Preaching activities from July 14 to July 28, 2019

July 14 (Sunday worship in Tuguegarao and Palca)

We had another great opportunity to worship God in spirit and in truth. I thank God for another day of serving Him and to help in edifying the saint here in Tuguegarao and at Palca.

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Jerome shared to us the lesson about “Bible Arithmetic” using the four methods in computing (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication), but in a spiritual sense. In the sermon, brother Rody continued on the series he is preaching, and now we studied “Romans 14”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them the lesson about “Broken Promises”. When we were baptized into Christ, we had a promise that we will serve Him all the days of our lives and be faithful to Him until death.

After the worship, I went to the house of brother Leonardo Uton. I was contacted early morning of this same day that our brother Leonardo has already passed on this life. If you remember in my previous reports, I always visit him in their house and having prayer devotions with his wife and daughters because of his illness. We are sad and happy for his passing. Sad because we lost a faithful brother in Christ. Happy because we know that he is already with the faithful saints who first served the Lord. I shared to them a short reminder from the bible about “Life and Death”. We offered a prayer to his family for God to give them the utmost comfort. Brother Leonardo and his wife, sister Linda Uton have 12 children and 28 grandkids. This is a big family, but most of them are living in distance places. The farthest is in Norway.

July 17 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

We continued with our study on the book of Genesis. I should be the one teaching but brother Jay asked me if he will do the work in exchange that I will teach Genesis 29 and 30. It’s just fine with me because I can also learn from the outline he made aside from the readings I made. He shared Genesis 28  when “Jacob Flees from Esau”.

July 18 (Attended a wedding in Piat)

We were invited to initiate the wedding of brother Eman and sister Mira in Aquib, Piat. They are both members in that congregation where brother Dennis Yuson is preaching. Brother Eman also attended the preachers training here in Tuguegarao but decided to work secularly after his schooling. Brother Rody solemnized their wedding.

After the wedding, we also had the thanksgiving for their baby. Brother Jerome shared a good lesson about giving thanks to God.

July 19 (Funeral service at Palca)

I asked the family of brother Leonardo if they wanted to have a service and they asked for this day to have it because all their children will already arrived. Sister Linda also wanted her children to hear the message of truth coming from the bible. I asked several preachers to join me in the work and they are Jerome, Dennis, Robert, Rogelio, Jayson, Manny, Jun and Efren who shared the lesson “Be not deceived; God is not mocked”.

After the service, we went to Dagupan to visit the sister of brother Jayson Tanguilan who was recently baptized when she attended the worship in Illuru Church. Dagupan is just the next village from Palca where I am locally preaching and so we went to their house to inform them about the congregation and that we are happy to invite them to be a member in our congregation. She is sister Marites Bauit who is married to Joey Bauit who is not yet a Christian. We had a short bible study in their house through brother Jerome who gave a message from the bible. I was waiting for them in our service on the 21^st of July but sister Tersing, who is also living in Dagupan informed us that sister Marites collapsed in their house. We found out that she have heart problems. Two Sundays now and she haven’t attended our worship yet. I am planning to visit her this coming days. Please pray for her.

July 20 (Wedding at Quirino province)

We went to the wedding at San Mateo, Quirino where we needed to travel 2 and a half hours. It is the wedding of brother Kevin who is a seaman and sister  Mergey who is a oversees worker in Thailand. Brother Rody solemnized their wedding while I assist him in other things needed for the wedding. They arrange the wedding in a garden but after just 20 minutes, the rain starts to pour and so we went to the function hall. Their marriage is somewhat hard because after 3-4 months they will part ways and go their own works abroad. I am praying that this relationship will last forever and not be like relationship that are broken because of distant problems.

July 21 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study brother Jerome shared a good lesson about “Be prepared”. The title speaks for itself, everyone needs to be prepared for the coming judgment of Christ. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Romans 15” as part of the series lesson we are studying.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “What does it cost you?”. Our birth cost us nothing, our salvation cost us nothing but the blood of Christ, but our discipleship cost us everything as Jesus said that we should deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. Being a Christian needs a lot of sacrifices so that we will gain our reward on the last day. I am happy that 3 of brother Leonardo’s children attended including one of his grand daughter.

July 23 (Gospel Meeting at Villa Corazon Church)

In short notice (July 21), brother July Aguinaldo invited us to preach in their Gospel Meeting. As a preacher, long or short notice, I should always be ready to preach the word of God anytime. Our travel is about 1 and a half hour from Tuguegarao.

Brother Jerome was the first speaker and he preached “Behold, I thought”. Brother Jay spoke next and he preached “Six reasons why we trust God?”. I am the third speaker and I preached about “Does God expect too much?” and finally, brother Rody spoke last and he preached “Second Coming of Christ”. After the preaching, we extended the invitation and one precious soul came in front to confess her faith. She is Marivic, and she is lame in one foot. She had an accident where a drunk man who is riding a motorcycle bump her. She needed to put stainless steel on her foot but because of hardship in life, she cannot afford to proceed with it. Because of her zeal to be baptized, that doesn’t stop her to be immersed in water despite how hard she moves. My faith was strengthen when I saw her. If she can do it, even with body problems, how much more for me who is completely well.

July 24 (Burial Service at Palca and midweek service at Tuguegarao)

For the final time, we went to Palca for the burial service of brother Leonardo. I became the emcee of the service and also led the opening prayer. Brother Rody (Ody) Gumpad Jr. led our singing while brother Rody preached “Where are the dead?”. Their house is located in their marketplace and so while the place is busy, still, many joined us in the study of the bible. Most of them are members of the senior citizen club where brother Leonardo and sister Linda are members. Brother Leonardo died in the age of 78. After the service, we all went to the cemetery and gain, we prayed with his family.

In the evening, we continued with our study on the book of Genesis here in Tuguegarao. I shared to them Genesis 29 as Jacob becoming a Lover Boy.

July 27 (Thanksgiving)

We had a sister Arlene here in Tuguegarao who have a slight mental illness but that doesn’t stop her from coming to ALL our worship services. She haven’t got any absences in our midweek bible study and Sunday worships. Even if it is raining very hard, she made a point that she will attend our services.

On this day was her 40^th birthday. She invited us in their house to have a prayer devotion to thank God for another year of being blessed. Brother Ody led our singing and I led our opening prayer. Brother Rody preached “Blessed is the man that endures” and brother Jerome led our closing prayer.

July 28 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Jun/Ody shared a “Lessons from nothing” and in the sermon, brother Rody concluded the book of Romans by teaching the 16^th chapter.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “What you sow, you shall reap”. I am thankful that one of brother Leonardo’s daughter who is a member of Methodist church joined us in worship. I have conversation with her and invited her to join us the next Sundays. She told me that she will also invite her other siblings who are just in Naruangan (a village near Palca).