Preaching activities from February 14 to March 2

February 14, in our Sunday service here in Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study the lesson from the song we usually sang in our worship “Standing on the promises”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “A Christian’s blessing and responsibilities”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about the “Blessings of Faith”. Like Abraham, who was justified because of his faith and was blessed by God, we too, will be bless if we continue to live faithfully in our lives until the day that Jesus will return.

February 15, we went to the thanksgiving of brother Florencio Constantino for his birthday. We have a short prayer in their house as we thank God for the good years he is having and all the blessings for their family.

February 17, we were invited by brother Ronald Valdez to have bible study in his congregation in Centro Iguig and also to have bible tracts distribution after the study. Before the day of this activity, he came in our house and ask me to make bible tracts. I printed about 200 copies of the bible tract I have.

The bible tracts I made

In the bible study, brother Jerome first preached and he shared the lesson about “Hear Christ” followed by brother Efren Respicio who preached “God’s Mercy”. After the lesson, we had a very long question and answer because one of the member who is in attendance ask questions about the works of the Catholic Church. Iguig is the place where we can find a place called Calvary where it is mimicking the place where Jesus died. There are twelve stations of the cross where you can see on top of a hill and many catholics are going there every Easter. Many questions ask are about this feast that they are doing.

I led a song

brother Ronald Valdez their local preacher

brother Efren preaching "God's Mercy"

brother Jay leading a song

outside photo of the church building

brother Jerome preaching

me leading a song

After the bible study, we should be going to distribute bible tracts but then it already rained and so we cancelled the distribution.

In the evening, we had our midweek bible study here in Tuguegarao and brother Jay taught “Romans 6”.

February 20, we are again invited in the celebration and thanksgiving of brother Jerome’s daughter, Princess on her 8^th birthday.

February 21, in our Sunday service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught “Take the lowest place” in our bible study and he also preached in the sermon about “Things God say His children can do”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Doing things exactly right”. I use Noah as example when we did all the things that God told him, then came Moses, who followed God but on the end, he disobeyed and did not sanctify God. As a punishment, he did not reach the Promised Land. This examples are for us to know, because when God says something, we should do it exactly right or else, He will punish us.

 

the children in my wife's class at Palca

during the start of our worship at Palca

February 24, in our midweek bible study, I taught “Romans 7” about our freedom from the Law.

February 26, I went to the house of Mark Marzan to have a bible study with him in Palca. He was attending our services since October. I shared to him about “Following Christ and Salvation”. He asked me, when will I baptized him? If we follow the bible, it should not be me whom he is asking when will he be baptized, but him only, when the time that he is ready to accept the gospel. He told me that he will think of it.

February 28, in our Sunday service here at Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “Candidates for discipleship”. I use Luke 9:57-62 as my text and we can read their three man who had conversation with Jesus. The first one wanted to follow Jesus because according to his own comfort, the second one according to his convenience and the third one, according to his choice. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about “Why did Jesus died on the cross?”

my wife's children class in Tuguegarao

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the same lesson “Candidates for Discipleship”. After the service, when we are already preparing to leave, Mark Marzan approached me and said that he finally decided that he wanted to be baptized and will not let this day end without him being baptized. We prepared everything needed, we filled our baptistery with water and we baptized him. I am very happy for his decision and I know God is very happy for him. Now we can call him brother in Christ. His left foot have alloy metal inside it because he met an accident with a motorcycle a year ago. He still cannot walk straight, but every Sunday, if not first, he is the second to come in the church. When he told me, he wanted to be baptized, I know he understand everything and is sincere with what he said. I am really very happy for him. Please do pray for brother Mark.

 

The confession of faith of Mark

Mark's baptism into Christ

Prayer

When we arrived home here in Tuguegarao, Mark’s mother calls me on the phone. She is in London, working in a pet shop. She is thanking me for taking care of his son, and also that he realized all the mistakes he had done as a teenager and now repenting of all the sins he committed.

March 1, we went to Maguirig, Solana to have a funeral service in the wake of sister Ining. Brother Jay taught “Where are the dead?” They asked me to lead the prayer before we start the service while other preachers who are with us led the singing.

 

brother Jay preaching

brother Edgar leading a song

March 2, we again went to Maguirig for the burial service of sister Ining. Brother Jerome preached to the combined crowd of Christians and non-christians. 

brother Jerome preaching