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Transformation and National Bible Week After having tried so many alternative methods in the past, the call for us now is to heed God’s Word, to follow its statutes and obey it’s precepts if we are want to see true development and lasting change in our lives as a people and as a country. God’s Word has powerful transforming impact on the national life. In world history, as well as in our own, the Holy Bible is regarded as a powerful book. Containing timeless principles that when heeded and obeyed can change a nation for the better. The Philippine Bible Society has endeavored to introduce people to the Bible’s transforming power through all means possible. One such means is the celebration of the National Bible Week (NBW). The country has been celebrating NBW and National Bible Sunday annually since former President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 2242 on November 19, 1982 declaring that “it is fitting and proper that national attention be focused on the important role being played by reading and study of the Bible in molding the moral fiber of our society.” President Marcos originally declared the first Sunday of Advent and the last week of November every year as National Bible Sunday and National Bible Week. The celebration in January came about during the term of President Corazon C. Aquino who issued Proclamation No. 44 in 1986 which transferred and made official the NBW celebration in the first month of the year. The proclamation was reinforced by President Fidel V. Ramos in PP 1067 which urged that “national attention be focused in the importance of reading and studying the Bible in molding the spiritual, moral, and social fiber of our citizenry.” As more and more people read and study the Bible, the universal truths found in its pages empower them to live with hope and courage in these days of despair and difficulty. Since then, the nation has set aside one week every year to commemorate the importance of the Bible in nation building. Churches have come together in celebration through parades, motorcades and rallies proclaiming the yearly themes of the Bible Week. Sermons and homilies have focused on the Bible’s role in changing the people’s lives during the National Bible Sunday. Streamers and posters called attention to this significant event, as well as Scriptures that are distributed on the streets and other public places. Get involved in National Bible Week The basic call is for every Filipino to honor the Bible by reading, studying and living its precepts. This challenge, however, has been stepped up and now calls on all Bible-believing Filipino to proclaim God’s Word and to profess their faith. These times call for boldness and determination, for concerted and deliberate action to draw our people back to God and his Word if we are to impact the whole nation for good. PBS General Secretary Nora G. Lucero says “We encourage churches, LGUs, schools and organizations to help raise awareness on the importance of the Bible in people’s lives. Let us make our countrymen realize that it is a source of strength and wisdom and is not just applicable during times of trials but as a guiding light all our lives. How your Church/Organization can get involved: 10 ways_NBW_Study2_updated Together, let us rally our people to honor the Bible and support initiatives to get a copy into every Filipino home to see true national transformation. For more information on how you can be an advocate of the Bible Cause, visit www.bible.org.ph or call 526-7777. For National Bible Week Activities on 2016, visit this link: Philippine Bible Society General Secretary Dr. Nora G. Lucero announced the theme for the National Bible Week (NBW) celebrations on January 23 to 29, 2017. “This year, our NBW celebrations will revolve on the theme, ’The Bible: Hope for the Community’s Progress,’” Dr. Lucero shared. The theme is based on Psalm 133:1 in the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), which reads, “How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one,” and on Romans 12:4-5 in the Good News Translation (GNT), which says, “We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.” Dr. Lucero added that PBS is lining up activities for the celebration, such as the i-Proclaim, a public reading of Scriptures. She also presented suggested ways that individuals, families, local churches, and organizations can do in their communities to celebrate God’s Word. “As we continue to coordinate with our partners from different locales all over the country, we will also promote other meaningful ways for our kababayans to participate in the celebration and to proclaim God’s Word in their communities,” Dr. Lucero explained. Among the activities suggested were: display NBW posters and streamers featuring Bible verses in church or school bulletin boards, organize sports events, hold Bible rallies, concerts, or song and dance competitions in their respective town plazas, as well as lobby to the local lawmaking body the enactment of a legislation supporting the annual NBW celebration. Spearheaded by PBS, the annual National Bible Week celebration is decreed by Presidential Proclamations 2242, 44, and 1067 to raise people’s awareness on the importance of the Bible. The week-long proclamation of God’s Word is culminated by the celebration of National Bible Sunday that feature messages and homilies during Church services and Masses focusing on the theme. #