Preaching activities from December 4 to January 1

December 4 (Sunday Service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study here at Tuguegarao wherein I share the second part of my lesson about “Facing our giants”. It is about facing our gigantic problems like David when he fearlessly fought Goliath and defeated him with the help of God. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “1 John 1:1-4” as an introduction to the letter of John to the brethren.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached about “East of Eden” pointing out to the direction of the east where God set the angel to guard the garden of Eden, the east where Cain went, east where Jesus was born.

December 7 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay shared and discussed to us “2 Corinthians 8” about the call for generous giving.

December 11 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught again in our bible study about “Marriage Metaphors”. The similarity of marriages to what God wanted to tell the people like when God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute. God wanted to show that Israel is like marrying an adulterous woman by worshipping other gods. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “1 John 1:5-2:2” about fellowship with God.

In the afternoon, I preached the same lesson to them about “Marriage Metaphors”.

December 14 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study on “2 Corinthians 9” about Paul trying to tell the brethren at Corinth to give according to what the heart purpose and not grudgingly.

December 16-18 (traveled to Manila to preach at Edsa-Pasay Congregation)

I traveled to Manila the evening of 16^{th and} arrived there early morning the next day. I prepared all the lessons on the same day. On the Sunday worship, I taught in the bible study, also about “Marriage Metaphors”. I asked brother Sammy Paet what lesson is good to share to them and he pointed out my outline about marriage. In the sermon, brother Sammy preached about “The Gospel”. Only half of the average attendance is present (32) in the morning because many brethren already went home to their hometowns for the holiday.

In the afternoon, the attendance is also half the average (23). I preached about “Can you attract anyone to come to church?” A lesson that I know will help them to try and examine themselves if they are really showing that they are light to other people as God wants us to be.

 

brother Sammy in the sermon (morning)

attendance in the morning

picture taken in the afternoon, taken early by brother Ryan but our attendance is 23

me preaching in the afternoon, no picture of me in the morning

I traveled back to Tuguegarao on the evening of Sunday and arrived safely Monday morning.

December 20 (Bible study at Bliss, Ilagan)

Together with brother Jerome and brother Jun, we traveled about 2 hours going to Bliss in the evening. We arrived in the destination 6:30 p.m. The study started at around 7 p.m. and I was asked to lead the prayer. Brother Jerome preached “A Famine for the word”.

December 21 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody shared to us “2 Corinthians 10” about Paul’s defense about his ministry.

December 25 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and at Palca)

I taught in our bible study about “Does Jesus birth really matters?” Yes, it does matter because it is the birth of our Savior but not to celebrate it December 25, because the bible does not say that it is the day when Jesus was born. It also matters because it is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and it also matters because one of the Godhead came to earth and live with us. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Interesting facts about Jesus birth”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson about ”Does Jesus birth really matters?”.

December 26 (Young people lectures at Pagasa, Ilagan)

Together with brother Jerome, we traveled 6 in the morning to reach Pagasa early. When we arrived, the rain pours heavily that the path going to the church is a little bit slippery. But after a moment, when the brethren arrives, the rain stopped. I am the first speaker, and I preached about “Holiness vs harmful fads”. Brother Efren Respicio, their local preacher, asked me to preached about tattoos, earring for men, body piercing and immodest dress for the young audiences. This is my first time to preach for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I got good response from the audience and so I didn’t get tired even though I am standing and speaking for very long time. Brother Jerome preached after me and he shared about “The preacher’s advice to the young” using the book written by Solomon on Ecclesiastes. After the lessons, brother Edgar Licodini stand for the open forum and answered all the questions.

In the afternoon, brother Jerome again preached and he shared “Signs of a maturing Christian”. Another open forum after the lesson. We had a great time sharing lessons that would help the young men and women in the church so that they will not follow what is worldly and harmful to their life as a child of God.

December 28 (Three weddings)

We attended three weddings of our brethren. In the morning, brethren from Alibago was solemnized here in Tuguegarao. After their wedding, we rush going to Liwan West for the wedding of brother Virgilio Bocarile’s son. In the afternoon, we went to the wedding of the daughter of brother Rolando Agpoon. We tried to catch up our midweek service here at Tuguegarao in the evening but the traffic was very heavy on our way back.

 

wedding in Tuguegarao

Wedding in Liwan West

Wedding in Liwan North, in the middle of the street

December 29 (Bible study and thanksgiving at Lapogan)

Together with brother Jerome, Jimmy Duque and Jay, we went to Lapogan, Gattaran as brother Joeben invited us to be with them in the birthday of her daughter and also wanted us to share God’s word to the brethren including their neighbors. Together with brother Jay, we both led spiritual songs to start the activity. Brother Jerome preached about “Lessons we can learn from Noah”.

December 30 (Gospel Meeting at Calamagui)

The final activity I did this year and I am happy it is for His sake. Brother Jimmy Duque is their preacher in Calamagui, Amulung. Brother Robert was the first speaker and he preached about “Things to be in 2017”. I am the second speaker and I preached about “Signs on the road to heaven”. The third speaker was brother Rody who preached “The church: before and after its establishment”. After the lesson, we sung the invitation song and we are very happy that 6 precious souls came in front to confess their faith. One of them is the daughter of brother Jimmy that’s is why, when he spoke in the closing remarks, emotion of happiness are coming out of his eyes showing the joy of being a good father and example to her daughter in following Christ.

January 1 (First worship of the year in Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody preached to us “Why spiritual growth is important?” Every first Sunday of the year, after our worship, we had a celebration of thanksgiving to God for a year full of blessings from Him. We share foods together, not as part of worship, but to celebrate as uniting together to thank God.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them “Signs on the road to heaven”. I am so happy to see the brethren who came back home at Palca coming from their work in other town, especially in Manila. By this week, they might already return as the holiday break is already over.