This serves as an Invitation

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES PART I. “Growing and Living in Harmony with the Earth”

5:00-6:00 AM, within the Premises of the Friends Forest Area

A. Morning Praise and Prayer

B. Planting of 23 Bamboos or Hardwood Trees

C. Fellowship Breakfast (Arozcaldo)

PART II. “So that the Community and the People May Know”

6:00-7:30 AM: Motorcade

Route: SMPCI→Lady of Mediatrix Cathedral→St. Mary‟s Academy→Dayao St.→Perez St.→Kidapawan

Technical School→National Highway→Apo Sandawa Phase 1→exit at River Park Subdivision→National

Highway, U3 Cafe→SPMCI

With 2 stop-overs/”stations” for a 3-5 minute perfomance of tambourine dance and creative movements

PART III. “ A Celebration, Thanksgiving and Fellowship for our Continuos Growth

8:30-12:00, Multipurpose Hall

A. Where Had We Been for the Past Years and Where We Are Now:

A Glimpse and a Walk on our Stories of Growth and Success 8:30A.M -9:00 A.M

In front of the Friends Forest, where a bulletin information area is set up, showing the highlights of the various

achieved programs of SPMCI

B. Thanksgiving Service-cum-Program 9:00 A.M -12:00 noon

C. Fellowship Lunch 12:00P.M -1:30 PM

PART IV. “Having Fun, Camaraderie and Fellowship

A. Alumni Fellowship

1.) 12:30- 2:00 P.M.- Alumni Meeting

2.2:00-3:00 P.M.- President’s Hour with the Alumni

B. Fun Games

1:30-3:00 P.M., SPMCI Grounds

C. Snacks and Restoration

“Growing and Living in Harmony with the Earth”

A SERVICE OF MORNING PRAISE, PRAYER AND TREE PLANTING 5:00 a.m. at the Riverbank near the SPMCI Calamansi Orchard

GATHERING As the community will gather at Friends Forest Area, the SPMCI chorale will lead the preparatory song. There is also a portable altar that projects life growing in harmony with the earth. The presiding pastor will recognize

the presence of every participant. “BLESS THE LORD”

BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL, AND BLESS GOD'S HOLY NAME. BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL, WHO LEADS ME INTO LIFE. (3X)

“DAYGON TA ANG DIOS, UG DAYGON ‟YANG NGALAN, DAYGON TA ANG DIOS, NAG- GIYA KANATO” (3X)

CALL TO PRAISE AND PRAYER Pastor: God of all beginnings, you created humankind in your own image, male and female. People: O, God our Parent, help us to be redeemed in that image as integral components of the ecosystem. Pastor: God of all beginnings, you created the elements that made the earth and all the lives in it. People: O, God our Parent, help us to nourish our interdependence. Pastor: God of all beginnings, you created male and female with equality and equal dignity to become stewards over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth (Genesis 2:28). People: Help us, O God our Parent, to weave our relationship with other creations, nourishing interdependence of all forms of life, and give value to each part of the ecosystem with unique role and function All: Amen. MORNING PRAISE SINGING “MORNING HAS BROKEN”

BAGONG UMAGA’Y, BAGONG LIWANAG; HUNI NG IBON NA KAY LIYAG. ATING AWITAN, BAGONG PAGSIKAT; SIKAT NA DULOT NG WIKA NIYA.

TUBIG NA ALAY NG KALANGITAN, AY HAMOG SA HALAMANANG TANGKAY. ATING PURIHIN, BANLAW SA LUPANG, SUMISIKOL SA PAGDAAN NIYA.

BAWAT UMAGA’Y BAGONG PAG-ASA, DULOT NIYANG BUHAY SA KALULUWA. BATIS NA LAYA’T KAHINAHUNAN AY DUMADALOY SA LIKHA NIYA.

SCRIPTURE LESSON REFLECTION RITUAL OF TREE PLANTING Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

At this moment, the presiding pastor will share The Story of the Planter. While walking along the road, a traveller saw a community planting fruit trees. The traveller asked them: “How long will it take for these trees to bear fruit?” “Seventy years” replied by one of the members of the community. The traveller then asked: “Are you so healthy enough that you expect to live that length of time and eat its fruits?” Then another member of the community answered: “We found a fruitful world, because our ancestors planted it for us. Likewise we are planting for our children and for the next generation.”

Then the presiding pastor will continue to the introductory statement of the ritual. Pastor: We are gathered together in this portion of land of the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc. to manifest our commitment as responsible stewards of creation. Thus, the planting and parenting of trees is one of our values and our life. People: All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the way in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings. Pastor: Trees are very important to our life and to our environment. They purify the air, conserve water, preserve the soil, the energy resources and support the sustenance of our life. People: God has granted us stewardship of creation. We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect. Pastor: Today, as we plant trees, we are reminded that the Earth does not belong to us but we belong to the Earth. We are connected and interdependent with other creations. We are stewards of God’s creation. Thus, we have to grow and live in harmony with the Earth. A hymn will be sung by the community, then, the presiding pastor will lead the blessing of the seedlings. After each prayer, the leader will conclude: Lord, in your mercy, and all will respond through a song:

O LORD, HEAR OUR PRAY‟R. O LORD, HEAR OUR PRAY‟R. WHEN WE CALL, ANSWER US. O LORD, HEAR OUR PRAY‟R. O LORD, HEAR OUR PRAY‟R. COME AND LISTEN TO US.

Pastor: O God our Parent, who created the elements that made the earth and all the lives in it. We come to you in this morning praise, prayer and tree planting for you are the giver and sustainer of our existence and of all that lives.

The presiding pastor will hold hands, palms down, over the seedlings or trees. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these trees that we are about to plant in this portion of the SPMCI land. By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one with other creations. Thus, our lives and these trees along with other living organisms in this land will manifest your love and grace to all. Voice 1: We pray, O God our Parent, that the roots of these trees will draw nourishment from the depths of the fertile earth which manifest your cosmic presence. Voice 2: We pray, O God our Parent, that the trunk of these trees will grow strong that could endure the harsh forces of nature and abusive human interventions, and able to support its branches and leaves which manifest you caring presence. Voice 3: We pray, O God our Parent that you continually strengthen our commitment of parenting these trees. Thus, we and the trees will both prosper in fulfilling to the utmost purpose of our existence here on earth, to be the Christic presence to one another. Leader: May these trees that we are going to plant, O God, manifest your presence, compassion, power and inspiration to all. Thus, make us continually grow and live in harmony with the earth. Amen. Then the trees will be planted to the designated place. A Final Blessing will be given by the Presiding Pastor

while tree planting is on-going. Then the participants will proceed to the SPMCI Canteen for a Breakfast Fellowship.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A Glimpse and a Meditative Walk on our Stories of Growth and Success

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. at the SPMCI Gate and Hagar’s Well The community will gather in front of the SPMCI Gate and Hagar’s well, where the bulletin information area is set up, showing the highlights of programs of SPMCI. The SPMCI Chorale will lead the meditative songs, then

the presiding pastor will lead the introduction of the liturgy. Pastor: Peace be with you! People: And also with you. Pastor: We gather together on this particular portion of the land where the Hagar’s well is located. The place that manifests the inclusive spirituality of the SPMCI, its purpose of existence for the Hagar of today who came from the different colours and walks of life that are considered poor, outsider, marginalized, exploited and deprived - running out of resources and opportunity to pursue the life to its fullness. But as we arrived in this place, like Hagar and Ishmael we found ourselves with many potentials. God at this place opened our eyes to saw the well of many opportunities to be blessed and be blessing to all nations. Thus, through this Hagar’s well, we found out that we are created in the image of God who deserves to be treated with dignity along with other creations, regardless of our origins, races, cultures, and sexuality. This place reminds us that we are created to live a life to its fullness as integral components of the Earth. People: O God, our Creator, we give you thanks for providing us a well, the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc. which nourishes us to bless all the nations and making the fullness of life possible to all. Pastor: As we celebrate the establishment of this well – the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc., let us walk together to be inspired with the Stories of Growth and Success of our College through its various academic programs and ministries.

At this moment, the SPMCI Chorale will lead the song, “Halle-halle-halle-luiah” while the community meditatively walk through the bulletin area that shows the various achieved programs of the SPMCI. Such as

the following:

College of Education

College of Theology

Alumni Association

Radio Ministry

Spiritual Formation Program

Gender and Development

Office of the Student Affairs and Services

SOUL

Research and Extension Program

Etc. A Prayer of Thanksgiving will be offered for the Stories of Growth and Success of SPMCI. Then the presiding

pastor will continue: Indeed, we have a story of growth and success that all the people will know. A Hagar’s well stories, my stories, your stories, there stories, our stories of growth and success. Glory to God!

Then the community will proceed to the Peace Park.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

BLESSING OF THE PEACE PARK The people will gather at the Peace Park, the SPMCI Chorale will render a Meditative Song while the people

are approaching and settling down to their own spaces. Pastor: Peace be with you! People: And also with you! Pastor: We gather here together in this portion of land of the SPMCI where the Peace Park is located. We are thankful for the generosity of Engr. Don and Mrs. Linda Pastrana, advocates of peace and justice who supported this project. This intends to be a peaceful space for people seeking for silence and quietness, to meditate and converse with humility to God and with one another. People: Our presence manifests our commitment to be the agents of peace and reconciliation, and bearers of hope that we may be one, loving our neighbours as we love ourselves. All: To God be the Glory!

The pastor will raise hands and then palms down. Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on this Peace Park of the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc. Sanctify this place, O God, where individuals, peers, and groups settle personal issues, cultural concerns and matters that affect community relationships and development; and where everyone is encouraged to always speak freely, honestly and in kindness. Thus, we may see the goodness of everybody, learn to listen with our hearts, and understand others point of view, and appreciate the blessings of diversity.

The pastor will raise hand.

By you Spirit, make us one, O God, one with each other, and that through our genuine dialogue and conversation we will be able to manage the conflict, resolve if possible and transform if needed.

The people will response through a song, “MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE”.

Make me a channel of your peace Where there is hatred let me bring your love Where there is injury, your pardon Lord And where there is doubt true faith in You

Make me a channel of your peace Where there is despair in life let me bring hope

Where there is darkness only light And where there's sadness ever joy

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace It is in pardoning that we are pardoned It is in giving to people that we receive

And in dying that we are born to eternal life A Concluding Prayer will be offered.

Pastor: Press upon us, God, the imperatives to be life-giving and other affirming so that as neighbours to one another, we will actively participate in the pursuit of peace and attainment of the fullness of life. Amen.

Then the procession will continue towards the venue of the Eucharistic Service.

++++++++++++++++++

“A Celebration, Thanksgiving and Fellowship for our Continuous Growth”

EUCHARISTIC SERVICE 8:30-12:00, at the SPMCI Multipurpose Hall

ENTRANCE

GATHERING As the community gather in the Multipurpose Hall, the SInAG ng SPMCI will render joyful music and dance

presentations. GREETINGS PROF. FRAMER CRISTY P. MELLA

College President PRESENTATION OF THE SPMCI HISTORY, STORIES OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS

Mr. Renan Mondejar and Ms. Geneva Manliguez CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: O Praise the Lord! (Extends arms to the community)

Group 1: Praise God in this holy place.

Group 2: Praise in the vault of the heavens, the vault of power (unfolds arms to sky)

Leader: Praise God for the stories of growth and success of the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc.

(shouting)

Group 3: Praise God for immeasurable greatness (shouting)

Leader: Praise God for the SPMCI. Praise God for it is continuously growing, compassionately and

competently responding to the needs of the community for a meaningful life. (Drums, tambourines, strum

stings)

People: Let us praise the Lord! (All instruments, shouting, everyone are encouraged to dance and sing)

+PRAISE SINGING SInAG ng SPMCI +OPENING PRAYER

After the opening prayer, a meditative music will be played or a meditative song to be led by the SPMCI Chorale.

+PROCESSIONAL CONFESSION

Leader: Lord in your mercy, forgive us for misusing and abusing the wonderful gifts of nature you have

provided for us to use and enjoy.

People: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord in your mercy save us from selfish ambitions, greed and love of power.

People: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord in your mercy, deliver us from any form of violence.

People: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord in your mercy, help us to be “a good soil” that when the seed of knowledge and wisdom is sown

– it will grow and flourished to its potentials.

People: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Leader: Lord in your mercy, help us to re-affirm our status as children of God who are called to bless the

nations and be “a good soil” so that the seed of knowledge and wisdom will grow in us and through us and it

will become alive to all nations.

People: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

At this moment, the community will be in a silent meditation. +PARDON Pastor: Jesus said: If you are weary and heavy laden, come to me. I will give you rest. If you are hungry, come to me. I am the bread of life. If you are thirsty, believe in me, and you will never thirst again. Glory to God! +GLORIA

Gloria! Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Gloria! Gloria! Halleluiah! Halleluiah!

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Rev. Edwin Rey Exiomo, D.Min. Reader: A Reading from Genesis (29:15-28). This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. EPISTLE LESSON Starvejean P. Salayan

AB-Theology Student Reader: A Reading from letters of Paul to the Romans (8:26-39). This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. +GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA +GOSPEL LESSON Rev. Shirlee Ann V. Casiano, ECP Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (13:31-33, 44-52). People: Glory to you, Lord Christ. Reader: (after the Gospel reading) The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you. Lord Christ. ANTHEM INTRODUCTION OF THE GUEST PREACHER Prof. Leobert Don C. Laforteza, Ed.D.

Dean, College of Education

SERMON Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan, D.Min. Resident Bishop

Davao Episcopal Area The United Methodist Church

STATEMENT OF FAITH OF SPMCI We believe in God, who manifest to all creations as the almighty, all knowing, perpetual, compassionate as

the ground of our being.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who taught us that the true greatness comes from serving others, to love our

neighbours as we love ourselves.

We believe in the Spirit of God, our comforter and guide who is already present in our place prior to the

coming of the world religion, and enables us to be fruitful, to live with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,and self-control.

We believe as created in the image of God, it is our calling and responsibility to build Safe and secure

communities; to enrich ourselves with the Philippine-based and globally responsive education; to impart

Meaningful community life. Thus, we commit to continuously grow as Competent human resources,

passionately involved in the Inter-faith, gender-fair and inter-culturally relevant programs leading towards the

fullness of life.

Amen.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES FOR THE ALUMNI LET PASSERS

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES FOR THE ALUMNI COMMISSIONED

AS DEACONESS/HOME MISSIONER IN THE UMC

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES FOR THE ALUMNI ORDAINED AS DEACON/ELDER,

AND APPOINTED AS DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT IN THE UMC

RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS/DONORS/PARTNERS

SHARING OF THE SELECTED ALUMNI OF THEIR STORIES OF GROWTH AND SERVICE

MONTASER NOR & REV. DOMINADOR A. DANGTAYAN

REMARKS FROM THE SPMCI PRESIDENT

SPMCI HYMN

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

OFFERTORY INVITATION Leader: Our offerings express our thanksgiving to God for the success we celebrate and the loving acceptance we have known through Christ. Our offering also manifest our commitment, to make SPMCI a

Safe and secure and environmentally friendly campus, a place for the young people to be nurtured and

nourished with Philippine-based and globally responsive curricula, experiencing the Meaningful student life

with Competent human resources or faculty and staff who passionately facilitate Inter-faith, gender-fair and inter-culturally relevant trainings. Thus, SPMCI, will serve as a gate to many opportunities experiencing the fullness of life possible to all. +OFFERING OF GIFTS +DOXOLOGY +OFFERTORY PRAYER, In Unison O God, the source of life, you have taught us to offer hospitality and to share what you have given. This we do, with joy and gratitude. Receive these tokens of our renewed dedication. Amen.

EUCHARISTIC HYMN “ONE BREAD, ONE BODY”

UMH# 620 Refrain: One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless, and we, though many throughout

the earth, we are one body in this one Lord. Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, no more. R

Many the gifts, many the works. One in the Lord of all. R Grain for the fields, scattered and grown, gathered to one, for all. R

TAKING THE BREAD AND CUP

The pastor, standing behind the Lord’s table facing the people through Breaking the Bread, takes the bread and cup; and the bread and wine are prepared for the meal.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And with thy spirit.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift up hands and keep them raised.

People: We lift them up unto the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Pastor: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, God Almighty.

From the rising of the sun to its setting your name is praised among all peoples. Therefore, we praise you,

joining our voices with your people on earth and all the company of heaven who forever sing this hymn to the

glory of your name:

The pastor may lower hands. The people sing:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.

The pastor may raise hands. Pastor: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.

The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread or reach the bread, or lift the bread.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

The pastor may lift or touch the chalice.

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of

sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The pastor may raise hands. We remember the people, who came before us, (at this moment, the names of the departed partners, students, faculty and staff, BOT members and friends will be read, while their family or designated acolytes will offer flowers to the designated place) their memory is as sweet as honey. And so, in remembrance of them, and the mighty acts of God through Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith. All: CHRIST HAS DIED; CHRIST IS RISEN; CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.

The pastor may hold hands, palms down, over the bread and cup.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. May we and all who share in this bread and wine may receive the seed of life and embrace the coming of peace. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other regardless of our races, sexuality, culture and gender until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, and all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever. All: Amen. +THE LORD’S PRAYER DIOS NA MAGULANG, BANAL ANG NGALAN. PAMAMAYANI AY SUMAAMIN. GAWIN NAWA ANG „YONG

KALOOBAN. SA LUPA GAYA NG LANGIT. IPAGKALOOB NGAYON SA AMIN, PANG-ARAW-ARAW NAMING KAKANIN. KAMI SA SALA AY

PATAWARIN, NAGPAPATAWAD SA KAPWA RIN. H‟WAG MONG SA TUKSO‟Y KAMI‟Y TULUTAN. KUNDI ILIGTAS SA KASAMAAN. PAMAMAYANI,

KAPANGYARIHAN, KALUWALHATIAN, SA „YONG TANAN. AMEN. BREAKING THE BREAD Pastor: Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. The cup over which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ. GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING God of justice, hope and freedom, we give you thanks for your Son, our brother, Jesus who has made

provision for all of your daughters and sons to walk in liberty. Thank you for the privilege of dining at this, your

table of eternal redemption through the sacrificial body and blood of Christ. We are mindful of those who have

not yet tasted of your grace here. As we turn our faces back to the east, west, north and south, disturb us,

convict us, and afflict us with an urgency to demonstrate your liberating presence in the world. Prepare us for

the time when all will feast at your table of love through the risen Christ. AMEN.

SENDING FORTH

HYMN “WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT” We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord, We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord, And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Chorus: And they‟ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they‟ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand, We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand,

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land. We will work with each other, We will work side by side, We will work with each other, We will walk side by side, And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride. +CONCLUDING PRAYER +DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING +THREE-FOLD AMEN RECESSIONAL

++++ References: 1. https://ritualwell.org/ritual/tree-planting-ritual 2. Martensen, Jean (ed). (1998). SING OUT NEW VISIONS: Prayers, Poems and Reflections by Women. USA:

Augsburg Fortress. 3. (2002) THE UNITED METHODIST BOOK OF WORSHIP. USA: The United Methodist Publishing House. 4. (2000)THE UNITED METHODIST BOOK OF DISCIPLINE. USA: The United Methodist Publishing House.