Preaching activities for the month of July 2021

 July 4 (Sunday worships)

Our city is still on a lockdown that's why our attendance is limited again. I was asked by our elders to preach here in Tuguegarao. Many of our brethren are quarantined because of suspected infection of virus to them. It was not until the end of the worship that we were informed that they got positive tests. They were brother Rody and sister Tessie Gumpad, Rody Gumpad Jr. and his son Thirdy, Jay and Michelle Gumpad, Ella and Joy Duque. We are living with them in the same compound but I am very thankful to God that my family is safe. Thankfully, because of the good work of our government, they didn't pay any single peso in the hospital.It was all free because of the health care service of the nation. Unlike last year that all those who were hospitalized needed to pay not less than $2500.

And so, in our worship, I, alone did all the work. From leading the songs, prayers, sermons and even distributing the Lord's supper, because only one man is with us in the church during that time and he is not even a member of the congregation, but in Babalag Church. Our attendance is below 30. I screenshot our live-streaming to show you the preaching. You can check our page in facebook for all the live streamings here in Tuguegarao. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/212295806642969

In the afternoon, at Palca, it is also the first time we meet since the lockdown last 3rd week of May. It is still lockdown but we got the permission from the village chieftain to have the worship. Not everyone came due to the fact that the town still have strict protocols. Just like in Tuguegarao, I also did most of the work. Brother Lino, our song leader is sick. I forgot his illness, but it is on his kidneys. Please pray for him, he is a faithful brother who work really hard in the church.

In Dagupan, thankfully, all the man came and they helped me with the work. I only preached to them. Many are also not in attendance. As my previous reports show that most of them are teenagers and the town is very strict with teenagers going out. 

I'm sorry I only have the picture of Palca worship. Most of the time I forgot to take pictures because I concentrate on doing my work. 

July 11 (Sunday Worships)

Visiting other places or people is prohibited that's why I continue to do preachings by our group chat in facebook.

The chapel here in Tuguegarao is totally closed by the order of the elders. It is a precautionary method because of the brethren infected by the virus. That's why the elders told me to do the live streaming in our house. The picture is different from our previous live streams because I am using a green screen. I bought a very cheap green clothe to use.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I am happy that most of our brethren are back. They are not that strict anymore because the town have zero cases of Covid. I am happy also to see two mothers joining us. Sister Angelina Santiago invited them in the church. They are her neighbors. I gave them bibles after the worship.

In Dagupan, most of our brethren also came. After the worship, I am very happy that two precious souls decided to obey the gospel. Before the lockdown last May, they are already attending the services, and this day, they finally decided to be baptized. We brought them to Palca where we have the baptistery. They are brother Ronald and sister Jeraldine. 

August 18 (Sunday Worships)

The chapel is still close here in Tuguegarao that's why the elders still told me to do the preaching. This is hard for me physically because I need to preach in three congregations for a day. But it is also a joy in my heart because this is all for the Lord. I may come home in the afternoon very tired, but it is very fulfilling. I did the live streaming again here at home and I am interacting with the brethren through their live chats.

In the afternoon, at Palca, the visitors are again with us. Hope and pray that they will obey the gospel soon. I continue to work on giving them the knowledge of the truth. It is hard to convince those who grew up us devoted Catholics. They are those who are joining in idol processions. I will try my best to save their souls from destruction.

In Dagupan, we also have visitors. They are a couple who arrived coming from Singapore and they told me that they also worship in a church of Christ congregation there. I doubt it is the same as the church we are in because there are no sound church in Singapore. We do not have enough time to talk because they are also in a hurry after the worship.

July 25 (Sunday Worship)

This time, my schedule is different. Brother Rody Jr. is already out of the hospital but he is still in quarantine. He is still not allowed to go anywhere. We talked through phone and we both agreed that he will do the live streaming. Because of that, I will not have anything to do the morning and so I contacted the brethren at Dagupan that we will move our worship in the morning. They all agreed and so we push through with the plan. We had our worship 10 in the morning. 

At 12:30, we had our worship at Palca. I am happy that after the worship, two teenagers who is attending the worship  for almost 5 months already, decided to obey the gospel. They look like 8 years olds but they are already 14 years of age. I am happy to be helping them grow up as christians.

July 30 (Young people Class)

I was invited by brother Robert Pader to preach in a group of teenagers in Bangag Church. This was supposed to happen last January but because of many lockdowns, it was cancelled many times. We thank God that it was finally push through. I am happy to be teaching this teens the way of the Lord. Some of them came from Bauan Church and Maguirig church also.

August 1 (Sunday Worship)

The last Sunday, when brother Rody Jr. preached in the live streaming, I saw him having like a shortness of breath. I knew it, because he is still recovering from covid. But he insist on doing it the last time. This time, I told him that I will do the work. I am happy that the elders already decided to open the chapel. I preached the sermon. We are exactly 50 in attendance. My wife didn't join us physically because she is having a cough. 

In the afternoon at Palca, we have again a good attendance. The two visitors are still with us. This time, they also invite one of their friend. 

In Dagupan, we also have a good attendance. After the sermon, one precious soul decided to obey the gospel. She is Exan Puselero. She's been with us since the first week of July. We should be baptizing here in the baptistery at Palca but there is no water coming out of the faucet. We then decided to bring here to the river which is about 5 kilometers away. I am thankful for the guidance of God that I am able to preach His word and positive responses are the results.

Preaching activities for the month of June 2021

Before summarizing my report for the month, I want to share what I am doing at home while I cannot go to Palca and Dagupan. 

I continue to make sermon/bible study videos to them every week. In a week, I am sending three videos. One video is about 30-40 minutes. I am trying to explain to them verse by verse and sometimes, I end up teaching 2-3 verses in just one video. Every time they send me questions on facebook, I am also answering them on the next videos. For a whole month, this is just the chapters we finished:

1. Genesis 1

2. Proverbs 1

3. Acts 1-5

I am enjoying this while making the videos and answering questions because I know many of them are watching and learning.

I tried to go there and visit them, but on the checkpoints, they are asking documents of travel pass which I do not have that's why I cannot push through with the visitation.

June 2 (Midweek Service)

Even if the lockdown is in place in the whole region, we, here in Tuguegarao can move freely. Anyone can go to their own jobs, go where they want to go, and do what they want to do. I do not know what our local government is doing. They announced a lockdown, but they are not strict to it, that's why, this time I am writing this (July 1), it is again extended until July 15th.

 Luckily, for us here in Tuguegarao, we can have our worship services. Unfortunately, in Palca and Dagupan, they are very strict.

We continue to have our midweek service here in Tuguegarao and in our bible study, we studied Proverbs 6.

June 4 (Burial Service)

We held a service at the burial of sister Petra in Alibago. She died because of illness.

 

June 6 (Sunday worship)

There are about 30+ in our attendance here in Tuguegarao. The elders told the brethren that those who are sickly and kids should not come to church for now because of the restrictions. Brother Rody preached "The Church at Laodecia".

In the afternoon, I have the chance to go to Alibago Church and preach. I am with brother Jison Agbuya and brother Robert Rances. I preach the lesson "Why does God allow suffering?" I am happy to be with them again. It's been almost a year since the last time I preach in the congregation.

June 9 (Midweek service)

We are only few in our attendance with not more than 30. Brother Rody shared to us Proverbs 7.

June 13 (Sunday Worship)

Our attendance went high to 50+ this time. Brother Rody continued with the lesson on the book of Proverbs. He preached on the 8th chapter.

In the afternoon, I went to meet sister Jovelyn Manera and sister Grace Lamigo. They came here in Tuguegarao to go to hospital and schedule their chemo. I waited for them outside the hospital because non-patients are not allowed to go inside. I talked to them afterwards and prayed together with them. Sister Grace got her chemo the next day and sister Jovelyn got her radiation therapy Tuesday.

June 16 (Midweek service)

The elders invited again preachers from other congregations to teach in our midweek service. Brother Manny Pader who is a preacher at Bagunot Church and Santiago Church shared to us a lesson about "Face in the face of fire".

June 17 (Bible Study at Barocboc Church)

We went to the town of Quezon to be with the brethren at Barocboc. We meet not in their worship place but way far off the road so that authorities will not stop us. We met under a tree with about 30 people. After the preaching, 7 precious souls went in front to confess their faith, and while they are preparing, one old man also decided to obey the gospel. I immersed them in the pool near the area. 

June 20 (Sunday Worship)

It is again the third week of the month and it is my schedule to preach. We are more than 60 in attendance this time. I preached to them a lesson about "Famous Proverbs/sayings in the bible". I choose to make this kind of outline because in my phone, I always received daily verses that I use to meditate the whole day. I searched the internet about the most commonly used verse by people and I got many of them. I have only 45 minutes to preached and so I didn't finished everything in my outline.

In the afternoon, we went to Baliuag Church in Penablanca. Brother Rody preached about "Error or Premillenialism". I was asked to lead our prayer and also help in edifying the brethren after the service. Four precious souls confessed their faith and were baptized in the near river.

June 23 (Midweek service)

We again have an invited preacher for our bible study. Brother Edgar Corpuz who is a preacher at San Vicente Church preached to us "Thy word have I hid in my heart".

June 27 (Sunday worship)

Our attendance went back to below 50 because of the restrictions. Brother Rody preached on the 9th Chapter of Proverbs.

In the afternoon, I tried going to Dagupan because they told me that the chieftain already allowed us to worship, but when I am traveling going there, I received a new message telling me that he changed his mind and that he again stop us from doing the worship. They are afraid of our Governor because he told everyone that they will be suspended once they allowed their constituents to do gatherings.

June 30 (Midweek Service)

We should be listening to brother Jun Antonio to teach in our bible study but unfortunately, the elders decided to cancel the meeting. Brother Jun who is living with brother Rody have covid like symptoms and the chapel is just inside the compound of their house. For safety precautions, they decided to cancel the midweek service.

Preaching activities for the month of May 2021

 May 2 (Sunday Worships)

The lockdown was again in place in the whole region but we are fortunate to have our worship services. In the morning, we had our worship at Tuguegarao. Since the lockdown here in our town is very tight, only a few attended the worship and the others just joined us through facebook live streaming. Brother Jerome preached about "The parable of the sower".

In the afternoon, brother Jay Gumpad and brother Jison Agbuya joined me in my local preaching congregations. Brother Jay preach in Palca while brother Jison in Dagupan. They are not allowed to go to their respective congregations that's why they asked me if they can come. After the worship in Dagupan, two precious souls obeyed the gospel. First was Marlon Ventura a 12 year old boy. I thought he is only 8 years old because of his height that's why I asked him some questions before his confession. The other one is Jovelyn Ventura, a mother, and is fighting a stage 3 cervical cancer. I think she is having her chemo every week. Please include her in your prayers. We brought them to Palca after the confession and baptized them there.

May 5 (Midweek service)

We still continued with our midweek service even though most of our brethren cannot come. Only our family is again in attendance. We studied the book of Proverbs chapter 3. 

May 9 (Sunday Worships)

The situation of the town is still the same that's why only a few came in our worship at Tuguegarao. Not more than 30 is in attendance. Brother Rody shared to us about the "Church in Philadelphia".

In the afternoon, only brother Jay joined me this time because he is still not allowed to go to Minagbag Church. I preached in Palca about "Why does God allow suffering?". While brother Jay preached in Dagupan.

After the worship, we visited the wake of sister Paulina Ramos. She died because of infections going to her eyes and brain caused by her dental procedures. This was sudden because we do not know any illnesses of our sister and she is very strong. She didn't know that she had diabetes and maybe that caused the infection to her head. She is living alone in her house because her husband left her for another woman 6-7 years ago and her children are living in other towns with their own families. Now that she died, no one is living in her house. Every time I passed by her house, I always remember her smile and a very good example of faith that she left. A month after her baptism 7 years ago, she got a job from a drugstore. They wouldn't allow her to take the day-off on Sundays that's why after just two weeks, she resigned from her job because she knows it is more important to be with the brethren on Sundays and worship the Lord. She is the most active sister who always message me on facebook and ask many questions about what she is reading in the bible. I know she is in a better place now with all the saints who went before us.

We are not allowed by the village officials to have service their that's why we only had the prayer. 

After the visitation, we also went to the thanksgiving at the new house of sister Lorna Llanes. I shared a short reminder about thanksgiving using the words of God and we joined together to pray to our Almighty and thank Him for the blessing He gave to their family.

May 12 (Burial service)

This is the only service they allowed us to do in the wake of sister Paulina. You can also notice in the picture that only few came because we needed to follow the protocols. Brother Jerome and brother Dennis helped me with the work. We did the service as requested by the family and also making sure everyone will here the message of the gospel hoping and praying that some or many of them will realized the need of obeying God's word before it's too late.

In the evening, we again had our midweek service here in Tuguegarao. This time, we studied Proverbs 4.

May 16 (Sunday worship)

The kind of lockdown we had was even tighter in some places in our region that includes in Palca and Dagupan. It's so sad that we are not allowed again to have the gathering there. Officials came to our meeting place at both areas reminding us of the protocols before Sunday. During our supposed time of worship there, the brethren told me that police came to check if we really did not assemble, that's how strict they were. Because of that, I again recorded sermon videos that I sent through our group chat in facebook.

While here in Tuguegarao, we still had our worship service just like before. And again, only our family are in attendance. I am the one scheduled to preach and I shared about "Understanding the times".

May 19 (Midweek service)

The elders decided that even though we are in lockdown, we will continue to have our bible study but won't allow anyone to come. We again decided that we will do the live stream on Wednesday.   We studied Proverbs 5.

May 23 (Sunday worship)

Our situation is still the same but there are some brethren who joined us for worship at Tuguegarao. Brother Jun Gumpad arrived coming from Manila and the elders asked him to preach to us. He shared the lesson on "Does prayer bring salvation?".

May 24 (Thanksgiving)

We had a thanksgiving service here at Tuguegarao for the baby of brother Jay Gumpad. They have some friends who came and listened to the lesson preached. 

May 26 (Midweek service)

Brother Jay was asked to preached to us about "Thanksgiving". It is also the birthday of brother Rody and sister Michelle and it is always a good thing to thank God for all the blessings not only for him but also for my son who is also having her birthday on the 28th. 

May 30 (Sunday worship)

This is supposed to be the last day of the lockdown but unfortunately, it is again announced that it is extended until June 15. I do not know what our government here in our region is doing. They are imposing a lockdown but they will not stop many people from going out of their houses that makes more cases of covid everyday. I noticed that every time the lockdown is coming near to an end, they are showing in the media many new and active cases. Our Governor is very mad at our Mayor because he thinks that our Mayor is asking many funds for relief to give us but the truth is, we never received any relief goods. The election will be next year and the sad truth is, according to our Governor, our Mayor is putting the money in his pocket to be used when he runs for the higher position next year. That is not a secret here in the Philippines, it happens every time.

We still had our service and no one can stop us here in Tuguegarao. Brother Jerome preached his final sermon here because the next Sunday, he will already be preaching in Villa Salud where our late brother Rolando Agpoon preach before. They have no preacher and he took the job. As of today, brother Rody and I are the only remaining preachers here in Tuguegarao. The other preachers can still join us on weekdays but they will not be with us on Sundays. Both brother Jerome Forelo and brother Jay Gumpad already moved their memberships in their local preaching congregations.