I would no longer start writing what I did in the morning
because the narrative of the ICON opening night is already long on its own.
Just like previous ICONs, it was opened by a Holy Mass. The original schedule
of the mass was 4 PM but when 3:30 PM, there were still a few people in the
venue. While waiting for the delegates to come, the rosary for the safe arrival
of the delegates was started.
It was past 4 PM when the rosary ended. By this time, the
number of delegates have increased and the booth kept reminding the delegates
to settle down because the mass was about to start in a few minutes. When the
bell was rung, the ICON 21 which has the theme Journey Beyond has officially
started. The theme is based on the verse John 19:26-27.
The mass ended at about 5:30 PM and people started having
their early dinner. The start of the ICON also falls on the Heart’s Day so
while people were eating, they were serenaded with beautiful love songs from
CDO band. Some of the popular love songs were played while the hosts of the
segment asked the delegates to fill-up some love coupons in their journals. The
coupons were given to a brother or sister that the delegates knew or to a
complete stranger.
The next segment was a surprise to all delegates. To see
your couple coordinator singing and dancing is not a common sight so when it
happened, you can expect the cheers and the encouragements from the SFCs.
Everything happened during the Couple Coordinators Got Talent segment wherein
the couple coordinators danced, sang and serenaded the crowd with their
God-given talents. It was an affirmation that when God’s people is showered
with talents and abilities that one can use to make God’s work known and make
other people happy.
Of course, the opening night would not be complete without
the welcome remarks of some dignitaries. The delegates were personally welcomed
by the governor, the provincial Couples for Christ coordinator, the ICON event
head and of course the SFC council together with the International and
Philippine missions head. You can really see the anticipation and the
excitement from the SFC faces during the welcome ceremonies. Everyone was
excited about what was in-store for them during this beautiful night.
The band started playing old yet very familiar songs.
Everyone thought this was already the worship. But then it was actually like a
journey and history of the SFC flashed before your eyes using old SFC songs.
There are many songs that are still used but most can be heard only during the
CLP. Some of the songs include Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Trading, Home,
We Will Fight, Sure Foundation, I Will Walk on Water Lord, Send Me. It was a
journey through songs that really got the crowd pumped up for the opening
worship.
The opening song was Grateful and everyone was really
worshiping God with all their hearts. One of the highlights of every SFC
conference is the intensity of all the worship and you can see the intimacy and
connection to the Lord. The next praise song was With His Love and everyone was
really jumping and raising their hands for the Lord. The worship song was where
I gave in. They played the song Have Your Way and it seemed like every lyric on
the song was my own prayer to the Lord. I’m sure in one way or another; every
worship session leaves a mark on every SFC.
After the worship the first session followed. Session 1 was
entitled The Journey of a Lifetime. It was a
talk-sharing-talk-sharing-talk-sharing-talk-sharing-talk format so even if it
was getting cold and late in the evening, the format ensured that the delegates
were attentive to the talk. I won’t cover the entire session here. I will make
a separate article for the sessions. The conclusion was that the journey of a
lifetime is actually a journey towards the Cross, while carrying our own with
Christ journeying with us.
After the session, we were asked to reflect and to take out
the crosses from our kit. Earlier I wondered why the cross shape was different.
It was explained in this segment that what we had was actually a holding cross.
Its shape was so because it perfectly fits our palm for a perfect hold. The
lights for the venue were turned off with only a bright cross reflected on the
screen.
After the reflection, the closing praisefest immediately
followed. The first day of the ICON and my second day on CDO has finally come
to a close. It was a wonderful and blessed way of starting the conference and
every delegate is looking forward for the messages that God has prepared for
them in the conference.
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