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.

Worship Services 01-15-2017

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the house of Jehovah" (Psa. 122:1). Christians are to look forward, with a joyful spirit to the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10:25). They should enjoy each other's company, seek to bear each other's burdens, show a fervent love one for the other and realize a sense of community in assembling together with a joyful spirit of worshiping God.

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, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, etc. had cooperated.

At the same time, brother Jonathan A. Notarte, preached at Taclobo church of Christ, Taclobo, Libertad, Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal. Together with him who preached was brother Bobby Enotivas. My mother, Estrella A. Notarte, went with him.

Brother Joseph Notarte preached in 2 congregations during the worship services. First, he preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. After that, he preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Brother Felipe Tula Jr. and Valente Tumol Sr. also preached at Bitaug church of Christ, Bitaug, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Brother Advincula Odas also preached at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Joseph Notarte preached again at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur.

Gospel Meeting at Upper Balnate church of Christ, Upper Balnate, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur (2 Souls Baptized) & Radio Preaching at night

January 14, 2017

The apostle Paul identifies Christ’s disciples as those who have been washed, justified, and sanctified (1 Cor. 6:11), regardless of what sins they had committed. In addition, Paul says that God “saved us, not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Tit. 3:5). Paul identifies God’s people as the sanctified bride of Christ, “having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph. 5:26). One who fails to abound in godly character “has forgotten that he was purified from his former sins” (2 Pet. 1:9).

We preached the word of God on the ANNUAL GOSPEL MEETING at Upper Balnate church of Christ, Upper Balnate, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur where brother Cristituto Marquez and Cenon Taña preaches. This is an old congregation and steadfastly serving God. Every year, they hosted a Gospel Meeting and are able to harvest more souls into Christ.

The SPEAKERS who preached the word of God were brother Joseph Notarte, Pedro Perez, Jonathan Notarte, I (Joshua A. Notarte), Franklin Isla and Julie Divine A. Notarte.

After preaching the whole truth, 2 precious souls responded to the invitation and submitted to baptism. They are Roland Loon and Ryan Marquez. They attended the worship services for many times and were able to heard the Gospel of Christ through the help of brother Cristituto Marquez. We give all the glory to God for this addition in God's kingdom!

At 6:00-6:30 PM, the Radio Program of the Church of Christ was aired and heard throughout Davao del Sur province and neighboring areas. It can be heard in Radyo Ukay Digos DXRG 92.7 FM and simultaneously heard also in DXDS 1161 AM. I (Joshua A. Notarte), preached this time. This radio program was very helpful in reaching many lost souls. Through this program, many people heard the truth and after several times of listening, they invited us and obey the Gospel and are now members of the Church of Christ. To God be the glory!

Bible Study at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail - 01-12-2017

Christians are those people who are "the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," having "put on Christ" in being baptized into Him (Gal. 3:26,27). As Romans 6:4 concludes, ". . . even so we also should walk in newness of life." We will not be able to so walk, however, without a knowledge and application of the correct directions. These directions or instructions are furnished to us in their entirety in the Bible, the Word of God.

The Gospel of Christ was once again preached at Davao del Sur Provincial Jail (also known as Provincial Rehabilitation Center) at Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur. We are always thankful to see the brethren to continue in studying the word of God. This time, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, preached the Gospel. Brother Feilpe Tula Jr. lead the songs and the preachers who cooperated were brother Ben Dulong, Joseph Notarte, Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua Notarte).

Baptism at Dapok church of Christ, Dapok, Tulanan, Cotabato & Wedding at Daig Barangay Site church of Christ

January 9, 2017

Baptism is designed to change our relationship to Christ. Baptism changes our relationship by bringing us into Christ. Before baptism we are aliens, outside of the realm of the blessings for the saved (Eph. 1:3), but after baptism we are in Christ where the blessings can be had. "For you are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ"
(Gal. 3:26,27).

Two (2) precious souls had submitted to baptism after the bible study at Dapok church of Christ, Dapok, Daig, Tulunan, Cotabato. Brother Jimmy Labuguen and Rogelio Saan are the preachers in this congregations. They requested my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, to preach the Gospel of Christ before the baptism. Brother Jonathan Notarte also cooperated and help edify our new brethren in Christ. To God be the glory!

But before the baptism, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte was also requested to solemnize the marriage of a couple at Barangay Site church of Christ, Daig, Tulunan, Cotabato. 

Worship Services & Baptism at Sanvali, Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines

January 8, 2017

The church of the New Testament is simply the group of baptized believers who have been called by the gospel out of the world of sin and who work and worship together according to the words of its head - Jesus Christ. "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

9:00 - 11:00 AM - Brother Julie Divine A. Notarte and Jonathan Notarte preached at Digos City church of Christ, Roxas Ext., Zone 3, Digos City, Davao del Sur. The prechers who cooperated were brother Cebe Arjay Notarte, Mencio Mangcal, Romel Cabaña, Rino Minggong, etc.

After the worship in Digos City church of Christ, One (1) precious soul decided to submit in water baptism at Sanvali, Digos City, Davao del Sur. My father, Julie Divine A. Notarte, baptized him after hearing the Gospel of Christ for many times. The preachers who cooperated were brother Jonathan Notarte and Cebe Arjay A. Notarte. But we give all the glory to God.

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

I (Joshua A. Notarte) preached in 2 congregations on the worship services. First, I and brother Felipe Tula Jr. preached at New Quezon church of Christ, New Quezon, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. Second, I preached at Manga church of Christ, Manga, Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Brother Advincula Odas preached at Astorga church of Christ, Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. He is the preacher in this congregation.

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Brother Joseph A. Notarte preached again on the worship service at Padada church of Christ, Sikatuna St., Padada, Davao del Sur. Brother Jonathan Notarte and Jay Obrero had cooperated.