Update on the works of the Lord: October 2017

September 6 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody discussed to us the second chapter of 2^nd Thessalonians concerning the man of lawlessness and how to stand firm in the faith.

September 9 (Burial Service at Angag, Tuao)

We went to Angang to have the final service at the wake of brother Jimmy Agpoon, the brother of Rolando Agpoon (A faithful preacher of the Lord’s church). Brother Denis Yuson led the singing while brother Jerome led the opening prayer. Brother Robert Pader shared a lesson about the “Widow’s son” before I closed the service with a prayer.

September 10 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In the morning here in Tuguegarao, I started to teach to them the two parts of my lesson about Caleb from Numbers 13 and 14. I first shared to them the story and explained some thoughts regarding the event. In the sermon, brother Jun preached about “Disciples of Christ”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I also shared to them the story of Caleb. I did two parts of this lesson because there are two chapters of the story and before going to the discussion, I want them to understand first what really happened.

After the service, we went to the house of sister Nenita Quines who is asking me to pray for her husband who is very weak and can no longer stand by himself. Mr. Romulo Quines is not a Christian but on the time I came to their house, even though he can’t hardly move, he wanted to shake my hand. He is trying to reach for me and so I rush to grab his hand. It seems like he already wanted to repent of his sins, but that assumption cannot be proven unless he speak to us. Only God knows every heart of every man. The church prayed for him. All the brethren came with me in their house to see him and pray for him.

September 13 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

I shared to the brethren the lessons we can learn from 2 Thessalonians 3 about the request of Paul to pray for them as he prays for the brethren and warning against idleness.

September 16 (Thanksgiving at Lingu, Solana)

Brother Manny Pader and brother Robert Rances invited us to their house to have a thanksgiving service for the first birthday of their sons. They have the same month of birthday but they celebrated it in just one day. Brother Jerome shared a wonderful lesson about thanksgiving.

September 17 (Sunday Service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Jay taught in our bible study with his topic “Ang hihiwalay sa Dios” which if translated in English “Those who went away from God”. And in the sermon, I continued with the second part of my lesson about Caleb which also entitled “He wholly followed the Lord”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached again the same lesson to them. I am happy that we have many visitors during that time and most of them are young people.

After the service, we went again to the house of sister Nenita but not to pray for his husband to get stronger but because he died Friday night. They only told me Saturday evening that’s why I didn’t have any chance of visiting them. But when I went there, we prayed for his family together with all the visitors.

September 20 (Burial Service of Mr. Romulo Quines and midweek service at Tuguegarao)

This is the only service held at the wake of sister Nenita’s husband. Brother Robert Pader led the singing and brother Jay Gumpad led the prayer. Brother Jerome shared a lesson about Death and after that I took over the rest of the way.

In the evening, brother Jay discussed to us 1 Timothy chapter 1 in our midweek service.

September 24 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody talked with us and he asked us to let him do both the bible study and sermon because they will be leaving for the US on October 3 and will be back on the first week of January. He preached about “Mission or work of the church”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “David’s charge to Solomon” when he is trying to advice Solomon on the things he needed to do when he is gone and a lesson also for us to obey ALL the law of God and know the things He wanted us to do and to learn.

September 27 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I discussed to the brethren the 2^nd chapter of 1^st Timothy about the instructions of Paul to pray for all man including kings and those in authority and also about the women not leading in the church but the men in the congregation to do the job.

October 1 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study at Tuguegarao, I shared to them “David’s charge to Solomon” and in the sermon, brother Jay preached “Romans 3:10-11”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them 1^st Timothy 2. After the worship, we had a meeting regarding our Gospel Meeting and so we discussed many things that we needed to prepare.

October 6 (Tracts and invitation distribution at Palca and Angang)

Together with brother Jerome Forelo, Jay Gumpad, Robert Pader, Rogelio Esperanza and Jayson Tanguilan, we went around the village of Palca and the near village which is Angang to invite everyone to attend our Gospel Meeting. We even went to the office of the chieftain to invite them all. The weather was in favor with us because it is sunny. Before this schedule, the rain is non-stop.

October 7 (Gospel Meeting at Palca)

Our prayers where finally answered with the Gospel Meeting finally here. The weather is not good again because it is raining the whole day but those who came were not even bothered with it. We are expecting about 70-80 attendance but because of the bad weather, we are only about 60. In the morning session, the chapel was full but when the afternoon session came, there are some empty seats because some needed to go home because of other activities to attend to and three of them are our first three speakers in the morning.

Morning:

1^st Speaker – Dennis Yuson “Does prayer bring salvation?” (After preaching, he needed to go home because they will also have a thanksgiving for his grandson’s first birthday.

2^nd Speaker – Mario Garam “Will of God” (He also needed to go because he will attend to his father-in-law in the hospital)

3^rd Speaker – Florendo Respicio “How the life of Paul change” (He also needed to go because he is scheduled for check-up in the hospital)

Afternoon:

4^th Speaker – Jimmy Duque “Value of running faithfully”

5^th Speaker – Rolando Agpoon “The enemy of men”

After all the lessons heard, we extended the invitation by singing a song and I am happy to inform you that four young people came in front to confess their faith. I am only expecting two of them but the other two decided to be baptized already. They were:

Joyzel Agpoon – 11 years old

Princess Angel Alicaycay – 10 years old

Sheena Manuel – 11 years old

Marlou Baquiran – 14 years old

During the confession, we needed to ask more questions for them because they are still very young, but because they know what they are saying and are confident in their answers, there is no reason we shouldn't baptize them. We went to the river even though it is raining and baptized them.

October 8 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, brother Jay discussed to us about the “Dancing”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Psalm 129”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I am very happy to see the four new converts being the first one to come to church. They are excited to attend their first worship as a Christian. They are even asking me to give them bibles. I started the series of my lesson on the book of James. I preached to them the first chapter.

October 10 (Gospel Meeting at Bangag, Solana)

I am invited as one of the speakers in the said Gospel Meeting. The theme of the activity is about worldly pleasures or works of the flesh.

1^st Speaker – Manny Pader “Gambling”

2^nd Speaker – Jay Gumpad “Dancing”

3^rd Speaker – Mark Daquioag “Immodest Dress”

4^th Speaker – Jerome Forelo “Smoking”

We also extended the invitation and there are two precious souls who went in front to confess their faith. We needed to bring them here in Tuguegarao to baptize in our baptistery because the rivers near Bangag are all high because of continuous rains.