THANK YOU!!!
A big shout out to all who showed up today for the spring cleaning!
We appreciate your valuable time and wholehearted efforts!
For those who couldn’t make it, we still have another round coming next Saturday, May 2nd.
Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing from 1 Peter 4:12-19, on the topic of “Expectations of Fiery Trials.” Come one, come all!
New Study Series Starting on April 23, 2026
Join the Zoomers of Faith starting on April 23rd, Thursday at 7 pm, for a new study series.
Our topic is “World Religions & Cults 101, A Guide to Spiritual Beliefs”
We will look at Judaism, Mormonism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other belief systems. We will learn how to counter them with Biblical truths.
Let me know if you’d like to join us via zoom right in the comforts of your home. Books are $15 a piece. We will distribute them this Sunday.
Meanwhile, our registration deadline for our Family Camp is fast approaching: Sunday, April 26th. Please let sis. Beth or sis. May know if you plan on coming.
Pastor's Sunday Message: 5.3.2020
THANK YOU ALL for watching our live-streaming service today! Hope you were blessed by engaging in the Word and Worship. Here's today's message:
What made the early church in the book of Acts so attractive and powerful? They grew exponentially and geographically at a very accelerated pace. What can we learn from them?
The Disciples Began to Preach/Share the Word Like Jesus Did
The Disciples Began to Love Like Jesus Did
The Disciples Began to Demonstrate Signs and Wonders Like Jesus Did
The Disciples Began to See Lives Powerfully Transformed by Jesus
The Disciples Began to Experience Persecution Like Jesus Did
In other words, the church becomes more attractive and powerful as we become more and more like Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul had this to say:
"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10)
Pastor's Daily Briefing: 5.2.2020
Tomorrow is Communion Sunday so please join us at 10:45 am and have the holy elements, symbolizing the broken body and shed blood of Jesus on the cross, the bread and the grape juice ready.
We will follow the journey of the early church in the book of Acts after they were filled with the Holy Spirit. What can we learn from them today? Why was the church so attractive and powerful that many believers were added to their numbers daily?
These and other points I will be sharing tomorrow. Invite your friends and loved ones. See you all!
"So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers." Acts 16:5
Pastor's Friday Briefing: 5.1.2020
Even though we've registered the highest number of cases today since the outbreak in one day at 3,137 cases, there are hopes for optimism, thank God. The alternate care facility that was set up at McCormick Place will wind down from 1,000 bed capacity to 500. Our Governor stated that the curve is flattening and our health care systems continue to operate within capacity. Let's keep praying that it stays that way.
I just have a couple of things tonight:
We will begin to livestream our service from our worship center this Sunday. We will only limit participants to 10 people and under which are the worship team members and the pastor.
We will celebrate the Holy Communion this Sunday so please have a piece of bread and a cup of grape juice ready. Livestream worship service starts at 10:45 am.
For our message this Sunday, I will be sharing about what makes the church in the book of Acts so attractive and powerful. I will continue my series in the exciting book of Acts. So please tune in with your family and friends.
"Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it (the church) increased in numbers." (Acts 9:31)
Pastor's Thursday Briefing: 4.30.2020
Today we finally had a respite from all the rain for the past few days and tomorrow will look like to be a sunny day, the Lord willing. There was a flood warning at a nearby city and I hope yours was not in danger of any flood. A few things to highlight:
Today our city has experienced the second-highest daily totals of fatalities since the start of the outbreak. This is far from over and so we need to continue to exercise caution and vigilance.
Let's continue to pray for all of our healthcare workers and other frontliners. Tonight, we had a well-attended prayer conference call and we prayed for all of our healthcare workers and those who are currently struggling with the virus.
Tomorrow, May 1st, anyone older than two years old is required to wear a face mask out in public when they cannot maintain a safe distance from others.
Let's continue to persevere, keep our focus on God, encourage others and stay connected with them.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3.
Pastor's Wednesday Briefing: 4.29.2020
We just got done with our prayer phone conference call earlier. There were 25 participants tonight, praise God! The more people praying the more exponential power there is! We are seeing many sick people who are being restored back to health and recovering from the virus. Every night we are praying for more people to get well and we are believing God for their miracle. I just have a quick couple of things:
It's been raining non-stop throughout the day and even right now, let's keep an eye on our sump pumps if we have them in our basements.
We have more face shields and ear savers available for those who have need of them. If a co-worker needs one, let us know. We will gladly give them away. Bro. Jhun Almosara Letada is our point of contact.
Here's a word for us tonight: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3). Have a blessed evening!
Pastor's Monday Briefing: 4.27.2020
We are 4 days away from the month of May and it's just amazing how the month of April has quickly faded (or fading). We are now on our 47th day of a shelter-in-place order. We thank God that He continues to preserve and protect all of us.
We have small groups meeting throughout this week through Zoom or Google Hangout. We also have prayer phone conference call every night. We encourage you to join a small group for spiritual feeding or fellowship during the week. If interested, please send an e-mail to contactus@ffwcchicago.com about a particular group to get the passcodes to join the meeting. Here they are:
Children's Sunday School - sis. Jenny Agngarayngay
New Believers' Class - sis. Betty Hernandez
Keepers of Faith - bro. Dennis Howard
Refuge of Fatih - sis. Glenda C Lacson or Dr. Archie Hong
Youth IMPACT - Pastor Warren Fleras
Lovers of the Word - sis. Lorna Villarias Tippett or sis. Lolet Veloso
Anchor of Faith - Pastor Warren Fleras
Young Adults - bro. Ched Cuaresma
Prayer Team - sis. Maricel Lanuzo-orbon
Hope you all have a great work week start trusting and believing in the goodness and power of God. Let's go forth in the strength and peace of the Lord!
Pastor's Sunday Briefing: 4.26.2020
Thank you all for joining us today in our worship! It's so good to worship the Lord. It always refreshes the soul.
Here's the message outline:
Why an Extended Stay-at-Home Order May Just be our Breakthrough (Luke 24:49 & Acts 1:4,5)
Because as we wait upon the Spirit of God, he will empower and grant us the following:
New-found COURAGE to witness
New-found CLARITY from the Word of God
New-found CROSS-centric and RESURRECTION-centered Message
New-found CONVICTION brought about by the Spirit in the hearts of the people
New-found COMMITMENT to the Word, Prayer, & Fellowship among the brethren
Let's use the next 30 days or so to devote more time in prayer and waiting upon the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we will emerge refreshed and emboldened to share the gospel message to our friends and loved ones. Let's experience our own Pentecost! God bless you and have a wonderful week!
Pastor's Saturday Briefing: 4.25.2020
"Why an Extended ECQ or Stay-at-Home Order May Just Be Your Breakthrough."
That's the tentative title of my message tomorrow for our morning worship. ECQ means Enhanced Community Quarantine in the Philippines. Jesus, before he ascended to heaven after his resurrection, advised his disciples:
"And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. BUT STAY IN THE CITY until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49).
"And while staying with them he ORDERED them NOT TO DEPART from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father." (Acts 1:4) Here's the point:
Before Jesus left, he actually wanted his disciples to be on a lockdown in the Upper Room praying and anticipating the coming and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We may use this extended time to humble ourselves more and seek the strength and power of the Holy Spirit so that we may become mighty witnesses to people around us when we emerge from this lockdown.
We won't have a Holy Communion this Sunday. Next Sunday, being the first Sunday of the month, will be our next Holy Communion.
See you all tomorrow at 10:45 am. Invite your friends to watch our livestream service. God bless you!
Pastor's Friday Briefing: 4.24.2020
The Governor of Illinois has extended the stay-at-home order until May 30th. I've read his order and there was no mention about the number of people allowed to congregate at a time. We will follow the White House guidelines of no more than 10 people with social distancing in place.
I just have a couple of things to pass today:
Bros. Ched and Jolo have embarked on a very worthy project supported by the church. We are making available a very limited number of face shields to be used by our frontliners - those who are now actively a part of treating COVID-19 patients in their units. If you are in need of one and approved for use by your supervisors, please send us a note. You will have to replace the shield (after using them) with a plastic sheet protector you can buy at the store. Use a 3-hole puncher to make holes that will align with the pins in the headband. The headband will have to be disinfected after each use. Please follow your work place's protocols. We still have some "ear savers" left and you may request them anytime.
Part of the Governor's order is the requirement to wear face coverings by May 1st. Sis. AC BZ Oro has made some clothe face mask available, about a dozen (mostly for women) with 2 kid-size face masks. She's making some for men too. Let us know if you need one or you may contact her directly. Thank you sis. AC BZ Oro!
Thank you bro. Ched Cuaresma and bro. Jolo (sis. Tess Agsalud) for thinking about our frontliners. You guys are doing such great deeds. We appreciate so much your initiatives!
Hebrews 13:1-3 tell us:
"Continue in brotherly love. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them."
Pastor's Thursday Briefing: 4.23.2020
BEWARE OF PHISHING SCAMS!
A co-worker of my wife fell victim to a phishing scam. Her co-worker received an e-mail stating that her credit card was compromised. She was then directed to click on a link embedded in the e-mail and was asked to provide all her personal info like social security number, address, date of birth, etc. She then noticed after giving all these info that someone had been impersonating her and opening credit card accounts under her name.
There are many scams that come in various forms through e-mail, phone calls, FB messengers, or text messages purportedly coming from "IRS," your bank, credit card company, or someone you know. Elderly people are usually the biggest targets but everyone can be victimized. I am compelled in today's briefing to warn everyone that phishing scams and identity thefts are on the rise especially during this pandemic. Here are a few things to keep in mind to prevent you from becoming a victim to scammers:
DO NOT GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFO to anyone you do not know or have not verified and authenticated with a legitimate company. A simple call to your bank or credit card company will sometimes suffice to verify.
NEVER EVER GIVE USERNAMES or PASSWORDS to any person or entity over the phone or e-mail.
DO NOT SEND MONEY to anyone you do not know or impersonating someone you know asking for urgent medical or relief help. Nor to anyone who promises big sums of money in return for an initial contribution. They will keep asking again and again once you give money.
The IRS WILL NOT MAKE A PHONE CALL TO YOU. They will send an official written notice and give you ample time to respond even allowing you to seek legal advice. Do not answer or entertain phone calls supposedly coming from the "IRS."
DO NOT ACCEPT an unknown person's or a known friend's request on FB that you already have on your friends' list. Call your friend first and speak to them.
There are definitely more preventive measures we can do but this briefing is long enough. If you would like to share any helpful knowledge to everyone, please feel free to comment to this post. Please let us all educate our elders so that they won't fall victim to these kinds of scams. They need to be protected from being duped out of their hard-earned lifetime savings or retirement income. Feel free to share today's briefing.
Here's a good verse from the Bible:
"Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16
Pastor's Wednesday Briefing: 4.22.2020
"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14)
Like seasons of hardship and uncertainty, this global pandemic has brought some clarity and perspective to many of us reminding us of the brevity of life. Life is short. Do all you can now to live your life with purpose and intentionality in the light of eternity so that once this body gets older and weak, we shall have no regrets for missed opportunities. Finding your true purpose begins with God.
I just have a couple of things:
Mayor Lightfoot contemplates extending stay-at-home order till June. This is a prediction and not an official word from the state. Hopefully, we won't have to be. We will be hearing more from the Governor for an official word in the next couple of days. Pray for wisdom.
I know we are all raring to go out and enjoy some semblance of normalcy again. But we have to take this with all seriousness. The statewide totals stand at 33,059 cases and 1,468 deaths. Just yesterday, I received word from people I know that their family members are affected.
My prayer is for the government to make some logical and safe modifications, provide guidelines on how churches and businesses could open safely and effectively while still enforcing social distancing, screenings and testings, and limited number of people to be in a building at a time. This is going to be a gradual process and for the long term. Not an easy task, but decisions have to be made not out of fear but of a sound mind, wisdom from God, courage, faith and trust in Him.