Meryll Sarco Introduction

The written works of Meryll Sarco Introduction

Below is an excerpt from my blog: http://meryllsarco.wordpress.com.

Who am I?

I am not deﬁned by my age, my race, nor my ancestry. Though, I think it would still be cool to to tell you that I am a Filipino who grew up and resides in the busy city of Metro Manila; born to an Ilonggo father and a Davaoeno mother. I have one sibling: my favorite brother, two dogs, and a stray cat who have four kittens squatting in our backyard.

I am also not deﬁned by any status whatsoever. I am single and at a place in my life where I can say that I am happily and blessedly so.

I refuse to be defined by my vocation. In case you’re wondering, I have worked five jobs since graduation, the current one being a business development and marketing professional for a global law firm – a job I am grateful to God for. Yet, this I consider far from my real calling and life purpose.

I am not deﬁned by my physical appearance though I honestly admit that I occasionally struggle with the concept of “self-brand” as the marketers of today promote. I am deﬁnitely overweight — I have been ever since I was a child. I know that this needs to change, but my physical appearance and the aim to be healthy is not for aesthetic reasons. I don’t want them to be. There is a higher purpose for my attempts at weight loss.

I belabor to say all that because I want to emphasize that I am deﬁned by someone else other than myself.

This person deﬁnes me because he created me. He knows me so much better than I know myself. He knit me in my mother’s womb. He knows how many hairs I have on my head – at all times, regardless of hair fall. Even before the world began, he already knew me.

To know this person in an intimate and loving relationship, I’ve discovered, is the main point of my existence. All my life directed, moved, shaped, and deﬁned by him.

“His name is Jesus and he loves me and I know this cause he died for me and he rescued me. There is no greater love in the world.” as sung by Smokie Norful in his song “No Greater Love.”

I have not archived old posts from this blog so if you reach as far back as the beginning, you should see my imperfections and that’s okay. Even my mistakes do not deﬁne me.

December of 2016, I write this description more as a personal reminder that I hope to shine the spotlight not on me but on Jesus. The Jesus of the bible. The one who saves people from sin. The one who defeated death. The one, true, living God.

I welcome your comments, discussions, and questions; conﬁdent that nothing any man does will ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. That’s grace, my friends.

Welcome and hope you enjoy reading.

PR & Advertising

This section compiles the work done while employed as a copywriter in an advertising agency as well as those done as a freelance writer. I was usually hired by a press relations agency. Client: Development Bank of the Philippines Project: New deposit products Brief: Launch DBP’s new deposit products

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 4 of 22 Client: Syngenta Project: Move out postcard Brief: A creative way to announce their change of ofﬁce address

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 5 of 22 Client: Syngenta Project: Corporate print ad Brief: A campaign that targeted Filipino mango farmers which aimed to increase sales for Syngenta’s mango-farming related products.

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 6 of 22

Client: Hyundai Project: Print ad

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 7 of 22 Client: Bistro Group Project: Fish & Co. seasonal menu cover

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 8 of 22 Client: Bistro Group Project: Italianni’s seasonal menu insert

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Client: Think Ideas Manila Project: Corporate website: www.thinkideasmanila.com Brief: Relaunch the advertising agency’s website

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 10 of 22 Tiger Energy Biscuits Inquirer Libre 2011

4 OUT OF 5 NA BATA MAARING BUMAGSAK NGAYONG PASUKAN! Mga studyante, bumabagsak dahil kulang sa tamang nutrisyon

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute the 3 main meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner while of the Philippines (FNRI), 21.5 percent or almost 4 out snacks are left behind; leaving their children to choose of 5 Filipino kids aged 6-12 do not meet their daily whatever it is they want to snack on. But, what moms energy needs, which can lead to undernutrition, a should know is that snacking is just as important as common cause of poor performance of kids. the regular meals they give throughout the day.

The 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS), a According to the 7th National Nutrition Survey comprehensive report conducted in 2008 by the FNRI, conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research revealed that among 6-to-10 year olds, for every 100 Institute of the Department of Science and Technology children, about 26 were underweight while 33 were (FNRI – DOST), only 21.5 percent meet or almost 4 out below average in height. According to the survey, of 5 Filipino kids ages 6-12 do not meet their daily undernutrition is a concern that, if not addressed, energy needs. This can also be the cause for poor could lead to a weak immune system, poor growth and school performance of our children. Therefore, it is development and various micronutrient deficiencies. important that we provide our children with healthy And as mentioned, poor performance in the school. and nutritious food not only to help boost their energy throughout the day but to help them achieve their In his article “Fixing Philippine Education” for the Safe aspirations in the future. Democracy Foundation website, writer Joel Adriano reported that while the Philippines boasts a high Recently, Tiger Energy Biscuits brought to light issues literacy rate (at 93.4 percent, it’s practically at par with regarding the importance of providing nutritious baon those of developed countries than developing ones), for kids and the effects of poor nutrition on school and is known globally as the source of highly skilled performance in a discussion hosted by the brand in workers and excellent communicators of the English collaboration with the Bulong Pulungan Media Forum. language, our school system shows signs of During the event, the Food and Nutrition Research increasing dropout and repetition rates as well as poor Institute of the Department of Science and Technology overall performance. was also on hand to provide insightful survey data on the nutritional status of Pinoy children. “In fact, education outcome in the Philippines is quite low in comparison to the rest of East Asia,” said The forum highlighted interesting insights for mothers Adriano. “A study showed that about 30 percent of who want the best for their children. children in Grades 1 and 2 eventually drop out of A mother’s desire is for her children to perform well in school,” writes Janryll Fernandez in a Philippine Daily school in order for them to fulfill their dreams. Inquirer article dated July 2010. However, to realize that goal, kids need proper Therefore, it is not unlikely that poor nutrition and poor nutrition to become healthy, strong, and well-rounded overall performance in the schools are directly related. individuals. Tiger Energy Biscuits can help kids get their daily energy and nutrition requirements. What can we do to address this? One solution is to ensure that the food children eat while in school is as Tiger Energy is a great baon because it is delicious nutritious as the meals they get while at home. and nutritious, made of wheat, has milk and is fortified Mothers should be more aware of nutritious with Enermaxx. This is a combination of nine vitamins alternatives when planning their children’s meals, and six minerals that help your kids meet their daily including snacks (or baon) for school. While they do nutrition needs and help give your child an energy plan healthy meals for lunch and dinner, the in- boost for his busy day. between meal periods (recess and merienda after With school just around the corner, mothers have a lot school) are also important to help boost children’s to consider in preparing their kids for a new academic energy. year, but Tiger Energy Biscuits can help take care of The survey data gathered involved all 17 regions of the one concern: delicious nutrition. Therefore, when country, 79 provinces and NCR, 3,377 Enumeration choosing the right baon for kids, make sure it is Areas, 36,634 households, and 191,316 individuals. delicious and nutritious— like Tiger Energy Biscuits. TIGER BISCUITS: POSIBLENG TULONG SA PAG-AARAL So moms, let’s take a stand and join Tiger Energy’s mission in fighting poor nutrition and poor school The quantitative research commissioned by Kraft performance in the country. Let us help our kids to Foods Philippines shows that biscuit is the most stay healthy and active so that they can give their best consumed snack item among kids aged 6-12. That’s in school. Sa Tiger, delicious at nutritious ang why moms should always make sure that the biscuits pinapabaon mo! they serve to their kids are delicious and nutritious. A qualitative research commissioned by Kraft Foods Philippines shows that moms only give importance to

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 11 of 22 Share it Well: Proper Ways to Spread the Word about your Wedding Registry OCTOBER 01, 2017 | BY MERYLL SARCO http://www.smhome.com.ph/tip/share-it-well-proper-ways-to-spread-the-word-about-your-wedding-registry

For most Filipinos, being invited to a wedding comes with the unspoken rule of bringing a gift for the couple. Whether the relationship you have with the couple is old or new, it may be a challenge to pick an appropriate wedding gift. A lot of guests ﬁnd it easier if they could just go up to the couple to ask, but this is not a generally accepted part of our Filipino gift-giving culture. Being upfront or bold about gift wishes is not a typical Filipino attribute. This is why having a gift registry works! A registry provides a way of letting the wedding guests know what the couple wants without sending a demanding vibe, and it makes gift-selection for the guests easier than it usually is.

However, having a registry in itself is useless if your guests do not know the wish list you've created through the bridal gift registry. With that, here are some suggestions on how you can spread the word:

1. Send a personalized e-mail. I know what you're thinking -- "An email? Seriously? No one checks their emails anymore!" Contrary to popular belief, people still do check their e-mails. And the online wedding registry at SM Store allows you to add a personal note to the available online form. With a few extra clicks, you can send an e-mail to your guests about your wedding registry. This will contain a code which is used to view your wishlist online or at their nearest SM Store. 2. Post it on social media. For those guests who have e-mails but do not check them, this is the next best place online to reach them. Whether you post this as a status or as a tweet, make sure you don't sound like a gift-hungry bride or groom. Say something like, "We're excited to build our new home together. For those of you who are with us on this journey, [insert link to wedding registry and code]." We share everything on social media anyway. Why not use it for your wedding preparations? 3. Link it on your wedding website. For the tech-savvy or the save-mother-earth kind of couples, this is the most modern way to announce their wedding and invite their guests. Not only do they save costs on paper printing, the vast space of the internet is their canvas allowing for more creative ways of announcing all things wedding-related: from the venue to the attire; and obviously to gift preferences. This option may not work for all couples, but if you end up choosing this route, just don’t forget to link your registry in there. 4. There are many tactful ways to inform your guests about your registry. In letting others know about your registry, a bride or a groom should never let go of tact and all things proper. This you have to keep in mind when it comes to placing certain information on your wedding invitations. For most, it is an acceptable practice to include the registry details in a bridal shower primarily because the point of that event is to "shower" the bride with gifts. Hence, it is actually a convenience to the shower guests to get a hold of the registry details. However, wedding invitations are trickier because some people consider it rude as if hearing the couple say, "We're inviting you to our wedding... now, let's discuss the gift you're going to give us." There is no clear rule about it. We suggest for the couple to evaluate your guest list and decide together if the general majority would ﬁnd this announcement acceptable or not. The best route to take is really… 5. Good ol' word of mouth. This is how the Bible began to be preserved. This is why we know so much of our history even before the papyrus was invented. The mouth-to-ear media is the human race's tried and tested way of communicating. Nothing beats the human tongue when it comes to getting the word out.

So, to announce your wedding registry, wait for the opportunity to bring it up in a conversation with your guest -- listen for cues when you're handing them the invitation, or when you're on the phone with a guest and your upcoming wedding is brought up in the conversation. Better yet, get your close family and friends to spread the word for you. This may even spark ideas of pooling funds together to purchase for you that more expensive wish list item.

The last thing a couple wants is to have a gift-hoarding reputation before their wedding. With the right words and the right medium, you and your guests can make the gift-giving portion of your wedding less of a burden and more of a breeze.

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 12 of 22 Samsung Press Release September 2013

The Passion Companion: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Passion springs success. Isn’t it that when you’re emails while viewing my blueprints. I can even go passionate about something, you spend all your online and watch a video while sketching! Samsung waking hours doing it? Suddenly, you find all your simply balances my creativity and productivity, giving efforts focused on its accomplishment. However, we me more brain space to think out of the box. know that for passion to be turned to success, a certain level of productivity has to be attained and “Because it’s all about balance,” Stephanie Kienle that’s not so easy to achieve! Samsung spoke to three attests. “Managing the family’s furniture business of today’s most successful individuals to get a makes me always on the go, meeting clients left and glimpse of how it’s done. right. With my Samsung Galaxy Note, I have something close to a mobile office – sending SMS, “It’s all about being ready,” says young fashion emails and creating presentations. I can also keep up designer Veejay Floresca. “In fashion – or any art for with my online networking with the HSPA+ & WiFi that matter, ideas come from anywhere! And when it Channel bonding. What’s more is that right at the palm comes, I should be able to write it down so I don’t lose of my hands, I can easily show clients our latest it. That’s where my Samsung Galaxy Note comes in designs. The Multi-Screen Feature impresses them perfectly! At the end of the day, it’s the freshest and because they can view multiple pictures and most unique ideas that make your work stand out and presentations simultaneously. This allows them to win awards.” Thinner and smaller than a laptop, the select designs with ease. They get more excited Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 gives Veejay 10.1 inches viewing our AVPs with the 10.1” screen with crystal with 1080p FullHD resolution of workspace. Not to clear 1080p Full HD playback. Doing business is mention the S Pen that’s pressure-sensitive and easier with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1!” accurate, allowing him to draw naturally. Once his creations are done, he can share it with the world The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 redefines the tablet, through Drop Box, an online storage application with with a design that boasts style and power. Its powerful 50GB of cloud storage for free. The Samsung Galaxy 1.4Ghz Quad Core processor, coupled with 2GB RAM Note is the much-improved version of the sketchpad. provides optimal performance for multitasking, loading web pages, and uninterrupted video and “Sketches are just the beginning! The tablet also mobile gaming. Samsung’s passion is making the comes with Shape Match, turning my 2D sketches into perfect companion for passionate individuals and with 3D works of art; and with the Adobe Photoshop Touch the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, you can now find your Integration, my designs always look professional passion and let it jumpstart your success. when I do them,” shares architectural designer Carlos Calma. “Designs are just half of my work. As a consultant, I also need to multi-task and the Galaxy Note’s Pop Up Play feature lets me send SMS or

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 13 of 22 Samsung Press Release August 2012

SAMSUNG: the Country’s Leading Mobile Phone

As of July 2012, Samsung is now the country’s leader And as a gesture of thanks to the public for their in the mobile-smartphone category, achieving the continuous support of the brand, Samsung is having highest market share in unit and value sales in the a “Thank You Sale.” From August 04 to September Philippines. 02, 2012, you can purchase your choice Samsung mobile phones at great discounts with exciting According to GfK Retail and Technology Philippines, freebies! One can own a Samsung Galaxy for as low Ltd., one of the world’s leading market research as P4,790. Also, during the sale period, the latest groups, Samsung has 37.3% of the market share’s Samsung Galaxy III comes with a free Enjoy Club volume with a value of 46.6% -- an outstanding rank Membership and a case protector. Other Samsung compared to the 29.3% volume share with 20.6% mobile brands are also offered at specially- value from Nokia, who comes in second. This discounted rates. research covers the period of July 2011 to June 2012. This sale is a gesture of thanks from the brand that encourages people to imagine the possibilities. Market research ﬁndings such as these echoes the Because for Samsung, the time has come to realize trends in the purchasing masses, whose buying that what was imagined before has already come actions only reflect the quality they get from the true today. With your own Samsung mobile phone, products they purchase. Evidently, for mobile and its promise of quality, your dreams could be a smartphones, Samsung is the brand to have. Such closer possibility. growth may have been expected since the brand released the Samsung Galaxy series – the new breed See print ads and flyers for more details of the of smartphones that are designed by humans for Samsung Thank You Sale or visit http:// humans. www.samsung.com/ph/ for more information.

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Samsung Press Release December 2012

The Choice of Filipina Beauty Royalty: The Samsung Galaxy Note II

Ever since its launch, the Samsung Galaxy Note II has of each person from group portrait photos. So Venus garnered interest from curious onlookers. Proving to can take more photos and the Note will select the commit to its promise, it has received satisfactory best among the pile. remarks from its owners -- two of whom are no less Venus also enjoys watching her favorite movies while than Filipina beauty queens, Shamcey Supsup and traveling, and she can view all this in the GALAXY Venus Raj. Note’s HD Super AMOLED screen. It also comes in a Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011 third runner- 16:9 screen ration so not only are the movies crystal up and tapped designer for the new NAIA terminals, clear, Venus can get cinema-like viewing right at the is a Samsung Galaxy Note II user. Her favorite palm of her hands. feature? Its multi-tasking capability, which allows Both queens are very active in updating their multiple windows opened on one screen. This helps Facebook and Twitter pages, which is why the Shamcey open the internet browser to look for GALAXY Note’s Quick Command feature is perfect for inspiration while sketching her design ideas. them. It lets users quickly activate frequently used Sketching and other creative works can be done with apps with the S Pen. The command pad appears the GALAXY Note and with ease through the S Pen – when a user just swipes upward on the screen with now longer, thicker and ergonomically designed for the S Pen button pressed. So they can easily tweet, or the perfect grip. It makes everyday tasks more update their status as they draw pre-registered intuitive and easy. The Easy Clip feature, for one, marks on the command pad or register a unique allows Shamcey to instantly outline and crop any mark to allow for quick and easy access. content from the screen in any form, size, and shape The Samsung Galaxy Note II is only one of the to share, edit or paste. The S Pen also comes with Air premier products from Samsung Philippines, made to View, which previews an email or an image just by encourage its users to “unleash their inner creativity.” hovering above it. The S Pen simply makes the So rush to your nearest Samsung store to experience GALAXY Note II a more productive tool for creatives this creative tool for yourself. just like Shamcey.

For Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up, it’s the GALAXY Note’s 8 Megapixel rear-facing and 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera with HD video recording. What’s so unique about the GALAXY Note’s camera is the function called Best Face. Best Face allows users to choose the most preferred face

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Law ﬁrm communications

This section includes my work with Baker McKenzie as a Senior Business Development Coordinator. They include campaigns that I wrote, designed, and sent out to our clients. These are also published on: www.bakermckenzie.com.

Since 2015, I’ve managed these two subpages: www.bakermckenzie.com/antirust www.bakermckenzie.com/disputeresolution Baker & McKenzie Event Invitation

"Implementation Day" of the nuclear agreement with Iran (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or “JCPOA”) and the reopening of the Iranian market has arrived. As such, there is a high interest on the effect on nonUS businesses of US sanctions many of which will remain in force.

In response to this, Baker & McKenzie is organizing the Iran Trade Roadshow, a series of seminars in various locations across the globe that will provide an overview of the potential changes to sanctions in relation to the JCPOA. Our panel of speakers include specialists from the US and the EMEA region who will address business opportunities as well as risks presented by these developments.

Please register by clicking the button beside your preferred schedule and location. If you have already registered, please disregard this email.

Registration will be accepted on a firstcome, firstserved basis. Attendance to any of the seminars is free of charge.

Location Schedule Registration Belgium (Brussels) Friday, 11 March France (Paris) Thursday, 10 March Russia (Moscow) Thursday, 24 March South Africa (Johannesburg) week of 14 May 2016 Spain (Barcelona) Wednesday, 9 March Spain (Madrid) Tuesday, 8 March Switzerland (Geneva) Wednesday, 2 March Turkey (Istanbul) Friday, 4 March United Kingdom (London) Tuesday, 1 March

On etoone meetings

Our practitioners will be available for onetoone meetings to discuss specific issues you may have. Please indicate if you wish to set up a personal appointment as the number of meetings will be limited.

For more immediate information or questions, please contact Meryll Sarco.

For more updates, please visit our website: www.bakermckenzie.com/irantraderoadshow

Your key contacts

Jasper Helder Sunny Mann Nicholas Coward Partner, Amsterdam Partner, Lond on Partner, Washingto n D.C.

Disclaimer Baker & McKenzie International is a Swiss Verein with member law firms around the world. In accordance with the common terminology used in professional service organizations, reference to a "partner" means a person who is a partner, or equivalent, in such a law firm. Similarly, reference to an "office" means an office of any such law firm.

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 17 of 22 Announcement December 2017

Now available online: Global Class Actions: Around the World

Baker McKenzie's Global Class Actions: Around the World is now available to access online. This is an interactive site which provides information "at a glance" on the key characteristics of class action mechanisms in more than 25 countries. It includes regularly updated details of recent enforcement and contacts in each jurisdiction who can provide further information.

With a few clicks, our website allows you to compare the position on:

Mechanisms: whether opt in; opt out; representative bodies only Damages available, claimed and awarded Contribution as between defendants Scope of disclosure Costs Whether waivers are enforceable against consumers

You can customize your enquiry and quickly create a comparison of the jurisdictions and criteria in which you're interested. This allows you to access information in infographic and tabular form tailored to your needs.

The online tool is free of charge. Click here to request access.

Should you need technical assistance, please email Meryll Sarco.

ACCESS THE SITE

Mark Hamer Teresa Michaud John Pirie Francesca Richmond Partner, Washington DC Partner, San Francisco Partner, Toronto Partner, London mark.hamer teresa.michaud john.pirie francesca.richmond @bakermckenzie.com @bakermckenzie.com @bakermckenzie.com @bakermckenzie.com

READ OUR GLOBAL CLASS ACTIONS BLOG VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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ADD TO CALENDAR | FORWARD | WEBSITE

Managing Competition Law Risk: Webinar details effective compliance and regulatory .... engagement Date: Wednesday , 7 June 2017 Managing competition law risk in regulated sectors across jurisdictions requires effective systems and controls as well as the Time: tools to audit and demonstrate compliance. Baker McKenzie's 9 pm Singapore (SGT) / 2 pm global antitrust team are experts in advising on minimising risk, London (BST) / 8 am Chicago (CST) / 10 am Buenos Aires managing multijurisdictional cartel investigations and engaging (ART) with regulators to minimise civil and criminal exposure for corporations and employees. Language: English This webinar will explore compliance advisory, enforcement and litigation exposure from a global perspective. It will be moderated Participation is free upon by Francesca Richmond who specialises in the investigation and registration. litigation of actions to recover damages resulting from regulatory infringement. For more information, please contact Meryll Sarco.

Our speakers have unique insight on lessons learned and practical advice to be gleaned in delivering effective compliance and regulatory engagement, offering the perspectives from private practitioner, inhouse adviser, prosecutor and monitor. REGISTER Who should attend Approved for 1.0 California general CLE This webinar is aimed at inhouse antitrust, litigation and credit and 1.0 New York areas of professional practice CLE credit. Participants requesting investigation specialists, both in Legal and Compliance. CLE for other states will receive Uniform CLE Certificates.

Please register here or the button on the right hand side. Baker & McKenzie LLP is a California CLE approved provider. Baker & McKenzie LLP has been certified by the New York State CLE Access instructions will be circulated to all registered participants Board as an accredited provider in the state in advance of the webinar. of New York for the period 12/12/1512/11/18. This program may earn newly admitted New York attorneys credit under Areas of Professional Practice.

Speakers

Akira Inoue is a leading antitrust practitioner advising clients based in Japan, the US and Europe on domestic and crossborder investigations and litigation. He acted as chief coordinating counsel for a USbased, NYSElisted autoparts company in the investigation and successful plea bargaining with US DOJ and JFTC in addition to defending the US class action lawsuits that followed.

Craig Lee was until recently Assistant Chief of the Washington Criminal 1 Section of the Antitrust Division. Through his 13 years as a federal prosecutor, he worked closely with senior officials to make charging and leniency decisions and negotiate corporate resolutions stemming from investigations of international and domestic cartels.

Nicola Northway was until recently the Global head antitrust at Barclays Bank and part of the team at Barclays Bank that for the first time ever persuaded the US DOJ to reduce fines

Meryll Sarco’s portfolio page 19 of 22

Church-related communications

In 2014, God called me to serve as the Connect Coordinator of International Baptist Church of Manila. Since then, He has grown me through this ministry.

I share with you a speech I delivered last year when we began our new ﬁscal year 2017-18. International Baptist Church Speech: Presentation of Connect Ministry’s mission and priorities Delivered July 2017

For those of you who don’t know me, I am Meryll and lunch to those who come to church for the first God has called me to be your Connect Coordinator. time. But some may ask, what is the spiritual Depending on how you perceive it, I think one of the benefit of sharing a meal together? Or playing most encouraging and at the same time most basketball together? Or watching a movie, or difficult truths from Scripture is that the people of going swimming together? God need each other. As long as the Word of God is central in our lives, “I need you, and you need me.” and as long as we are walking by the Spirit, every moment shared together is a holy moment. Every Jesus has always intended for his people to be time we do things together, keeping the Word together, united. He prayed, central and the Spirit in front, our bond is strengthened, our openness widened, our loving “..that they will all be one, just as you and I are one — rebukes and correction are welcomed, and God’s as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may transformative work continues. So fellowship is they be in us so that the world will believe you sent another priority this year. me.” John 17:21 3. Lastly, as God has been leading us to really And the way I see it, one of Satan’s lies today is that prioritize our Life Connections this year, I feel led you and I can walk this Christian life, this Jesus- by God to focus on making sure our followship on our own. communications are improved. Think of it as a blog, where even if we only see each other once The goal and purpose of the Connect ministry has or twice a week, we know what’s going on in our always been to make IBCM a God-centered and church — and I’m talking about the people, not loving community. Connect aims to create the building. So, a portion of our budget is opportunities for each member to build and allocated to laying the platform to make this strengthen their relationship with God and with each possible, such as improving our website, creating other. brochures and newsletters, and even hosting a social media training where we invite our sister So the top 3 priorities of Connect include: and daughter churches to learn with us together.

1. Worship. We bow down before almighty God in In closing, I want to encourage you. And I will borrow meaningful worship experiences, in and outside Paul and Timothy’s words in Colossians 1:3-4; 9-10 this church campus. Portions of our budget are allocated to improve our weekly worship “[I] always pray for you, and [I] give thanks to God, the experiences on Sunday mornings, Wednesday Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For [I] have heard of and Saturday nights. New microphones need to your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of be bought, and equipment maintenance allows God’s people, which come from your confident hope for good stewardship. Our choir’s music of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have materials and our First Impressions Team’s had this expectation ever since you first heard the coordination costs are included. There is also a truth of the Good News. desire to extend this worship experience outside the church campus. Pray with us as we ask God So [I] have not stopped praying for you since we first to lead us in our first attempt to bring heard about you. [I] ask God to give you complete Connections to the city, hoping to engage knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual unbelievers, and introduce them to the saving wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live gospel of Jesus Christ. will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you 2. Fellowship. We want to setup opportunities will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” outside our weekly worship services for people to connect and share life in Christ together. Note God has connected us to Himself and to each other that these are not just fun activities, but these are for the purpose of connecting the people still in extensions of our worship. Because really, for a darkness to His wonderful light. I am excited to see true Christian, everything he or she does is Him work this year. I hope you are too. worship, right? I love you in the love of the Lord. In the Philippines, food really brings people together. That’s just part of our culture. And we don’t want to burden the church to feed us, especially if God has provided us means to feed ourselves. Our monthly lunch fellowships are designed to be self-liquidating, but we also want to exercise hospitality by providing a welcome

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Thank you for your time.

For more information, please contact:

Meryll Sarco E: [email protected] T: +63 917 524 6277