Greetings from Charlotte,
As some of you are aware, Mr. Richard Ames had a medical emergency this week but is now doing very well. He called for anointing, which we did, but felt it was prudent to have him checked out. His speech at times was slurred and he had numbness and weakness on his right side. Tests indicated that it definitely was a stroke. The good news is that he was released from the hospital, his speech is back to normal and he is able to move about normally. For this we are most thankful to the God we serve! Mr. Ames would like to convey his thanks for all the encouraging messages, as well as your prayers and support. I had an hour-long visit with Dr. Meredith this morning at his home. I updated him on the Work in general and shared with him some goals I have going forward, and he had a number of points of advice to pass along to me. It was a good meeting. Dr. Winnail arrived safely in South Africa after a couple of long flights and a long layover. He will conduct Church business meetings on Friday. He will also be conducting Tomorrow's World Presentations. We are seeing a higher degree of interest from subscribers than we normally expect. We need more laborers in South Africa, as in all areas, and God may be moving people to get involved in that part of the world while there is still time to act.—GEW
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Presents in Orlando, Florida
On Sunday, March 5, 75 people, including 32 visitors, heard Mr. Dan Hall give a moving and dynamic presentation on "Wake Up, America!," followed by a presentation on "Hope for America," that I gave. Many of the guests stayed to talk with the ministers and members and several asked about attending Sabbath services. Two made it quite clear that they want to pursue baptism. We hope and pray that these people will follow through with their intentions and that such meaningful fruit will soon be realized.—John Strain
God's Work in the French Language Online Meeting
This week we conducted an online meeting with a number of God's ministers from the French-speaking parts of the world. Regional Directors from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, who serve our French-speaking brethren, were also involved. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the trends and issues facing our French-speaking congregations, and to look for ways to coordinate efforts of the Work worldwide. There are currently 578 French-speaking brethren in the Living Church of God, in 28 countries. Le Monde de Demain, the French-language version of Tomorrow's World, is being distributed to about 5,000 subscribers in 73 different countries. The French-language television program is being aired on two stations in Canada, as well as one in Guadeloupe. The program is also aired on radio in the West African nation of Togo. These media outlets, along with YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, are generating GOTO requests. Real strides in terms of literature available and translated sermons have been made in the last few years, but there is much to be done. It is exciting to see the potential for growth in God's Work in the French-speaking world.—Rod McNair
Adirondack Family Cycling Trip
Last summer, we had an awesome trip canoeing and hiking. This year, we'll re-visit the Adirondacks, but on two wheels instead of in canoes! We will be cycling approximately 300 miles through mountains, valleys, and beside beautiful lakes and forests, making a loop through the heart of the Adirondacks. The trip will begin on June 25, and conclude on July 1. This activity is open to all who are up to cycling 300 miles. Those who would like to come along and support the cyclists by helping to set up, prepare meals, and provide first aid and maintenance are welcome as well. Together, we'll build bonds of brotherhood with brethren of all ages. Most importantly, we'll learn about God's word, applying the daily Bible lessons directly to the activities of the day.
We will gather at Moreau Lake State Park, just south of Glens Falls, NY, on Sunday, June 25, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. If you are flying into the Albany airport, transportation can be arranged to the park. Friday afternoon, we will arrive at the Sacandaga Campground on the Sacandaga River, and our last day together will be the Sabbath, July 1. Plan to travel home on Sunday, July 2. If you are making flight plans, please arrange to depart Albany on Sunday afternoon.
Cost: $150 per person. Bike rental is available for an additional $120 for the week. Physical requirements: Although we are encouraging people of all ages to come, be prepared for a physically challenging environment and sleeping in tents at campgrounds. We will be cycling in whatever weather conditions we face, for six days in a row.
For more details and information, including route, a map, what to bring, and how to register, please go to www.nelcg.org and click on the ADK Cycling 2017 selection under the "Northeast Region" tab at the top of the page. Or, you may go directly to this link. To go directly to the registration page, just go to this link (these are not official LCG Web sites).—Jonathan McNair
Canadian Family Civic Weekend, August 4-7
Are you ready for an adventure involving dancing on a ship, cannon fire, taking a trip back in time to 1812, and spiritual lessons? Come enjoy the Canadian Family Civic Weekend! The CFCW will be hosted at the Church office in Mississauga from August 4 to 7. Please contact me ([email protected]) if you have any questions and to register.—Timothy Dranov
Church-Wide Fast on March 18—Repeat Announcement
To all Living Church of God Congregations: Dr. Meredith called a Church-wide fast for March 18, 2017. As indicated in our original announcement, we see the world divided and spinning out of control, and recognize our need to draw close to God as we move closer to end-time events. The service on that day will be livestreamed and all LCG congregations and members are invited to watch this live service. Please note that our plan is to stream the entire Sabbath service (opening hymns, opening prayer, etc.) beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time/1800 GMT. Simultaneous translation into French and Spanish will also be provided.
Although this Sabbath service will be streamed live and will be hosted from the headquarters studio, this will be a "regular" Sabbath service, and as such is a private, by-invitation assembly. To access the Internet broadcast, please visit www.lcg.org and click on the large "March 18 live Sabbath service" graphic that will be placed at the top of the page that day. Or, go to www.lcgwebcast.org. Under "Stream Site," select "March 18, 2017 Sermon," in English, French or Spanish. Enter the password (the password will be provided to the pastors). If you are connecting for your local congregation, then please enter your congregation name and the number of people viewing. If you are connecting from home, then please enter your family name and the number of people viewing.
A DVD sermon is also being mailed out to those who will not be able to connect over the Internet and as a back-up in case of Internet difficulties. Each congregation should have in place a back-up plan.
Passover Supplies Requests
Important Notice to All U.S. Pastors: Please be sure that you have sent in Passover Service supplies requests by this Monday, March 13. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need to know if any of the congregations you serve need bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses or a copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French and Spanish). The Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, April 9.
Also, please let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. U.S. requests should be received before March 13. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Internet Department
Roku Update
In February, we restarted advertising Tomorrow's World on Roku, one of the leading Internet TV platforms. We are running about a dozen different ads, and so far the results have been very positive. To date, the ads have helped produce about 5,500 new Tomorrow's World channel installs, bringing our total Roku channel install count to about 70,000! What is most encouraging is that many weeks, more than 40 percent of the literature requests we receive from the Tomorrow's World Roku channel subscribers are from new people who are requesting material for the first time. Furthermore, the average weekly viewing time per user of our Roku channel is nearly 30 minutes per week (which is longer than the duration of the actual telecast), meaning that most people are watching the entire telecast each week. And the overall "cost-per-response" and "cost-per-new-subscriber" for those who watch us on Roku and then request literature and subscribe to the Tomorrow's World magazine is comparable to some of our better-performing traditional TV stations. This means that the Tomorrow's World Roku channel is effectively reaching new audiences. We appreciate your prayers for this, and all of our efforts to preach the Gospel effectively, as God opens various doors for us on traditional television, Internet television, and other media.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
Change Your Clocks (USA)… and Register for the Feast!
March 12 is the day when clocks in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States move forward by one hour to accommodate Daylight Savings Time. But more importantly, March 12 is ALSO the day that Festival Registration begins! You can register for the site of your choice beginning at 12:00 noon EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, USA). A list of USA congregations and the site they are assigned to is provided below. If you attend a congregation outside of the United States, please check with your Regional Office for your site assignments. Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and have been approved for your choice of site. If you do not have Internet access, please contact your Festival Advisor to print off information for any site(s) you are interested in attending. Information on each Feast site can be found on the Festival Web site by going to lcg.org and clicking on the Feast of Tabernacles link.
Festival Advisors: In preparation for Festival registration, all Festival Advisors should have access to Registration and Volunteer Forms, as well as the Festival Site Guide 2017, which has detailed descriptions of each Feast site, on the MyLCG Web site (www.cogl.org). These documents are necessary for you to print, copy, and distribute to brethren who need your assistance in registering. Reminder: Festival Registration begins on Sunday, March 12.
U.S. Congregations and Feast Site Assignments
Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska: Anchorage, Homer
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Blairsville, Braselton, Macon
North Carolina: Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Statesville, Sylva
South Carolina: Anderson, Walterboro
Virginia: Bristol, Norfolk, Richmond, Williamsburg, Winchester
Lake Conroe, Texas
Louisiana: Shreveport
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Big Sandy, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Lufkin, Midland, San Antonio, Temple, The Valley
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Illinois: Chicago, Joliet, Peoria, Springfield
Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
South Dakota:
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Arkansas: El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Harrison, Little Rock, Russellville
Iowa: Des Moines, Dubuque
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis
Nebraska: Omaha
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Tennessee: Memphis
Mount Snow, Vermont
Connecticut: Danbury
DC: Washington
Delaware:
Maine: Waterville
Massachusetts: Auburn
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
New Hampshire: Tilton
New Jersey: Cranford, Hammonton
New York: Albany, Binghamton, Corning, New York City, Plainview, Rochester, Syracuse
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Tannersville
Rhode Island: Providence
Northern Kentucky
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Knox, Terre Haute
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
Michigan: Kalamazoo, Lansing, Traverse City
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lima
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Nashville
West Virginia: Bluefield, Logan, Ripley
Panama City, Florida
Alabama: Athens, Birmingham, Montgomery
Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Melbourne, Ocala, Pensacola, Tampa
Georgia: Columbus, Thomasville
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Ferriday, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans
Mississippi: Columbus, Jackson, Laurel, Ocean Springs
Puerto Rico: San Juan
San Diego, California
Arizona: Kingman, Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
California: Banning, Concord, Eureka, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego
Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
Seaside, Oregon
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Tonasket
Snow Mass, Colorado
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
Idaho: Boise
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Casper, Saratoga, Thermopolis, Wheatland
Living Youth Program
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Study
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, March 17, will be on "The Mystery of Civilization." If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies, we encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day.
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. You can find instructions for joining the Bible Study, and also access it, at livingyouth.org. We hope as many of our youth as possible will join us for this wonderful opportunity for godly fellowship and learning. For those of you who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on "The Mystery of Man," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Adventure Camp Camper Acceptances Sent
Registration for the upcoming Adventure Camp trip in Mount Rainier National Park has exceeded maximum capacity and is now closed. On Thursday, the first batch of acceptance notices were sent out to the campers who have completed the initial application process. If you applied to Adventure Camp as a camper (13-20 years old), and you have not received an acceptance notification, there is the possibility that part of your application is not complete and we're waiting to receive further information from you or your pastor. If you're not sure, check your application status at https://camp.livingyouth.org or email [email protected]. As in past years, we have more camper and staff applications than we have openings on the trip. Staff acceptances for the hike will follow in the next couple of weeks.
Registration for LYP Camps
We are still accepting registrations for the remaining four North American LYP Camps. If you're seeking information regarding the camps, or wish to register for one or more of them, visit https://camp.livingyouth.org.
Comments
The Power of Forgiveness: One important key for working together in harmony with others is the willingness and the ability to forgive someone for real or perceived words or actions that hurt us—and that is exactly what Christians must learn to do. The Scriptures tell us that we have all sinned, but that we can be forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died for our sins (Romans 3:23-26; John 3:16). However, Jesus also taught that we must be ready and willing to forgive others who offend us—or God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:12-15). Forgiving others involves: not holding grudges or harboring bitterness against others, not seeking to get even, and not gossiping or saying negative or derogatory things about others who have made mistakes or hurt us in some way. This is not always easy, especially when memories, emotions and personal pride are involved, but that is what we are admonished to do if we want to be real Christians—because real Christians have learned to forgive. Forgiveness is a powerful tool that makes working together in harmony with others possible, productive and enjoyable!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—March 9, 2017
France and the Future of Europe: The Economist reports, "This year's [French] presidential election, the most exciting in living memory, promises an upheaval" (March 4, 2017). Experts expect the Socialist and Republican candidates to be eliminated during the first round of the presidential ballot on April 23, leaving two insurgent candidates in the running—"Marine Le Pen, the charismatic leader of the National Front, and Emmanuel Macron, the upstart leader of a liberal movement, En Marche! (On the Move!), which he founded only last year. The implications of these insurgencies are hard to exaggerate. They are the clearest example yet of a global trend: that the old divide between left and right is growing less important than a new one between open and closed. The resulting realignment will have reverberations far beyond France's borders. It could revitalise the European Union [Macron], or wreck it [Le Pen]." With the coming general elections in France, Holland and Germany, 2017 could be a critical year for Europe. If the European Union is reconfigured and realigned by these ongoing movements, we could see a configuration that will allow the "ten kings" and Beast power mentioned in Bible prophecy (Revelation 17:12-14). To learn more about what is ahead for Europe, read The Beast of Revelation.
Sweden Reinstitutes Military Draft: Recently, Sweden "reintroduced a military draft for both men and women because of what Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist called a deteriorating security environment in Europe and around Sweden" (Time, March 2, 2017). A major reason for this move was the ominous threat to the Baltic nations from Russia and its increasingly aggressive activity across Europe (ibid.). Sweden is just one nation of many that are concerned with deteriorating stability across Europe and the globe. Although Sweden is not preparing for any current war, the "threat" or "rumors" of wars has motivated this action. Jesus said that one of the signs of the approaching end of the age would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:3-7; Mark 13:4-8). Sweden's recent action to reintroduce the draft for both men and women simply acknowledges the fact that, after more than 70 years of general peace in Europe, rumors of wars are increasing and seen as real. Sweden's move is just one more piece of evidence in a much bigger picture that indicates that we are moving toward the end of the age. For more information on this topic, read "Wars and Rumors of Wars."
Bird Flu Global Outbreaks: An article in Deutsche Welle warns, "More than half a million poultry in Germany have been killed since the latest outbreak of highly contagious bird flu… Nearly 40 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa have reported outbreaks of various strains of avian flu in poultry or wild birds since November, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Fifteen countries in Europe have been hit by the highly pathogenic avian virus, including France, Hungary and Belgium" (February 13, 2017). According to the article, millions of birds have been culled across Europe to prevent further infection and, in China, an outbreak of the H7N9 strain has killed more than two dozen people. "Disease experts warn that if it were to mutate to gain easy human-to-human transmission capability there could be a global pandemic." There have been many avian flu outbreaks through the centuries and only a few have mutated into deadly pandemics. However, health officials know that sooner or later another one will. These events are not confined to the past, as Bible prophecy indicates our world will be struck by deadly plagues at the end of the age (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11; Revelation 6:8). This shows why we need to watch and have a close relationship with our Creator, as such calamities can be upon us very quickly. For more insight into these prophecies, read or listen to "Coming Plagues: The Pale Horse."—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Chris Sookdeo