Funeral Service of Brother Julito S. Pandian

January 17, 2017

 

None of us enjoys funerals, but the reflection demanded by such occasions is good for us. The Bible speaks of the need to learn the lessons that are taught by facing death's reality. Notice the words of Solomon: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Eccl. 7:2-4).

Our brother in Christ, Julito S. Pandian, died due to complicated illness. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ at San Isidro, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur where brother Cornelio Ampo preaches. During this night, my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was requested to preached the word of God in order to comfort the bereaved family and also to preach the truth about salvation in Christ. Many people had attended. Brother Jonathan Notarte has cooperated.

Funeral Service of Sister Melina B. Ayag

January 6, 2017

It is truly a wonderful day when one of God's saints is able to cross over the river of death to be in the presence of God. Sorrow in the hearts of those left behind, yes; but certainly not as those who have no hope. (1 Thes. 4:13 - "But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope.")

Our sister in Christ, Melina B. Ayag died on December 25, 2016 due to complicated illness. Her husband is a preacher of the Church of Christ but is also very sickly. Both of them live faithfully to Christ and help building a meeting place for worship. Sister Melina's funeral service was conducted at the meeting place of the Agco church of Christ, Agco, Ilomavis, Kidapawan City. A large gathering was in attendance, including many preachers of the gospel. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was requested to preach the word of God. Other preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte, Alejandro Anoling, Noli Caa, Danny Perez, and many more.

Worship Services 12-04-2016 & Funeral Service at Night

As the Bible unveils the nature and will of God to man, one of the great themes of the Scriptures is WORSHIP. Yet, amazingly, although the Word of God tells us Whom to worship and how to worship Him, it never commands us simply to worship. Man, in each age, civilization and location, with a spirit in the image of his Creator and with a yearn for fellowship with his Maker, naturally worships something (Acts 17:22, 23). Therefore, make sure to whom do you worship!

9:00 - 11:00 AM - I (Joshua A. Notarte) and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached on the worship service at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Brother Joey Bilang lead the songs and brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Renato Taborada, Ruel Eloy, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, etc. had cooperated.

At the same time, brother Jonathan Notarte, was sent to preach at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Joseph Notarte was also sent to preach at Mahayahay church of Christ, Mahayahay, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur together with brother Rodulfo Saludar Sr.

Brother Advincula Odas and Valente Tumol Sr. preached at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Pedro Perez also preached in 2 congregations on the worship services. First, he preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, he preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur. 

4:00 - 5:00 PM - I (Joshua Notarte) preached on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. lead the songs. Other preachers who cooperated were brother Joseph Notarte, Renato Taborada, Joey Bilang and Jonathan Notarte.

In the evening, the brethren at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur had invited us to have a FUNERAL SERVICE on the wake of Lucrisio C. Batucan Sr. who died on December 1, 2016. His wife was a member of the Church of Christ and one of the daughters of our late brother, Dionisio Cantulan. They also asked for our prayer and help especially that their siblings were still young and they are very poor. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte preached the word of God and brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs. The brethren at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur had also cooperated and attended to extend their condolences.

Funeral Service of Sister Lourdes Flores Noa

October 11, 2016

There is victory in death. Man's purpose on earth is to "fear God and keep his commandments" (Eccl. 12:13-14). A brother or sister who has "died in the Lord" (Rev. 14:13), having spent his years of life faithful to the Lord and having died in full possession of his faith in Jesus, has won a victory through Jesus. Such a man has overcome the temptations of the devil, the attacks on his soul, maintaining his faith in God to the end. Listen to these precious promises which God has given to those who overcome: "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7).

Our sister in Christ, Lourdes Flores Noa, died and we are requested to preach on the last funeral service before the burial in Tico, Magpet, Cotabato. Her family are all members of the Church of Christ for many years. Her son, Jimmy Noa Sr., is our co-preacher. Her family worked hard to preach the truth in this area and helped established congregations.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, was requested to preach the word of God to comfort them and to preach the truth to many people who attended who are not yet members of the Church. We pray that God touches their hearts to obey. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte and Alejandro Anoling Sr. Please pray for her family that God comfort them in these hard times.

Funeral Service of Sister Clarita Ada

Sept. 26, 2016

Man has a choice regarding how to spend his life. He can use his life to "sow to the flesh" or "sow to the Spirit." We are free moral beings. However, God's will is that we devote our lives to sowing to the Spirit. Just as Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), Christians should spend their lives doing good. We are created for good works (Eph. 2: 10) and are exhorted to maintain good works (Titus 1:16; 2:14; 3:1,8).

Our sister in Christ, Clarita Ada, died on Sept. 17, 2016 at the age of 65 years old. We asked the reason of her death and they answered, "because of hunger due to long drought last year." She don't have food to eat, starving and cause for complicated illness. Her family is relying only to their little garden. Their place at Malapangi, Arakan, Cotabato was one of the most affected by drought here in the Philippines. She was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the worship services in Malapangi church of Christ and also in Palusok church of Christ, Mua-an, Palusok, Kidapawan City where brother Alejandro Anoling Sr., Carlos Anoling and Danny Dacillo preaches.

My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte was requested to preach and comfort her family through the word of God during the last funeral service at Mua-an, Kidapawan City. Brother Joseph Notarte lead the songs and brother Alejandro Anoling Sr., Jimmy Noa Sr. and I (Joshua Notarte) had cooperated. The family and relatives of sister Clarita Ada were very thankful for the lessons they heard from the Scriptures and they are also pleading for our prayers in these difficult times in their lives. Please pray for them.

Funeral Service of Wilma Notarte & Radio Preaching at Night

Sept. 17, 2016

Funerals open wide the door to preach the great themes of the Gospel. The certainly of death, the sinfulness of sin, judgment to come, the universal need of a Savior, the terms of pardon, the resurrection, and the hope of heaven through the forgiveness in Christ Jesus!

On the last funeral service of Wilma Notarte, we were requested to preach and comfort her family through the word of God. Brother Franklin Isla was the speaker and I (Joshua Notarte) lead the songs with the cooperation of brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, Jonathan Notarte, Joey Bilang, Renato Taborada and Felipe Tula Jr.

At 6:00-6:30 PM, the Gospel of Christ was preached in the Radio Program of the Church of Christ at Radyo Ukay Digos 104.7 FM and 1161 Mhz AM. I and my brothers in flesh, Joseph and Jonathan preached here for many years through the help of our father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Our radio program started through my grandfather, Ruben Notarte. Until now, we continue this work and it was very helpful in converting many lost souls. 

Funeral Service of Wilma Notarte (4th time)

Sept. 16, 2016

It's a great opportunity to preach the Gospel of Christ during the funeral services of Wilma Notarte, our close relative who died due to cancer. This is the last night and many more had attended. For several nights, many lessons were taught and we were all thankful and blessed from them. Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte was requested to preach this night with the cooperation of brother Joseph Notarte (who lead the songs), Jonathan Notarte, Felipe Tula Jr. and Renato Taborada.

Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail & Funeral Service at Night

Sept. 15, 2016

By God's grace, the work of the Lord continues to bear fruit at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Many prisoners were still interested in hearing the truth during our bible study from 9:00-10:00 AM. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached about the most important question in Acts 22:16, "Why Are You Waiting?" Several prisoners in this jail are already decided to be baptized but some need more further study. And so, we invited them not to delay in obeying the Gospel of Christ. Please help us pray that many more souls will obey when we can finally schedule the baptism. I (Joshua A. Notarte) lead the songs and other preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong, Jonathan Notarte and Dionisio Tol.

At night, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte continue to preach at Nebrada, Bansalan, Davao del Sur in the wake of Wilma Notarte. The word of God was plainly taught that helped comforting her family and relatives. Brother Felipe Tula Jr. lead the songs and brother Jonathan Notarte, Joey Bilang and Renato Taborada had cooperated.