Greetings from Charlotte,
Just over 400 brethren participated in a very enjoyable Kansas City Family Weekend. Dr. Richard Franz and Mr. Phil West gave very profitable Bible Studies on Friday night and Sabbath morning, respectively. I gave the sermon during the afternoon Sabbath service. There was entertainment and a family dance that evening and fun and games for all ages on Sunday. Dr. Winnail is in Houston for services this week and a leadership conference on Sunday. Our Canadian office worked on scheduling another year of Tomorrow's World Presentations. Summer camps finished in South Africa and New Zealand. Dr. Meredith has been concentrating on several writing projects. Mr. Richard Ames recorded the Night To Be Much Observed message for this year, and Mr. Peter Nathan recorded the Passover service for shut-ins. Last Sunday, Dr. Winnail and Mr. Hernandez conducted an online Leadership Conference for our Spanish-speaking ministers in Mexico and Central and South America. Classes for the second semester of Living University begin on Wednesday, January 11.—GEW
Church Administration
Be Careful with Posting Pictures—Must Read
Our world is very different from just ten years ago. It seems that everyone today has a mobile phone with a camera and many people download pictures on various Internet platforms. If you take pictures of other brethren and post them on social media, please exercise caution and discretion. Some parents do not want their children's pictures on the Internet, nor do some adults want their own there. As a matter of courtesy and propriety, it is always best to check with the person who is in the picture before you display the image to the whole world. This is a way to show love to our fellow brethren, and a common courtesy that all of us should be aware of and follow.
Feast of Tabernacles 2017
Even as the Feast of Tabernacles 2016 fades into our rear-view mirror, Festival 2017 is already appearing on the horizon! The Festival Office has been hard at work for months to get contracts underway for this coming year's Feast. We are pleased to be able to announce Feast sites for 2017 in the United States and in some international areas. (Please note: The international list is not yet complete—more information will be forthcoming as plans are firmed up.)
Please stay tuned to The World Ahead for more information about the Feast of Tabernacles 2017!
United States Feast Sites in 2017:
AK, Anchorage
CA, San Diego
CO, Snowmass
FL, Panama City
KY, Northern Kentucky (formerly Cincinnati, OH)
MO, Lake of the Ozarks
OR, Seaside
SC, Hilton Head
TX, Lake Conroe
VT, Mt. Snow
WI, Lake Geneva
International Feast Sites in 2017 (partial list, added sites in bold font):
Argentina: Villa de Merlo, San Luis
Australia: Nelson Bay, NSW
Barbados: Christ Church
Brazil: Moscou
Canada: Kimberley, BC
Canada: Niagara, ON
Chile: Concón
Colombia: Armenia
Costa Rica: Punta Leona
Guatemala: Antigua
Guyana: Georgetown
Haiti: Paillant
Jamaica: Montego Bay
Kenya: Kendu Bay
Martinique: Ste. Luce
Mexico: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
New Zealand: Hanmer Springs
Nigeria: Lagos
Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby
Peru: Huaychulo
Philippines: Baguio City
Philippines: Davao
Philippines: Don Carlos
Philippines: Maranding
South Africa: Port Shepstone
South Africa: Stillbaai
Tanzania: Nansio, Ukerewe
Thailand: Chiang Mai
Tobago: Bon Accord
Togo: Afagnan
Vanuatu: Orap Village or Malekula
Feast Site Name Change: "Cincinnati" Now "Northern Kentucky"
We have changed the name of the "Cincinnati" Feast site to "Northern Kentucky" because the host hotel is actually located in Kentucky. We don't want to give a false impression that the Feast site will be located in downtown Cincinnati.
Feast Site in Spain—Repeat Announcement
We have had a number of inquiries about the planned small Feast site in Spain this year. Please note that this Feast site will not be open to general registration, as it will be a very small site, with only a very few number of attendees. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Living Youth Program
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Studies
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, January 13, will be on "Day of Atonement—The World at One with God." This is Lesson 29 of the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course. 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 "Feast of Trumpets—Why the World Won't End in Cosmocide," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Living University
Register for Spring Semester Now—Classes Start Wednesday!
There is now less than a week remaining to register for Spring semester classes. Those interested in taking classes this semester should register as soon as possible in order to order textbooks and be prepared for the start of classes on January 11. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first (online), and then register for your selected course. For a listing of classes being offered this semester, visit our "Spring 2017 Class Schedule" link on the Living University Web site. Those age 65 and above are eligible to audit one class per semester for which Living University will waive the tuition fee. High school students interested in taking LU classes while in high school can register for the Early College program and take classes at a significantly reduced rate. Brethren in many developing nations are also eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. For a list of nations that qualify for this tuition break, visit the ISI website: https://www.isi-web.org/index.php/resources/developing-countries. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
Comments
Pay Attention to Prophecy: Jesus told His disciples to stay alert and watch for the fulfillment of specific prophecies that will mark the approaching end of this age (Matthew 24). Jesus also warned in the parable of the foolish virgins that many will be caught napping by the surge of events that will precede His return to this earth (Matthew 25:1-13). God has given His Church a "more sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19, KJV) so His Church can act as a watchman to warn about the prophetic significance of both current and impending world events (Ezekiel 3 and 33; Proverbs 24:11-12). Yet over the years, misguided teachers and preachers have ridiculed the Church's understanding of prophecy and accused anyone watching Bible prophecy of suffering from "prediction addiction." However, as we see world events fitting into the end-time scenario that is outlined in Scripture, we need to make sure we are building a closer relationship with God and that we are learning to live by every word of God—as we continue to pay attention to prophecy.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—January 5, 2017
Why We Talk about News and Prophecy: We are sometimes asked why we take time each week to discuss news in the light of Bible prophecy. Some feel Bible prophecy is depressing or scary. Others wonder about its spiritual value. So why do it? Christ warned us several times, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42; cf. also Matthew 25:13; Luke 21:36). The Apostle Paul warned, "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Jesus warned that at the end of the age many would be so busy with "the cares of this life" that His return would surprise them (Luke 21:34). Jesus also urged His followers to "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (v. 36). God told His people to warn the House of Israel (Ezekiel 3 and 33), and by extension the world (Proverbs 24:11-12), of impending events or they themselves would be held accountable. As we see ancient Bible prophesies being fulfilled, we are reminded that we are living in the last days and that God declares "the end from the beginning" (Isaiah 46:10). Fulfilled prophecies are powerful proofs of God's existence that can energize those who are truly watching! News and Prophecy is designed to be a tool God can use to remind us of the approaching end of the age and counter the spiritual lethargy of this world. The future is nothing to fear when you understand the gospel of the prophesied coming Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:10). For more details about why it is important to study Bible prophecy, watch our Tomorrow's World telecast "Why Bible Prophecy?"
Italy To Challenge Marriage Fidelity: Italian lawmakers are seeking to change the traditional view of fidelity within marriage. "Married couples in Italy will no longer have to pledge fidelity to each other under a draft law being considered by Parliament… The promise not to cheat is a 'cultural legacy from an outdated and obsolete view of marriage, family, and the rights and duties of spouses', according to a dozen senators backing the bill. The amendment was presented by Laura Cantini, a senator… who has described the change as a step forward from what she called the 'legacy of an outdated vision of marriage'. She says the amendment was consistent with the new era of civil unions and a sign of sexual freedom within marriage" (The Telegraph, December 16, 2016). The Bible reveals that God designed marriage to be a sacred bond between husband and wife in a divinely established and unbreakable covenant (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). God also stated that adultery is a violation of His divine law (Exodus 20:14). Today, society is defiantly rejecting God's clear instructions regarding marriage. Promiscuity in marriage is celebrated as liberation from the bondage of biblical moral values. However, God makes it clear that we reap what we sow (Hosea 4:9; Galatians 6:7). Students of history understand that family break-up was a major contributor to the fall of the Roman Empire. Our society is headed for the same fate unless we recognize the laws our Creator established to make marriage the foundation for a successful civilization. To learn more, watch our telecast "Five Ways to Enrich Your Marriage."
Science and the Power of Forgiveness: "'Do not go to bed angry' is common advice for couples who want to improve their relationship, and it may have a scientific backing. Researchers have found out that negative, emotionally-charged memories, like the ones that follow an argument, were harder to suppress after a good night's sleep" (IB Times, November 29, 2016). Long ago, in His love for His people, God gave essentially the same advice: "'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26). God designed the human mind, and He knew that resolving conflict before sleep keeps lasting memories of the conflict from forming. The Bible contains many different laws and principles that, if followed, will improve our lives and bring us increased peace of mind. Anger is emotionally destructive, and that is why God warned, "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:9). When we are humble enough to forgive someone, and we do it quickly, we no longer bear the emotional consequences of conflict—something God has long known. Today, scientific studies help us to better understand God's ancient wisdom on this matter. For more about the power of forgiveness, read "Patience… Mercy… Longsuffering… Forgiveness."—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, and Francine Prater