Activities from February 11 to March 11

February 11, in our midweek service, since brother Rody is with us, he was the one who discussed “John 3”.

February 15, our Lord’s day service at Metro Tuguegarao where I was again scheduled to stand and preach since brother Rody is in Manila. In our bible study, brother Jun taught “2 Doctrines” , the doctrine of Man that we should not allow ourselves to follow it and the doctrine of God which will give us eternal life if we obey and remain in it. I preached in the sermon about “Convenience and Conviction”. We have a lot of decisions to make in our life and sometimes we choose the most convenient way but when it comes to our spiritual life we need to have the conviction to follow only Christ and not the things we wanted.

I preached the same lesson at Palca in the afternoon.

February 18, in our midweek service, brother Jerome taught “John 4:1-26”.

February 19, I went to Dagupan to visit brother Lordie Simangan. His wife is not yet a Christian but sometimes she is attending our services. I shared to them the importance of being a Christian.

February 21, I went to Palca to visit sister Noemi Belen. She is a faithful sister and always attending services wherever she might be when on Sundays. Her work put her in place to go different places. I gave her encouraging passages in the bible to continue in serving the Lord whatever situation we are in life, whether in the best or worse situation.

February 22, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “My life, my faith, my hope”. A lesson showing how we handle hardships in life like Job to remain faithful to God because He will give reward to those who will keep the faith until the end.  In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “A Christian”, telling us our duties of being the children of God.

At Palca, in the afternoon, I preached “The life of Job”. Almost similar to the lesson I taught in Tuguegarao about hardships and how to overcome it.

February 24, in our preachers’ bible study, we decided that we will only have this activity when brother Rody is here in Tuguegarao as he will discuss to us the “Bible Survey” book wherein we study the summary of every book in the bible. This time, he shared to us “Book of Joshua”.

February 25, in our midweek service, brother Jay (who is having cough and flu, and losing his voice while teaching) shared to us “John 4:27-54”. Even in that situation, he still stand in front to share the words of God. It is an example to us that even if we are sick, nothing can stop us from serving the Lord. We still needed to go to church as it is one of our duties.

February 26, we went to the Gospel Meeting at San Mariano, Lal-lo where brother Daniel Pasaraba is preaching. Brother Edgar Licodini is the first speaker and he preached about “Salvation”, the followed by brother Rody who preached “Dagiti makaparang-ay iti iglesia a nadayag” or in English, “What to do to make the glorious church grow”. The brethren are very much encourage to hear the good lessons and also to see us because it has been a long time since we went there. It is also a good opportunity for me and other fellow preachers to strengthen the faith of the brethren by edifying them through simple talk and sharing of the gospel. After the meeting, the Pastor who came with brother Edgar came to me and we have a little talk. I forgot his whole name but I remember our conversation. He really wanted to learn more about the church of Christ and willing to be converted if shown that the church he belongs is not the church Christ built. I also learn that he is only 22 years of age and is one year pastor. I invited him to our preachers’ bible study here at Tuguegarao and said, if the Lord’s will. I pray that someday he will realized the mistake he made and repent of it and become a true Christian.

 

They asked me to lead the prayer.

First Speaker - brother Edgar Licodini "Salvation"

Entrance to their church building

brother Rody Gumpad preaching "What to do to make the glorious church grow"

brother Daniel Pasaraba the local preacher.

February 28, we went to the Gospel Meeting at San Esteban, Iguig where brother Ronald Valdez is preaching. The first speaker was brother Rodel Marquez, a soldier and a faithful preacher. This is the first time I hear him preach and I am very blessed with the message he shared not only because of the gospel but also with the kind of work he is into. He preached about “Searching the truth”.

 

brother Rodel Marquez

The second speaker was brother Joeben Jacobo and he preached about “Christians need to go forward”. With the way he preached the lesson, I suggested to the brethren at Palca that he will also be our speaker on April 1, and they all agreed with me. The third speaker was brother Efren Respicio and he preached about “Why we suffer?” The final speaker in the morning was brother Rody, wherein he preached the first two parts of his lesson “Things that will happen when Christ returns”.

I was asked to lead a song

brother Joeben Jacobo

brother Efren Respicio

In the afternoon, the first speaker was brother Jerome Forelo. He preached “Why I am a Christian?” and the last speaker was brother Rody where he preached that last three parts of his topic.

After the preaching, invitation was extended. Two young ladies went in front to confess their faith. Brother Ronald went to baptized them because we went first home because of other obligations here at Tuguegarao. He then contacted us that three more souls joined in baptism. The Gospel Meeting produces 5 new converts in the Lord’s church.

March 1, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study “Paths to eternity” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “How to kill a church?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “First and best”. I showed them what should be our attitude when giving back to the Lord. The Israelites where commanded to offer God and first born of their cattles and the best, while we, as Christians, when we offer ourselves to God, we need to worship Him in spirit and truth.

March 3, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed “Book of Judges”. In the afternoon, after our study, brother Alex Ginelba and brother Edwin Soriano brought a young men with them from San Agustin. He studied with us from morning until the end of the study. He then decided to be baptized after hearing the truth not only from the lesson discussed but also with our sharing to him.

March 4, in our midweek service, brother Rody taught “John 5”.

March 6, we went to the Gospel Meeting at San Luis, Tuao where brother Rogelio Esperanza is preaching. The first speaker was brother Jerome wherein he preached about “Where your heart is?” and followed by the last speaker, brother Rody who preached about “Go…Preach the Gospel”. Invitation was extended and one precious soul obeyed the gospel.

March 8, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” and in the sermon, brother Rody  preached “The Glorious church”. After the sermon, invitation was extended and we are happy that finally Miss Imelda decided to be baptized into Christ. She is attending our worship services and midweek services without any absence for almost three to four months already and this day she decided to obey the truth.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” The words of Pharaoh being ignorant of who Jehovah is. Today, many still do not know God. They say they know Him but the truth is not. They are doing what they wanted, following their desires and not obeying the bible. That is that knowing who God is. To know Him, we must read the bible, have faith in the words of God and obey it.

March 11, in our midweek service, I taught to them “John 6:1-40”. The miracles Jesus did by feeding the 5,000 men with just two fishes and 5 bread, and also the bread of life that we should partake.

Activities from January 7 to February 10

January 7, in our first midweek service of the year, I taught in our bible study on “Luke 23” trials of Christ in front of Pilate and Herod, until His death.

January 11, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study the lesson “Alone”, and in the sermon, brother Jerome preach “When was the last time…”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I made the lesson similar to what I taught in our bible study at Tuguegarao on Luke 23 but I focus on the “Trial, Crucifixion and death of Christ”.

January 13, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Celso Jacobo taught “2 Timothy 2”.

January 14, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught “Luke 24” on the resurrection of Christ.

January 17, I got the chance again to visit the brethren at Palca, this time I went back to the house of sister Angelina Santiago to visit his son Don-don. H is studying here in Tuguegarao but is going home every Friday afternoon, but since he started to study here, I haven’t seen him in any services both here in Tuguegarao and at Palca so I decided to be with them on that day. I preached a short lesson to them about “Why do we need to attend the worship and is it needed for us to be saved?”

January 18, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Did your Jesus say…?” and in the sermon, brother Jerome taught “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees?” that is the right lesson because the pope visited the Philippines on this day and many people are somewhat worshipping him, kissing his hands, bowing to him and many more acts that should only be given to the Lord. He is like a Pharisee in the time of Jesus that wanted to be praise.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Do I have to?” I got another lesson that I could preach but when I saw some of the members who are attending twice a month and sometimes only once, I decided to preach this lesson. And I am happy with the result because now, they are always in attendance on every services.

January 21, in our midweek service, brother Jerome taught “John 1:1-18” and he talks about the word who became flesh that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

January 25, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Two Treasures” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preach about the two servants, I forgot the words he use in the title because I am not use in hearing the word.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “One Chance”. We have many chances in other things in life but there are things we can only have once like “we only have one chance to live, one chance to die, one chance to raise our children and one chance to face God in judgment” and so because we do not have a second chance, we should make the best choice to handle it.

I forgot to mention in my reports that my wife, Joy, continuous to teach the children and now with my daughter (whom she also teach here in our house) to the kids at Palca.

January 27, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody taught “The book of Exodus”, it is a summary of the whole book that we started to study.

January 28, in our midweek service, brother Rody taught “John 1:19-51”

January 30, we went to Minagbag, Quezon to have a bible study. I help I leading songs together with brother July while brother Jun taught “ Christian duties and responsibilities” and brother Rody taught “Go… Preach the gospel”.

February 1, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Rody both taught in our bible study and sermon about “Religious but lost”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about “God’s dividing line” a line that separates us from the Lord just like sin and righteousness.

February 3, in our preachers’ bible study, we both studied the summary of the book of Leviticus and Numbers that brother Rody presented.

February 4, in our midweek service, brother Rody taught “John 2”.

February 5, we went to the bible study at Maguirig, Solana. Brother Rody was the main speaker and he taught about “Hindrances of Salvation”. I help in leading a song.

But before going to the bible study, a man from Conner, Apayao visited us here in the house of brother Rody, he is Darwin who is a son of a preacher of Iglesia ni Cristo (1914) in their place. He is a listener of our radio program and decided to come to Tuguegarao and be baptized in the Lord’s church. He said that he cannot take the doctrines preached in the denomination, so he did what he knows that is right and came here. We brought him in the bible study to learn more. After the lesson, he decided to confess his faith and we baptized him here in Tuguegarao.

February 8, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “A Christian” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Beware of Dogs”. Next Sunday, I will be teaching in our bible study because brother Rody will be going to Manila again.

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca, about “Ten Commandments and if it is applicable for us today to follow”.

February 10, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody taught “Deuteronomy”. Because we finish the lesson in the morning, we have a conversation with the fellow preachers about the problems they have in their congregations and what they needed for help. Some says, they need prayers because they have been persecuted in their place by denominational pastors, some says asking a little help for church buildings and many more. We all went to God for prayer because He is the one who can only help us. After the prayer, there are books given to brother Rody and brother Jerome to be given to those who are interested and so it was distributed.

Activities from December 10 - January 4

December 10, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Robert was the one scheduled to preach but he was away at that time so he sent his son-in-law, Manny Pader to take his place. He discussed to us “Luke 19”.

December 14, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “What makes religious practices right or wrong?” and in the sermon, I preached to them about “Doing things the right way” where I shared the things that God commanded and what should we do in order to  be well pleasing to Him and not disobeying any of His orders.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson to them. Many of the students who are studying at Tuguegarao already went back home to Palca because of the holiday vacation.

December 17, in our midweek service, brother Jerome discussed “Luke 20”.

December 19, I went to Palca  to visit the brethren. I went to the house of the Uton’s where I again talked to them about going back to the church because since the church at Naruangan stopped, they failed to attend any services that’s why I am again telling them that they are welcome to join us because they were members before at Palca. The distance is only about 2km from their house to the church building.

December 21, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “Lessons learned from the 12 disciples” and in the sermon, brother Jun preached “Where are the nine?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Certainties that should help us be sober”.

December 23, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us about “The Spirit” from the example of Elishah having the spirit of Elijah when he was taken by the Lord.

December 24, in our midweek service, brother Rody taught “Luke 21”.

December 26, I visited the family of brother Mac and sister Grace Lamigo. Brother Mac is no longer attending the services but sister Grace is always present. I shared to them about the importance of serving God and what can we expect in return if we remain faithful to Him.

December 28, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached the lesson about “The state of Christ” in both the bible study and in the sermon.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Having room for Jesus in our lives”. Jesus was born having no room for Mary to deliver him, the Jews have no room for him when he was with them and even his own didn’t have any room for him, and so we, as Christians, should not be like them and give a place for Jesus in our lives.

After the service, we had a thanksgiving to God because it is the last Sunday of the year. I solicited used clothes from my mother’s store without any payment and also gave a little help for them. My wife and kids help me with the packing for a few days and we gave it to the brethren on this day of 28^th. The brethren are very happy with what they have received and together we went to the Lord in prayer for His loving kindness to us all.

December 30, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody taught in the morning about “The bible survey” and in the afternoon “The book of Genesis”.

December 31, in our midweek service, brother Jun discussed to us “Luke 22”.

January 2, brother Jay and I went on a trip to Manila to preach at Edsa-Pasay church. I should be the only one going but I invited him to join me and help in the work.

January 4, in the Lord’s day service at Edsa-Pasay, brother Jay taught in the whole morning with the lessons “Consider your ways” and “How to maintain faith” in the bible study and sermon. The attendance is small with about 25 because many of the brethren went on vacation going back to their home towns.

In the afternoon, I preached to them about “Parable of the Pencil”. This parable is not written in the bible but I just use the title and at the same time, use it as an example with the contents of it to show the life of a Christian. We are like pencils made by a creator, sometimes sharpening comes in our life and we needed to be strong. The most important part of the pencil is the inside, and so with us, the most important part that God wants to see in us is our hearts to be always pure.

Activities from October 28 to December 7

October 28, another wonderful Wednesday midweek service. Brother Rody taught on "Romans 12" where he discussed much about giving our all to the Lord as a living sacrifice.

November 2, God had given us another day to serve Him through worship in this Lord's day. Brother Jay taught in our bible study about "Kasanu ti panagbasa dagiti dadduma a tattao ti biblia?" which is translated in English "How do others read the bible?" It was a good lesson because it reminds us that we should not only read the bible but study and understand every meaning of it and most especially to obey what the will of the Lord is. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about "Thoroughly equipped for every good work?" As a christian, we should always be ready to go and preach the gospel and be light and salt of the world.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them "What will others say about us in our grave?" I choose to preach this lesson because November 1 and 2 here in the Philippines, many people are going to the cemetery to visit the grave of their love ones. And as the title of the lesson I presented, what about us when we die, what will they remember over our grave. I hope someday, all will remember me as a faithful Christian and that's it, nothing more and nothing less.

November 4, another gathering for us preachers to study the word of God. Brother Edgar Licodini has given the opportunity again to share to us. For the whole day, we studied "2 Thessalonians 3".

November 5, in our midweek service, we studied "Luke 14" that brother Jerome presented. He discuss to us the parable of the wedding feast and the cost of being a disciple of Christ.

November 9, it was a happy day again for worshipping the Lord. In our bible study, brother Jun taught "Christ second coming" and in the sermon brother Jerome preached "The parable of the wedding feast". Both the lessons presented where a reminder for us to be always ready because we do not know when the Lord will come again and judge the whole world.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about "Social Gospel". A kind of gospel many people wanted us it is teaching them to do whatever they want. That is the kind of teaching Jesus hates because it is against His will. Examples are dancing, instrumental music, divorce, smoking and many more.

November 11, in our preachers' bible study, brother Robert Rances first taught to us in the morning on "2 Corinthians 13:5" and in the afternoon, brother Flor Respicio taught "Parable of the Prodigal Son".

November 12, in our midweek service, brother Jay taught to us "Luke 15". The parable of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son.

November 14, because I haven't got any chance to visit the brethren at Palca for two straight weeks, I decided that I will do it this day and visit most of them. I invited brother Robert Rances and Manny Pader to help me but when we arrived at Dagupan, brother Manny received a call from his brother-in-law saying that his son is having a fever and they don't know what they should do, so he decided to go back home. Together with brother Robert, we first visit brother Enzo and his family, unluckily, nobody's home so we went to the next desitination at sister Tersing Poselero because she was not in attendance of our worship for a month. She then told us that she was hospitalized for several days and needed to stay home and rest. We didn't know that had happen because she admitted that she didn't inform anybody about it except her family. Her daughter is there who just arrived from Manila and is attending at the congregation at Pasay where brother Rody is teaching.

In the next house we visit, we went to sister Fermina's house and upon arrival, we were met by sister Pacita and sister Diday. We all went inside, had a short words of encouragement from the bible and prayer.

We went to the house of sister Valentina Mabborang as our next place of visit. My intention on going there is to visit her grandson and granddaughter. Without any idea, they have a small celebration on her grandson's (Arnold) birthday. So instead of just talking to them and pray, we decided to preach to the everyone because this is another good opportunity to share the message of the Lord. Brother Robert preached to them about obeying God and also on thanksgiving. After that, I lead the prayer.

Our final destination is at sister Teresita Andrada's house because I was informed she was sick. We went to there house but we only saw her husdand. Sister Teresita went to school to get her granddaughter. She already feel better as she can go out.

We are preparing to go home when we saw brother Agpoon(I can't remember his first name anymore because of the many years we didn't see him; he is the brother of brother Rolando Agpoon) sitting outside of his house. He is worshipping with us for long time but since having an illness, he is no longer attending. Brother Edwin Soriano decided that time that they will have a service every Sunday at their house. But with our conversation, it was long gone. We invited him to come again to the church at Palca and he said yes.

November 16, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught "Offering God substitutes" and in the sermon, brother Rody preached "2 Timothy 2". After the lesson, we extended the invitation and one precious soul went in front to confess his faith. He is brother Emil Pagunuran, a young men who is attending our services for a month.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about "Mindset of Abel". A lesson pointing out true obedience the God.

November 18, in our preachers' bible study, brother Edgar Licodini taught to us "1 Timothy 1".

November 19, in our midweek service, brother Jun taught "Luke 16". He discussed to us about the shrewd manager and Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

November 21, I went to Dagupan to re-visit brother Enzo. Just in time of my arrival, they also arrived from work. In our conversation, I saw worries from his eyes. I asked him why, and he then told me that, for a month already since their last time to attend the service at Palca, they are looking for his son and his wife. They went out of the village without anyone knowing where they have gone. Brother Enzo then told me a possible reason why they did this. As a father, and knowing that they are still young at the age of 26, he is trying to help them with their decisions but the wife of his son do not always agree with him. She is not yet a christian but is coming with his husband in the church. The wife first leave and after 2 days, his son also leave. They are trying to contact them but they failed. Brother Enzo is really worried because he doesn't know where they are and what their situation is now. We just then gathered his whole family and asked God through prayer.

November 23, in our Lord's day service, brother Jun taught in our bible study about "Cornelius and Salvation" then followed by brother Rody who preached "Have you counted the cost?"

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca about "Lord, what do you want me to do?" I gave the example of Apostle Paul when he was stop by the Lord on his way to Damascus. He then asked what he needed to do and after that, he followed with all humbleness that command of the Lord.

November 25, in our preachers' bible study, brother July taught " 1Timothy 2" and because we have a brother coming from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, brother Jun Macusi, he also share a lesson to us and he taught about "Best of the best". We had the good which is the wealth that is given by the Lord, better which is health and best which is salvation.

November 26, in our midweek service, I taught "Luke 17". The "Sin, faith and duty", "ten lepers" and "kingdom of God".

November 30, in our Lord's day service, brother Jun taught "Why are people lost or saved?" and brother Jerome preached "James 4".

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them "Luke 16".

December 3, we went to Amulung where we attended the burial of our late sister Alma Zulueta. She is a faithful sister who is attending worship in Edsa-Pasay congregation but is a member at Amulung. She is always helping in the church work at Pasay, but the last two months, she was in the hospital because of unknown sickness. After a month, she was diagnosed of cancer that took her life. She left a good memory and example to all of us because of how faithful she is in the Lord.

In the evening, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother July taught "Luke 18"

December 6, in our Lord's day service here at Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about "Running out of time", there are things we often do that make us realize in the end that we shouldn't do it because of the bad consequences and now we still have a chance to make it better. We do not know when the Lord will come, in order not to be totally lost, we should make use of our time wisely by being righteous and take away every sinful acts. In the sermon, brother Jun preached "Could the apostles forgive sins?" All of us can forgive our fellowmen of the sins they have done to us, but we cannot forgive, same with the apostles the sins that only God can take away.

In the afternoon, I preached the same lesson at Palca about "Running out of time".