By Mikee Natinga Norico
Recipients of the GodĢƵs Grace program, together with donors and committee members, pose with University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy for a group photo.
On February 8, 2026, the GodĢƵs Grace Sunday Second Worship Service was held at the University Church of ĢƵ (CPU), gathering GodĢƵs Grace program recipients, donors, and committee members for a time of worship, testimony, and reflection on GodĢƵs transformative grace.
The service began with a call to worship, followed by a prayer of adoration, setting a reverent tone for the congregation. Mrs. Joan Castor, Secretary of GodĢƵs Grace, delivered the GodĢƵs Grace Updates, informing the church community of ongoing ministries and activities.
A heartfelt testimony was shared by Ms. Juvy Rose Acosta, who spoke about her personal experiences of faith and GodĢƵs sustaining grace. The congregation then listened to the Scripture Reading from Luke 19:1ĢƵ10, recounting the story of Zacchaeus and his life-changing encounter with Jesus.
Delivering the message titled ĢƵHOW TO PICK UP A THIEF: Serving and Loving People Just as They Are,ĢƵ Pastor Louvel Edson L. Caspe, Associate Pastor for Outreach, emphasized the depth of ChristĢƵs love as demonstrated in His interaction with Zacchaeus. Pastor Caspe highlighted that Jesus chose to see and value ZacchaeusĢƵa chief tax collector despised by manyĢƵwhen others ignored and rejected him.
He underscored that Jesus did not wait for Zacchaeus to change before extending grace. Instead, Christ drew near to him, teaching that love begins with presence, not distance. ZacchaeusĢƵ repentance and transformation, Pastor Caspe noted, were responses to grace freely given, not prerequisites for acceptance.
Despite criticism from the crowd, Jesus chose compassion over public approval, affirming that He came to seek and save the lost rather than protect His reputation. The message reminded the congregation that genuine, Christlike love sees people beyond their flaws, remains with them in their brokenness, and trusts that graceĢƵnot judgmentĢƵbrings about true transformation.
The service continued with the giving of tithes, pledges, and offerings, followed by the closing hymn, ĢƵGrace Greater Than Our Sin.ĢƵ The worship gathering concluded with a closing prayer, encouraging those present to continue embodying grace and compassion in both service and support of the GodĢƵs Grace ministry.