A Transforming,
Empowering, Caring
We invite you to
WORSHIP
with us CHURCH MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
8:00AM Tagalog Worship Service
Sermon: “Mamalakaya ng mga Tao”
Pastor: Rev. Grace Fe I. Magan
Leader: Ms. Ruth Vargas
10:00AM English Worship Service
Sermon: “Something Fishy”
Pastor: Rev. Callum R. Tabada
Leader: Mr. Christian Vergara
3:00PM Visayan Worship Service
Sermon: “Ang Kabililhon sa Imong
Pagkatawag”
Pastor: Rev. Fritz Jordan S. Mata
Leader: Atty. James Manuel K. Raterta
5:30PM Vesper Worship Thru Music
Sermon: “God of Surprises”
Pastor: Rev. Veronica T. Estayo
MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION SIGN-UP
I
n our celebration of February as Church
Membership Month, we are now receiv-
ing sign-ups for our Membership Class
scheduled every Sunday in February. This
will be from 8:30AM to 9:30AM at the Sen-
ior Pastor’s office.
Please find the sign-up sheet on the
table located along the church foyer/lobby.
If you are not yet an official member of
the church but desire to become a full and
turn to page 4
and Exemplary Church
of Servant Leaders.
(Church Vision Statement)
1368 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. 5254495, 5231309
Cellphone No.: 0916-244-3437
uccpcosmopolitanchurch@gmail.com
uccpcosmopolitanchurch.org
FEBRUARY 10, 2019
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 06
Today is the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
MEMBERSHIP MONTH
M
embership is not simply an op-
portunity to say, I’m a part of a T h a t ’ s
club, but rather a scriptural ex- the actual
pression of covenant connectedness to technical
a church. terminolo-
In 1 Corinthians Paul doesn’t say gy. A mem-
the church is like a body. He says the ber of your
church is a body. The phrase he uses body was separated from the body.
to describe the individual connected- That is a tragic thing.
ness is we are “members of the body.” There are three things that help us
The word “member” in the Bible understand why church membership is
is more closely related to the medical biblical and important.
word “member” than it is to the common 1. Membership Reflects What the
cultural term. As an example, some of Church Is.
you who are reading may have lost a Membership is a reflection of the
finger or toe in an accident. On that un- organic community already existing in
fortunate day, you were dismembered. turn to page 4
ALL LEADERS MEETING. Yesterday’s All Leaders Meeting held at the 2nd Floor of the
Rigos Hall helped our church leaders look into the way the church operates and lives out
her mission and ministry. The session continues on Saturday, February 23 for the second
part of the assessment, evaluation and monitoring of our over-all church life. To God be
the glory!
 PAGE 2 COSMO NEWS FEBRUARY 10, 2019

HYMN STORY “Fairest Lord Jesus”

Text from Munster Gesangbuch, 1677; 4th verse translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904
“For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.”
(Colosians 1:16)

T
his lovely hymn extol-
ling the beauty and
virtues of Christ leads
us to the praise and worship
of our “beautiful Savior.” The
vivid comparisons of all the
enjoyable sights of nature
with Jesus, who is the very
source and essence of all
beauty, fill us with awe. Then
we are reminded that our
Savior outshines all crea-
tions of God, including the
hosts of angels. How worthy
He is of the deepest “glory
and honor, praise, adoration
now and forevermore.”
Little is known of the ori-
gin of this inspiring hymn. It
is thought by some to have
been sung in the 12th cen-
tury by the German crusad-
ers as they made their wea-
risome and dangerous trip
to the Holy Land. Another
source claims that this was
one of the hymns used by
the followers of John Hus.
These were Moravian be-
lievers who were driven out
of Bohemia in a bloody anti-
Reformation purge of 1620.
They settled in Silesia, now
a part of Poland. “Fairest
Lord Jesus” is thought to be
a folk hymn that came from
these devout Silesian peas-
ants. The fourth verse, a
fine translation by Joseph A.
Seiss, emphasizes the dual
nature of the Savior—“Son
of God and Son of Man”—as
well as the praise that will be
eternally His.
Whatever the actual
origin of the hymn may be,
Christians for centuries have
been blessed with this wor-
shipful and joyful text, which
focuses our view on the fair
Son of God who reveals to
us the glory of the Father.
For today, take time to
reflect once again on the
virtues of our lovely Lord
Jesus. Offer thanks to God
for the matchless gift of His
Son. Worship Him with this
musical expression—“Thee
will I cherish, Thee will I
honor, Thou my soul’s glory,
joy and crown. Glory and
honor, praise, adoration now
and forevermore be Thine!”
(from Amazing Grace, 366 Inspiring
Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by
Kenneth W. Osbeck)

SUNDAYS
8:30AM Adult Sunday School, Conference Room
9:30AM Adult Sunday School, Toddlers’ Room
10:00AM Children & Youth Sunday School, 3rd Floor
Rigos Hall and Conference Room
11:00AM Sanhimig Choir Sunday School, AVR
11:30AM CWA-Sponsored Sunday School, Toddlers’
Room
12:15PM Chancel Choir Bible Study, Choir Room
2:00PM Visayan Adult Sunday School, Church Sanctu-
ary
3:00PM Children’s Sunday School [Visayan], 3rd Floor
Rigos Hall
5:30PM Young Adults [Visayan] Sunday School & Fel-
lowship, 2nd Floor Rigos Hall
7:00PM Vesper Choir Bible Study, AVR Chapel
TUESDAYS
2:00PM Church Staff Devotion, Social Hall
6:00PM Delgenta Group Bible Study - Quezon City
7:00PM Dormitory Bible Study, Conference Room
7:00PM Dormitory Convocation, Sanctuary [every last
Tuesday of the month]
WEDNESDAYS
7:00PM Midweek Worship Service, Main Sanctuary
THURSDAYS
7:00PM Dormitory Bible Study, Conference Room
SATURDAYS
5:00PM Pilgrims Choir Bible Study, Choir Room
Congratulations!
We praise and thank God for the fruits of our Dormitory Min-
istry with the success of our dormitory residents in their
various endeavors:
• NICOLE KYLA D. DELFIN - Top 1 of the February 2019
Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination. Kyla is a
graduate of UP Manila and stayed at our dormitory from
2015-2018. She hails from Dumaguete City.
• CHIDLEY M. PUYOS is now a Registered Medical Tech-
nologist and an International Medical Laboratory Scien-
tists for passing the recent American Society for Clinical
Pathology examination. She graduated from EAC.
• ANDREA FRANCHESCA D. DESCALZO - Top 9 of the
recent Nursing Board Examination and thus is now a reg-
istered nurse. Andrea graduated from UP Manila.
• CAMILLE LERRIZA L. SERRANO is now a registered
Dentist. A graduate of CEU, Camille originally comes from
Pampanga.
UCCP COSMOPOLITAN CHURCH
VISION: A Transforming, Empowering, Caring and Exemplary Church
of Servant Leaders.
MISSION: To build up the community of faith into the likeness of
Christ, and work together in transforming society for the glory of
God. To establish excellence in Worship & Fellowship, Education &
Nurture, and Witness & Service.
CORE VALUES: Excellence, Faithful Stewardship,
Teamwork. Servant Leadership
 FEBRUARY 10, 2019 COSMO NEWS PAGE 3

14 Llyn A. Almeniana, Nora C.

Rolos, Kathierene Val D.
Prayer List
Salatan, Ebella G. Suarez Let us keep in our prayers those of us who are in chal-
15 Michael Frank A. Roa lenging circumstances these days. We also encourage
16 Hazel D. Anglo, Zenaida H. you to let any of our pastors know of your special needs
Moncada, Arnel S. Natividad for pastoral care. Let us pray for:
17 Mayleen S. Diola, Rodolfo
Birthdays Jose, Patricia Marie N. Pen-
Eliza Joy Aceña Diane Morales
Josefino Acuavera Melchor Morales
10 Elizabeth A. De Pauw, Fran- son
Virgie Almarez Corazon Natividad
cis C. Gaitan, Ben Chaster Ur Ason Shirley Nerecina
G. Pedradoja Adory Desiree Dames Lina Pagala
11 Thelma S. Bayawa, Ga R. Darlene Elmira Digan Delailah Palisoc
Tabada, Romerigrina M. Snook Divinagracia Gerry Pinder
Tuquib Daniel Edward Pedro Tolentino
12 Kathleen Faye M. Dela Wedding Elizabeth How Naomi Vecino
Calzada-Abellar, Mark
Froilan S. Laurente, Abraham
Anniversary Rene Mitherand Mabou Rosauro Vergara

Lincoln Q. Remolona, Angela

V. Timtiman
14 Pastor Callum & Ga Tabada
18 Rommel & Maria Esperanza
13 Emalyn A. Galleno Abarquez
NOTE: Our list of birthday and wedding anniversary celebrators is far
from perfect and so if your name or some other church member’s name
is not in the list, kindly call our attention. Better yet, ask for a member-
ship update form from the office and submit this to the office as soon as
possible. Thank you for your help in updating our membership records!
Condolences
Our sincerest condolences to Mr. Dan and Dr. Tess Palen-
tinos and family for the passing on to the next life of their
dear daughter Alea on January 20, 2019. Dan was an active
member of our Chancel and Vesper Choir, dedicated mem-
ber of our Medical Mission and DMRM Ministry, he also did
the landscaping on some of our special events.

Thank You! Meetings

• The floral offering at the back of the Bible and the 10AM Feb10 (Sun) ChurchBoardMeeting
snacks are Thanksgiving offerings of Ms. Angela Valdez Feb24 (Sun) ChurchCouncilMeeting
Timtiman for blessings received and in memory of the
birth anniversary of her Uncle Dr. William Marcos Valdez
on Feb 10, also in memory of the death anniversary of Ms.
Angela Valdez Ramos.
• Flowers at the altar came from the Balbido Family in
thanksgiving for the 6th birthday of Jared Rashan Balbido
on February 9.
• To all Church Board Meeting lunch hosts:
BOT - Dominador Ato BEM - Cecilia Morales
BCEN - Jun Antonio BOD - Ma. Gracia Antonio
BOE - Sefamar Espina

Stewardship Section
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” [1 Peter 4:10]
January 27, 2019 February 3, 2019
Pledges, Tithes and Offerings Budgetted Actual Variance % Attendance Actual Variance % Attendance
Tagalog Service (8AM) 8,137.73 6,250.00 (1,887.73) 77% 31 7,674.50 (463.23) 94% 47
English Service (10AM) 29,591.76 16,273.55 (13,318.21) 55% 162 36,987.55 7,395.79 125% 181
Visayan Service (3PM) 25,892.79 23,898.00 (1,994.79) 92% 131 20,137.40 (5,755.39) 78% 127
Vesper Service (5:30PM) 7,397.94 6,250.00 (1,147.94) 84% 84 3,740.00 (3,657.94) 51% 44
Sunday School 2,690.16 403.00 (2,287.16) 15% 46 75.00 (2,615.16) 3% 7
CWA/UCM/Adult Sunday School 576.92 - (576.92) 0% 0 150.00 (426.92) 26% 10
Midweek 672.54 - (672.54) 0% 0 - (672.54) 0% 4
TOTAL 74,959.85 53,074.55 (21,885.30) 71% 454 68,764.45 (6,195.40) 92% 420
 PAGE 4 COSMO NEWS FEBRUARY 10, 2019
Feb. 20 (Wed) The Wednesday Forum with Ibon

Church
Foundation Exec. Dir. Sonny Africa
Feb. 23 (Sat) All-Leaders Meeting 2 (12nn to 4PM,

Calendar
Rigos Hall)
Feb. 24 (Sun) 7th Sunday after Epiphany
Reception of New Members
Meeting: Church Council
FEBRUARY: Membership Renewal Month
Feb. 26 (Tue) Church Staff Spiritual Retreat (whole
Feb. 17 (Sun) 6th Sunday after Epiphany day)
BEM-Led Seminar on Cardio-vascular
MARCH: 86th Church Anniversary Month / Lent
Awareness
Meeting: Personnel/Pastoral Call APRIL: Lent & Easter Season / Church Elections /
Committee 2019-2020 Church Budget Approval
MAY: UCCP Anniversary Month

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP MATTERS, from page 1 nition of belonging—of membership in community.

3. People Need Church Membership.
the body. Paul says we are a body. Can one part say to the Finally, we recognize biblical membership matters be-
other, “I’m not part of you”? No, it is already a part. But too cause people need it. People need membership commitment
often we live as if we are separated. To reject the value of because they need to be connected to a Christian commu-
membership is to deny what God has already established in nity. This is not just for the sake of the faith community, but
fact. also for the sake of the individual.
2. The Bible Teaches Covenant Community. Individualist Christianity is a myth and a damaging pur-
We find in Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth that they suit. At the end of the day we’re redeemed. We’re placed in
were putting people out of the body. So Scripture teaches the body. The Bible specifically says he has redeemed us.
that we can be a part of the body, and we can be apart from He has transferred us, Colossians 1 says, from the domain
the body. It is difficult to get around Scripture when it talks of darkness into the kingdom of the Son he loves. A kingdom
about being brought into the body and also being put out of has a king. The king has subjects and his kingdom has a
it. community together where we function as God’s people.
And yet for most churches there’s no way to put some- God makes us a part of his larger family when we are
body out because they’re not even in. While there seems to born again. But then we should covenant in a local body
be flexibility according to various bodies, there is no such and live in community with them, agreeing to live by certain
thing in the New Testament as a church without some recog- established godly principles and standards.
Membership doesn’t save us. But it enables us to grow
THE WEDNESDAY and become spiritually mature in Christ. Not only should we
FORUM. Philippine
be members of the body, each of us should also be able to
Ambassador to China
Jose Santiago “Chito” express the value of membership. Hopefully, then people will
Sta. Romana, explains stop squirming when we bring up the topic, but instead pas-
in details of how the sionately embrace the biblical nature of church membership.
China-Philippine Eco- (from Membership Matters: 3 Reasons for Church Membership; Christianity
Today, July 7, 2015 https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/july/
nomic Relations can
membership-matters-3-reasons-for-church-membership.html)
possibly affect the lives
of the Filipino people.
About a hundred people PASTORAL TEAM DIRECTORY
attended last week’s For prayers and other concerns,inquiries on baptism,
The Wednesday Forum and weddings, contact:
session which also fea- REV. VERONICA ESTAYO: 0927-838-1614
tured Rev. Dr. Mariano REV. GRACE FE MAGAN: 0921-227-1881
Apilado of UP-Church REV. FRITZ JORDAN MATA: 0933-877-2638
of the Risen Lord giving REV. CALLUM TABADA: 0919-724-1697
the Biblico-Theological
Reflection. The next
session of The Wednes- MEMBERSHIP ORIENTATION SIGN-UP, from page 1
day Forum is on Febru- regular member, please sign-up and attend any of the scheduled
ary 20, 2019 Mr. Sonny membership class in February. The membership class also wel-
Africa of Ibon Founda- comes those who are already members of the church but want to
tion on the State of our go through a membership re-orientation.
Country’s Economy. The reception of new church members is scheduled on the last
See you then! Sunday, February 24, during the 10AM worship service.