Preaching activities from September 4 to 30

September 4 (Lord’s Day at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study here in Tuguegarao the lesson about “Our transformation”. We were living in darkness before our baptism and in bondage of sin, but through the blood of Christ, we were all cleanse from all our sins and now living in light. We were born again and so we need to be transformed that we should always do the right and reject anything that transgresses the law of Christ. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “Back to Basics” showing us the things we had learned when we were baptized that we should not forget and we should live in.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached about the “Need for Unity in worship”. God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and we also need to worship Him in one mind or in unity.

September 7 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay shared to us why the apostle Paul wrote “1 Corinthians 15”. He discussed the problem of the Corinthians about the resurrection.

September 11 (Lord’s Day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I again shared a lesson in our bible study about “And lalakeng may malaking pananampalataya” (A men with great faith). It is about the humble Centurion who asked the elders to go to Jesus and beg Him to heal his servant. Jesus came to him because He noticed the great faith the Centurion have for Jesus. The servant was healed and we can learn a valuable lesson that we should always trust God that He will give what is the best for us, whatever our situation is. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “After baptism, what then?” He uses passage of the scriptures that we should do what the will of the Lord is and remain faithful to Him until the last breath we have.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the same lesson “A men with great faith”. There are many who are having cough and colds that they needed to go out and get water. I pity them much because some of them cannot even buy their medicines. So after the service, we gave them money from our collection and also offered prayers.

September 14 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody shared to us “1 Corinthians 16” regarding the use of collection and how to manage it.

September 15 (Home bible study)

We had a bible study here in our house where brother Rody came and shared bible passages to us. We also sung wonderful praises to God and prayed together as a family.

September 16 (Home bible study)

We also had a home bible study at the house of brother Jerome. We opened the book of Hebrews 10 with the help again of brother Rody to discuss it to us.

September 17 (Home visitation and tracts distribution at Palca in the morning and Gospel Meeting at Catarauan in the afternoon)

I invited some fellow preachers to come and join with me in Palca (Jerome Forelo, James Attaban, Ronald Valdez, Jayson Tanguilan, Robert Pader and Rogelio Esperanza). Brother Lino Quines also joined us, he is a faitful brother in Palca who is always helping in the growth of the church there.

We first went to the house of sister Noemi Belen because she didn’t have any chance to attend services because she is working in the office of the Mayor that even Sundays, they are asking her to go to places for work. Unluckily, she is not again at home and only her father is there. We gave him the tracts and also shared about the church because he is a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Second house, we went to sister Angelina Santiago’s house. A faithful sister, but we needed to visit her because she was sick. We prayed in their house and also asked God to guide her in taking care of his son who is unlikely to repent because he choose worldly pleasures over the service to God.

Third house, we went to sister Teresita Andrada’s house because she was also sick. We talk with her husband and he said that she is sleeping and needed rest so we didn’t disturb her.

Fourth house, Agpoon’s house. We continue to visit them because we want them to return to church. It has been a long time since they last attended the services, but we never surrender to tell them the importance of worshiping the Lord. Their father recently have a high blood that paralyzes a part of his body and now unable to talk, but thank God that he can move freely as he wants to.

Fifth house, Uton Family. We had a bible study in their house and brother Jerome shared a lesson about not forsaking the assembly. They told me their problem that because of their old age, they cannot walk going to church like before and every Sunday, there are no other means of transportation except to walk. So I volunteered to pick them up every Sunday and bring them home after the service. They are very happy when I told them that and I do not know how many “Thank you” they said. Since then, they are always in our worship.

Sixth house, Simangan Family. Only sister Gina is in their house and brother Enzo is in his cousin’s wake and also going to the cemetery to work for his cousin’s burial. We again prayed for them for this time of trial in their life and also giving them words of encouragement to continue serving the Lord.

Seventh house, Posolero family. Sister Teresita who is the only faithful Christian in their family is sick also with heavy cough. All her children are Christians but seldom go to church and his husband is not a Christian. We had a bible study, and brother Robert Pader preached about taking care of our souls.

Last house, sister Maria Andrada’s house. She was very emotional when we visited her. Almost a month already that she is not attending our services. The reason is, according to her, problem with the family. She have a teary eyes when she is telling her problem, so we again prayed together and told her to continue in going to church and as a body, we will help together to resolve any problems.

In the afternoon, we went to the Gospel Meeting at Catarauan, where brother Jun Antonio is preaching. Brother Jerome was the first speaker and he preached about “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” and followed by brother Joeben Jacobo who preached about “Redeeming our opportunities”. I was asked in the end to get the questions in the open forum, but it seems everyone understand the lessons but some might have some questions but only ashamed to us. No conversions were made but there are two visitors in the audience.

September 18 (Lord’s day at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, brother Rody started the introduction to his lesson about “The Elect” showing us the writer of the book of 1 Peter and whom it was written. In the sermon, he preached the topic to us.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Greatest things in the world”.  Money, Cars, Houses, Phones, Jewelries, wonders of nature are not the greatest things in the world but the word of God, the blood of Christ, Christians, God and Love.

September 21 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

We started the 2^nd letter of Paul to the Corinthians with the help again of brother Rody. He gave the introduction of the letter and the reason why it was written to them.

September 22 (Home bible study)

We went to the house of Darauay family. Brother Lino, their father is celebrating his birthday on the 23^rd but celebrated it in advance and they asked us to go to them and have a bible study. We sang songs wherein I was one who led together with brother Jay and brother James. Brother Rody shared Matthew 7. The house was full of their relatives and are happy to see that they are all Christians.

September 23 (Home bible study)

This time, we went to the house of the Aquino’s. It is also another birthday celebration of the father of the family. Brother Andy celebrated his 66^th birthday. We again sang spiritual songs and studied “Matthew 6”. We all prayed together for brother Andy and his family here and his son in London.

September 24 (Helping in the construction in Catarauan)

Together with other fellow preachers. We help together in working in the chapel at Catarauan. We completed to make the floor concrete and cover the front and back part of the chapel.

September 25 (Lord’s Day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I got another opportunity to share the good news to the brethren here at Tuguegarao. I taught in our bible study about “Mga hadlang sa daan patungong impierno” (Hindrances in the road going to Hell) God gave us hindrances in our way going to Hell. He doesn’t want us to suffer, He wants us all to go to heaven. He gave His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us to have remission of sins, and if we obey His Son, we will have everlasting life. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “The abundant mercy of God”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I also preached the same lesson to them “Hindrances in the road going to Hell”.

September 26 (Home Bible Study)

We had a bible study in the house of brother Jay Gumpad. We again sang spiritual songs and read “Proverbs 23”. We had shared our thoughts about the chapter and brother Rody gave a good meaning of the chapter. We again prayed together, especially for brother Jays’ family.

September 27 (Preachers’ Bible Study)

We have visitors/preachers coming from Quirino Province and one of them, brother Willy Otey Pastor shared a good lesson about the “Church (Local and Universal”. After the lesson, brother Rody continued on our lesson about the books of the bible and now we are in the book of “Lamentations”.

September 28 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Flor Respicio attended our service and so the church asked him to share a lesson that would encourage us all. He is alone because his wife is at home who was hospitalized the last couple of weeks and was paralyze. Brother Flor continued to go on different preaching activities and always asking for prayers for his wife. He shared in our bible study about “Similarities of Israel and the Church”. We have no electricity for the whole day and during our bible study, we only use a fluorescent light using a car battery just for us to see our bibles and song books.

September 29 (Home Bible Study)

We went to the house of brother Jose “Bobot” Reyes and his whole family is there except his son who is in Pampanga and now working as a security guard there. We again sang spiritual songs and prayed together and opened the book of “1 John 1”.

September 30 (Bible Study at Warat in the morning and Home bible study in the evening here at Tuguegarao)

We went to the house of brother Jun Antonio and had the bible study there. We are about 12 preachers who attended and had good study about baptism, marriage, unity in the church and resurrection. Everyone gave their ideas and as a Christian, we had the conclusion of every study, using only the bible as the reference.

In the evening, we went to the house of the Mabatan’s. Together with brother James, we led spiritual songs and I led the opening prayer. Brother Rody preached about “Are you in Christ or outside Christ?” After the lesson, we again prayed together and had good conversations with them. One of their nephew who was in work told them that he already wanted to be baptized but he was not around at that time. But the family told us that, he will be attending our service on Sunday. We pray that his decision to finally be baptized will push through.

Preaching activities from August 6-31, 2016

August 6 (Funeral Service in Bangag, Solana – brother Valeriano Pante)

Brother Robert invited us for the last service in the wake of brother Valeriano. Brother Jerome preached to a big crowd that reaches the other side of the road. He preached about “The facts of life”. Brother Robert and Manny led the opening song, while brother Rogelio led the opening prayer. I led the closing song and brother Jay led the closing prayer. After the service we did, an Aglipayan priest also held a service. Brother Valeriano is a Christian but his some of his children are members of that denomination, so we cannot stop them from doing what they want.

August 7 (Sunday Worship in Tuguegarao and Palca)

In the morning, I taught in our bible study the second part of my lesson about “David and Bathsheba” when Nathan rebuke David of his sin and the death of their child. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Have you died with Christ?” a great question if we really did what Jesus wants us to die with Him and be raised in the newness of life.

In the afternoon, I preached at Palca the same lesson “David and Bathsheba” with the same discussion but I added verses that makes it a sermon.

August 10 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay continued on our lesson on the first book of the letter of Paul to the Corinthians. He discussed the 13^th chapter of the book and made focus on charity/love and how to show it to everyone.

August 13 (Gospel Meeting in Ajat, Centro Iguig)

We were invited to join the Gospel Meeting at Iguig where brother Ronald Valdez is preaching. I am chosen to be one of their speakers. Brother Edgar Corpuz was the first speaker and he preached about “The importance of Gospel Meeting”. He showed us why we need to be attending Gospel Meetings and what profit will we gain if we do so. The second speaker was brother Robert Pader and he preached about “Does it make any difference?” He showed us the difference between the denomination churches and the church the Jesus built. I was the last speaker and I preached about “Can you attract anyone to go to church?” Can anybody see us as we should be, as a christian? As the title depicts, can our actions and the words that come out in our mouth attract anyone to come to church? After the lessons preached, we extended the invitation, but got no response from the audience. We have notice that one of the councilors of the town is in the room, so after the meeting, we have conversation with her. He is willing to be attending more services of the church and even willing to help in the installation of a new electricity line.

August 14 (Sunday Worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In the morning, I taught in the bible study here in Tuguegarao. I taught the same lesson I preached in the Gospel Meeting “Can you attract anyone to go to church?” If you notice in the pictures, the title is in our language (tagalog), I just translated it in this report so that you can understand. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Signs of a mature Christian”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached the same lesson. After the service, the brethren asked to include brother Jun Lamigo in our prayers because she is again feeling dizziness and cannot move well. He have diabetes and is taking lots of medicines. We went to their house and also prayed there.

August 17 (Help in the construction in the chapel at Iguig and midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Together with 12 other preachers (Efren Respicio, Jimmy Duque, Jerome Forelo, Jayson Tanguilan, Jun Antonio, Joeben Jacobo, Robert Pader, Ronald Valdez, Edgar Corpuz, Rogelio Esperanza, Manny Pader), and I, we help in the concreting of the flooring of the church building in Iguig. During the gospel meeting that was held here, the floor was very muddy that it sticks with our shoes and become heavy. And so we help brother Ronald with the work to lessen paying carpenters to do it. It is very hard because when we are starting to work, there was a heavy rain that makes our path muddy and slippery. But even though we had lot of scratches and wounds, we are very happy to see the what we had finished and we are sure that the brethren there will also be very happy.

In the evening, brother Efren taught in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. He discussed “James 4”. It has been so long since the last time he preached here. I invited him during our work in Iguig and he immediately responded with a yes. The brethren here are also happy to see him.

August 21 (Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In the morning here at Tuguegarao, I again taught in our bible study about “Bakit ninyo pinakikinggan ang salita? Kung hindi niyo naman susundin” in English “Why do you still need to hear the word? If you will not follow it”. The title speaks for itself and also I showed them the some biblical truths that we needed not just to hear, read but also to follow. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “James reminds Christians”. He also use James 4 are his reference.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Be not hearers but doers”. I made another lesson coming from the previous lesson I preached in Tuguegarao.

August 24 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody and sister Tessie just arrived Tuesday here in Tuguegarao coming from their 3 months trip in the US. And so he again got a chance to preach to us. He discusses the problems of the Corinthian Church from the first chapter until the 13^th.

August 26 (Preachers’ bible study at Iguig)

We had a preachers’ bible study at Iguig, the place where we first have the Gospel Meeting, then the construction in the church building, and now a bible study with the same group. We all plan to do this, not just to encourage each one of us that even though we have limited resources for our preaching, if we work together, no one can stop us to share the truth of the bible. Brother Ronald stand and shared a lesson about “Unity” and after his sharing, we had an open forum where everyone is sharing what we read and heard from denominations that we needed to correct using the bible only.

August 28 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In the morning here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “Working with other Christians” explaining to us the need to share our talents for the Lord’s work and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “God made man, male and female”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Our transformation”. From living in bondage of sin to being joined with Christ in baptism and now living in righteousness.

August 30 (Preachers’ bible study at Tuguegarao)

We had again our preachers’ bible study here Tuguegarao with brother Rody as the one who is to preached. We continued on our study on the bible survey from book to book and we are already in the book of Jeremiah.

August 31 (Midweek service here at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study “1 Corinthians 14” about the problem in Corinth on the gifts they receive. I only have a short time preparing the outline because I got a message from brother Rody at around 2 in the afternoon that they are in Ballesteros to visit the mother of sister Tessie who is sick in the age of 80+ and telling me to take his place and teach this evening in our midweek service. With the Lord's help, I write the lesson on a bond paper but no more time to make a powerpoint presentation. This time, in this chapter, the problem is about speaking in tongues and Paul is telling them that it is better if they prophesy and to show charity to everyone. A part of the discussion is also about the women who needs to be in silent and not over the authority of men when it comes to standing in front of the pulpit and preach.