Update on the works of the Lord: Preaching activities from April 2 to May 3, 2023

April 2 (Sunday Worships)

We do not have our teens’ class because the room where we study is under construction. We do not have any place to meet and so we just joined the bible study inside the chapel. Brother Flor Constantino discussed to us Matthew 25 on the Parable of the Ten Virgins and Talents.

In the sermon, brother Rody preached on Matthew 18:1-12 about the greatest in the kingdom and the lost sheep.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson about “What kind of servant are you?” I was joined by brother Robert Rances and he will be coming with me every Sunday to help me in the work. He no longer work at the congregation at Alibago and so we asked him if he can help in the work in Palca and Dagupan.

In Dagupan, brother Robert preached to us “What they said”. That is, doctrines of men that many followed which he discussed what the bible says about it.

April 5 (Midweek Service)

Brother Harry Osborne arrived here in Tuguegarao early Wednesday morning and he was also the one who taught in our evening Bible Study. He preached to us about “Things Essential in being approved unto God”. Preachers from other congregations also came and join us.

April 6 (Gospel Meeting)

We held our Gospel Meeting here in Metro Tuguegarao Church and we have three speakers for the day. Brethren from other congregations also came that’s why the church building is full. We needed to borrow chairs from the village hall just for them to have a sit. The chapel cannot accommodate everyone inside and because we are also having a live streaming, we set-up the tv of brother Rody in the parking area so that those who are outside can still watch/listen to the sermons. The attendance is almost 300.

My wife help in teaching the kids who came just to lessen the number the people inside the chapel. They also stayed in the parking area where there is a lot of space. It is very hot outside but we still manage to give what those in attendance needed and that is to listen to the words of God preached.

Brother Willy Otey Pastor was our first speaker and he preached “Satan Comes to Services”. I copied his outline and will also study and share this to our brethren. He is from Cabarroguis, Quirino and preacher of several congregations there.

The second speaker in the morning is brother Harry Osborne. He preached a good lesson about "Breaking the Hold of temptation".

The third speaker and in the afternoon is brother Lance Coloma. He is really not a preacher but an engineer who is only helping in the work at Pasay Church in Manila. He is from Alibago, Enrile and I have known him since he was a kid. He started to learn leading songs, then standing in front to read bible verses and now he can preach. I pray that many kids will be like him someday. For the lesson, he preached about "Fortifying a Christian Family".

And the last is brother Harry again. He preached the lesson "Faith that overcomes".

Invitation was extended and one precious soul obeyed the gospel. He is from Lattac where brother Jayson Tanguilan is preaching.

April 8 (Gospel Meeting)

We went to the Gospel Meeting at Cadaanan Church where brother Efren Respicio is preaching. When we arrived, brother Robert Rances just ended his lesson. Then brother Harry followed with the lesson “Defeating the Devil”. Invitation was extended and three teenagers came in front to confess their faith. The ages ranges from 12-14. I was asked to lead songs in the work.

In the afternoon, we went to Bangag Church for their Gospel Meeting also. This time, only brother Harry is scheduled to preach. I was asked once again to help in leading a song. The topic is about “From interest to obedience”. Invitation was extended and two man came in front. When asked to confess, they said that they were baptized before. It was 20 years ago and time came when Satan pulled them out of the church and returned to worldly activities. This time, they both came in front to repent of the sins they committed in front to the congregation. Everyone is happy with their decision. I know they will now do everything to fix their spiritual lives.

April 9 (Sunday Worships)

In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Flor continued with our discussion on Matthew 25. No classes for the teenagers because the elders wanted everyone to be inside the chapel. But for the kids, my wife and sister Tessie still went on with their classes.

In the sermon, brother Harry preached to us "Losing it all to gain Christ".

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Robert is again with me. I led the work in singing and praying while he preached to us. He shared a lesson about “What they said".

In Dagupan, I was the one who preached and it is all about “The Snake, A Captain and Baptism” (belief +obedience).

April 10 (Bible Lectureshipat Tuguegarao)

We again have a full room with brethren coming from several congregations. It is a non-working holiday and so even the students are present. My estimate is, we have about 200 attendance. Aside from brother Harry, we also invited other preachers to preach to us. For the first day, we have brother Edgar Licodini who is a preacher at three congregations in Ilagan province. He preached to us the lesson about "The wrath of God". Then for the second speaker, we have brother Harry who preached the lesson "Claim-power-proof".

In the afternoon, we have another preacher who shared a wonderful lesson to us. He is brother Efren Ramos who is from Ilocos Region. He preached an edifying lesson about "Perseverance". Lastly, the last speaker for the first day is brother Harry who preached "Lay aside every weight".

April 11 (Bible Lectures)

For the second day, the attendance is now smaller, it is about 130-140. We have again an invited speaker and is he brother Rodel Baagin from La Union. He preached the lesson about "Rapture", discussing the error of this doctrine. Followed by brother Harry who preached about "Are you a Pharisee?".

In the afternoon, we have brother Ben Vistro as the first speaker. He is from Tabuk City. He preached the lesson about "The danger of apostasy". And finally, brother Harry preached "Modern religion: godliness without God". Invitation was extended and one precious soul was converted into Christ.

April 12 (Midweek Service)

I was asked by our elders to teach in our bible study. I shared to them the lesson about “7 Reasons why people don’t obey God”. Many are still away because of the Easter vacation.

April 16 (Sunday Worship)

In our bible study at Tuguegarao, brother Rody shared to us the first parts of Matthew 26. We do not have the teenagers class as per request by the elders that we will join the bible study at this time and maybe this will push through until August because I will be helping in the bible study and sermon. Brother Rody will travel to America on May 5 and so brother Lino and brother Flor (our elders) and I will take charge of all the work here.

In the sermon, brother Rody preach “Matthew 18:15-35”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson about “Simon, the sorcerer”. We can learn many things about the conversion of Simon. From his obedience to the gospel until the sin he committed.

In Dagupan, brother Jhian preached first and he shared the lesson “To whom shall we go?”. Followed by brother Robert Rances who gave additional lectures regarding the lesson Jhian shared. More on doctrinal parts which we should know in order to answer the questions of others especially the Jehovah's witnesses that is one part of the doctrines discussed.

April 19 (Midweek Service)

We are happy to be with brother Ron Halbrook again. This time, his son brother David also came, together with his grandson Joel. Is been a decade since brother David came here. He was with his wife before and also sister Donna Halbrook. It is such an encouraging thing to see three generations of Halbrook together and a very good example on how to raise a child in the presence of God.

In our study, brother David preached to us about "Science, God and You". Invitation was extended and three precious souls obeyed the gospel. They are from Lanna and will be joining the congregation there.

April 21 (Gospel Meetings)

We have scheduled a gospel meeting at Dagupan Church where I am preaching to be with brother Ron and brother David. They both preached a very challenging and encouraging lessons. We have about 75-80 attendance. Our chapel is not done yet and so we still gathered in the house of brother Enzo. We are very thankful for this opportunity to be with our american brethren who helped strengthened everyone's faith. We also went to the chapel we are building. Brother Ron is the one helping us locate funds for the materials.

After Dagupan, I also joined them in going to Nangalisan Church for another Gospel Meeting. We were late when we got there because I still needed to talk to the brethren at Dagupan before leaving. It was brother Ron already who is preaching when we arrived. The picture I got is from the shared photo of brother Rody.

April 23 (Sunday Worship)

I was invited to preached in the congregation of brother Robert Rances in Lingu in the morning. The congregation started when brother Robert left us here in Tuguegarao. He is one of our elders in Tuguegarao, before but he decided to open a congregation in his hometown, and so he left. I preached the lesson about “Is everyone going to heaven?”

We finished the worship at Lingu at 10am but we needed to be quick and be with Dagupan at 10:30. There was an invitation in a birthday for the grand son of sister Ema Castro and she wanted us to pray for the baby. But before that, we have our worship first. I preached the lesson about “Giving thanks”. We have visitors who are also the guests of sister Ema. We invited them to join us in the next services and also gave them bible tracts. After that, we went to the celebration and prayed to Grein, the grandson of sister Ema. Both the parents of the baby are in abroad working and she is the only one taking care of him. Grein is just 2 years old. It is hard to leave your son especially when he is just a kid but because of the difficulty of having a job here in the Philippines, they are force to work abroad.

In the afternoon, at Palca, Jhian preached “Where are your affection?”. Henry and Robert are also with us.

April 26 (Midweek Service)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao. brother Rody shared to us again "Matthew 18" because there are messages to him that they wanted to listen to it again.

April 27 (Dagupan)

I visited the brethren at Dagupan. I am alone because Jhian and Henry are at school. For all the houses of brethren I went, only sister Angelu is at home. His partner is also there. They are not yet married and have two kids already and so I explained to them about marriage. Thankfully, they understand. Only sister Angelu is the christian and I am praying that someday, Alphy will be too. As of today, May 4, they already got their papers at work and on May 22 will be the wedding.

April 30 ( Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao. We started with "Matthew 26". Brother Rody was the one who shared to us.

In the sermon, he preached on Matthew 19:1-15.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them the lesson on "Giving thanks". But this time, I adopted the lesson according to the need of the congregation.

In Dagupan, brother Robert preached "2 John 9 Doctrines of Man, Devil and God". Half way of the sermon, the rain came and it is not just a normal rain, it is a hail. The roof is very noisy that we cannot hear him anymore. We decided to end the sermon after 30 mins of waiting for it (rain) to stop and prayed together. The rain didn't stop until we came home to Tuguegarao. We, at Dagupan church are praying that we can already finished building our chapel. A lot of funds are still needed because there is still no roof, windows and doors.