngayon palagi ko kayong kukumustahin at ipapanalangin. Sa mga kaibigan ni Jojo, maraming salamat sa inyong pakikipagkaibigan sa kaniya, marami kayong masasayang ala-alang kasama siya, totoong wala na ang kaniyang buhay sa kaniyang lupang katawan pero ang kaniyang ala-ala ay mananatili sa inyong mga puso magpakailan man. Sa ating lahat condolence at salamat sa inyong pakikinig at pakikiisa sa luksan-parangal na ito para sa ating kaibigang si Jojo. Manalangin po tayong lahat…
October 13, 2010 – The billboard of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, Church of God – CUC is now on display in front of the house of Ptr. Regen Luna. We will be preparing for the renovation of the place this coming November to accommodate people who will be called in this church. Glory be to God!
A United Methodist Church minister referred this couple to Ptr. Regen Luna so that they could be united in the Rite of Holy Union. It was held last October 9, 2010 at Angeles City, Pampanga. Another couple also scheduled a Holy Union in Subic this coming November. Praise be to our Almighty God. People in whom we do not know is now starting to connect with us. This is truly a work from God.
Pastor Regen conducted the first Holy Union for the Christian United Church denomination last October 2, 2010. It was attended by at least 30 people and it was held in a private resort in Pansol, Laguna. The holy union was so beautiful that another couple scheduled a holy union in November. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
True to his commitment on planting a new CUC church in the Philippines, Pastor Regen Luna attended the “Organizational Development Training” headed by the United Nations Development Program and TLF share Collective held last October 1-3, 2010 at 9 waves, San Mateo, Rizal.
The aim of the program is to develop organizations in response to the current status of HIV/AIDs problem in the country. The said program centers on the strength and weaknesses of an organization. Building a proper Vision, Mission, Purpose and Goals of an organization. Making Constitutions and By-Laws. Registering an organization to the government through SEC. Organizational Strategic Planning for the next three months. And making an organization relevant and attuned to the current problems of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.
As CUC is starting here in the Philippines, Ptr. Regen is now moving to a new direction were spirituality and sexuality especially sexual health of the MSM (Male who have sex with males) and TG (Transgenders) communities is at utmost importance. Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, Church of God – CUC will make an HIV/AIDS ministry to reach the GLBT (gay, lesbian, Bisexual, transgender) community.
Ptr. Regen prays for the new Board of Directors of MCC Philippines at the Retreat in Pansol, Laguna, Philippines.
Ptr. Regen Luna was invited to speak at the retreat of the Metropolitan Community Church Philippines last September 25 and 26 in Pansol, Laguna. His topic was “Homosexuality is not a sin and not a sickness”. The talk was well received by the leaders and the participants. It was also highlighted by group reports about the different verses used by other churches to attack homosexuals and also an open forum where Pastor Regen answered the questions about the rainbow colors, the symbol of the cross, the signing of the cross, the use of images in worship, ecumenism, and the Holy Kiss of peace.
The retreat will have a follow-through activity this coming November. The leaders and members of MCC Philippines extends their congratulatory message for Pastor Regen on the official announcement of H.E. Rev. Bishop David Strong on his appointment as local pastor for CUC and candidate for ordination as an Elder in Full connection with the denomination. God is doing marvelous works. Praise God!!!
PHOTOS OF THE RETREAT
ANNOUNCEMENT ON FACEBOOK
The Christian United Church welcomes Regen Luna, as a licensed Local Pastor and candidate for ordination as a Elder in Full Connection, after the completion of additional formation. He will be planting a community in the Philippines. Visit our website for additional information about the Christian United Church. The CUC is currently engaged in ministry in the United States and Poland. We are excited to bring a new inclusive Christian community to the Philippines.
ANNOUNCEMENT ON CHRISTIANUNITEDCHURCH.NING.COM
Regen Luna has been accepted as Candidate for Ordination and as a Licensed Local Pastor in the Christian United Church. Pastor Luna will continue to prepare for pastoral and theological studies to be received as Elder in Full Connection by the Annual Conference of the Christian United Church.
Regen is from Dasmarimas, Philippines. He completed a Bachelor’s in History from DeLaSalle University In 2001 and has studied Theology at various graduate institutions. He has served as Associate Pastor, MCC Manila 2000-2001 and as Interim Pastoral Leader of MCC Philippines from 2005- 2008.
Pastor Regen will be developing a congregation in Dasmarinas named Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd Christian United Church. This will be the first church for the newly emerging Christian United Church with congregations currently in Poland and the United States.
Bishop David Strong, Bishop of the denomination, said “We welcome Pastor Regen into the connectional covenant community of the Christian United Church. He shares in the charism of the CUC to provide a ministry of inclusion which invites members of the LGBT community and our straight allies to become Disciples of Christ through communion and community”.
The Christian United Church is a denomination with a Methodist polity that is inclusive and centered on the spiritual practice of weekly Holy Communion and the means of grace and mercy in our daily life. For more information visit www. christianunitedchurch.net
King David once wrote in Psalms 23 “The Lord is my shepherd”. Our Lord Jesus Christ declared in John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd”. This is the name of our Chapel. It speaks about the goodness of our Lord. His unconditional love and His passion to take care of us just like a Shepherd who takes care of his flock. God will take care of YOU. Jesus will take care of YOU. The Holy Spirit will take care of YOU.
Welcome to our Chapel. Welcome to our church, the Church of God – CUC. Welcome to our denomination, the Christian United Church. Whoever you are, whatever you do, if you are looking for a church-home that will really take care of you then we invite you to come and join us. We are an inclusive, welcoming and affirming community. We propagate the message of Christ without discrimination on your race, religion, social status in life, education and gender.
We welcome everyone straights, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders to be one with us in worship, in the holy communion, in prayer, in Bible studies, in service to God and to his people. Welcome to the Chapel of JESUS CHRIST the Good Shepherd Church of God – CUC.
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EKKLESIA TOU THEOU 
