Yati Seventh-day Adventist Church, soon to be named Liloan Central SDA Church, celebrated its church’s Family Day and 40th Anniversary at Casa del Mar in San Remigio, Cebu.
The event took place on March 28 -30, 2025, with over 200 church members and leaders joining the weekend getaway celebration.
The event highlighted the church’s commitment to faith, unity, and spiritual growth, embodying the Latin phrase “Excelsior,” which means “ever upward.”
The program began with a Kiddush ceremony led by the church’s women, headed by Elmira Valencia, the wife of Pastor Ciriaco Valencia, the district pastor of the North Central Cebu District Association of Churches (NCCDAC).
“Kiddush” is a Hebrew word that literally means “sanctification.” In Jewish practice, it refers to a ceremonial blessing recited over wine or grape juice, primarily performed to sanctify the Shabbat (Sabbath) and Jewish holidays.
During a brief discussion, Mrs. Valencia made a comparison to illustrate the importance of her message. She said, “Like a Dakit tree, no matter where it is planted, once it takes root, it becomes difficult to be shaken by the storms or trials of life.”
Simultaneously, separate devotionals were held for the men and youth. Pastor Valencia facilitated the men’s devotional, inspiring them to strengthen their walk with Christ.
Meanwhile, Pastor Eugene Jabagat led the youth’s devotional, encouraging the younger generation to remain steadfast in their faith.
“Be rooted in Christ and stay active in church, and you will grow stronger through every challenge,” Pastor Jabagat said, challenging the youth to get involved in church activities.
On the hour of worship during the divine service, Pastor Valencia delivered the sermon. His message centered on the theme, “Rooted in Christ: Growing Together.” It emphasized the importance of remaining firmly anchored in Christ, enabling the church to grow in love, faith, and service.
“When your life is rooted in Christ, no storm can pull you down because He is our strong foundation,” Pastor Valencia said, closing his message with the assurance of the heavenly rewards of leaning only on Him.
In the afternoon, the Adventist Youth Fellowship (AYF) Program brought the congregation together through engaging activities, including interactive games and team-building exercises. These activities were designed to promote genuine relationships, strengthen bonds, reignite old friendships, and create new ones.
At sunset, the brethren gathered by the shore for the sundown worship. With nature as their backdrop, they listened intently to the lesson preview presented by Julwindo Embraco, one of the church elders of Yati Church.
The event continued into the evening, where everyone joined the social gathering. With the Sabbath School superintendents leading the fun and interactive games, the cold night turned into a lively atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.
The group enjoyed their final day on the white sand beach and at the refreshing swimming pool on Sunday. Some played a friendly game of volleyball under the scorching sun, while others relaxed, swam, and just lounged, cherishing each other’s company.
For church members, the event was not just about fun and fellowship but also about spiritual renewal, strengthened bonds, and a deeper commitment to living out their faith.
With hearts filled with gratitude, they prayed for more events like this, where they could continue to grow together, rooted in Christ and always reaching “excelsior.”
Loie Lyndon B. Jugan, Yati Seventh-Day Adventist Church
The article’s original version was published on the official Facebook page of the Yati Seventh-day Adventist Church.