AUP PIC Sabbath Service | March 7, 2026

Announcements and Community Engagement

Missionary Book Availability

• Individuals can obtain a missionary book for only 80 pesos by contacting the office secretary of PIC. This is an opportunity to share with friends, neighbors, or workmates.

Upcoming Health Expo

• A Health Expo will take place on April 12 at the AUPE Academy Gymnasium, offering various medical, dental, legal, and other services. Attendees are encouraged not to forget this event.

Children and Youth Day

• March 21 marks the Global Children and Youth Day, highlighting important activities planned for children and youth within the community. This announcement emphasizes engagement in youth-focused events.

Women's Month Celebration

Recognition of Women’s Contributions

• The current week celebrates Women's Week as part of Women's Month in March, focusing on women's active participation in worship services throughout this period. Women are leading various aspects of worship including Sabbath school and midweek services.

Introduction of Guest Speaker

Sister Mageline Azopardo

• Sister Mageline Azopardo from Cavite Mission is introduced as the guest speaker; she has a background as an educator and ministry worker dedicated to families and spiritual growth. Her roles include Adventist Family Ministries Director and Women's Ministries Director among others. Her husband Pastor William Azopardo is also present during this introduction.

Focus on Worship

Importance of Worship Environment

• Emphasis is placed on maintaining focus during worship by setting aside gadgets that may distract attendees from engaging fully in the service. The congregation is reminded to concentrate their hearts and minds on worshiping God together.

Significance of the Sabbath

Biblical Foundations

• The sermon reflects on Genesis 2:2-3 regarding God's rest on the seventh day, emphasizing that the Sabbath serves as a divine signature indicating creation's intentionality rather than randomness. It invites believers to honor God through rest and reflection on His creations such as nature and community fellowship.

Call to Worship

• Congregants are invited to kneel in prayer acknowledging God's presence while recognizing that life transcends mere work; it embodies a rhythm of grace through labor followed by holy rest each week which rejuvenates body, mind, and spirit amidst life's busyness.

Prayer for Worship

Acknowledgment of God’s Presence

• A heartfelt prayer expresses gratitude for God's forgiveness and presence during worship while asking for acceptance of praises offered by congregants today as they gather together in faithfulness before Him.

Stewardship Discussion

Questioning "How Much is Enough?"

• The discussion raises critical questions about financial sufficiency from a Christian perspective—what constitutes "enough" income or savings? It challenges listeners to reflect if their pursuit affects their relationship with God or leads them away from complete trust in Him.

Prayer Over Tithes

Gratitude for Blessings

• A prayer acknowledges God as the source of all provisions received throughout the week while requesting blessings over collected offerings intended for furthering His cause within the community.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews Chapter 4: Rest Invitation

• The scripture reading highlights themes around entering God's rest based upon obedience; it reiterates that true rest remains available for believers who cease from their works just like God did after creation.

The Importance of Faith and Rest in God

Entering God's Rest

• Emphasizes the need to make every effort to enter God's rest, warning against disobedience that leads to perishing.

The Power of God's Word

• Highlights that the word of God is alive and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, capable of discerning thoughts and attitudes.

Accountability Before God

• States that nothing in creation is hidden from God; all will be held accountable before Him. Encourages holding firmly to faith due to Jesus' role as our high priest.

Empathy of Jesus

• Affirms that Jesus empathizes with human weaknesses, having been tempted yet without sin, providing comfort for believers.

Approach with Confidence

• Urges believers to approach God's throne with confidence to receive mercy and grace during times of need.

A Prayer for Women’s Ministry Week

Acknowledgment of Women's Gifts

• Celebrates Women's Ministry Week by expressing gratitude for the gifts associated with womanhood, including strength and courage.

Global Concerns in Prayer

• Lifts up nations experiencing unrest, particularly in the Middle East, asking for divine protection and reconciliation amidst division.

Blessings on Workers and Students

• Prays for all workers at the university, requesting wisdom and knowledge that shapes character among students.

Celebration of Women International Day of Prayer

Integration with Stewardship Message

• Introduces the celebration's theme while integrating it with stewardship principles as designated by Covita Mission family.

Exploring a Powerful Story of Faith

Introduction to a Unique Perspective

• Sets the stage for discussing a powerful story not from disciples or leaders but from an unnamed woman, emphasizing its relevance across genders and ages.

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4

• Cites Hebrews 4 about Jesus as our high priest who understands our weaknesses through His own temptations without sinning.

Understanding Confidence in Christ

Distinction Between Confidence and Arrogance

• Clarifies that true confidence stems from trust in Jesus’ character rather than arrogance; emphasizes stewardship over access to grace.

The Encounter with the Canaanite Woman

Contextual Background

• Describes Jesus' journey from Galilee to Tyre seeking rest but encountering ministry needs despite his desire for privacy.

Cultural Barriers Broken

Highlights how cultural norms dictated that a Canaanite woman should not approach a Jewish rabbi; her desperation led her past these barriers.

Invisible Walls Within Communities

Questions whether modern communities build invisible walls based on education or race, paralleling historical barriers faced by marginalized individuals like the Canaanite woman.

Understanding the Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman

Overcoming Barriers and Walls

• The speaker introduces the concept of invisible walls that people build, referencing the story of the Syrophoenician woman who approaches Jesus despite these barriers.

• Emphasizes that this woman was not just any woman; she was a mother on a mission, seeking mercy for her child. This highlights her determination and love.

• The woman's plea to Jesus is framed as an acknowledgment of His messianic identity, showcasing her understanding of faith as dependent on mercy rather than merit.

The Silence of God

• The narrative notes a significant moment where Jesus initially does not respond to the woman's cries, reflecting how silence can feel in our own prayers and struggles. This silence tests one's faith.

• A poignant quote from a Jewish prisoner during WWII illustrates belief in God even amidst silence, paralleling the woman's experience with Jesus' initial lack of response.

• The speaker encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences with unanswered prayers and emphasizes that true faith often emerges when one has nothing else to hold onto but trust in God.

Lessons on Faith and Inclusion

• Discussion shifts to what faith is not: it is not based solely on visible results or immediate miracles but rather rooted in God's character and faithfulness. Readers are encouraged to focus on Jesus rather than outcomes.

• The disciples' reaction to the woman serves as a critique of exclusivity within communities, drawing parallels between their attitudes and modern-day biases against certain groups or individuals.

• Despite facing rejection from both Jesus and His disciples, the Syrophoenician woman persists in her request, demonstrating resilience and unwavering faith amid adversity. Her response reflects humility rather than offense at being compared to a dog by Jesus.

Recognition of Great Faith

• The speaker highlights that only twice in scripture does Jesus commend someone's great faith—once for this Gentile woman and once for a Roman Centurion—underscoring that God honors genuine faith regardless of social status or background.

• It’s noted that while praying for others (her daughter), she exemplifies intercessory prayer—a vital aspect of stewardship within families, emphasizing parents’ roles in spiritual guidance for their children.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer

Importance of Prayer in Community

• Emphasizes the role of prayer as a primary ministry, encouraging students and faculty to intercede for one another.

• Highlights faith in God's acceptance of intercessory prayers, prompting self-reflection on genuine care for others.

Biblical References and Lessons

• Mentions the disciples' question during a storm and Martha's plea to Jesus, illustrating human feelings of neglect.

• Discusses the busyness in academic life and challenges listeners to recognize those who are suffering quietly.

Stewardship Concepts

• Introduces stewardship of compassion, urging awareness of those in silent pain.

• Reflects on the Cyro-Phoenician woman's story as an example of persistent faith without demanding specific outcomes.

Characteristics of Effective Stewardship

Key Attributes

• Describes stewardship of humility as reliance on mercy rather than status or credentials.

• Notes that Jesus traveled significant distances for individuals, emphasizing His mission-driven approach to helping others.

Personal Application

• Encourages students and parents by affirming that Jesus is present in their personal struggles today.

• Urges faculty and staff to recognize that their leadership burdens are also acknowledged by Jesus.

Faith Amidst Trials

Resilience Through Challenges

• Affirms that victorious faith can endure silence, rejection, and misunderstanding while clinging to mercy.

• Invites attendees to bring their needs before God with confidence, reinforcing trust in His character over personal achievements.

Collective Burdens

• Acknowledges various burdens carried by students, faculty, staff, and parents—emphasizing shared experiences within the community.

The Call to Persevere

Encouragement for All

• Reminds everyone that deep prayers often concern others rather than oneself; encourages collective support through prayer.

Assurance from God’s Character

• Stresses that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon individual merit but rooted in His merciful nature.

Conclusion: Hope in Silence

Final Reflections

• Clarifies that silence from heaven does not equate to denial or absence; testing should be viewed as part of spiritual growth.

Invitation to Faithful Stewardship

• Concludes with an invitation for attendees holding burdens to express unwavering faith despite challenges.