Greetings from Charlotte,
Extremely encouraging meetings were held this week to discuss an educational overview for the Living Church of God. The committee was made up from staff representing Living University, the Business Office, Television, Internet, Editorial and Legal Departments, and the field ministry. Our focus is to bring together all educational efforts in a comprehensive approach, taking into account all our members. Special additional attention will be given to ministers and future ministers as well as what we would like to term "NextGeneration." Our current plans are to make online courses available to all members free of charge beginning in August. We also plan to have a one-year on-site resident work/study program here in Charlotte for high school graduates. Mr. Jonathan McNair will be transferring to Charlotte to coordinate our efforts with individuals who have specific expertise in educational programs, such as Dr. Scott Winnail and Mr. Stuart Wachowicz. Stay tuned for further announcements!—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Presents in Columbia, South Carolina
On Sunday, December 3, a Tomorrow's World Presentation was held in Columbia, the state capital of South Carolina. While there is no LCG congregation in that immediate area, 31 members from four surrounding congregations were on hand to welcome 32 guests to a very powerful and bold presentation by Presiding Evangelist Gerald Weston, entitled "In Defense of God." God's presence was bountifully evident in the positive atmosphere set by the members for our special visitors. Following the main presentation, a Q&A session addressed visitors' questions, including about women ministers, drinking wine, women wearing pants, and "is starting a church in Columbia a possibility?" All the members agreed that participating in the TWP arm of our commission (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20) is an exciting and encouraging opportunity.—Ron Poole
Tomorrow's World Presents in Douglasville, Georgia
To an excited and attentive audience of 47 guests, Mr. Richard Ames presented an eye-opening and riveting message on "What Is Ahead for America?" Due to full capacity in the meeting room, the 25 members viewed Mr. Ames' presentation in the hotel breakfast area, via WebEx. After a break for refreshments, Mr. Ames and I fielded a number of interesting questions from visitors. One attendee commented, "I was very impressed. It [the presentation] spoke on things relevant today and also gave Bible scriptures." Others commented, "Awesome information!" and "Very informative and clear to follow!" We pray that many of those who came will follow up by attending the three Bible studies planned over the next couple of months.—Dan Hall
Charlotte Family Weekend—Please Register Now!—Repeat Announcement
Online registration for this special 25th Anniversary celebration is open. To register, log on to your MyLCG page through www.cogl.org/mylcg.shtml and then just click the "Registration" button in the Charlotte Family Weekend box on the right side of the page. You must register and pay for all activities and meals by December 17. Basketball team registration is still open, and will also close on December 17. Due to the shortened time for tournament play, we must limit the number of teams to a maximum of eight—once we have that many signed up, registration will close. The volleyball roster has now reached capacity but we still have room for basketball teams.
We request that everyone pay for the activities and meals using the online payment system through PayPal. This saves us a lot of extra time and effort in manually processing checks and reconciling them to registrations. If you are unable to pay online, we will accept checks, but they must be postmarked no later than December 13.
All of the times and places for the weekend events are also posted on the MyLCG page—just click the "Overview and Schedule" button.
Anyone interested in participating in the music at Sabbath services needs to contact Mr. Marcus McCullough ([email protected]) and let him know what part you sing or what instrument you play, and your experience level, so that he can send you the music to practice.
If you are looking for someone to share a room with at the Renaissance Hotel, or would like to play on a basketball or volleyball team, feel free to post a message on the Charlotte Family Weekend Facebook page (a public page). More updates will continue to be posted on the Facebook page, so check it regularly—and "Share" it with your friends.
Charlotte December Weekend Family Games Activity
This year's Family Sports day will begin with a series of fun, exciting, and challenging Family Games for those of all ages! These games will include a combination of physical and mental activities, such as a relay race, team-building challenges, and Church culture trivia questions. Those who plan to participate should begin organizing teams now! We will be able to host a total of ten teams. Each team must comprise at least 12 participants, with a maximum of 20. Each team should also have a variety of all ages, including three teens, three pre-teens (ages 7-12), and two seniors (50 and over). If you would like to register a team, please have your team captain contact [email protected] with your team name and a complete list of team members, as soon as possible!
Charlotte Family Weekend Co-ed Volleyball Tournament 2017
All teams should be aware that this is a co-ed volleyball tournament, and teams must have at least one woman on the court during all games. If possible, team shirts should include numbers (front and back). A paid official will referee each game. The cost, as noted on the Family Weekend website, is $50 per team.—Sheldon Monson (Volleyball Tournament Coordinator)
Kansas City Family Weekend Deadlines Approaching
The Kansas City Family Weekend is just three weeks away! For those who haven't been to our weekend, the "Family" in Family Weekend isn't focused solely on married couples with younger children. This Weekend is designed for people of all ages and from all walks of life to spend time together with their Church Family. Yes, even teens and singles and those with many decades of life experience have commented on the wonderful time they've had here. So join us!
The deadline for reserving a hotel room at the Embassy Suites is this coming Thursday, December 14. Each suite can house up to six people at the rate of $109/night + tax. These suites include a full hot breakfast in the morning and a selection of snacks and drinks in the evening for everyone in the room.
If you haven't already, please register your family and make your dinner reservations for Saturday evening. The brisket dinner is priced at $22/plate, and the children's chicken fingers meals are $10 or $12, depending on your child's age. If you have already registered, please make your payments soon via PayPal or via check. Details about housing and registration can be found on the website at kclcg.org (not an official LCG website).
Our Saturday evening costume theme is "Ambassadors from Around the World." Come dressed as though you were appearing before important heads of state as a representative for the country of your choice. Our annual fun show and dance will follow. Come see what we have planned for you this year!
If you have creative talent, please sign up for a space at our art show. We'd love to see your drawings, paintings, photography, calligraphy, woodworking, poetry, knitting and quilting. Just click "Art Show Signup" on the website and reserve your spot.
Sunday's activities include our popular family games, a volleyball tournament, a basketball clinic and games, gaga ball and card games. Teams are already forming—has yours? Just click on the "Sunday Activities" link for Family Games and sign your family up as a team and see if any other families would like to join. The same goes with volleyball teams for the tournament. We'll even have games and story time for the youngest among us.
See you soon!
Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend: March 30–April 1—Repeat Announcement
The Anderson, South Carolina, congregation is pleased to announce that the Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend is scheduled for March 30–April 1. Weekend events and registration information will be announced in January.
Living Youth Program
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Study
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, December 15, will be on "Introduction to the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ—the Real Jesus (part 2)." The Bible Study runs from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, and the chat room will be open for a half hour before and after the study. To join the study, go to www.livingyouth.org. For those who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on "Introduction to the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ (part 1)" can also be found on the Living Youth website.—Sheldon Monson
Living University
Registration for Second/Spring Semester
Registration for second semester classes is now underway! The spring semester will begin on Wednesday, January 10. Students may register for the spring semester (fall in the Southern Hemisphere) anytime between now and January 9. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected course(s). A complete listing of second semester courses can be viewed on the Living University website under the link "Spring 2018 Class Schedule." To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website. For additional information or questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at 704-708-2294 or [email protected].
THL 380 – Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. This exciting foundational course taught by Mr. Richard Ames presents an overview of many of the basic doctrines taught by the Living Church of God. Through a review of Scripture, as well as past and present Church literature including Mystery of the Ages, students gain a deeper understanding of what God's Church teaches and why it believes as it does.
THL 413 – Epistles of Paul II. This is the second course focusing on the Apostle Paul's life and writings. Its emphasis is on the final five of his letters to the seven churches (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and 1 and 2 Thessalonians), his letter to the Church-at-large (Hebrews) and his letters addressed to individuals (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon). This class examines the historical, archaeological, and cultural background of the life and times of the Apostle Paul and the start of the New Testament Church. It also delves into explanations of a number of frequently misunderstood passages in Paul's writings—scriptures that God's people need to understand and be able to explain.
THL 422 – History of Christianity II. This course is the second of two and deals with the history of Christianity from the time of the Reformation to the present. Its focus is on the Protestant Reformation, Roman Catholic reform, Protestant liberalism and fundamentalism, the ecumenical movement, Christianity in developing countries, and the Christian decline of the industrialized West.
Comments
Study the Word: The prophet Isaiah records that God is looking for individuals who "tremble at My word" (Isaiah 66:2). Jesus taught that we are to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). He also warned of misguided leaders who would set aside the commandments of God and teach "as doctrines the commandments [traditions] of men" (Mark 7:5-13). This is why the Apostle Paul stressed that we must diligently study the Scriptures so we can rightly divide (correctly understand) the word of truth and avoid being confused by false teachers and misguided ideas (2 Timothy 2:15). In a world where many people have different ideas about what to believe, we need to know and prove what the Bible really says so we can avoid being misled (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Jesus also plainly stated, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). Let's make time to study the Word!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 7, 2017
U.S. Embassy To Move to Jerusalem! In an anticipated move, this week President Trump announced that the U.S. will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem—a move that will likely take three to four years (Fox, December 6, 2017). This move, along with Mr. Trump's open declaration that Jerusalem is Israel's capital (a reality that other nations do not openly admit), could bring the two-state peace process between Israel and the Palestinians to an end. "The Palestinians' representative to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, told the BBC that the changes to US policy on Jerusalem amounted to a 'kiss of death' for the two-state solution in peace efforts and were like a 'declaration of war' [diplomatically]" (BBC, December 6, 2017). Saudi King Salman has warned, "Moving the U.S. embassy is a dangerous step that provokes the feelings of Muslims around the world" (New York Times, December 5, 2017). The leader of Hamas also warned, "This decision is an uncalculated gamble that will know no limit to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim reaction.… We call for stopping this decision fully because this will usher in the beginning of a time of terrible transformations, not just on the Palestinian level but on the region as a whole" (Al Jazeera, December 6, 2017). While the Israeli government is urging other world governments to move their embassies or consulates to Jerusalem, Palestinian leaders have called for "three days of rage" against this decision.
Jerusalem has had a difficult and bloody history, and that is not about to change anytime soon. While Bible prophecy indicates that Jerusalem will one day become the capital of God's government on earth, prophecies also state that Jerusalem will become a "cup of drunkenness" and a "heavy stone" to surrounding nations (Zechariah 12:2-4). In addition, Bible prophecies indicate a European power will militarily occupy Jerusalem just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth (Daniel 11:40-43). Jerusalem is the key city for Christians, Jews and Muslims, and it will continue to be a tinderbox until Christ's return. God does direct His people to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6) and for the time when Christ will finally rule from there in righteousness. For more about the sobering and yet exciting future of Jerusalem, be sure to watch "Jerusalem: City of Peace."
Iceland's Healthier Teens: Iceland boasts some of the lowest rates in the world for teen alcohol and other drug use, and the rates have been dropping for the last 20 years (The Atlantic, January 19, 2017). Nations and municipalities around the globe are now adopting the "Youth in Iceland" model and seeing similar results.
The keys to the effectiveness of Iceland's teen health efforts include nationwide curfews for teens, a wide variety of after-school activities, including sports and hobbies, and government endorsed and supported family time—parents are encouraged and even paid to spend more quality time with their children. The results of this nationwide program speak for themselves. "The percentage of 15- and 16-year-olds who had been drunk in the previous month plummeted from 42 percent in 1998 to 5 percent in 2016. The percentage who have ever used cannabis is down from 17 percent to 7 percent. Those smoking cigarettes every day fell from 23 percent to just 3 percent."
The Bible tells us that having parents and children whose hearts are turned toward one another is important to God (Malachi 4:6). Children become oppressors of society (cf. Isaiah 3:12) when they are unsupervised, when they lack clear guidelines and rules, and when parents fail to parent. Children need to be led, guided and loved, and when they are, they thrive. The "Youth in Iceland" model demonstrates this powerful parenting principle, even when its biblical basis is not acknowledged. For more information on how to raise children and grandchildren who will thrive, read or listen to Successful Parenting: God's Way.—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, Chris Sookdeo and Genie Ogwyn