Preaching activities from March 8-29, 2023

 March 8 (Midweek service)

One of our elders taught during our bible study. Brother Flor Constantino shared the lesson on Matthew 22 about the calling of the nation Israel, the calling of all nations of the earth and the benefits of yielding to the call of God to His kingdom.

March 10 (Palca)

I went to visit again sister Lorna Llones because she is still sick. They already made a lot of laboratory tests on her but still cannot find the exact problem why she is having problems with her stomach. Please continue to pray for her. 

March 12 (Sunday Worship)

During our bible study, we have a first time teacher in our class. He is brother Anthony Panopio. He shared to us Matthew 23:13-39. He did a very good job even though this is his first time. 

In the sermon, the elders assigned me to preach. I also shared to them the lesson about “Is everyone going to heaven?”. 

In the afternoon, at Palca, I am alone in going. Brother Jay and brother James went to Alibago for they need to arranged something regarding their schedule in going there the next weeks. I preached to them about “Does your religion cost you anything?”.

In Dagupan, brother Henry preach to us about “The need of a glorious church”.  I also preached the lesson “Is everyone going to heaven?”.

 March 15 (Midweek Service)

We are now studying Matthew 16:1-20. Brother Rody again shared the lesson to us.

March 17 (Dagupan)

I again visited sister Leona Mangulad. She was diagnosed with many health problems and was asked if they want her to have dialysis. She is already in her late 70's and have other health issues that's why they told the doctor not to have it. They brought her home even though she is weak. The family already knows what is ahead but still we continue to pray together. In the next weeks, I heard that her health is improving. She can eat solid food now and still cannot stand alone.

March 19 (Sunday Worships)

I was again asked to teach in the teenager’s class by the elders. We continued with the part of the lesson they were now which is Genesis 4, Cain and Abel.

In the sermon, brother Rody preach Matthew 16:21-28.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “What the rich man learned in hell?” Many are still sick and are in need of prayers. Most of them are our aged brethren.

 In Dagupan, I preached to them about “Does your religion cost you anything?”

March 22 (Midweek Service)

We have brother James Attaban as our scheduled preacher. He was a little bit sick but still managed to preach well. He preached about “What is your standard when it comes to serving the Lord?”.

March 23 (trip to Navotas)

We traveled early morning at 3am going to visit the wake of brother Jereme Toreja. He is a faithful brother and a good preacher in the Manila area. He helped many young preachers grow in the faith and knowledge by guiding them. He died because of cardiac arrest. We arrived in the place at around 1pm already. We had a service in the evening. The place is full that many are sitting outside of the building. Four preachers shared a bible sermon, Otey Pastor, Rolly Salvador, Edmar de Pedro and Rody Gumpad. 

Since the pandemic, I haven’t been able to go to Manila. During this visit, I met again many preachers whom I have worked before. 

We traveled to Ilocos Norte at around 11pm to visit also the wake of sister Yolanda Domingo.

March 24 morning(travel to Ilocos)

We arrived in Dingras, at the house of sister Tasing, the wife of our late brother Jun Macusi. Their family is very close to us because they are the once who first introduced Christianity to brother Rody and pass it to us and many brethren at Cagayan Region.

Our reason in going to Ilocos is to visit the wake of sister Yolanda as stated above but while we are the sister Tasing’s house, brother Rex Bayaca came to us and gave us warning that the group of Danny Tiongson (sibling of sister Yolanda) who hates brother Rody because they do not want to be corrected from their wrongdoings said that they do not want us to come. And if we insisted on going, something bad will happen.  

March 24 evening (zoom bible study)

God made bad situations into good. We cannot go to the wake but we had the chance to have an online bible study with several brethren from all over the world through zoom.

This is my first time joining brother Craig Thomas in his zoom class. We are still at Dingras. Brother Otey used his laptop for us to join as a group in the class. I am thinking that I will try to do this also for a bible class with the brethren at Palca and Dagupan. I will try to survey from them if who can be able to join. Internet signal are weak in some parts of those areas. Most of them only use cellphone datas. The possibility of this getting through is just about 50%. If God’s will, we can find ways.

March 25 

We traveled back to Tuguegarao. We left Dingras at around 8am and arrived home 5pm. When we arrived, we need again to prepare for the next day which is for the Lord. 

March 26 (Sunday Worships)

I continued to teach in the teenager’s class. We studied on Noah and the flood from Genesis 6-8. We have a new brother in the group. His name is also Mark and is from Pussian Alcala and a member of the church there where brother Joeben Jacobo is preaching. He came here in Tuguegarao for work.

In the sermon, brother Rody preached on Matthew 17:1-27.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I invited brother Robert Rances to come with me. His wife, sister Maria also came together with their nephews. He preached about “Do you want to be fully saved?”.

In Dagupan, Jhian preached to us the lesson “Needs of the Glorious Church”. I also shared to them the lesson about “What the rich man learned in hell?”.

March 28 (Minagbag)

Brother Jay asked me to go with him in Minagbag and work on their church building. We fixed the projector brackets and white boards for them to use on Sunday. He cannot move well because one of his legs is only prosthesis and needed me and James to help him.

March 29 (Midweek service)

For the last Wednesday of the month, brother Jay was asked by the elders to preach. Lord willing, I will also be preaching the next Wednesday. He preached about “Things that need attention”.

 

Preaching activities from February 8-March 5, 2023

 February 8 (Midweek service)

We continue to study the book of Matthew here in Tuguegarao and we are now in the 12th chapter from 1-30. Brother Rody is still the one who is teaching it.

February 10 (Dagupan)

I visited brethren at Dagupan once again. I failed to find some of them because they are either in school or at work. I manage to have some time with sister Teresita Puselero and her family. Most of them are already christians but her husband is not. Since the church was established in that village, even when I am not yet their preacher, no one can convince him to obey the gospel but sometimes, when I invited him in Gospel Meetings, he is joining. He only joins Gospel Meetings but not worship services. I am praying that someday, he will be converted into Christ.

February 12 (Sunday Worships)

I was invited by brother Jay Gumpad and brother James Attaban at Minagbag Church. We've decided that they will also join me in Palca and Dagupan starting immediately. More of this news below.  So, in Minagbag, I preached about "Peter's Legacy". After the sermon, we extended the invitation and one precious soul obeyed the gospel. He's name is Jay-ar. He can't hardly walk because of his condition. I do not know how to call it but he was born with his hands and feet not normal. We are very happy to see someone like him obey the gospel. Brother James baptized him in their baptistery.

In the afternoon, at Palca, it was brother Jay's turn also to preach. Just like what I said above, him and James has decided to join me every afternoon at Palca and Dagupan. I told the brethren about this and listened to their response. They are happy to have them help me. As their local preacher, I made schedules where we will have a rotation on who to preach and starting at the end of the month, we will do it, but the rotation includes that I will preach one of those two congregation every Sunday because I am still their local preacher. 

Brother Jay preached to us about "Is baby baptism allowed in the bible?". This is also questions of many brethren who were just baptized but now made clear because of the lesson.

In Dagupan, brother James was the one who preached. He shared to us the lesson about "The value of attending worship services." For this time, it was my first of the longest time I am not very tired. I am happy that besides Jhian and Henry who are helping me, their is also Jay and James now. Even though I am still the one spending for our travels using my support, I am happy to have them as my co-workers. 

February 13 (Dagupan)

Since the Monday radio program is already abolished, I made some new schedules. This time, I went again to visit the brethren at Palca. But just like before, many of them are at school or at work. Together with brother Enzo, we just walk around the village and handed out bible tracts.

February 15 (Midweek service)

During our bible study, brother Rody again shared to us a lesson from the book of Matthew. We are already at Matthew 13:1-17. He is doing a preaching on Matthew to everywhere he goes and do it simultaneously, meaning if he preach here Matthew 13, on the next place he will preach will be Matthew 14.

February 16 (Palca)

I visited sister Lorna at Palca this time. She had health problems and it is in her stomach. We do not know yet what is really the problem and as of the writing of this report, she is in her way to the hospital and will have several tests. She called me this morning (March 7) and ask for help in going to the hospital here in Tuguegarao. I will meet them later. 

And so my visit to them is to pray for her. But not only her, but her daughter, sister Girlie who is also have health problems. She has goiter that makes her breathing difficult. They thought she has asthma, but upon checking, the goiter is the one blocking the way of the air going inside her body. We ask for your prayers for both of them.

February 18 (Dagupan)

It is Saturday and so I got a chance to visit our brethren who are students. Together with Jhian and Henry, we went to the houses of sister Jobelyn, sister Gaile, brother Albert, brother Gilbert and sister Leona who is also sick. She was sent to the hospital the last week that's why for three weeks, I haven't seen her in our services. There are a lot of complications in her health. Kidney problem, asthma, high blood, diabetes, those are what they told me. She is nearing 70 years old and have weak body. We also want to ask prayers for her.

February 19 (Sunday Services)

Brother Rody asked me if he can take my place for the meantime in the young people class because he want to discuss some lessons and so I stayed in the bible class of the adult. It was brother Flor who taught and in was in Matthew 22. We have a booklet that we are using and that is also what we are following in the bible study. I will also have my turn to teach, maybe after three weeks because the other chapters are already scheduled for other brethren to share.

In the sermon, brother Rody preached on Matthew 13:18-43.

In the afternoon, at Palca, Jhian was the one who preached. He shared the lesson about "Are you hungry for heaven?".

In Dagupan, I am the one who preached and the lesson is about "Faving our giants".

February 20 

I didn't push through with my schedule because I have migraine again. This is always my problem. 

February 22 (Midweek service)

Our bible study continues with the book of Matthew. We are now in Matthew 13:44-58.

February 23 (Angang)

I went to visit sister Milagros at Angang. It is the village next to Palca but all the brethren from that area worships with us at Palca. I haven't seen her in our worships for a while and so I decided to visit her. Her reason is that, every Friday, she goes to Lakambini where his daughter lives. She is taking care of her grand kids because her daughter travels to work. She told me that this is only until the end of March. And so I prayed with her and encourage her to be strong in the faith.

February 25 (Dagupan)

Together with Jhian and Henry again, we visited our brethren who are students. We visited sister Maricel, sister Lyka, sister Nicole and brother Ronald. I only heard from them about the reason why some other brethren just like them have not attended the worship lately. The reason is, they moved to Piat because that is where the college school is. They live in a dormitory there and only goes home once a month. 

February 26 (Sunday Worships)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Flor discussed to us the continuation of Matthew 22. In the sermon, brother Rody preached Matthew 14:1-21.

In the afternoon at Palca, brother James was the one who preached. He shared to us the lesson "Jesus overcomes discouragement", a wonderful lesson teaching patience, perseverance and keeping our faith strong in the Lord.

In Dagupan, I preached to them about "7 reasons why people don't obey God". 

February 27 (Dagupan)

I was asked by sister Jeny Rose who is working in England to go to their house in Dagupan and preach on the birthday of her daughter. She would like me to preach to them about giving thanks to God and the church because his husband is not yet a christian. She also asked me to pray for the birthday of their daughter.

March 1 (Midwek service)

In our bible study, brother Rody continued to teach us on the book of Matthew. This time we are are in 15:1-20.

March 2 (Palca)

I went to visit brother Nathaniel and sister Christine in Palca. I found Nathaniel in their house but not sister Christine. They told me she is here in Tuguegarao studying. I do not have any way to communicate with her because her facebook is already inactive and so I asked her mother the cellphone number. I have contacted her and advice her to join us in our worship here in Tuguegarao if she have no classes. Unfortunately, even on Sundays, they still have classes.

March 4 (Dagupan)

I again went to check sister Leona's condition and thankfully, she is already out of the hospital. She have a lot of medicines to take. I cannot talk directly to her because she is till weak. I talked to brother Casimiro his husband and prayed with them.

March 5 (Sunday Services)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Flor shared to us the first part of Matthew 23. It was supposedly brother Anthony who is teaching but because he is loosing his voice due to cough, he told brother Flor to take his place. I was also told to teach Matthew 24 if brother Jimmy cannot do it on March 19. In the sermon, brother Rody preached Matthew 25:21-39.

In Palca, I am the one who preached. I shared to them the lesson "Is everyone going to heaven?" As a Christian, this is an easy question to answer. We all know why. I discussed here every detail for them to remember and if asked the same question by others, they can easily give the verses. I plan to preach this also here in Tuguegarao and Dagupan when it is my time to preach.

In Dagupan, brother Jhian was the first one to preach and he shared about "Growth spiritually through..." and brother Jay preached also. He shared the lesson "Is the Church of Christ the same as other churches?" This is also a question every Christian should know the answer. The true church in the bible is not the same with any other churches built by man today, period.