Preaching activities from June 23 - July 1, 2015

June 23, we had a time again to continue on studying the books of the bible with the help of brother Rody. We thank God that he have again an opportunity to be with us despite having lots work. In this preachers’ bible study, we studied the book of “Second (2) Kings”. He gave us an outline of the whole book with the information we can get from it.

June 24, in our midweek bible study here in Tuguegarao, we studied “John 19” the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus Christ with brother Rody as our teacher.

June 25, we had our last preparations for our Gospel Meeting here in Tuguegarao. I posted in different social media sites our invitation for this activity.

 

This is the invitation I posted online so that everyone in Tuguegarao can see it and also the whole province of Cagayan and Isabela.

June 26, is the start of our Gospel Meeting. One of our speakers should be brother Lordy Salunga from Angeles City but on their way coming here in Tuguegarao with brother Jun Bautista, he received a call from his wife telling him to come back home because their children suffers bleeding from her stools and almost 50% of the blood in her body is coming out so he went back home and asked brother Jun to take his place as our speaker. And so, brother Jun travelled to Santiago and by there, he went to brother Sammy and his son Eman Graneta to join him going here in Tuguegarao.

We changed the schedule of the activity from one of our speaker (Lordy Salunga) to be changed by brother Jun Bautista and brother Sammy Graneta.

Here are the lessons they preached during our first day of Gospel Meeting:

In the morning:

1.   Brother Sammy Graneta – Nature of the Church (Household and Kingdom of God)

2.   Brother Jun Bautista – 1 Timothy 2:1-15

Our first day attendance

brother Jun Bautista preaching 1 Timothy 2:1-15

brother Sammy Graneta preaching Nature of the Church

In the afternoon:

1.   Brother Rody Gumpad – Responsibility to God and the government (This should be the lesson that brother Lordy will be preaching)

2.   Brother Jun Bautista – The just shall live by faith

 

brother Rody Gumpad preaching Responsibility

brother Jun Bautista preaching The Just shall live by faith

After the gospel meeting, there are some fellow preachers who stayed behind and slept here in brother Rody’s house and one of them is a Pastor from the Living Faith Church, Pastor Samuel, (A Pentecosal Group from Cabugao, Apayao who heard about the Church of Christ in the radio).

We gathered in the porch of the house of brother Rody and tried to teach him the truth. One of his question is about the baptism he took when he joined the Pentecostal church if it is ok not to be baptized again. But we know that when he was baptized in that group, he didn’t follow the 5 steps of salvation because at first, he listened and believe to their doctrine and not the one in the bible and he was baptized to be a member of that group and not for the remission of his sins. He also told us that he is not preaching the doctrine of that group and only teach what he knows is the truth. Many of their teachings that he believe are all false and that’s why he call himself “Truth Seeker” and that’s a good sign that he already is in the right path.

June 27, in our second day of Gospel Meeting. The last two invited speakers arrived early in the morning. Brother Bryan Termulo who is a famous singer and actor here in the Philippines (you can search about him in the web) and his manager and also a faithful Christian brother Raul Leynes.

Here are lessons they preached:

In the morning:

1.   Brother Jun Bautista – Beware of what is false

2.   Brother Bryan Termulo – Milk and Mear

3.   Brother Raul Leyned – Vices

4.   Brother Rody Gumpad – Responsibility to the church and family

 

brother Bryan Termulo preaching about Milk and Meat

Second day of Gospel Meeting attendance

brother Raul Leynes preaching about Vices

brother Rody Gumpad preaching about Responsibility

After our studies, we all had our lunch and that time we all had again a conversation with Pastor Samuel and finally he said that he wanted to be baptized. We baptized him in our baptistery and we are all very happy about. He already have asked us preachers to visit him in their place and also teach to those whom he is preaching about Pentecostal doctrines so that their eyes will be opened and see the truth.

Samuel's confession of faith

Samuel baptism

In the afternoon:

1.   Brother Raul Leynes – Spiritual Idol

2.   Brother Bryan Termulo – Christian Olympics: Running the race

 

brother Raul preaching about Spiritual Idol

brother Bryan preaching about Christian Olympics

June 28, in our worship service here at Tuguegarao, we still have brother Raul and Bryan with us so the brethren decided that they will serve for us. Here are the lessons they preached:

Bible Study – brother Raul – Why we should commit to church

Sermon – brother Bryan – Who will inherit the kingdom?

After the service, we took pictures together and about one (1) in they already went to the airport to fly back to Manila because of many activities as they are working in showbiz industry.

 

My family with brother Raul and brother Bryan

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about the “Two Greatest Words” as I personally choose. It is the word “But God” meaning, we should all be destined to go to hell because we are all sinners, we are dead spiritually, we were disobedient and we are doomed BUT GOD sent His son for us and died on the cross for us to be saved from our sins. We should be the one to suffer the consequences of our sins BUT GOD took our place, that’s why we should give Him the proper gratitude and obey Him in all things.

June 30, we were invited to the Gospel Meeting at Quirino Province particularly in Saguday (Local Preacher: brother Sammy Gamit) and Cabarroguis (Local Preacher: brother Willy “Otey” Pastor)

We travelled from Tuguegarao to Saguday in the morning for about three (3) hours and just arrived in time for the first speaker. Here are the speakers and what they preached:

1.   Brother Jerome Forelo – Noah’s Ark – what I learned about it

2.   Brother Rody Gumpad – Responsibility

 

Attendance of the Gospel Meeting

brother Rody preaching Responsibility
(Sorry I do not have a picture of brother Jerome when he is preaching)

After the lessons preached, we extended the invitation and we are very happy again that a mother went in front to confess her faith.

 

Confession of faith

In the afternoon, we travelled going to Gundaway, Cabarroguis, about just 45 minutes from the first destination.

Upon arrival, I noticed many signs of churches. In front of their worship place is a denominational church and on the side is again another denomination church. Here in the Philippines, when two stores are on the same place, we call it competition, and so with what I saw, it seems that there is a great competition of churches in this area. I hope and pray that the truth will win in this battle.

In the Gospel Meeting, this are the speakers and lessons preached:

1.   Brother Edgar Licodini – What is the purpose of studying God’s word?

2.   Brother Rody Gumpad – Jesus said: “Learn of Me”

 

the worship place at Gundaway, Cabarroguis

I was asked to lead a song

Gospel Meeting attendance, there are a lot more on the right side of the screen that is not taken in this picture

brother Otey Pastor their local preacher

brother Edgar preaching What is the purpose of studying God's word

brother Rody preaching Jesus said: Learn of me

Brother Otey also asked me to lead a song before we start the activity. It is such a great joy to see the brethren from this place. I think that last time I was here was about three to four years ago before brother Otey was put in jail. He was put in jail because of self-defense when someone went in their house and wanted to take their belongings but brother Otey and his sibling fought and killed the robber. But in jail, I heard many good things that he have done. He started to preach God’s word there and many prisoners were baptized into Christ and one of them is an ex-Mayor of one of the towns here in Cagayan.

After the Gospel Meeting, he is inviting us to come with them in another activity, to preach in a school but because it is already late in the afternoon, we cannot do so. Brother Jun Gumpad, Robert Pader and I went back home while brother Rody Gumpad, Jerome Forelo and Edgar Licodini stayed because this preaching trip is from Tuesday to Friday. The reason I am not joining them in other days of work because I am scheduled to preach here in Tuguegarao on Wednesday and home visitation at Palca on Friday. And another reason is, I do not have the funds to travel with them.

July 1, in our midweek bible study, I discussed to them “John 20” about the empty tomb when Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene who saw Jesus first after the resurrection, when Jesus appears to His disciples, when Thomas believe that Jesus really is alive and why the author wrote the book.

I am teaching John 20

other midweek attendance, about 35 (not the same attendance we have every Sunday that almost reach 130)

Activities from May 23- June 21, 2015

May 23, we were invited to the Gospel Meeting at Lanna, Solana where brother Jimmy Domingo is locally preaching.

Here are the speakers and the topics they discussed:

1.   Brother Jerome preached about “The Gospel: Our Salvation”

2.   Brother Joeben Jaccobo preached  “Giving our best”

3.   Brother Virgilio Bocarile preached “A man after God’s own heart”

4.   Brother Edgar Licodini preached “Pattern of Christian Family”

5.   Brother Rody Gumpad preached “Things that please God”

Brother Jimmy asked me lead us in our opening prayer in the morning and led several spiritual songs in the afternoon.

We extended the invitation but no response from the audience. The Gospel meeting helped again a lot of brethren to be strengthened in the faith.

May 24, in our Sunday worship here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “There are no dogs in heaven” stating that those who individuals who act like dogs are not going to heaven because of the bad attitudes they have. In the sermon, brother Rody preached to us “What means these stones?” that he got from the story of Elijah.

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Denis and his wife attended in our service because they just arrived from Baguio and will have no other place to worship at that time so they decided to be with us. I then asked him to preach in the congregation. He preached about “What will they say over our grave?”

May 26, we had again our preachers’ bible study wherein brother Rody continued to share to us the books of the bible and now we are on the book of “1 Kings”. He gave to us again the summary of the book and the outline of the chapters.

May 27, in our midweek bible study, brother Rody discussed to us “John 15” about the vine and the branches and the works of the Holy Spirit.

May 29, we were invited to attend at the Gospel Meeting at Illuru, Rizal, about two hours travel from here in Tuguegarao. The local preachers were brother Jayson Tanguilan and brother Mario Garma.

In the gospel meeting, this is the order of the speakers:

1.   brother Virgilio Bocarile preached about “The 3 loves of a disciple”

2.   brother Florendo Respicio preached about “To live is Christ”

3.   (morning)brother Rody preached about “Searching the Scriptures”

4.   (afternoon) brother Rody preached about What is the biggest sin?”

I helped in the leading of song times and was also asked to introduce brother Rody as the speaker.

After the lessons discussed, we extended the invitation and we are happy that three (3) precious souls went in front to confess their faith. We baptized them in the near river.

May 31, in our Sunday worship here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study with the second part of his lesson on “Examples worth sharing” and in the sermon brother Rody preached “Why God added the saved to the church?”

In the afternoon, brother Jay asked me to come with him in Minagbag while brother Rody will go the my preaching place at Palca.

In Minagbag, brother July lead the singing and they asked me to lead the prayers while brother Jay preached about “How to follow Christ?” After the service, a benevolence (sacks of rice) was given to the brethren. It was given by the brethren at Hebron Lane in Kentucky. It was divided among them and they were very happy because many of them cannot afford to buy even a kilogram of it. I hope and pray that many of our brethren from the US will also share to the needs our brethren here in Cagayan. From all the congregations here in our area, many of them a less fortunate. I think in other countries, being a farmer gives you a good life but here in the Philippines, being a farmer means a very hard job and you will only be paid Php 200.00 or $4.00 a day.

June 3, in our midweek service bible study, I discussed to them “John 16” about the words of Jesus Christ when the time of his arrest is coming near and also tells them about the Holy Spirit that will come.

June 5, I visited our brother Jun from Palca because he was again hospitalized with her health problem of diabetes. For the last three months, he already went four times in the hospital because his feet gets the effect of his diabetes. I don’t know how to explain it, but when you look at it, the other one is normal while the other one is getting bigger. Together with her grand-mother (sister Pacita) who is taking care of him, we prayed to the Lord that He will helped in the needs of our brother. They cannot pay all the medicines that’s why even in small amounts, the church at Palca is sharing in his needs.

June 7, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Salvation and Saul”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about the third part of his lesson “Examples worth sharing”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson regarding our relationship as a family “No place like home”. We hear this idiom every time someone comes home because even though we travel a lot, having a happy vacations from here and there, there is still no place like the comfort of our family at home and that’s what God wants us to have in our family. Nowadays, here in the Philippines, in every day in the news, we see father raping his child, mother mistreating his kids, father killing his whole family because of drug addiction and many more crimes regarding the family. We as Christians who knows the bible should not act like them, we need to have a patient, love and care for our family.

June 10, in our midweek bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Jay discussed to us “John 17” about the example of Jesus when we pray. We need to pray for our brethren like when Jesus prayed for his disciples and His believers.

June 12, I visited sister Hazel Cosain who was diagnosed with a kidney problems. She told me the name of sickness she have but because of the medical term, I always forgot it. Right now, she is having a dialysis for twice a week that will take two months to totally cure it. She needs our prayers because it is the only way we can help her.

June 14, in our Sunday worship, brother Jun taught the second part of his lesson regarding “Salvation and Saul”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about “Who does you think you are?” He intentionally put a wrong grammar on the title because he is emphasizing that we should not be like Judas who forsake his friendship with Jesus and sold him just to have money.

June 17, in our midweek bible study, brother Jerome discussed to us “John 18” about Jesus’ arrest and Peter’s denial of Jesus.

June 18-20, we are already busy here working in our church building here at Metro Tuguegarao preparing for our near Gospel Meeting that will be held on June 26-28 with our speakers brother Lordy Salunga, brother Bryan Termulo and brother Raul Leynes.

One of the preparations I helped in what to edit the pictures of the brethren here at Metro Tuguegarao that we wanted to post in our bulletin board and also outside the church building. There are still lot of brethren not included because I do not have any picture of them.

June 21, in our Sunday worship here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jay taught “How to follow Christ?” and in the sermon brother Jerome preached “Gospel Meeting: Why should we attend?” He prepared this lesson because he wanted that every member here in Tuguegarao must attend our gospel meeting because in our previous gospel meetings, about ¾ of the attendance are from other congregations and not even half of the member here in Tuguegarao attended. We pray that God will give them the chance to be with us in our coming gospel meeting.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The True worshipper”. I first showed them the kind of worshipper that God will not accept then in the second part, I showed them the kind of worshipped God accepts and the kind of heart a worshipper musty have to be well pleasing to the Lord.

Activities from April 19 to May 20

On April 19, we had our worship service here at Metro Tuguegarao in the morning. In our bible study, brother Jerome presented a wonderful lesson entitled “If someone notice you today, would they see me in you?” In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Why we need Jesus and His church?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I should be presenting a lesson entitled ”Love your neighbor as yourself” but because of the lesson presented by brother Jerome in the morning, I made another lesson out of his outline and I entitled it “Does your neighbor know you are a Christian?” because sometimes even when we say to ourselves that we are Christians, our actions and words do not show it. We are living in a sinful world and only, we, as Christians should be the light to them by showing them what a disciple of Christ should act and speak. We should be a good example to everyone around us.

April 20 and 21, our whole family went to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where the sister of my wife Joy treated us and paid all expenses for a vacation. They are from Chicago and just came here for vacation. They are attending worship at brother Steve Wolfgang’s congregation. During our stay there, brother Jun Macusi together with his wife came and they brought a couple who is also from Batac, Ilocos Norte. With the effort of brother Rody to share to them the gospel, they decided to be baptize. We baptized them in the beach.

April 22, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Rody taught “John 10” and made a good explanation of the whole chapter in which everyone is exhorted again.

April 24, I went to Palca to visit the family of brother Enzo Simangan. They have a problem because their daughter (Rowena) who is just 18 and still studying in college got pregnant by her boyfriend. Rowena is not around when they told me about it, and so I gave them comforting words from the bible and to pray to God that even though this had happened, everything will be ok. That they will get married and will live a godly life after this sin they have done. I will try my best to preach to her husband and hopefully he will also obey the gospel.

April 26, in our worship service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached in both our bible study and sermon on the topic of “Sin”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson “Love your neighbor as yourself”.

April 29, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I discussed to them “John 11”. About the death of Lazarus and the miracle that Jesus did to show the glory of God, and the plot of Caiaphas and his group to kill Jesus.

May 3, in our worship service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Doing Religion” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “How does the bible view wealth?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “Words of God planted in the minds of every Christian”. We are always studying, always reading our bible and always praying to God, and this lesson is to remind everyone that the seed that God planted in our hearts and mind should also be the voice and action that we show. We should always remember that these words are our weapon against every wiles of the devil like Jesus did when Satan tempted Him.

May 6, in our midweek bible study, brother Jay discussed to us “John 12” about the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem and His prediction of His death.

May 8, I went again to Palca and this time to visit sister Adelaida Fernandez together with her daughter Quennie. I decided to be with them because only Quennie is the one attending the services and the reason why her mother is not coming because of the work she have in the farm. This is the only way they can have the money for living. Her husband is a craftsman, but not always that he have customers. They do not have a farm and so they are only working for the owner of a farm. They have a low state of living and did not finish their studies. They are working hard for their daughter to study. With this in mind, we all prayed together and read bible verses that could lessen their worries and that Jesus said, he will never leave nor forsake us if we trust in Him.

May 10, in our worship service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Attitudes toward sin” and brother Jerome preached in the sermon about “Principles of church growth”. They is a typhoon during this day and the wind is really blowing hard that even though the rain drops are small, it makes it look strong but even though this is happening, it didn’t stop us to do our obligation on the Sunday.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Things to forget”. The things we do before, we do not do them anymore.

May 12, I was asked by my mother to come with her in Calantac, Alcala for the harvesting of her crops. While waiting for her, I have talked to many people regarding the words of God and my uncle is one of them (Peter Tuazon), the older brother of my mother. He is a Jehovah’s Witnesses member and is one time their elder, but he was removed because his two sons married with catholics. He is still active and always reading their papers. I got a discussion with him regarding the true church, but as always, when we talk to a group like them, they will never accept anything you will say. I still did share the truth and he patiently listened. I hope that everything I shared to him remains in his mind and someday, obey the gospel.

May 13, in our midweek service, brother July taught “John 13”. He talked about “Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, His betrayal and Peter’s denial”.

May 17, in our worship service here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Hiding from God” and brother Jerome preached in the sermon “Examples worth sharing”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I started the series of lesson I will be presenting them about “Godly Home in an ungodly world”. I started with “The home as God would have it.”

May 19, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody shared to us the book of “2 Samuel”. We studied the important events in the book and the summary.

May 20, in our midweek service, brother Rody discussed to us “John 14” about what Jesus told when He will leave His disciples and prepare a place for all the righteous and someday be with Him forever.