Preaching activities from January 5- February 2, 2022

 January 5 (Midweek service)

Our first midweek service of the year and it is also announced that the whole town is in alert level 3 for the whole month. Thankfully, it is not a total lockdown but we are still free to go out for necessities and also allowed to have services. Unfortunately, all of the Gospel Meetings were cancelled for the whole month because of the decisions of the several congregations. I should also be one of the speakers on several occasions.

In our bible study, we are on the book of Proverbs chapter 20:2-5. We are only few in our attendance. It's so sad here in Tuguegarao that people can go wherever they want even if it is Alert level 3 but cannot attend the worship or any activities of the church. We are again declining in attendance. The elders are trying to do what they can. As a member in the congregation, I am ready whenever they call me.

January 9 (Sunday worships)

I asked the elders here in Tuguegarao to allow me to go to Dagupan Church in the morning. We, as a group do have a year end thanksgiving every year, but because of the pandemic, schedules are moved. We first have our worship as we regularly do and I preached to them about "The good Satan does (sarcasm)". I am happy that all the brethren are in attendance and with the help of my wife, she and sister Rowena taught the kids. We are 71 in attendance. After the worship, we had a little activity (which is no longer part of worship), played bible games and had lunch together. It is our own way to thank God together to have strengthened our brotherhood.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached the same lesson. We also have a good attendance of 40. Our worship went great because of the good response from the brethren like in Dagupan. I enjoyed preaching when the audience are very attentive and joining in the discussion. I hope and pray that I can always help them grow spiritually more and more.

January 12 (Midweek service)

In our midweek service, we studied Proverbs 20:16-19. Brother Rody continue to do a good job sharing to us the message of the book. 

January 13 (Visitation at Palca and Dagupan)

The brethren at Village Creek Church shared benevolence to our brethren. My wife, joined me in visiting the brethren and distributing the benevolence. We tried to do what we can to talk more to them even with just limited time. I am happy of their responses that even if many cannot go to work because of the restrictions, their faith are getting stronger and stronger to God. 

January 15 (Wedding at Palca)

We initiated the ceremony of the wedding of our sister in Dagupan, Rowena Simangan and her husband Jesus Mary Jr. Her husband is a soldier and is always on duty is not yet a Christian. They married already before in front of a judge but this time, they want it to do in the church. Everytime he comes home, we are sharing to him the words of God. Hopefully, next time he is out of duty, we can do more and praying that he will obey the gospel. In three months, we can only see him once in our worship because he is only allowed 10 days to be out. 

I led the singing and brother Rody solemnized them. There are a lot of visitors in the wedding. The police patrol car keeps coming to check on us. On the reception, they are only allowed until 6pm to accept visitors because after that, they will be penalized. 

January 16 (Sunday worships)

In our worship here in Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached on Proverbs 20:20-30. We still have a small attendance. Many are watching on the live streaming in facebook but we are telling them that they shouldn't forget what is commanded in the bible that they should not forsake the assembling of the saints. They are only there watching and not with the saints. How can we edify one another if one brethren is in their house and the others are in the church? If they are sick, then it is fine, but if they are ok, we suggest they attend the worship.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "Wisdom of the world vs Wisdom of God". I got quotes or sayings in Facebook and look at what the bible tells about it. There are many good sayings posted in social media but not all are accepted by God. Saturday evening, some of our brethren already sent me text messages that they are sick. Many are getting sick during this time because we are not used to have a cold weather in the evening and hot in the day time. Even my wife and kids got sick for almost until the end of the month. 

In Dagupan, I also preached the same lesson. We still have our average attendance in the church. I am happy to see this teenagers very eager to learn and they are also the once who are sending me messages in facebook asking questions. They are also sharing bible verses in our group chat. I am not good in leading songs but I am trying to teach 3 young man (Jhian (12), Henry (15), Elbert(15)). I am planning to schedule singing service for the month of March where I will invite fellow preachers who really can teach and good in singing. 

January 19 (Midweek service)

The continuation of our study in Proverbs is going better. We are on chapter 21:1-5. My family cannot attend the service because they are all in bed. My eldest daugher and son have asthma, our baby have cough and my wife have cough and flu also. I am the only one doing well in our family. They already have several check-ups. Thankfully, not is positive of Covid.

January 22 (Visitation of brethren)

Together with my wife who is already well, we went to our brethren in the part of Angang who are members of the church in Palca. We also got a chance to restore sister Agpoon because of this visitation. To this moment that I am writing this report, she never missed any worships since then. 

January 23 (Sunday worships and burial service)

I again asked permission to the elders here in Tuguegarao to go to Dagupan in the morning for good reason. Sister Rowena called me Saturday evening and she told me that she gave birth last Tuesday, but her baby is only 8 months old. Unluckily, the baby didn't survive. They asked me if we can have a burial service, and that's the reason we moved again our worship in Dagupan in the morning. 

We first had our worship and I preached about "7 things to do when our loved one dies". I used David as an example when his son died. After the worship, we immediately went to the burial service. 

In the afternoon, at Palca, I invited the three young man from Dagupan to help me with the work. They are the once who led the singing and praying for the Lord's supper. I also preached the same lesson to them. 

January 26 (Midweek service)

We are already on Proverbs 21:16-20. Our bible study is very good but our attendance again is not. Many of our brethren are also sick and some got Covid. 

January 30 (Sunday Worships)

I didn't have any visitation during the week because the elders here in Tuguegarao asked me to work on things needed in the church. 

In our worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached on Proverbs 21:21-31. Many are still sick and those who have Covid are still quarantined.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them "Ecc. 10 - The power of the negative". Our attendance is good and we also have one visitor. I am praying that she will also obey the gospel soon. She is always in attendance since the New Year and we are always talking and sharing her the gospel. I also added her in our group chat so that she will also be informed of any activities.

In Dagupan, I also preached the same lesson to them. We have a very good attendance. There are few who are sick. I am always happy to see all the brethren every Sunday in all the congregations I am working. It also strengthened my faith just by preaching and talking to them. We are again in talks of having midweek services in the two congregations. The last time we did that, we had about 2 months until a total lockdown was again announced. Hoping and praying that this time, that will no longer be the case and we can do it always. We are just waiting for new announcements regarding the restrictions because the cases for Covid continue to rise and many are dying daily in our town.

February 2 (Midweek service)

At around 5:00 in the afternoon, the elders called me and asked me if I can teach in our bible study at 6pm. I have a short time to prepare and so I decided to teach also Ecclesiastes 10 to them.