How big is God? Ptr. Monty shares at HCF Gilmore

Ptr. Monty Houston and his wife Lorenda visited HCF Gilmore last Sunday. He blessed the congregation by sharing the Bible and science’s perspective on how big God is. Lorenda also shared a song which she composed.

Ptr. Monty is the lead pastor of Life Church of El Paso, while Lorenda is the Music Director of the said church. They are the friends of HCF’s overseer Ptr. Andrew Bush.

They are staying in the Philippines up to February 19. They have already visited HCF’s Tondo Church and outreacheas at Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.

If you missed the sharing of Ptr. Monty, follow the link to listen online. Ptr Monty_God is Big.

Join HCF Gilmore’s Sunday Worship every Sunday 10am. If you are interested in Art, check out HCF’s monthly Artalk usually scheduled every 4th Sunday of the month.

HCF gets Jazzed Up

You are all invited!!!! Feb 22 4PM at the HCF Gilmore Hall. See you!!!

A Great 20th Anniversary Celebration

Not everything was as planned but it was better….

The last minute change in venue was for the good. We found a great place. Mandarin Suites is such a good venue.

The worship was lead by Bro. Larry Ilagan, very annointed. The instrumentalists also played great. And the sound system was crystal clear.

The place was packed despite the change in venue. I think no one got lost. Our invited guests also arrived.

Our emcees where also very witty.

The youth of both Tondo and Pangarap also were well prepared for their dance/interpretation numbers.

20 years, we’ve gone “Platinum.” Let’s get ready to soar the next year. God bless!!!

HCF Anniversary Change in Venue

Greetings!

There has been a change of venue to the 20th Anniversary of Harvesters Christian Fellowship this Oct 19. The venue is now at:

Topaz Function Room
Mandarin Suites
4th Level Gateway Mall
Cubao

Please see attached maps.

The time is still 2pm.

See you there!!!

God bless!!!

Elwin

HCF Goes Platinum!

Harvesters celebrates its 20th Anniversary this October 19, 2008 2:00pm at the Barangay Mariana Multipurpose Hall, 3rd Street, New Manila, Quezon City. This will be a joint fellowship of the Gilmore, Tondo and Pangarap Churches. See you there!!!!

Batang K 2008

Last August 31, 2008, Harvesters celebrated its “Batang K.” It is a yearly thanksgiving celebration of the progress of the Harvesters Kids under the care of the Sonshine Ministry. Also present were the kids and parents of the Mandaluyong CENEP.

This was kids’ time as they led worship and performed great presentations under the guidance of their teachers. There was also a photo slideshow of the Sonshine Kids Ministry in Gilmore.

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Tambourine Dance & Flag Twirling by Mayette Cruz

As we celebrate Batang K yearly, kid’s presentations were usually present during the service. I’m privileged and blessed to teach tambourine dance & flag twirling to kids ages 6-11. We started practicing last August 17, Sunday afternoon. That time, I only managed to teach the patterns to girls, which I find it not that easy ‘coz I still have to change some of the patterns, as I observed that they’re having difficulty with the ones I already prepared, same with the boys as I started teaching them the following Sunday (August 24). I just demonstrated the patterns to them, and so as I expected, their energy doesn’t match the timing with the music. So what I usually hear are all those tambourine jingles sounds being played and tapped differently (good thing the flags don’t have sounds as the boys waved them). August 31 has arrived, it’s the “Batang K Day”! As they presented their dance, I’ve never seen them danced as harmoniously as that, not even during their final practices. I praised God for these kids, as they give and offer their time and talents. They remain precious in our Creator’s eyes. Thanks also to the parents who keep supporting their kids’ ministries. Can’t wait to teach them more patterns in the future…….To God be the glory!

Artalk 2: How to Become a “Breakthrough” Artist

GILMORE, AURORA BLVD -  I write the notes for this article in between preparing coffee and taking pictures for HCF’s second talk about Art, this time about how to make a breakthrough particularly for young visual artists. The talk was very interesting with panelists coming from curators and gallery owners (Gerry Tan, Dan Raralio, Eileen & Chit Ramirez). The talk was also well attended by art students, art teachers and art practitioners.

Ptr. Raul fielded several questions to the panelists to discover answers on how a young artist can be able to make a breakthrough. Answers from the panelists revealed that breakthrough can be on several aspects: financial, personal and social.

Financial Breakthrough

Panelists delved on the practical side of art and suggested the following steps for financial breakthrough:

1. Know yourself and what you want to say
2. Study continuously – apply for grants, know what’s happening
3. Develop content of works
4. Invest in your materials
5. Document your works – catalogues, etc.
6. Market your works, visit galleries and present yourself, inform critics but don’t hard sell

Additional to this is to break free from third world artist psyche which is primarily constituted by low self esteem and inferiority complex. Filipino artists are able to match their international counterparts.

Young artists should also consider tapping collectors, art competitions and auctions. In relation to this, Ptr. Raul asked if there is a movement in Philippine art. A panelist answered that it can be determined by finding out the flow of where the money is. Artists specializing in figurative art migrated to non-figurative and vice versa. Another panelist on the other hand suggested that figurative art is the general trend since for collectors they are easier to understand , explain and thus sell. Buyers also deemed abstract art is easier to do. On the other hand figurative art is deemed as harder to do buyers. Adding to this, a panelist mentioned that the abovementioned point of view was more “Marxist.” Solution to this dizzying movement is by finding a balance in sustainability.

Ptr. Raul asked the panelists if they found truth in Andy Warhol’s statement “the best art is making money.” Most of them warned of taking this part of art to the extreme. They gave an example of an artist who antedated his new works to an earlier successful work so as to make an easy sale. This was fooling buyers and also fooling himself. Other results of this would be :

· Loss of joy in art making because of too much pressure from the market, devoured by demand

· Giving collectors too much control that they virtually become the artists

· No time to think and improve

· Limitation in content of work to just what collectors or auctioneers want

· Saturation of the market

About the trend of Filipino artists selling their works in international auction houses, one panelist mentioned that art works which can also be viewed as limited national assets are lost this way.

Personal Breakthrough

Suggestions by panelists in making a personal breakthrough are:

· Finding a new vision

· Finding a new use for old material

· Create content and substance not just immediate visual impact

· Don’t be overly concerned with trends and by following or breaking them

· Know yourself and your message

· Determine your intention and define your audience

· Don’t cut corners

· Go through several avenues of validation.

· Popularity doesn’t validate art. Most collectors don’t study well. They just rely on word of mouth.

· Lots of money do not equate to taste.

· Market works you are proud of and not what collectors’ want.

Social Breakthrough

Perhaps the highest of breakthroughs is this one. One panelist cited the criteria for choosing a national artist – that he or she has not just produced excellent work but has impacted the lives of people.

What is a breakthrough art? Art which gets people to think. Artists have the power of image making and art which engages is truly powerful. How do we define this power? It is the capability of propelling people to do things. It is art which leaves a legacy and influences lives.

Works of FEATI students and teachers are currently on display at HCF Gilmore Hall.

HCF Artalk: Spirituality in Art

HCF hosted its very first “Artalk” last Sunday after the worship service. Not even a huge downpour caused by typhoon Igme could stop the event. Starting a little after 3pm, the panelists were all there. These were Ronn dela Cruz, Jonathan Olazo, Kiri Dalena, Pete Jimenez and Jucar Raquepo.

Ptr. Raul opened the barage of questions which sought to understand the relationship between spirituality and art. Everyone fell into deep thought since both subjects are ambiguous at the least. Spirituality concerns itself with matters of the spirit and closely tied with religious faith. It is on the other hand contrasted with the material, the temporal and the worldly. The panelists were asked how they expressed their spirituality or faith in the process of their art making. There was an opinion that in some of the works of the panelists that it cannot be seen at all. But still it remains in the eye of the beholder.

How can faith or Christian spirituality be seen in the works of Christian artists? Some may seek the usual Christian iconography – of angels, saints, the Cross, etc. In others it may be the excellence of the work. Perhaps a combination of colors, lines, geometric shapes can produce a desire for worship, or to uphold justice and mercy, etc.

Could it lie in Spirit-led art making? Perhaps. But definitely there is need for Christian artists to champion the cause of delivering the Christian message or achieving the purposes of God in an art world dominated by worldly messages despite the hindrances of commercial viability.

The Artalk extended way past 6pm. There was a soft opening of an exhibit of the panelists works.

Visit the HCF Gilmore Hall at the ground floor of the Aguana Bldg along Aurora Blvd. The place is in front of St. Paul QC.

  

Youth “Train to Win” Camp

The NeoX together with the teens from Tondo and Pangarap went to Lucena for a 3 day training camp. They were accompanied by Ptr. Raul, Ptra. Lyn, Bro. Bari, Ptr. Andrew and the 4 students from Pennsylvania.

Train they did much from the experience they gained from this nature adventure. Day 1 almost began with a storm. It really rained hard along the way but it was sunny in Lucena.

The camp was across a river so the group rode by boat to get there. The camp itself sits in the midst of what seems to be a forest of vegetation. “Amazing” is the exact word to describe it.

After a short period of rest the group split up into 4 teams for some games. Then they went back to the bamboo gazebo for some devotions with Ptr. Andrew. Dinner was served afterwards. Tents served as their sleeping quarters for the night.

Day 2 included swimming in a secluded beach just 45 minutes away. White sands and all it reminded us of “Survivor” series not excluding the jelly fish. After a whole afternoon of swimming, the group went back to the camp and had devotions with Bro. Bari. After that performances where held around a bonfire where the teens also roasted some hotdogs and marshmallows. Most stayed awake to catch the morning of the 3rd day.

As good campers, Day 3 started with cleaning the camp. Fixing up their things they were on their way home but not without an awarding ceremony.

Great character comes out of trials and ordeals – even camps with a nice white beach

God bless!!!

A Fiesta in New Manila

I think the place, or Aurora Boulevard for that matter never saw so much color ever before. HCF wore new colors, brighter. It was a fiesta. Talaga!

Bro. Raul and Bro. Juvie really worked hard to make the place festive – flags, buntings, banigs and even a roasted pig (lechon). Paper mache nga lang Next time it would be for real.

Harvest@Work provided for the new signages. New wave according to Ptr. Raul.

Bro. Roland Serrano and his team has also been working on the refurbishment of the place for quite a long time. And the day before he did the finishing touches – hanging the LCD projector from the ceiling thus opening up the space for more seating.

During the event itself the place was filled to the brim with members and their guests. There was an AVP about what Harvesters is all about. Ptr. Andrew Bush took the opportunity to share on God bringing outsiders into His family. And that is what we ought to do, welcome people always!

There were presentations from the Sonshine Kids, NeoX and Harvest@Work. The Sonshine Kids sung and interpreted the song “Ikaw Lang.” On the other hand, the NeoX did their own interpretation of PBB – A Hyperteen Edition. This showed the acting prowess of some of the kids. Harvest@Work presented a sand art video entitled “the Bridge to Life.”

After the service, the Women of Worth served everyone a sumptous lunch. There were various types of chicken – adobo, fried, etc. The pansit was also varied – palabok, malabon, bihon, etc.

Bro. Eddie and Bro. Tat emceed the games for the kids. 7-8 yr old kids drank again from feeding bottles, looked for coins under tons of cornstarch and other funny games. Everyone enjoyed. There was even a pabitin – indoors.

Fiestas are what HCF is all about. Join us every Sunday to experience great fellowship. See you!!!