Christmas 2024

Posted on Dec 3, 2024 in General, Newsletter, Pastor Evangeline Blog, Pastor Evangeline Note & Blog, Uncategorized |

Christmas Greetings,

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” Luke 2:10

             As I write this Christmas letter my heart is filled with mixed emotions about the scripture used in the heading. At Christmas, I know from experience there are a lot of hurting people who go through deep valleys of depression because they are lonely and upset of the result for the past election, poor, homeless, or have suffered a great loss at this exact time of year. It is always difficult for a pastor to minister to those who have no “joy”, particularly at this time of year because of losing a family member or friend during the year.

Please, let me encourage you this Christmas to get alone with God, and read the Christmas story from His Holy Word and try to go back in your thoughts to the time when our Savior was born. Re-capture the joy that was in the hearts of all who had the faith to believe that this baby was the Messiah of Israel, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Savior of all sinners who would believe in Him and seek His forgiveness.

Without knowing Him, without knowing the Christ of Christmas, you will never know what real joy and happiness this time of the year can bring. Christmas is a day for us to remember God’s merciful love. Through Jesus, we come to know who God really is – He is Love. God’s love is extended to everyone, including the strangers, the marginalized … and especially the poor and the homeless. This Christmas, let us be mindful of those who are in need of our welcome – a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a fellow member. Let us make room in our hearts for forgiveness and love and reach out to those who are asking for them.

Merry Christmas! Maligayang Pasko!

On behalf of our family and church staff, I sincerely hope that the remembrance of Christ’s birth brings you much peace and hope. As we celebrate Christmas, I would like to thank you for your presence and prayers with our Westfield UMC and Mayville UMC family.

            There are numerous ways that the church helps to orient us toward Christ. Over the past several months, I have prepared a church-wide devotional booklet entitled, Advent series THEME: Christmas: A Season for Hope and Joy to Triumph over Adversities, it is was made with scriptures, short meditations and prayers to guide us into readiness for the celebration of Christmas. Introducing with you our Filipino culture as we are preparing for the Christmas, we had 9 Simbang gabi (vigil service) starting on December 16 until December 24, therefore, as we adopt one of our cultures in celebrating Christmas, we will have our 1st vigil service on December 16, at 6pm in the church and the next vigil services for December 17-23 will continue in your home, light the candles and read the Advent devotional booklet. (copies are available near the Welcome Center/Gibbs Parlor)

On the evening of December 21st, my twin sister, Rev. Evelyn E. Austria will lead our church family/community in a more subdued atmosphere of Blue Christmas service at 7pm a joint service with Mayville UMC. This is a meaningful service, for those who have lost a family member, a close friend, or who find the high-energy and bright lights too much this Christmas. 

We will hold our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Dec. 24th at 6pm and (8pm at Mayville UMC) in the sanctuary. Once again, we will hear the words of the prophet Isaiah 9:2-7 and the Christmas story as told in Luke 2:1-20. One of the highlights of Christmas Eve’s past will return as we receive Agape Meal during the service. Steve/Karin Cockram & family will have their musical presentation. Our family Castillo and Austria will sing Filipino Christmas carols. It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without singing Silent Night with our candles aglow.

Ever feel like you did not get enough of the Christmas carols and hymns in church? Then mark your calendars for Dec. 29th at 9:00am for our annual ‘Stump the Pianist’ service: an entire service dedicated to selecting and singing your favorite hymns, or the one’s that we have not sung together. We want to begin the year on the right foot, so on Jan. 5th at 9:00am we will share together in The Covenant Renewal Service, adapted by our founder John Wesley.

                                                                                   

                                                                           Christmas Blessings,

                                                                                    Evangeline E. Castillo, Pastor


November 2024

Posted on Nov 1, 2024 in Newsletter, Pastor Evangeline Blog, Uncategorized |

“ENTERING GOD’S PRESENCE WITH GRATITUDE.”

 

Psalm 100:4 is part of a hymn of praise attributed to David, reflecting his deep gratitude and joyful worship of God. David’s life was filled with both triumphs and trials, and through it all, he consistently

turned to God with thankfulness.

This verse captures the essence of David’s approach to worship: entering God’s presence with a heart full of gratitude and praise, acknowledging His steadfast love and faithfulness. It’s a call to celebrate God’s

goodness and recognize His sovereignty, echoing David’s own experiences and unwavering devotion. It invites us to adopt a similar attitude of joy and thankfulness in our own worship.

And reminds us to approach every day with a heart full of thankfulness, celebrating the abundant blessings and enduring love of God.”

In one of our workshop Session from the conference facing the future 2023 that I attended, one of the lecturers shared about Gratitude Squares; He said we are wired with negatives. By speaking positive thoughts in a conscious state, we communicate positivity. Our subconscious which does not think for itself, but rather, takes directives from the conscious. If we Read more…


October 2024

Posted on Oct 2, 2024 in General, Pastor Evangeline Blog, Uncategorized |

How Filipinos Celebrate All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a Christian festival in honor of all known and unknown Christian saints. Celebrated every November 1st, the festival celebrates the life, faith and death of martyrs and saints, especially those who have no designated feast day in the Roman Catholic calendar. It is an important liturgical celebration, next to Christmas and Holy Week. Devotees pray for the intercession of saints and ask guidance in their everyday struggle.

In the Philippines, the holiday is celebrated with much gusto. More than a holy obligation, All Saints’ Day, Todos Los Santos or Undas in the Philippines is a day to remember the dearly departed through prayers, vigils, flowers, food and merriment. Like the Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico, Todos Los Santos is hardly a solemn event. Families come together to flock the cemeteries and memorial parks where they celebrate life, share stories and memories, and pray for the souls for the loved ones who had passed.

A few days before the actual celebration of All Saints’ Day, someone from the family comes to clean up and prepare the grave of their dearly departed. They weed out stray plants, clean the area and repaint the tombstone. Filipinos decorate the graves of their dearly departed with flowers and candles on All Saints’ Day. Graves of Read more…


Greetings

Posted on Jul 31, 2024 in General, Pastor Evangeline Blog, Uncategorized |

     I praise the Lord our God for letting me serve in what I refer to as “God answered prayer” not just one but two answers prayer: Westfield United Methodist Church and Mayville United Methodist Church. I never thought that when God sent me to be the guest preacher at First United Methodist Church of Ontario, Canada on their 10th founding anniversary, it was God’s way to open for me the opportunity to meet Rev. Manny Valdez who introduced me to Ds Carlos Rosa-Laguer. I believe God works in His miraculous way to make our path crossed so we can be partners in building God’s Kingdom! Here is a brief account of my personal, educational and pastorate information.

We were born in San Isidro, Isabela Philippines on June 28,1972. We are the first born child- with my twin sister, Evelyn, among the 3 siblings. Because we were twins, I grew up in the care of my grandmother who was a devoted Christian. From an early age I was close to church, so I grew up with a great devotion to God. Because of my grandma’s strong faith I believe it shaped me to become a devoted Pastor for 16 years.( though I didn’t dream to be a Pastor)I do believe both of us with my twin were called and are now actively serving the Lord in the United Methodist Church. I attended seminary at Wesley Divinity School, Wesleyan University Philippines, Which gave me the training to be an effective pastor and religious educator. I studied further at Northeastern College as an Educator, and was blessed to be a Professional License Teacher. I worked as a public teacher in Senior High School for two years. Salinungan Stand Alone Senior High School and Raniag High School. I was ordained Elder in 2017.

My first appointment was at Jones United Methodist Church that was in 1991, I was the associate pastor then. While I was there, I got married to my loving husband Emerson. In my second church appointment at Masaya Centro United Methodist Church, I got pregnant and gave birth to our first child, Christian Emerson. On my third church assignment at Pangal Norte United Methodist Church we added our second daughter (Evalyn Rocel) to the family while serving there for 3 years. It took 7 years when God blessed us (out of plan) our youngest daughter (Lovelyn Joy) truly she is lovely gift to us and God gave us such 3 wonderful gifts our beautiful granddaughters: Shihara Jirah, Christa Carine, and Eiliyah Alcmene who completed our family with so much joy.

 

 I share the sentiment of the Apostle Paul when he said, “I am the least of the Apostle’s, unfit to be called an Apostle (1 Corinthians 15:9) but I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me because He judged me faithful and appointed me to His service. I know and I admit that I am not worthy but God called me and made me qualified to this awesome and wonderful ministry. I am blessed, I am honored, I am highly favored! to be part of building up God’s Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. Finally, I cordially invite you to Westfield  United Methodist Church. Come, see and taste the amazing GRACE and LOVE of our Almighty God!

In Christ service,

Pastor Evangeline Estuesta Castillo