Preaching activities from January 4-31, 2017

January 4 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody invited brother Victor Sinon to preach in our midweek service. It is the first time I heard him preach. He is from Isabela and not always that I see him. He shared to us a wonderful lesson from “2 Corinthians 4:4”.

January 8 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

In our bible study, I taught the first two divisions of my lesson about “House built on Sand” where I discussed the wrong doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses regarding their false prophecies, and false heaven. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “1 John 2:3-6” regarding fellowship with Jesus.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson “House built on the sand” but unlike in Tuguegarao, I preached all the parts of the lesson, that includes false hope of earth, false hope of hell, the denial of Christ’s deity, transfusion of blood to human body and the name Jehovah.

After the service, we went to the house of sister Merly and comforted her for the death of her husband just the previous night. We all bowed down our head together while I led the prayer.

On our way home, we saw an accident on the road where two men (drunk of wine according to the people surrounding them) riding a motorcycle was hit by a dump truck and was dead on the spot. It makes me think more of the difference of the death of God’s people and the servants of Satan.

January 9 (First day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

On the first day, there are only few who are with us in the service because many still do not know the brother Benjamin already died. I first led the singing of spiritual songs and brother Lino Quines led the opening prayer. Brother Jerome then preached about “Value of Soul”. I led again another song after the message and also the closing prayer. We have in the audience some non-christians, like Catholic and Iglesia ni Cristo (1914).

January 10 (Second day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

I again led all the singing of spiritual songs while adding some ideas regarding our life after death coming from the bible. Brother Jerome led the opening prayer. Brother Robert Pader preached about “Fear of death”. I close the service by leading again another song and brother Jerome with the prayer.

January 11 (Third day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo and midweek service at Tuguegarao)

On this service, all of those in attendance are our brethren in Christ. Only a few came again because it is raining very hard. I first led the singing and brother Lino led the prayer. Brother Efren Respicio preached about “What is your life?” I closed the service by leading again a song and a prayer.

In the evening, we had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. Brother Rody preached on “2 Corinthians 11”.

January 12 (Fourth day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

Before starting the service, I notice that only a few are in attendance and all of them are our brethren. We waited for about 30 minutes waiting for others to come. When brother Junior arrived, he told us the reason why neighbors are not coming. It is because there is also a death in about 50 meters away from the place we are in and there is a gambling there that’s why there are a lot of people. This is usually what Filipino are doing when there are death. They put tables outside the house and put a tent, giving all the tables deck of cards for gambling. Every game, they will set aside an amount that will be given to the bereaved family as a help. As a Christian, we do not do this because gambling is a sin to God. That is the reason why only a few came in our bible study and many on the other side.

I led again the singing and opening prayer. Brother Denis preached about “Why do the righteous die first then the sinners?” I close the service by leading a song and another prayer.

January 13 (Fifth day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

We started again the service by singing spiritual songs led by me and always give some additional information from the bible about death. Brother Jerome led the opening prayer. Brother Rody preached about “Start of death and where to they go?” He is also the one who led the closing song and prayer. I am sorry I do not have any pictures because my phone went out. I am sure brother Rody already posted it in his report.

January 14 (Wedding at Babalag, Rizal)

We went to the wedding of our brother Warren Ganela. He is a faithful brother and if he is here in Tuguegarao, he always make it a point that if it is Sunday, he will join us in our worship. I am not sure of his wife is also a Christian.

January 15 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “An old yet, new covenant”. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about “Suffering”. Both are wonderful lessons and very encouraging to hear and live in.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about ”Saul, Paul and names they call him” I shared the names they gave to Paul and lessons we can learn from him.

January 16 (Sixth day of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

I invited again fellow preachers to come and help me with the work. Brother Jay Gumpad and brother Robert Pader led the singing and I led the opening prayer. Brother Jun Antonio shared a good lesson about “Death”. Brother Robert Rances led the closing song and the prayer. The siblings of brother Benjamin already arrived coming from Bacolod which is about 2 hours flight from Tuguegarao and another 1 hour travel through land going to Palca. They are all Catholics and one of them came in our worship last Sunday (January 15^th).

January 17 (Last night of service in the wake of brother Benjamin Lamigo)

Unlike the previous services, we do it in the afternoon. Here in the last day before the burial, we did it in the evening. I led all the singing together with brother Lino and brother Jay and I led the opening prayer. Brother Flor Respicio preached to us about “Life and Death”. I led one closing song and another one led by brother Flor. He also led the closing prayer. There are many who are in attendance where it we cannot even find a seat inside. Many stayed outside and also listened to the lesson.

January 18 (Burial service for brother Bejamin Lamigo and midweek service at Tuguegarao)

We started early with the service as requested by the family and so, people are coming in as the service goes on. I led the opening songs and the prayer then brother Jerome preached again about death and also words from the bible comforting us that this is not the last time we can see brother Benjamin, but when we remain with our faith as a true Christian, we will see him someday in the place of God. I again led the closing song and brother Jerome led the prayer.

We went to join the family going to the cemetery and again offered prayer to God to comfort the bereaved family. The siblings of brother Benjamin wanted to do something before the burial, and as respect to them, we let them do what they want. Because they are Catholics, they offered a prayer, not for those who are alive, but for the dead. Different with what we do as Christians because we know that God already gave a permanent place for him and not like the Catholics who are praying that from purgatory, God will bring him to heaven.

In the evening, we had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. Brother Jay preached “2 Corinthians 12”

January 22 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught the second part of my lesson “House built on the sand”. I discussed the remaining parts of the lesson. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached in the sermon “Three Stages in Christian Life”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them “What’s on your mind?” The popular words we often see on the facebook page. But unlike the world, we are not having the same mindset like them. We have the mind of Christ in us that in whatever to do and tell, we do it all in the name of Jesus our Savior.

January 25 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study the last chapter of 2 Corinthians (13^th).

January 29 (Lord’s day service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study about “Do no share on other people’s sins”. And in the sermon, brother Rody preached “Power of women and their valuable roles”

In the afternoon, I preached the same lesson to them “Do not share on other people’s sins”.

January 30 (Service at the wake of Mr. Vicente Cambri)

Brother Robert invited us to go with him to have service at the wake of Mr. Cambri. He is not a Christian, but his parents are. He was shot by gunman’s here in Tuguegarao for the reason unknown. 7 bullets hit his stomach that immediately killed him. There are many killings in the last weeks that no solution has been done by our police forces here in Tuguegarao. Many cases are not solve. They are from Bauan, Solana and so we had the service there. Brother Robert Pader stand to start the service and brother Manny Pader led the opening prayer. Brother Jay preached about “Death”. I led the closing song. It is raining very hard and even though the people are getting wet, nothing can stopped them from gambling. The wife of Mr. Cambri is a Catholic so she decided that they will put tables outside for gambling. We cannot do anything except to share the words of God to those who are interested inside the house.

January 31 (Gospel Meeting at Pukel, Sanchez Mira)

We traveled early going to Pukel. Together with brother Rody and sister Tessie, Jimmy delos Santos, James Attaban and his wife, brother Jerome and me, we prayed together before leaving. The weather is not good that it is raining very hard. It is hard to travel by this conditions so we are only moving in a slow pace. On our way, Satan interrupted us by using a big dog who just run crossing over the road very fast that I didn’t have the chance to put my brakes. I hit him hard and the dog immediately died. The car was badly damaged. The right side of the bumper just went out of line and my fog lights are totally busted even the cover. We are still thankful, that no one was hurt from us.

On the gospel meeting, there were almost 150 in attendance. They just put a large tent for us to have the place for the meeting, but still it cannot accommodate us all. Some are standing outside the tent while it is raining, using their umbrella, while listening to the preaching. The preachers who are with us led the singings, and I led the opening prayer. Brother Jerome first preach about “What is a Christian?” and brother Rody preached “Things that can help a congregation grow”. We had the invitation song, and four precious souls went in front to confess their faith. Two of them are very young and so brother Rody asked them if they understand what they are trying to do, but they have no answer. That only means that they need to hear more of the gospel. They are still young and will learn more as they continue to attend the services. The remaining two were baptized after the service.

After our lunch, we distributed the clothes given by brethren from the US and also sacks of rice. They are very happy when they are receiving the help and that also makes us happy just by watching their beautiful smiles.

Even though, my mind kept coming back to think of the damages on my car, it makes me smile by seeing them very happy.

Preaching activities from December 4 to January 1

December 4 (Sunday Service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught in our bible study here at Tuguegarao wherein I share the second part of my lesson about “Facing our giants”. It is about facing our gigantic problems like David when he fearlessly fought Goliath and defeated him with the help of God. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached about “1 John 1:1-4” as an introduction to the letter of John to the brethren.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached about “East of Eden” pointing out to the direction of the east where God set the angel to guard the garden of Eden, the east where Cain went, east where Jesus was born.

December 7 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay shared and discussed to us “2 Corinthians 8” about the call for generous giving.

December 11 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and Palca)

I taught again in our bible study about “Marriage Metaphors”. The similarity of marriages to what God wanted to tell the people like when God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute. God wanted to show that Israel is like marrying an adulterous woman by worshipping other gods. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “1 John 1:5-2:2” about fellowship with God.

In the afternoon, I preached the same lesson to them about “Marriage Metaphors”.

December 14 (Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study on “2 Corinthians 9” about Paul trying to tell the brethren at Corinth to give according to what the heart purpose and not grudgingly.

December 16-18 (traveled to Manila to preach at Edsa-Pasay Congregation)

I traveled to Manila the evening of 16^{th and} arrived there early morning the next day. I prepared all the lessons on the same day. On the Sunday worship, I taught in the bible study, also about “Marriage Metaphors”. I asked brother Sammy Paet what lesson is good to share to them and he pointed out my outline about marriage. In the sermon, brother Sammy preached about “The Gospel”. Only half of the average attendance is present (32) in the morning because many brethren already went home to their hometowns for the holiday.

In the afternoon, the attendance is also half the average (23). I preached about “Can you attract anyone to come to church?” A lesson that I know will help them to try and examine themselves if they are really showing that they are light to other people as God wants us to be.

 

brother Sammy in the sermon (morning)

attendance in the morning

picture taken in the afternoon, taken early by brother Ryan but our attendance is 23

me preaching in the afternoon, no picture of me in the morning

I traveled back to Tuguegarao on the evening of Sunday and arrived safely Monday morning.

December 20 (Bible study at Bliss, Ilagan)

Together with brother Jerome and brother Jun, we traveled about 2 hours going to Bliss in the evening. We arrived in the destination 6:30 p.m. The study started at around 7 p.m. and I was asked to lead the prayer. Brother Jerome preached “A Famine for the word”.

December 21 (Midweek bible study at Tuguegarao)

Brother Rody shared to us “2 Corinthians 10” about Paul’s defense about his ministry.

December 25 (Sunday service at Tuguegarao and at Palca)

I taught in our bible study about “Does Jesus birth really matters?” Yes, it does matter because it is the birth of our Savior but not to celebrate it December 25, because the bible does not say that it is the day when Jesus was born. It also matters because it is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and it also matters because one of the Godhead came to earth and live with us. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Interesting facts about Jesus birth”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson about ”Does Jesus birth really matters?”.

December 26 (Young people lectures at Pagasa, Ilagan)

Together with brother Jerome, we traveled 6 in the morning to reach Pagasa early. When we arrived, the rain pours heavily that the path going to the church is a little bit slippery. But after a moment, when the brethren arrives, the rain stopped. I am the first speaker, and I preached about “Holiness vs harmful fads”. Brother Efren Respicio, their local preacher, asked me to preached about tattoos, earring for men, body piercing and immodest dress for the young audiences. This is my first time to preach for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. I got good response from the audience and so I didn’t get tired even though I am standing and speaking for very long time. Brother Jerome preached after me and he shared about “The preacher’s advice to the young” using the book written by Solomon on Ecclesiastes. After the lessons, brother Edgar Licodini stand for the open forum and answered all the questions.

In the afternoon, brother Jerome again preached and he shared “Signs of a maturing Christian”. Another open forum after the lesson. We had a great time sharing lessons that would help the young men and women in the church so that they will not follow what is worldly and harmful to their life as a child of God.

December 28 (Three weddings)

We attended three weddings of our brethren. In the morning, brethren from Alibago was solemnized here in Tuguegarao. After their wedding, we rush going to Liwan West for the wedding of brother Virgilio Bocarile’s son. In the afternoon, we went to the wedding of the daughter of brother Rolando Agpoon. We tried to catch up our midweek service here at Tuguegarao in the evening but the traffic was very heavy on our way back.

 

wedding in Tuguegarao

Wedding in Liwan West

Wedding in Liwan North, in the middle of the street

December 29 (Bible study and thanksgiving at Lapogan)

Together with brother Jerome, Jimmy Duque and Jay, we went to Lapogan, Gattaran as brother Joeben invited us to be with them in the birthday of her daughter and also wanted us to share God’s word to the brethren including their neighbors. Together with brother Jay, we both led spiritual songs to start the activity. Brother Jerome preached about “Lessons we can learn from Noah”.

December 30 (Gospel Meeting at Calamagui)

The final activity I did this year and I am happy it is for His sake. Brother Jimmy Duque is their preacher in Calamagui, Amulung. Brother Robert was the first speaker and he preached about “Things to be in 2017”. I am the second speaker and I preached about “Signs on the road to heaven”. The third speaker was brother Rody who preached “The church: before and after its establishment”. After the lesson, we sung the invitation song and we are very happy that 6 precious souls came in front to confess their faith. One of them is the daughter of brother Jimmy that’s is why, when he spoke in the closing remarks, emotion of happiness are coming out of his eyes showing the joy of being a good father and example to her daughter in following Christ.

January 1 (First worship of the year in Tuguegarao and Palca)

Brother Rody preached to us “Why spiritual growth is important?” Every first Sunday of the year, after our worship, we had a celebration of thanksgiving to God for a year full of blessings from Him. We share foods together, not as part of worship, but to celebrate as uniting together to thank God.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached to them “Signs on the road to heaven”. I am so happy to see the brethren who came back home at Palca coming from their work in other town, especially in Manila. By this week, they might already return as the holiday break is already over.